Advanced Open Water Course in Pemuteran – Certification in Bali (Menjangan park)

Getting down to 30 meters is only part of this two-day course. You also learn how to plan deeper scuba sessions, navigate with a compass, and choose three specialties that match your interests, from buoyancy control and fish identification to photography or wreck exploration. I like the small maximum of eight people and the freedom to shape the course with your instructor.

I also like that the course uses five practical adventure sessions instead of classroom-heavy study. Instructors can adapt the schedule to your holiday, and French-speaking support may be available through instructors such as David Chabanel. The main consideration is cost: the $357.46 fee does not include accommodation, food, photos, or the 200,000 IDR per person, per day Menjangan Park entrance fee.

Key points at a glance

• Five adventure sessions in two days: Usually arranged as three sessions one morning and two on another, with some flexibility.
• Two core skills are required: Deep-water planning and underwater navigation form the foundation of the course.
• Three specialties are your choice: Options include photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and wreck exploration.
• Menjangan Park costs extra: The park entrance fee is 200,000 IDR per person, per day.
• David Chabanel and Arya may guide you: The center has French and Balinese instructors, depending on availability.
• Equipment and facilities are included: You receive scuba gear, a wetsuit, weights, lockers, showers, Wi-Fi, and access to the center’s warung.

Why this course is worth considering after Open Water

An Open Water certificate gives you the basic skills to scuba safely with appropriate supervision. The Advanced Open Water course helps you become more comfortable making decisions underwater, without turning your holiday into a long academic program.

You do not need to sit through a stack of books for this course. Each session begins with a briefing tailored to the planned activity, then you practice the relevant skills under professional supervision. That makes the course a good next step if you have only recently earned your first certificate and want more time in the water.

The course lasts about two days and includes five adventure sessions. The usual plan is three in one morning and two in another, although the instructor can adjust the arrangement to suit your schedule and preferences. That flexibility matters in Bali, where you may want to leave room for rest, meals, or a second activity.

The course is not simply five sightseeing outings. Two sessions focus on the central Advanced Open Water skills: a deep session and an underwater navigation session. The other three let you explore areas that may shape your future scuba interests.

What happens during the five underwater sessions

The deep session introduces you to the planning and physical considerations of greater depth. The course information specifically refers to reaching 30 meters, along with the physiological effects and challenges that come with deeper scuba.

This is useful because depth changes how you manage a session. You need to think carefully about planning, time, air use, and how your body responds. The point is not just to go farther down, but to learn how to make sensible choices at depth while an instructor is present.

The navigation session works on compass use and underwater orientation. You practice using kick cycles, visual landmarks, and time, rather than relying only on a guide to show you the way.

That skill has real value. Clear water can still make direction hard to judge, and a compass becomes more useful when combined with natural reference points and a sense of elapsed time. If you sometimes lose track of where you are underwater, this session may be one of the most practical parts of the course.

The remaining three sessions are selected from a list of adventure options. The available choices mentioned for this course include underwater photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and wreck exploration.

You should discuss your choices with the instructor before the course begins. A photography session makes sense if you already carry an underwater camera or want to improve how you frame marine life. Fish identification suits you if you prefer to slow down and pay attention to what you are seeing.

Buoyancy control is a useful choice for almost anyone. Better control helps you move more calmly, manage your air supply more effectively, and avoid brushing against coral. It also makes photography and marine-life observation easier.

Wreck exploration appeals to a different kind of student, but the information provided does not promise a specific wreck site. Ask the center which options are available during your dates and what local conditions allow.

A night session is also part of the broader specialty menu and is mentioned in the course description as a way to see marine life after dark. However, the exact five-session combination is planned with your instructor, so you should confirm whether a night session is included in your chosen program or requires a separate specialty arrangement.

Menjangan Park adds a special setting

Menjangan Park requires an extra entrance payment of 200,000 IDR per person, per day. That charge is separate from the course price, so include it in your budget before you book.

The park is reached from the Pemuteran area, and the underwater setting is a major reason to consider adding it. The supplied information describes coral, abundant marine life, clear water free of visible waste, and relatively few people at the time of the reported outings.

Conditions are not always still. One account describes a strong current during two Menjangan sessions, with careful briefings and coaching from the instructors. That detail is worth taking seriously. A current can add interest and challenge, but it also makes good preparation and honest communication about your comfort level essential.

David Chabanel is named as an instructor associated with the course. Arya is identified as a local guide who leads sessions around Menjangan. Julien handles reservation communication at the center, and French-speaking support may be available for some participants.

Do not assume that a particular instructor will be assigned to you. Availability can change, but these names give you useful points of reference when arranging the course, especially if you need French-language instruction.

The park’s appeal is not just the setting above the water. The coral and marine life make it a worthwhile place to spend several sessions, rather than treating it as a quick add-on. Still, you need to weigh the extra fee and possible current against your interest in visiting the park.

The teaching style and group size

The maximum group size is eight people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to allow an instructor to keep track of the group and respond to individual needs more easily than in a large class.

The strongest praise for this course centers on the instructors’ attitude. David Chabanel is described as friendly, attentive, and highly committed to his work. Another account highlights instructors who listen carefully to a student’s needs and health both above and below the water.

That point matters more than cheerful conversation on the boat or at the center. Advanced scuba training should feel controlled, and you should be comfortable telling the instructor if you are tired, anxious, cold, or unsure about a skill.

The briefings are specific to each session. This is a good sign for a course built around several different specialties, since deep-water planning requires a different preparation from compass work or night observation.

The center can also support students with different language needs. French instruction has been arranged for some participants, and the staff includes both French and Balinese instructors. Confirm your preferred language when you make the booking rather than assuming it will be available on arrival.

Equipment and the base in Pemuteran

The price includes a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt. You therefore do not need to bring a complete set of personal equipment.

The equipment list is useful for visitors who are traveling light. If you prefer a particular mask, computer, or wetsuit, ask the center about its options before you arrive. The supplied details do not identify brands, sizes, or individual equipment specifications.

Dive Concepts Pemuteran is located on Jl. Arjuna in Pemuteran, in northern Bali. The center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

Facilities include Wi-Fi, toilets, showers, lockers, and a changing room. A restaurant or warung is also available at the center, but meals and drinks cost extra.

Having these facilities on site makes the two-day schedule easier. You can change, store belongings, shower, and eat without immediately needing to find another place. Accommodation is available at the center’s hotel, but it is not included in the course fee.

Is $357.46 good value?

At $357.46 per person, the course is not a cheap casual outing. The better question is what you receive for the money.

You get five guided adventure sessions over about two days, professional instruction, and the equipment needed for the course. You also receive a recognized next-level qualification that can help you move toward more specialized scuba training later.

The price makes more sense if you want structured instruction rather than simply paying for recreational sessions. The deep and navigation training give the course a clear educational purpose, while the three chosen specialties let you focus on skills you are likely to use again.

The value is less convincing if you only want a single scenic outing or are not interested in certification. In that case, a regular guided session may suit you better, though the information provided does not give a separate price for that option.

Remember the additional costs. Menjangan Park charges 200,000 IDR per person, per day. Accommodation, food, drinks, and digital photos or video are also separate. Ask about the total cost if you want images from the sessions, since digital souvenirs can be purchased but are not part of the course.

Fitness, age, and preparation

You must be at least 12 years old and already Open Water certified. The course is intended for people who want to move beyond that first qualification, and you can begin it soon after completing Open Water training.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be prepared for repeated scuba sessions over two days and able to discuss any health concerns honestly with the instructor.

The course can feel demanding if you try to pack all five sessions into a tight schedule without rest. The center normally spreads the sessions across two mornings, and that arrangement gives you time to recover between training blocks.

Weather can affect the schedule. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start, or changes made within that period, are not accepted for a refund.

Service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not provide detailed accessibility information for the boats, water entry, or changing areas, so ask the center directly if you have mobility needs.

Who will enjoy this course most?

This course suits you if you have recently earned Open Water certification and want to build confidence while the basic skills are still fresh. It also works well if you already have some experience but want formal instruction in navigation, deeper scuba, buoyancy, or marine-life recognition.

It is particularly useful for a student who does not yet know which specialty to pursue. You can sample several areas before committing to a longer specialty program.

Menjangan Park adds appeal for anyone drawn to coral and marine life. The reports of beautiful coral, strong marine life, low crowd levels, and clean water make the park a compelling reason to choose Pemuteran, though you must pay the entrance fee and be prepared for changing currents.

This is less suitable if you want a completely private program, need a guaranteed instructor, or have no interest in certification. It may also feel rushed if you prefer one relaxed session per day.

Should you book the Advanced Open Water course?

I would book this course if you are already certified, want five purposeful underwater sessions, and like the idea of choosing your own three specialties. The combination of deep planning, navigation, and local marine life gives you more than a standard sightseeing outing.

The strongest reasons to go are the practical format, small maximum group, flexible schedule, and access to Menjangan Park. The main cautions are the extra park fee, possible currents, separate costs for accommodation and media, and the need to confirm language and instructor availability.

If David Chabanel or Arya is available and you want French or local guidance, mention that when booking. If you are unsure which specialties to choose, ask the instructor to match the options to your current skills and future plans. For a newly certified scuba student, this is a sensible way to turn basic certification into greater confidence.

FAQ

Do I need an Open Water certificate?

Yes. You must already be Open Water certified before taking this course.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The course includes five adventure sessions over about two days.

How is the schedule normally arranged?

The usual arrangement is three sessions on one morning and two on another morning. The schedule can be adapted to your preferences and organization.

What skills are included?

Deep-water planning and underwater navigation are part of the course. You also choose three other specialties, such as photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, or wreck exploration.

Is Menjangan Park included in the price?

No. Menjangan Park charges an entrance fee of 200,000 IDR per person, per day.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. The center provides a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.