Advanced
Open Water
Diver Course
Go deeper. Dive at night. Explore wrecks. The PADI AOW course takes your skills beyond the basics — 5 real adventure dives in Tioman Island's tropical waters.
Your Next Step
Beyond Open Water
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course is designed for certified Open Water Divers who want to build confidence, refine underwater skills, and experience new types of diving under professional instructor supervision.
This course focuses on experience-based learning — no classroom exams. You'll develop advanced skills through 5 real ocean dives, including deep diving to 30 metres, night diving, wreck exploration, precision buoyancy, and underwater navigation.
Many divers choose to continue directly into AOW immediately after completing their Open Water certification. With calm sea conditions and diverse dive sites, Tioman Island is an ideal environment to take the next step.
Who Should Take This Course?
What You'll
Experience
Deep Dive Adventure
Expand your depth limit to 30 metres (100 feet). Learn physiological effects of deeper diving, gas management, and safety procedures while exploring Tioman's deeper dive sites under direct instructor supervision.
Underwater Navigation
Fine-tune your observation skills and learn to use a compass accurately. Practice navigating square and reciprocal patterns, plus use natural landmarks to find your way underwater — a crucial skill for diver confidence.
Wreck Dive Adventure
Explore Tioman's artificial reefs and wrecks. Learn to safely navigate wreck structures, observe unique marine life, and understand wreck diving hazards and excitement.
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Master the art of hovering. Precise weight distribution, breath control, and streamlining — reduce air consumption, protect marine life, feel weightless.
Night Dive Adventure
Experience the ocean after dark! Torch handling, light communication, and navigation — observe nocturnal marine life like crabs, shrimps, and hunting barracudas.
Choose Your
Package
All packages include PADI course, equipment, meals, and accommodation. Course-only option available.
🏠 TDB Tioman Resort
🌴 Idaman Beach Holiday Resort
🏝️ Aguna Resort
🌺 Impian Inn
📋 Course Only (No Accommodation)
💳 0% Interest Installment available — 3 months. Purchase online here →
Course
Package
Complete training resources
All scuba gear provided
Official dive log included
Professional PADI instructors
To local dive sites
3 meals/day × 2 days
2 nights at your chosen resort
Free with social media review
During your course
AOW Diver e-card processing
Ideal Conditions for
Advanced Training
🌊 Calm Waters
Generally calm sea conditions — focus on skill development without fighting currents.
👀 Good Visibility
Clear tropical waters with 10–20m visibility for safe deep diving and navigation practice.
📐 Gradual Depths
Depth profiles suitable for progressive skill development from 12m to 30m.
🐠 Diverse Marine Life
Healthy reefs, wreck sites, and abundant marine life for real-world training experiences.
Benefits of Being
a TDB Student
At TDB Tioman, TDB Tenggol, TDB SunBeach, and more locations.
Discount on food and dining at 老蒋石板烧.
Discount on equipment at TDB Scuba Dive Equipment.
Complimentary during your certification course.
Registration
& Terms
RM 300 per person. Non-refundable but transferable, valid one year.
1 March 2026 – 20 November 2026.
Free 3 boat dives (worth RM 300) for deposits paid on or before 28 Feb 2026. Personal use only. Does not include accommodation, meals, or equipment rental (RM 60/day).
3 days / 2 nights.
No refunds if course cannot be completed due to weather conditions.
Must be informed 14 days in advance. Late changes result in deposit forfeiture.
If certification not passed, full fees apply. Return within one year paying only accommodation and meals.
Package includes 6 meals (3/day × 2 days). 7th meal chargeable separately.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What are the prerequisites for the PADI Advanced Open Water course?
You must hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from another recognized agency). No additional dive experience beyond the Open Water course is required. Many divers at Tioman Dive Buddy take the AOW course immediately after completing their Open Water certification.
How many dives are included in the AOW course?
The PADI Advanced Open Water Course includes 5 Adventure Dives. At Tioman Dive Buddy, these are: Deep Dive (mandatory), Underwater Navigation (mandatory), Wreck Dive, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Night Dive. All dives are conducted in the open water around Tioman Island.
Is the Advanced Open Water course difficult?
No. The AOW course is experience-based, not exam-based. There are no final written exams. Each Adventure Dive builds on skills you already learned in your Open Water course, with your instructor guiding you through new techniques at a comfortable pace. Most students find it enjoyable and confidence-building.
Do I need to be very experienced before taking this course?
No. The Advanced Open Water course is designed as the natural next step after Open Water certification. You do not need extensive dive experience. The course is structured to progressively build your skills, comfort, and confidence through hands-on diving experience under instructor supervision.
Is night diving safe for beginners?
Yes. Night diving during the AOW course is conducted in familiar, calm dive sites around Tioman Island with full instructor supervision. You will learn torch handling, light communication, and navigation techniques before entering the water. The experience introduces you to nocturnal marine life and builds essential low-light diving skills in a safe, controlled environment.
How deep will I dive during the course?
The Deep Dive Adventure takes you to a planned depth of up to 30 metres (100 feet), which is the maximum recreational depth for Advanced Open Water Divers. Other dives are conducted at shallower depths appropriate for each skill being practised. Upon certification, you are qualified to dive to 30 metres worldwide.
How long does the AOW certification take?
The PADI Advanced Open Water Course at Tioman Dive Buddy takes a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights. During this time, you complete 5 Adventure Dives with instructor-led dive planning and skill practice. There are no written exams — the course is entirely experience-based.
Can this course be done in Tioman year-round?
The dive season at Tioman Island runs from March to November, when sea conditions are generally favourable. Tioman Dive Buddy offers PADI Advanced Open Water courses throughout this season with flexible start dates that can begin on almost any day, making it easy to combine with your travel plans.
Ready to Go
Deeper?
5 adventure dives. 30-metre depth certification. Night diving. Wreck exploration. Take the next step with Tioman Dive Buddy.
2026
Tioman Dive Buddy
PADI Advanced Open Water Course
(AOW Course)
PADI AOW Course
(Advanced Open Water)
| TDB Dorm Room | RM1,368 |
| TDB Twin | RM1,598 |
| TDB Triple | RM1,488 |
| TDB Quad | RM1,428 |
| IDAMAN DELUXE SINGLE OCCUPANCY | RM1,718 |
| IDAMAN TWIN SHARING | RM1,488 |
| IDAMAN DELUXE TWIN SHARING | RM1,518 |
| IDAMAN TRIPLE SHARING | RM1,428 |
| IDAMAN QUAD SHARING | RM1,388 |
| IDAMAN DELUXE QUAD SHARING | RM1,418 |
| AGUNA DORM ROOM | RM1,388 |
| AGUNA SINGLE OCCUPANCY | RM1,758 |
| AGUNA TWIN SHARING | RM1,508 |
| AGUNA TRIPLE SHARING | RM1,518 |
| AGUNA QUAD SHARING | RM1,448 |
| IMPIAN INN SINGLE OCCUPANCY | RM1,758 |
| IMPIAN INN TWIN SHARING | RM1,508 |
| IMPIAN INN QUAD SHARING | RM1,488 |
| PADI AOW Diver Course Only | RM1,250 |
TDB PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course Itinerary
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course at TDB is structured around experience-based learning, allowing certified Open Water Divers to expand their skills through real-world ocean dives under the guidance of PADI-certified instructors.
During the course, you will complete five Adventure Dives, focusing on deep diving, navigation, and specialty skills that build confidence, control, and situational awareness underwater.
Adventure Dives Included
- Underwater Navigation – Compass and natural navigation techniques
- Deep Dive – Planned dives beyond 18 meters, up to 30 meters
- Night Dive – Low-light diving techniques and communication
- Peak Performance Buoyancy – Precision buoyancy and trim control
- Wreck Dive – Introduction to wreck diving procedures and awareness
Benefits of Being a TDB Student
As a current or former TDB student, you enjoy exclusive privileges across our partner locations and services:
- 10% discount on Fun Dives at TDB Tioman, TDB Tenggol, TDB SunBeach and more locations coming soon.
- 10% discount at Grill On The Rock (老蒋石板烧) on food and dining
- 10% discount on scuba diving equipment purchased at TDB Scuba Dive Equipment
- Free-flow beer during your certification course at TDB Tioman.
Registration & Important Information
- Deposit: RM300 per person (non-refundable but transferable, valid for one year from payment date).
- Travel period: 1 March 2026 – 20 November 2026.
- Early Bird Bonus: Free 3 boat dives (worth RM300) for deposits paid on or before 28 February 2026. For personal use only.
- Free boat dives do not include: accommodation, meals, or equipment rental (equipment rental RM60 per day).
- Course duration: 3 days / 2 nights.
- Weather conditions: No refunds if the course cannot be completed due to weather.
- Schedule changes: Must be informed at least 14 days in advance. Late changes will result in deposit forfeiture to cover hotel penalties.
- Course assessment: If certification is not passed, full fees still apply. Students may return within one year to retake the course, paying only for accommodation and meals.
- All participants must comply with the terms and conditions.
- The company reserves the right to amend terms and conditions without prior notice.
Package Includes
- PADI course materials
- Full scuba diving equipment rental
- Dive logbook
- Professional instructor fees
-
Meals:
- 3 meals per day
- 6 meals over 2 days
- 7th meal chargeable separately
- Accommodation
-
Free exclusive TDB T-shirt
(Posting a review on Xiaohongshu, Google Reviews, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Douyin is required)
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Tioman Island
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Tioman Island is designed for certified Open Water Divers who want to build confidence, refine underwater skills, and experience new types of diving under professional instructor supervision.
This course focuses on experience-based learning, allowing divers to develop advanced skills through real ocean dives rather than classroom exams. With generally calm sea conditions and diverse dive sites, Tioman Island is an ideal environment to take the next step in your scuba diving journey.
Who Should Take the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?
The Advanced Open Water course is suitable for:
- Certified PADI Open Water Divers or equivalent
- Divers looking to improve navigation and buoyancy control
- Divers who want to experience deeper diving in a safe environment
- Divers preparing for Rescue Diver or professional-level courses
Many divers choose to continue directly into the Advanced Open Water course immediately after completing their Open Water certification.
What You Will Learn in the Advanced Open Water Course
During the course, you will complete five Adventure Dives. At Tioman Dive Buddy, our curriculum is structured to include two mandatory dives and three popular elective dives that are best suited for Tioman's diving conditions.
1. Deep Dive Adventure (Mandatory)
Expand your depth limit to 30 meters (100 feet). You will learn physiological effects of deeper diving, gas management, and safety procedures while exploring deeper dive sites under the direct supervision of an instructor.
2. Underwater Navigation (Mandatory)
Fine-tune your observation skills and learn to use a compass more accurately. You will practice navigating square and reciprocal patterns, as well as using natural landmarks to find your way underwater—a crucial skill for building diver confidence.
3. Wreck Dive Adventure
Tioman Island is home to several exciting artificial reefs and wrecks. In this dive, you will learn how to safely navigate and explore a wreck, observe unique marine life that inhabits these structures, and understand the hazards and excitement of wreck diving.
4. Peak Performance Buoyancy (PPB)
Master the art of hovering. This dive focuses on precise weight distribution, breath control, and streamlining. Improving your buoyancy helps you reduce air consumption, protect marine life, and feel weightless underwater.
5. Night Dive Adventure
Experience the ocean after dark! You will learn essential night diving techniques, including torch handling, light communication, and navigation, while observing nocturnal marine life—like crabs, shrimps, and hunting barracudas—that you rarely see during the day.
Why Choose Tioman Island for Advanced Open Water Diving?
- Generally calm waters and good visibility
- Short boat rides to nearby dive sites
- Gradual depth profiles suitable for skill progression
- Diverse marine life and reef structures for real-world training
These conditions allow divers to focus on skill development while enjoying relaxed, controlled, and confidence-building dives.
Advanced Open Water Course Structure
- Minimum duration: 2 days
- Total dives: 5 Adventure Dives
- No final written exams
- Training conducted entirely in open water
- Instructor-led dive planning and skill practice
The course is flexible and designed to build comfort, control, and confidence underwater.
Safety Standards & Instructor Expertise
Safety is a core priority throughout the Advanced Open Water course. All training is conducted in accordance with PADI international standards and supervised by certified instructors.
Our instructors have extensive experience teaching Advanced Open Water courses in Tioman Island and conduct dives in small groups to ensure personal attention, clear communication, and a safe learning environment.
What’s Included in the Course
- 5 Adventure Dives
- Certified PADI Instructor guidance
- Boat dives to local dive sites
- Tanks and weights
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification processing
- Instructor verification
Ready to Continue Your Diving Journey?
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Tioman Island is the perfect next step to expand your skills, confidence, and underwater experiences.
Explore new depths, refine your diving techniques, and continue your certification journey with experienced instructors in one of Malaysia’s most popular dive destinations.
Advanced Open Water Diver Course (AOW) – FAQs
You must be a certified Open Water Diver and meet basic health requirements.
The course includes 5 adventure dives completed over a minimum of two days.
No. The course is designed to build confidence progressively under instructor supervision.
No. Many divers take Advanced Open Water immediately after Open Water certification.
Yes. Night dives are carefully planned, instructor-led, and conducted in controlled conditions.
The deep dive typically reaches up to 30 meters under instructor supervision.
Most divers complete the course within 2 days.
Yes, except during the monsoon season when dive operations are closed.