PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water by Bali Diving

Padang Bai’s clear-water training grounds and the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben give these PADI courses a memorable classroom: the sea itself. Choose the three-day Open Water course if you are new to scuba, or the two-day Advanced Open Water course if you already have certification and want to build skill.

I like two practical things here: the course includes transport, equipment, meals and PADI learning materials, so you do not need to assemble the basics yourself; and the teaching gets strong praise for patience and safety, with instructors such as Ari, Ketut, Ali, Erwin and Heru named in connection with past courses. The main consideration is time: long road journeys and early starts make this a serious commitment, not a lazy beach break.

The highlights to know before booking

• The two-day Advanced course visits Padang Bai and Tulamben, including the USAT Liberty wreck.
• Beginners need the three-day Open Water option. Past course schedules included a pool session before open-water training.
• Hotel pickup is available in Sanur, Central Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, but the pickup time depends on your area.
• The equipment, instructor, meals, refreshments and required PADI course materials are included.
• You need to be at least 10 and under 65, with moderate fitness and a completed medical statement.
• Plan around the post-course flight restriction: wait at least 18 hours after scuba activity before flying.

Two courses, with different goals

The two packages are not interchangeable. The three-day PADI Open Water course is for beginners learning the basics and working toward their first certification. The two-day PADI Advanced Open Water course is for people who already have the required experience and want to develop their abilities.

The detailed two-day schedule provided is for the Advanced course. It includes three sessions at Padang Bai on the first day, then two at the USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben on the second. If you are booking Open Water, allow three days, and confirm the exact day-by-day plan with the operator. A past beginner schedule included pool training on the first day, followed by sessions at sea on the next two days.

That distinction matters when you plan your Bali stay. The Advanced option is shorter, but it still takes two full days. The Open Water course needs a third day, and you may also want to leave spare time in case weather or road conditions change the schedule.

Day one: learning and training at Padang Bai

For the Advanced course, the day begins at 7:00. Depending on where you are staying, your hotel pickup time may differ. Pickup coverage includes Sanur, Central Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, so enter your hotel name and address when booking and wait for the operator to confirm the time. Bring your swimwear and a change of clothes, and be ready a few minutes early.

After equipment fitting, you travel to Padang Bai. The first session is a navigation exercise, followed by an elective session. A third elective session comes after lunch and a surface interval on the boat. The order and exact timing may shift with weather and traffic, so treat the schedule as a plan rather than a clockwork promise.

Padang Bai is useful for an Advanced course because you get to practise more than one type of skill in a day. The navigation session gives you a focused task, while the elective sessions let you work on additional areas under instructor supervision. You are not just following a guide around; you are building confidence and putting training into practice.

Lunch and refreshments are included, which is a welcome practical touch on a day spent travelling and in the water. At the end of the sessions, you return to the center to log your training and receive a debrief. The schedule lists hotel drop-off, though the actual return time can vary.

If you are taking the beginner course, do not assume you will follow this exact first-day plan. A past Open Water schedule began with a pool session, a sensible way to get used to equipment and practise basic skills before heading out to sea. Confirm the current plan for your chosen package before you book.

Day two: the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben

The second Advanced course day starts with pickup at about 7:00, with the precise time depending on your location. The group loads equipment and travels to Tulamben, where the USAT Liberty wreck is the main attraction. The schedule includes one deep session and one wreck session.

The wreck gives the day a distinct focus. You are not simply repeating the same training ground from Padang Bai: the setting itself is part of what makes the course memorable. The two sessions let you practise with an instructor in and around a well-known wreck, while the course structure keeps training at the center of the outing.

There is a surface interval and lunch at a beachside cafe between sessions. The return is scheduled for about 17:00, but Bali traffic and weather can affect the timing. Tulamben is a long way from the Sanur area, so expect a substantial day with road time on either side of your training.

For the Open Water package, Tulamben may also be part of the course. Past beginner schedules included sessions at the Liberty wreck, but the order of locations can change. If seeing the wreck is high on your list, ask the operator how it fits into your selected course dates.

What the instructors and support add

Scuba training depends on clear guidance and careful supervision, especially when you are new to breathing underwater. The strongest praise associated with this center focuses on instructors who explain skills patiently, adapt to a student’s pace and make safety procedures clear. Names connected with past courses include Ari, Ketut, Ali, Erwin, Heru and Ketut Letra. Your instructor is not guaranteed to be any particular person, so treat those names as examples rather than a request you can count on.

The practical support matters, too. Round-trip hotel transfers, full equipment, bottled water, refreshments and lunch are included. That reduces the amount of planning you need to do, and makes the package easier to manage if you are based in one of the pickup areas.

You also get PADI materials for theory and training, along with certification. One useful preparation step is to ask the operator when your learning materials will be available. Past students found that studying theory in advance helped them make better use of their time during the course. Do not leave that question until the evening before your first early start.

Price and what the package covers

The advertised starting price is US$361.35, while the package choices show US$384.19 for the three-day Open Water course and US$328.50 for the two-day Advanced course. Those figures do not line up neatly, so check the price for your exact date and selected package before paying.

To judge the value, consider what is bundled: professional PADI instruction, course materials and certification, full equipment, transfers from covered areas, meals, refreshments, bottled water and marine park entry fees. For a course that includes multiple training sessions and travel to two coastal areas, having transport and equipment arranged can save both effort and separate costs.

Some extras are not included. Bring swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes. A camera is optional; GoPro cameras and dive computers can be rented at the center. Optional DAN insurance is also available for purchase through the operator. Certified or professional divers should bring their logbook.

Health, timing and other practical details

You need to be at least 10 years old and under 65 to take part. The course calls for moderate physical fitness, and you must provide a medical statement. The operator can provide a medical form and arrange a doctor’s check before training if needed.

This activity is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure or epilepsy. If you have a health concern, discuss it with the operator and seek appropriate medical advice before booking rather than hoping it will be fine on the day.

Plan carefully around air travel. The guidance strongly recommends waiting at least 18 hours after scuba activity before flying. Avoid scheduling your final course session right before a flight, and do not plan mountain activities immediately afterward.

Weather and traffic can change the schedule. Changes are allowed up to 24 hours before the activity, subject to the stated booking restrictions, and cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date qualify for a full refund. The voucher is valid only for the date selected, and you present it on your phone.

Who should choose this course?

Choose the Open Water course if you are a beginner and want a structured route to your first PADI certification. Three days gives you time for the theory, basic skills and open-water practice. Ask in advance about the learning materials and the planned pool and sea sessions, then leave enough room in your itinerary for the full course.

Choose the Advanced Open Water course if you already have the required certification and want to improve your skills in varied settings. Its combination of Padang Bai training and the Liberty wreck is a strong reason to consider it, especially if you value practical instruction more than a short, low-effort outing.

This is less suitable if you want a relaxed half-day activity, are staying outside the listed pickup areas without arranging transport, or cannot spare two or three full days. The starts are early, the Tulamben journey is long, and the schedule can shift.

Should you book it?

I would consider this a good-value choice if you want a real course, not a quick introduction, and are happy to give it proper time. The included gear, transport, food and certification materials make the logistics manageable, while Padang Bai and the USAT Liberty wreck give the Advanced course a compelling setting.

Before booking, confirm that you are choosing the right level, check the final price for that package, and verify the pickup details and schedule. If you are a beginner, book the three-day Open Water option. If you already hold certification, the two-day Advanced course offers a focused next step, with the wreck at Tulamben as its most distinctive feature.

FAQ

How long are the courses?

The Open Water course takes three days. The Advanced Open Water course takes two days.

Which locations are included in the Advanced course?

The schedule includes Padang Bai on the first day and Tulamben on the second day, with sessions at the USAT Liberty wreck.

Is this suitable for a beginner?

Yes, if you book the three-day PADI Open Water course. The two-day Advanced course is a separate option for people progressing beyond beginner training.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a PADI instructor, equipment, course materials and certification, lunch, refreshments, bottled water, hotel transfers from covered areas, marine park entry fees and public assurance.

Which areas have hotel pickup?

Pickup coverage includes Sanur, Central Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. The operator confirms the pickup time in advance.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes. You may also bring a camera. GoPro cameras and dive computers can be rented at the center.

What are the age and fitness requirements?

Participants must be at least 10 and under 65, and should have moderate physical fitness.

Do I need to provide a medical statement?

Yes. Participants should provide a medical statement for all courses. The operator can provide a form and arrange a doctor’s check before training if needed.

How long should I wait before flying?

The guidance strongly recommends waiting at least 18 hours after scuba activity before taking a flight.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date. Changes are allowed up to 24 hours before the start, subject to the listed booking restrictions.