COURSES ONBOARD OUR LIVEABOARDS
€225Available on our cruises
- Online theory
- Hotel transfers
- Individual equipment
- English-speaking instructors
- Certification
Group rates available based on the number of participants
Right now: 5% off on our liveaboards! Plan your next Thailand trip to the Similan Islands
Diving courses
Perfect your diving skills
Advanced Open Water Course in Khao Lak
The second diving level, in 2 days, in the Andaman Sea: the theory at home before you travel, then five adventure dives with one instructor for 2 to 3 students. Day one on the reefs of Khao Lak, day two on the Boonsung wreck or at the Similan Islands. Or during a liveaboard.
The Advanced Open Water is the second diving level, recognized worldwide. It opens up diving to 30 meters and builds your confidence in five supervised dives: finding your way, mastering your buoyancy, going deeper.
In Khao Lak, you complete it in 2 days, facing the Similan Islands, with the instructors of Andaman Scuba, established in Phuket since 1997 and in Khao Lak since 2004.
One instructor for 2 to 3 students, the theory done online before you arrive, and adventure dives on real sites, where the skills quickly give way to exploring.
How it works
From the reef to the Similans
The Advanced Open Water course in Khao Lak, step by step
Before you arrive: the theory online
As soon as you book, you get access to the SSI online theory. You read it at home, at your own pace: your two days on site are spent in the water.
Day 1: three dives on the reefs of Khao Lak
The first day is spent by boat on our local reefs, with three dives. This is where you work on what takes concentration, compass navigation and buoyancy, over easy terrain and at your own pace. By evening, most of the skills are behind you.
Day 2: the Boonsung wreck or the Similan Islands
Your last two dives take place on a richer site, your choice: the Boonsung wreck, lying at 20 meters and covered in fish, or the Similan Islands, by speedboat, with their granite boulders and coral gardens. There you make your deep dive, then one dive of your choice among the SSI adventures: wreck, boat, nitrox… When you surface, you are a certified Advanced Open Water Diver.
On a liveaboard: two options
Joining a cruise on the Bunmee 4? The course takes place during the cruise, on the dives of the program: only the training is added. Otherwise, the mini-liveaboard option takes you two days and one night aboard a large boat, for six dives at the Similan Islands or Richelieu Rock. On a liveaboard, the night dive can be part of your course.
What you learn
- Navigating: following a compass heading, returning to your starting point, reading the terrain.
- Fine-tuning your buoyancy: hovering effortlessly, using less air, touching nothing.
- Going deeper: planning a dive to 30 meters, managing your air and your ascent.
- Planning and leading your dives with your buddy, with more confidence.
- Discovering another dive of your choice: wreck, boat, nitrox… and, on a liveaboard, the night dive.
Who is it for? Requirements
- Open Water certification, or CMAS 1 star.
- Age: from 12 years old.
- Health: the same medical questionnaire as for the Open Water. A medical certificate is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is strongly recommended.
- Flying: no flight within 24 hours after your last dive.
Options and prices
The course during a cruise, two options with day trips and one mini-liveaboard option, detailed below. Prices are per person and decrease with the number of participants.
ADVANCED OPEN WATER REEF + WRECK
€3952 Days
- Online theory
- Hotel transfers
- Individual equipment
- English-speaking instructors
- Certification
- 5 Dives
- 2-day boat excursion with lunch (3 reef dives + 2 wreck dives)
Group rates available based on the number of participants
ADVANCED OPEN WATER REEF + SIMILAN
€4502 Days
- Online theory
- Hotel transfers
- Individual equipment
- English-speaking instructors
- Certification
- 5 Dives
- 2-day boat excursion with lunch (3 reef dives + 2 Similan dives)
Group rates available based on the number of participants
ADVANCED OPEN WATER LIVEABOARD COMFORT CABIN
€6202 Days
- Online theory
- Hotel transfers
- Individual equipment
- English-speaking instructors
- Certification
- 6 Dives
- 2 Days, 1 night cruise in Comfort Cabin (6 dives at Richelieu Rock or Similan Islands)
Group rates available based on the number of participants
ADVANCED OPEN WATER LIVEABOARD ENSUITE CABIN
€7002 Days
- Online theory
- Hotel transfers
- Individual equipment
- English-speaking instructors
- Certification
- 6 Dives
- 2 Days, 1 night cruise in Ensuite Cabin (6 dives at Richelieu Rock or Similan Islands)
Group rates available based on the number of participants
What the price includes
The SSI online theory, transfers from your hotel in the Khao Lak area, the dives at sea, lunch on board on boat days, full individual equipment, dive insurance, instruction and the certification. Only your personal expenses are extra.
Why us
Improve your diving, respecting the sites
Why take your Advanced with Andaman Scuba
Since 1997
Established in Phuket since 1997 and in Khao Lak since 2004, facing the Similan Islands.
2 to 3 students per instructor
We take our time: each skill is mastered before moving on to the next.
No training drills at Richelieu Rock
An exceptional site with a fragile ecosystem: we do no training drills there. It is part of our sustainability commitments.
Instructors who speak your language
English-, French- and Spanish-speaking, CMAS, SSI and PADI professionals.
What comes next, right here
Day trips, liveaboards, Nitrox, deep diving: everything leaves from the same center.
FAQ
Your questions
Advanced Open Water course: your questions answered
How long does the course take?
Two days on site, once the theory is done online before you arrive, on day trips as on the mini-liveaboard.
What is the difference with the Open Water?
The Open Water teaches you to dive to 18 meters. The Advanced takes you to 30 meters and builds your confidence: navigation, buoyancy, deep diving. It is not an exam: it is five supervised dives.
What is the minimum age?
12 years old.
CMAS 1 star, CMAS 2 stars: how do they compare with the Advanced?
CMAS 1 star gives access to the Advanced Open Water course. CMAS 2 stars is broadly equivalent to the Advanced in what it qualifies you to do.
Can I take the course during a liveaboard?
Yes, in two ways: aboard the Bunmee 4, during your cruise, on the dives of the program, with only the training added to the cruise price; or on the mini-liveaboard, two days and one night, six dives. On a liveaboard, the night dive can be part of the course.
Can the course include the Similan Islands?
Yes, with the Reef + Similan option: the second day is spent at the Similan Islands, by speedboat.
Can my certified partner come along?
Yes. With the Reef + Similan option, they dive on the same boat from the second day, exploring: you finish the course together on the same site.
SSI or PADI?
We issue the SSI Advanced Open Water certification, recognized worldwide, just like PADI. Our instructors are also PADI-certified; they chose SSI for the quality of its online learning and in-water training.
My last dive was a while ago: is that a problem?
No. A half-day refresher in the pool before the course puts you back at ease, so you can make the most of your dives.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, a hat or cap for the sun, and reef-safe sunscreen. All the diving equipment is provided.
What comes after the Advanced?
Deep diving to 40 meters, Nitrox, and above all the sea: our day trips to the Similans and our liveaboards to Richelieu Rock leave from Khao Lak all season.
What comes after the Advanced?
Your experiences
They dived with us
Testimonials
« What more can you say when you go to Thailand to dive »
What more can you say when you go to Thailand to dive. A feast for the eyes. Sites rich in hard and soft corals. Oh yes, we ate really well, thanks to the cooks as well as the crew and the guides. Beware of little Tom who introduces you to Thai boxing. He is lively, fast and too kind. I would start the adventure again with my daughter (Level 2 diver). That’s for sure.
Marc C. · April 2025
« I just went on my first diving cruise »
I just went on my first diving cruise. And honestly, I had a waking dream. You were perfect. The boat is great, the organization is ideal, the food is divine, and the entire crew is so attentive and just sensational. I hope that life will allow me to come back for another diving cruise with you. A huge thank you to the whole team. See you soon 🤞🤞
Gilles M. · January 2025
« The best company I have ever travelled with »
The best company I have ever travelled with. It’s one thing to say that everything is ace, but the staff are so warm, kind and helpful that it’s beyond words. I accidentally left my wetsuit on the boat. After a few phone calls they had already arranged to be at the airport with a transfer. I can only recommend🙏😊
Horváth G. · November 2024
« THANK YOU »
THANK YOU! Thank you for this first diving cruise which was exceptional. From start to finish everything was perfect. The INCREDIBLE food, the little touches from the staff, and above all, the safety during the dives. They know the diving spots like the back of their hand, so there are lots of nice surprises waiting for you.
Megane S. · October 2024