Advanced Open Water Course – Advanced Certification in Lembongan (next to Bali)

Five underwater sessions, one compact island course. This two-day SSI program is a practical next step after Open Water certification, with a deep-water session, compass work, and three electives chosen with your instructor. I like the small maximum group of five and the calm, supportive teaching praised by people who trained with Kaka, Sara, Silvère, Hugo, and Valentin. The main consideration is that you need a current Open Water qualification and a moderate level of fitness before you begin.

I also like the simple setup at Dive Concepts Lembongan: equipment is supplied, the center has lockers, showers, Wi-Fi, and a restaurant, and each day ends back at the same meeting point. At $431.28 per person, the course is not a casual sightseeing outing, but it is fair value if you need the certification, instruction, gear, and five supervised sessions in one package.

Key points to know before booking

• Five different training sessions: Complete deep-water practice, underwater navigation, and three specialty sessions based on your interests.
• Maximum of five people: A small group gives your instructor more time to watch your technique and answer questions.
• Up to 100 feet, or 30 meters: SSI certification extends the stated depth limit beyond Open Water training.
• Nusa Lembongan setting: Sessions include Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Mangrove Point, Toyapakeh, and Jungut Batu Beach.
• Equipment and facilities included: Mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy jacket, regulator, instruments, wetsuit, weights, lockers, showers, and Wi-Fi are provided.
• Strong emphasis on instruction: The most praised feature is the patient, careful coaching from instructors including Kaka, Sara, Silvère, Hugo, and Valentin.

Why this course makes sense after Open Water

The Open Water certificate gives you the basic skills to manage yourself underwater. The Advanced Open Water course is less about classroom theory and more about building judgment, control, and confidence under professional supervision.

You will complete five training sessions over about two days. One is the Deep Adventure session, which introduces planning for greater depth and the physical effects that come with it. Another focuses on compass navigation. The remaining three let you sample specialty areas such as photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, or wreck exploration.

That choice matters. You are not locked into one narrow path. If you want better control, choose buoyancy work. If you enjoy observing sea life, fish identification may suit you. If you like documenting trips, photography gives the course a creative angle. The exact selection is planned with your instructor, so you can shape the training around your interests.

The course is also designed for people who have only just completed Open Water certification. You do not need years of experience first. Still, the qualification is not a shortcut around basic skills. You must already hold Open Water certification, and you should be comfortable in the water before booking.

Five sessions across the Nusa Lembongan area

The program uses several well-known sites around Nusa Lembongan and nearby waters. The schedule may depend on conditions, but the stated stops are Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Mangrove Point at Nusa Lembongan, Toyapakeh, and Jungut Batu Beach.

Crystal Bay for the deep-water session

Crystal Bay is listed as one of the course stops and is tied to the region’s deeper-water training. Here, the useful lesson is not simply reaching 30 meters. You learn how to plan a deeper session, consider the physiological effects of greater depth, and manage the extra challenges that come with it.

This is where instructor attention matters most. Greater depth calls for careful planning and calm responses, not bravado. Your instructor supervises the work and helps you understand how the experience differs from shallower Open Water practice.

The stated certification limit is up to 100 feet, or 30 meters. That is a training limit, not an invitation to descend as far as possible on every future outing. You should treat the session as a lesson in preparation and decision-making.

Manta Point and the value of real conditions

Manta Point is another listed stop. The name may sound like a promise of close animal encounters, but no sightings are guaranteed by the course details. Think of it as a location used within your training itinerary, not a wildlife guarantee.

That distinction helps you book with sensible expectations. The course is primarily about certification and skill development. Marine life can add excitement, but your main result should be better control, planning, and comfort underwater.

Mangrove Point and compass practice

The Underwater Navigation Adventure session refines your compass work. You will practice using kick cycles, visual landmarks, and time to understand where you are and where you are going.

This skill can seem less glamorous than photography or animal spotting, but it is among the most useful parts of advanced training. A compass becomes more valuable when visibility, depth, or underwater features make orientation harder. Learning to combine compass readings with natural references gives you more than a single mechanical skill.

Mangrove Point at Nusa Lembongan is listed as one of the locations. The exact exercise may vary with conditions and your instructor’s plan, but the aim is clear: improve your ability to navigate rather than simply follow someone else.

Toyapakeh and your specialty choices

Toyapakeh is included among the five stops. This is where one of your selected specialties may take place, depending on the final plan.

The course description gives examples such as buoyancy control, fish identification, photography, and wreck exploration. These options make the program useful for different kinds of learners. Someone who feels awkward in the water may gain more from buoyancy practice than from photography. Someone already comfortable with basic control may enjoy identifying marine life or learning how to handle a camera below the surface.

Ask your instructor early which three options are available for your dates. The information says you choose from a long list of Adventure Dives, but it does not name a fixed combination for every course.

Jungut Batu Beach and the local base

Jungut Batu Beach is both a listed stop and the area where the course begins and ends. The meeting point is Dive Concepts Lembongan in Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida Regency, Bali.

Having one clear base simplifies the two-day schedule. You can use the center’s changing room, toilet, shower, lockers, and Wi-Fi. A restaurant is also available, though food is not included in the price.

Accommodation is not part of the course either. Dormitory beds and bungalows are available at the center, but you arrange and pay for those separately. This can be handy if you want to keep your accommodation and training in one place, but confirm availability before relying on it.

What the teaching style is like

The strongest pattern in the feedback is careful, personal instruction. Kaka is repeatedly singled out for being warm, professional, and precise in his teaching. Sara is praised for making the course fun while still keeping the instruction clear. Silvère is described as patient and reassuring, especially for people building confidence from the start.

Hugo’s teaching is also noted for patience and care, including during a quiet low-season period when he worked with a solo student. Valentin receives praise for creating a safe, relaxed atmosphere while maintaining high professional standards.

Instructor assignment can change, so you should not assume a particular person will teach your course. Still, the range of positive comments suggests that staff care is a major strength of the operation.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than five people, your instructor has a better chance to see how you handle each task. That matters during compass work, buoyancy exercises, and deeper-water preparation, where small habits can affect comfort and safety.

The SSI approach is described as mellower and less theory-centered than the Open Water course. That does not mean theory disappears. You still study the planning and physical issues linked to deeper underwater work, but more of your time goes toward practical sessions.

Equipment, comfort, and the two-day routine

The price includes the core equipment you need: mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt. You do not need to assemble a full personal kit before arriving.

The center also supplies useful land-based facilities. Lockers give you a place for small belongings, while the shower and changing room make it easier to move between the beach and the rest of your day. Wi-Fi is available, and the on-site restaurant provides a convenient food option at your own expense.

The course lasts approximately two days. That is efficient, but it also means the schedule may feel full. You are not simply spending two leisurely mornings in the water. You will combine brief theory, equipment preparation, practical training, and travel between sites.

The maximum group of five is especially valuable on a short course. You have limited time to repeat skills and ask questions, so personal feedback can make the difference between merely completing tasks and understanding why they matter.

Digital photos and videos are not included. They may be purchased separately. If underwater images are important to you, ask about the price before the session rather than treating them as part of the package.

Is $431.28 good value?

At $431.28 per person, this course costs more than a simple recreational outing because it includes a recognized certification path, five training sessions, an instructor, and a full set of standard equipment.

The value is strongest if you need all of those pieces. Buying or renting equipment separately, arranging instruction, and booking several sessions would make the comparison less direct. You also receive access to the center’s basic facilities, which reduces the need to organize changing and storage elsewhere.

The value is weaker if you already have extensive experience and only want a casual underwater day. This is a training program, not a sightseeing package. You are paying for structured skills, supervision, and certification.

The small group limit supports the price. A lower-cost course with a much larger group might give you less individual attention. Here, the instructor has a manageable number of people to watch, particularly during the navigation and deep-water sessions.

Accommodation, meals, photos, and videos cost extra. Build those into your budget. The center’s dormitory and bungalows may simplify your stay, but the supplied details do not give room rates or availability.

Who should book this course?

This course suits you if you have recently completed Open Water training and want more confidence before taking on more demanding underwater trips. It also works well if you want to test several specialty areas before committing to one.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. The experience involves equipment, boat-based site visits, and repeated sessions over two days. The provider specifically requires a moderate fitness level, so this is not the right pick if you are looking for a completely passive holiday activity.

The course is a good match for solo participants too. The small group size and examples of attentive one-to-one teaching suggest that you will not be lost in a crowd, even if no one else in your party books.

It is less suitable if you want guaranteed manta encounters, a fixed set of specialty subjects, or an all-inclusive package with accommodation and meals. Those are not promised here.

Practical booking advice for Nusa Lembongan

Your meeting point is Dive Concepts Lembongan, Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida, Bali 80771. The center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with the activity ending back at the same meeting point.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Because the course depends on suitable weather, keep some flexibility in your schedule. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Service animals are allowed. The course is capped at five participants, but it is still wise to confirm dates before arranging nonrefundable accommodation or transport.

Should you book the SSI Advanced Open Water course?

Book it if you want a focused, small-group step beyond Open Water certification, especially if patient instruction and practical skill work matter more to you than a packed sightseeing schedule. The five-session format gives you useful variety, while the deep-water and navigation work address skills that can genuinely improve future trips.

I would be cautious if your main goal is wildlife viewing or guaranteed underwater photography. Marine life and digital images may be part of the experience, but neither is the central promise.

For a newly certified scuba enthusiast, the combination of SSI training, supplied equipment, experienced instructors, and a maximum of five people makes this a strong choice in Nusa Lembongan. Just budget separately for food, accommodation, and optional photos, and leave room in your itinerary for weather changes.

FAQ

Do I need an Open Water certification first?

Yes. You must already be Open Water certified before starting this Advanced Open Water course.

How long does the course take?

The course lasts approximately two days.

How many training sessions are included?

Five training sessions are included.

How deep can I train during the course?

The SSI certification allows you to train to depths of up to 100 feet, or 30 meters.

What skills are included?

The course includes a Deep Adventure session, an Underwater Navigation session, and three additional specialty sessions chosen with your instructor.

Which specialty subjects can I choose?

Examples include photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and wreck exploration. The available choices are selected from a broader list of Adventure Dives.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The package includes a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt.

Where does the course begin and end?

It begins and ends at Dive Concepts Lembongan in Jungutbatu, Nusa Lembongan.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations offer either another date or a full refund.