Bali Hai – PADI Advance Open Water Course in Lembongan

Five underwater sessions, one useful new license. Bali Hai’s two-day PADI Advanced Open Water course gives you a clear next step after basic certification, with required training in deep-water procedures and underwater navigation, plus three specialty choices. I like the included equipment, meals, boat transfers, study materials, insurance, and certification card. I also like the maximum four students per PADI instructor, which keeps the teaching personal.

The main drawback is the meeting arrangement. The course is promoted around Nusa Lembongan, but the listed starting point is Bali Hai Cruises at Benoa Harbour, while pickup transport is not included. You need to check the exact transfer plan before booking, especially if you are staying in Seminyak or elsewhere in Bali.

Key points to know before booking

• Five underwater sessions in two days: Deep-water training and underwater navigation are compulsory, followed by three specialty sessions.
• Small teaching groups: The maximum ratio is four students to one qualified PADI instructor.
• A 30-meter certification: Successful completion allows certified participants to go to a maximum depth of 30 meters, or 100 feet.
• Most course essentials are included: Equipment, boat transfers, lunch, drinks, insurance, study material, a log book, and the certification card are covered.
• No final exam: You complete five simple knowledge reviews from the advanced manual instead of sitting a formal exam.
• Benoa is the listed starting point: The activity begins at Bali Hai Cruises at 1:00 pm, and pickup transport is not part of the package.

What Bali Hai’s two-day course is really about

This course is designed for people who have already completed a PADI Open Water Diver course or an equivalent certification with another agency. You do not need years of experience or a long list of previous specialties. The course is intended as a direct next step, provided you meet the required standards.

The aim is not simply to collect another card. You use the five sessions to become more comfortable underwater, improve your control, and learn how different conditions affect your planning. That makes the course useful for anyone who finished basic training but still feels a little cautious in open water.

Bali Hai has operated around Nusa Lembongan since 1992 and identifies itself as a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre. The company also states that it has a 100 percent safety record. Those claims do not replace careful instruction or your own judgment, but they do give the operation a long track record in the area.

The course costs $507 per person. That is not a small add-on to a Bali holiday, but the price includes much more than classroom instruction. You receive full equipment rental, all boat transfers connected with the course, five underwater sessions, lunch on training days, coffee, tea, drinking water, insurance, an online manual, a log book, a T-shirt, an experienced PADI instructor, and the certification card.

You still need to budget for getting to the meeting point, since pickup transport is excluded. Photography, camera rental, towels, and food or drinks outside the listed meal and drink provisions also cost extra.

Starting at Benoa Harbour at 1:00 pm

The listed meeting point is Bali Hai Cruises, Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, Benoa, Denpasar Selatan, Bali 80222. The stated start time is 1:00 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

This detail matters. The course title centers on Lembongan, but the supplied location is Seminyak and the actual meeting point is in Benoa. These are not interchangeable places. If you are staying in Seminyak, arrange your own transport to Benoa and allow enough time for traffic. Do not assume a hotel pickup simply because pickup is described as an available feature elsewhere in the tour information. The specific inclusions say pickup transport is not included.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would wait for that confirmation before arranging tightly connected plans. A single supplement may also apply, so solo participants should check the final price.

The first day begins with the basic paperwork and medical checks required by PADI. All participants complete a medical and liability checklist, and you must complete a basic diving medical form. The minimum age is 10, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

The required deep-water session

One of the five sessions focuses on deep-water procedures. After successful completion of the course, the Advanced Open Water certification permits you to go to 30 meters, or 100 feet, rather than the 18-meter limit associated with basic Open Water certification.

That extra range is useful, but it is not a license to ignore conditions or personal limits. The session is meant to help you understand how greater depth affects your planning and comfort. For a newly certified participant, this can be one of the most valuable parts of the course because it gives structure to a setting that can feel more demanding.

The course data does not promise a particular reef, animal sighting, or underwater landmark. Conditions can change, and the exact site depends on the operation’s planning and the sea. You should choose this course for the instruction and certification, not for a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Underwater navigation without guesswork

Underwater navigation is the second compulsory session. This is practical training that can make future trips calmer and more organized. You learn to pay attention to direction and positioning instead of relying only on following another person.

For many people, navigation is where basic confidence starts to become real independence. It helps you understand how to keep track of where you have been and where you are going. That skill is useful in many locations, not just around Lembongan.

The instructor-to-student ratio matters here. With no more than four students per qualified PADI instructor, the guide has a better chance of watching each participant’s technique and correcting problems early. It is still a group course, but it is not a large class where you disappear in the crowd.

Choosing three specialty sessions

After the two required sessions, you select three from the available options. Your choices are:

• Digital underwater photography
• Multi-level and computer procedures
• Peak performance buoyancy
• Underwater naturalist
• Fish identification
• Boat procedures
• Drift procedures
• Night procedures
• Search and recovery

This selection is one of the best features of the course because you can match the training to your interests. If you want better control, peak performance buoyancy is a sensible choice. If you enjoy identifying marine life, fish identification or underwater naturalist training may suit you better.

Digital photography is useful if you already own or plan to rent a camera, although photography services and camera rental are not included. Multi-level and computer procedures are a practical choice for anyone who wants more confidence using a dive computer.

Boat procedures can fit travelers who expect to use different boats in the future. Drift procedures may appeal to people interested in moving with the current, while search and recovery offers a more task-focused session. A night session is listed as an option, but you should confirm availability and scheduling before counting on it.

The course does not list the exact order of the five sessions. That means the daily plan may depend on weather, sea conditions, instructor decisions, and the specialty choices of the group. Ask for the expected schedule when your booking is confirmed.

Study requirements, without a final exam

You work through the PADI Adventures in Diving online manual and complete five easy knowledge reviews. There is no formal exam for this course.

That does not mean you can ignore the study material. The reviews prepare you for the practical work and give you a chance to understand the purpose behind each session. I like this format because it keeps the focus on safe, useful skills rather than turning the course into a stressful test.

You should read the material before arriving if possible. That gives you more time to ask the instructor about anything unclear and leaves less mental work for the training days.

What is included during the training days

Bali Hai supplies the full equipment rental, which is a major part of the package value. You do not need to bring your own complete set of gear. The course also includes boat transfers, lunch, drinking water, coffee, and tea on training days.

Insurance is included, along with the Bali Hai Diving Adventures log book and a free T-shirt. At the end, successful participants receive the PADI Advanced certification card.

These inclusions simplify the planning. You still need to bring a towel, since one is not provided, and you need to arrange your own transport to the starting point. Photography is also separate. Pack around the fact that this is an active two-day course rather than a casual boat outing.

The onboard atmosphere and service

The available feedback places strong emphasis on friendly service. Asri is specifically praised for being welcoming, while the onboard staff are described as warm and helpful. The wider Bali Hai day-out setting is also associated with a blue sea, a pontoon, and a good lunch.

Those details matter because the course involves more than time underwater. You spend time preparing, traveling by boat, eating, and managing equipment. A pleasant crew can make the two days feel much easier, especially for first-time visitors to the area.

The experience seems to combine structured PADI instruction with the relaxed feel of a boat trip around Lembongan. Still, the course should not be confused with a simple sightseeing cruise. You are signing up for five training sessions, study work, medical paperwork, and performance standards.

Safety, certification, and the important fine print

You must already hold a PADI Open Water certification or an equivalent qualification from another agency. You must also meet the minimum standards set by PADI.

If you do not complete the standards, the course fee is not refunded simply because you remain uncertified. Bali Hai can issue a PADI referral on site, which allows you to continue the course elsewhere. This is a fair but important condition. Book only if you understand that certification is not automatic.

The course has a maximum group size of 15 participants, but the more useful figure is the maximum four-to-one ratio between students and a qualified instructor. The actual group arrangement may depend on the day and the available instructors.

Weather and harbor conditions can also affect the schedule. In a force majeure situation, including severe weather or a harbor closure, the departure time may be changed without a refund. This is another reason to avoid booking the course immediately before an important flight or fixed connection.

Who should book this course?

I would recommend it to a certified Open Water diver who wants more skill, a higher depth limit, and a structured way to practice. It is also a good fit if you like choosing your own specialties rather than following a fixed list of exercises.

Families may appreciate the friendly service and the minimum age of 10, but a parent should consider each child’s comfort, stamina, and ability to meet PADI standards. The moderate fitness requirement applies to everyone.

This course is less suitable if you want a short, effortless excursion or if you dislike study work. It is also a poor match if you need hotel pickup, because the listed package does not include transport from your accommodation.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, so check your schedule carefully.

Should you book Bali Hai’s Advanced Open Water course?

Book it if you want a serious two-day step beyond basic certification, value a small instructor ratio, and like the freedom to select three specialties. The included equipment, meals, boat transfers, insurance, study materials, and certification card make the $507 price easier to justify.

Before paying, confirm the exact meeting arrangements from Benoa, the schedule of your chosen specialties, and any solo supplement. If you are comfortable arranging your own transport and meeting PADI’s standards, Bali Hai offers a practical way to build confidence around Lembongan with a friendly crew and clear training goals.

FAQ

How long is the PADI Advanced Open Water course?

The course lasts approximately two days.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Five sessions are included. Deep-water procedures and underwater navigation are compulsory, and you choose three additional specialties.

What specialty sessions can I choose?

Options include digital underwater photography, multi-level and computer procedures, peak performance buoyancy, underwater naturalist, fish identification, boat procedures, drift procedures, night procedures, and search and recovery.

Do I need to be a certified Open Water diver?

Yes. You must hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent certification from another agency.

Is there a final exam?

No. You study the PADI Adventures in Diving online manual and complete five knowledge reviews, but there is no formal exam.

What depth does the Advanced Open Water certification allow?

The certification allows you to go to a maximum depth of 30 meters, or 100 feet.

What is included in the price?

The package includes full equipment rental, boat transfers, five underwater sessions, a T-shirt, the online manual, a Bali Hai log book, an experienced PADI instructor, the certification card, insurance, lunch, drinking water, coffee, and tea on training days.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup transport is not included. The listed meeting point is Bali Hai Cruises at Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, Benoa, Denpasar Selatan, and the listed start time is 1:00 pm.

What happens if I cannot complete the certification?

A refund is not provided if you fail to meet the required PADI standards. Bali Hai may issue a PADI referral so you can continue the course elsewhere.