How the Advanced Open Water Diver Course at Chang Diving is Conducted – Step by Step (2025, Koh Chang)
Ready to dive deeper, stay longer, and explore more? At Chang Diving Center on Koh Chang, our Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course is designed to sharpen your skills and boost your diving confidence. Taught by certified SDI, TDI, and PADI instructors, it’s flexible, fun, and focused on real adventure diving! ?
Now that you're addicted to scuba diving – just like we are ? – you're probably curious to learn more, fine-tune your skills, and discover new underwater adventures! All the important info about the Advanced Open Water Diver course is right here ⬇️
Not certified as an Open Water Diver yet?
No worries – we’ve got you covered! Start with your first full scuba
license here:
How the Open Water Diver Course Works
Who Can Join the AOWD Course?
Anyone with an Open Water Diver certification from a WRSTC-recognized agency (PADI, SDI, SSI, CMAS, NAUI, RAID, etc.) can enroll – even immediately after completing the OWD. No minimum logged dives required.
Which Diving Agency Fits You – SDI or PADI?
Whether you choose SDI or PADI, both certifications are valid worldwide. The main difference lies in the learning format. ? See our full SDI vs. PADI guide
Theory Materials – SDI vs. PADI
- SDI: Browser-based online eLearning – simple, fast, mobile-friendly. ✅ Available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Polish, Czech, Japanese, Thai, and more (varies by course).
- PADI: PDF manual + online exam via PADI portal. ✅ Available in over 20 languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Chinese (both), Japanese, Korean, Thai, Arabic, and more.
Note: Not all courses are available in every language – contact us if you're unsure about your preferred language.
How Long Does the Theory Take?
Approx. 4 hours total – covering only your chosen Adventure Dives.
Complete Your Theory Before Arrival
We recommend finishing your theory before coming to Koh Chang – so you can focus on diving, not studying! ✅
Course Schedule – Step by Step
- Day 1: 3 Adventure Dives from the boat
- Day 2: 2 more Adventure Dives
All dives are conducted from our eco-friendly dive boat ? Pirm Udom Sub
What’s Included in the AOWD Course?
- Online theory access
- 5 Adventure Dives
- Rental gear (or tank & weights if bringing your own)
- Hotel pickup & return (standard areas)
- Lunch, fruits, water & soft drinks onboard
- Small groups with personal attention
Bringing your own full gear?
checkout for a
5% discount (tank & weights provided).
Which Adventure Dives Are Included?
- Mandatory: Deep Dive & Underwater Navigation
-
Electives: Choose 3 from:
- Peak Performance Buoyancy (PPB)
- Wreck Diving (HTMS Chang)
- Nitrox Diving (Enriched Air)
- Night Diving
- Search & Recovery
- Underwater Photography
- Fish Identification
- Boat Diving
- Sidemount Diving
What Depths Will You Be Certified For?
In recreational diving, your depth limits depend on your certification level. After completing the Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course, you’ll be certified to dive to:
- Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD): Max. 30 m – worldwide recognition
Here’s how AOWD compares to other common certifications:
- Scuba Diver (SD): Max. 12 m (must dive with a pro)
- Open Water Diver (OWD): Max. 18 m
- Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD): Max. 30 m
- Deep Diver Specialty (DD): Max. 40 m – this is the absolute depth limit for recreational diving, even for dive professionals.
-
Technical Diving (TDI, etc.): Certified technical
divers may go beyond 40 meters – in structured 5-meter increments
based on their training level:
- Decompression Procedures Diver (DPD): Max. 45 m
- Advanced Nitrox Diver (AND): Max. 50 m
- Extended Range Diver (ERD): Max. 55 m
What Are Adventure Dives?
Each Adventure Dive is the first dive of a Specialty Course. These dives offer hands-on training – but they are not full specialty certifications.
✅ Credit Option: If you later complete the corresponding Specialty Course, your Adventure Dive can count toward it.
⚠️ Validity: Credit is only accepted within 12 months. You must show a signed logbook entry or the Adventure Dive form.
Specialty Courses Offered by Chang Diving
Why Choose Chang Diving for AOWD?
- Experienced instructors (SDI, TDI, PADI)
- Flexible course planning
- Small groups, personal guidance
- Top sites including HTMS Chang Wreck
- Eco-friendly dive boat & sustainable practices
Course Price (2025)
- SDI AOWD: 13,490 THB
- PADI AOWD: 13,990 THB
Includes theory, 5 boat dives, gear, lunch & transfers
⚠️ Prices subject to change without notice
Book Now – Start Your AOWD Adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
Can I take AOWD right after OWD?
Yes – no minimum logged dives required. -
Do I need classroom sessions?
No, it’s all online. -
Is Deep + Navigation mandatory?
Yes – required for all AOWD certifications. -
Do Adventure Dives count as Specialties?
No – Adventure Dives are not full Specialty Courses. They are the first dive of a corresponding Specialty and can only be credited toward the full Specialty certification within 12 months if you provide proper documentation (e.g., signed logbook entry or official Adventure Dive form). -
Which dive agencies are accepted?
PADI, SDI, SSI, CMAS, NAUI, RAID, and more.
