Advanced Scuba Diving with Odyssea Adventures in San Diego
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–3 days, 5 dives total
Fitness Level
Must be in good health with basic swimming skills and comfortable in open water.
Overview
Take your scuba skills to the next level with Odyssea Adventures’ Advanced Open Water course in San Diego. Customizable and packed with specialty dives, this certification opens doors to thrilling underwater environments like Catalina Island.
PADI CUSTOM Advanced Open Water Certification Course: BRONZE, SILVER, OR GOLD TIER
2-3 Days • Ages 12+ • PreReq: Open Water certification course
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About This Adventure
Elevate your diving skills with the Advanced Open Water Diver course, featuring customizable schedules and unique specialty dives like deep diving and underwater photography. Experience thrilling adventures in San Diego and Catalina Island, while earning credits toward PADI certifications. Perfect for divers aged 12 and up seeking unforgettable underwater exploration!
Duration
• 2-3 Days or 5 Dives Total • 6-8 Hours eLearning Time Commitment • Your instructor will call to coordinate and set up a custom schedule after booking. Don't worry if you don't see the exact dates you need on the calendar. We can customize your training schedule to fit almost anyones schedule!
*All photos were taken by us and on training location
About
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about advancing your skills. You'll practice navigation and buoyancy, try deep diving and make three specialty dives of your choosing (it's like a specialty sampler platter). For every specialty dive you complete, you can earn credit toward PADI® specialty certifications.
Here are a few of the many options: Deep, Digital Underwater Photography, Dive Against Debris, Dry Suit, Enriched Air Nitrox, Fish Identification, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Search & Recovery, Underwater Naturalist, Underwater Navigation, and Wreck Diver. *Deep Dive and navigation Dive are required
Most Popular requested adventure dives are: Deep, Navigation, Wreck, search and recovery, Night, Nitrox (add on), peak performance buoyancy, Drysuit (add on)
Time commitment 2-3 days or 5 dives total eLearning time commitment: 6-8 hours
Course prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver, or qualifying entry-level certification.
The minimum age to start the Advanced Open Water Diver course is 12.
Divers 15 or older earn an Advanced Open Water Diver certification
Divers between the age of 12-14 earn a Junior Advanced Open Water
Diver certification Divers 10-11 can earn a Junior Adventure Diver certification. Upon turning 12, they can complete the deep dive and earn a Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Divers certified as Junior Advanced Open Water Divers automatically become Advanced Open Water Divers at age 15. Any replacement certification card or eCard purchased the day after the diver's 15th birthday will automatically show an Advanced Open Water Diver (not Jr. Advanced Open Water Diver) certification.
We are the only company that can offer custom scheduling and the option to Boat Dive in both San Diego and Catalina Island!
Want to stay warm? Add on the drysuit class! Bundle and save! We even offer destination trips for this certification to the Florida keys!
Reach out with any questions or concerns text/phone: +1-619-639-4800
Adventure Tips
Complete eLearning Before Dives
Finish your 6–8 hours of online coursework before your first dive day to maximize time in the water.
Wear a Drysuit in Colder Waters
Consider adding the drysuit specialty for comfortable dives especially around Catalina Island during cooler seasons.
Bring Waterproof Dive Log
Keep track of your specialty dives and certification progress with a waterproof logbook or app.
Plan for Weather Delays
Boat dives can be delayed by weather; allow flexibility in your schedule for rescheduling shore or boat dives.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Leopard sharks commonly glide through sandy bottoms
- Garibaldi, California’s state fish, brightens rocky reefs with vivid orange hues
History
Catalina Island has a rich maritime history, including several shipwrecks now popular wreck dive sites featured in the advanced course.
Conservation
Odyssea Adventures promotes low-impact diving practices and supports local marine conservation initiatives to protect these fragile underwater ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in San Diego
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Wetsuit or Drysuit
Protects against chilly Pacific waters and extends dive comfort.
fall|winter|spring specific
Underwater Camera
Capture vibrant marine life and unique dive moments during specialty photography dives.
Dive Computer
Monitors depth and bottom time for safe dive planning and execution.
Dive Compass
Critical for underwater navigation training dives included in the course.