Two scuba divers underwater during a PADI Advanced Open Water diving course in the Similan Islands, Thailand

Explore andaman sea and it’s vibrant marine life with yu dive

Advanced Open Water Diver Course Khao Lak

Dive deeper and explore world-class sites in the Andaman Sea

Advanced Open Water Diver Course Khao Lak

Take your diving to the next level in the Similan Islands and the Andaman Sea.

The Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Khao Lak is designed to help certified divers build confidence, improve skills, and explore deeper and more exciting dive sites. With YU Dive Khao Lak, you’ll train with professional instructors and enjoy unforgettable dives in world-class locations such as the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, and Richelieu Rock.

Overview

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) Course allows you to gain experience, refine your techniques, and discover new types of diving – all while having fun. Over two full days, you’ll complete five adventure dives and develop skills that will make you a more comfortable and confident diver.

Whether you want to dive deeper, improve buoyancy, or explore new specialties, this course is the natural next step after your Open Water certification.


Why Take Your AOWD Course in Khao Lak?

Khao Lak is the gateway to world-famous dive locations such as the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and the legendary Richelieu Rock. With warm tropical waters, incredible visibility, and rich marine life, this is one of the best places in the world to complete your Advanced certification.

At YU Dive Khao Lak, we keep groups small, provide personal attention, and focus on safety, comfort, and real skill development – not rushing through dives.

Course Structure

The Advanced Open Water Diver Course takes 2 days and consists of 5 adventure dives:

Advanced Open Water Diver students smiling in full scuba gear before a dive in the Similan Islands

Core Dives

  • Deep Dive (to 30m)
  • Underwater Navigation

Elective Dives (choose 3)

  • Perfect Buoyancy
  • Wreck Dive
  • Night Dive
  • Drift Dive
  • Fish Identification
  • Search & Recovery
  • Boat Dive
  • Digital Underwater Photography
    (Your instructor will help you choose based on conditions and your interests.)

Course Requirements

  • Minimum age: 12 years old
  • Certification: Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
  • Good health and basic swimming skills

Pricing

Advanced Open Water Diver Course

฿12,900 – ฿22,900
Depending on dive site & national park fees day trip or liveaboard option


What’s Included

  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver materials
  • 5 adventure dives
  • Instructor & training
  • Full set of diving equipment
  • Lunch, snacks, fruits, and drinking water
  • Port fees & national park fees (optional to add, depending on dive site)
  • Underwater photos (when available)

What’s Not Included

  • Transfers outside Khao Lak area
  • Additional specialty dives
  • National park fees (if not included in package)

Why Choose YU Dive Khao Lak?

  • Small groups for maximum safety & comfort
  • Patient, professional instructors
  • Modern, well-maintained equipment
  • Flexible dive choices based on your interests
  • Focus on confidence, real skills, and fun
  • Perfect for divers who want personal attention and relaxed atmosphere

Frequently Asked Questions – Advanced Course

What are the prerequisites for the Advanced Course?

You must be a certified Open Water diver (or equivalent) and in good general health. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, just message us.

How many dives are included and how long does the course take?

The Advanced Course includes 5 adventure dives, usually completed over 2 days, depending on weather and conditions.

Do I need my own diving equipment?

No. All essential diving equipment is included. If you prefer to use your own gear, you’re welcome to bring it.

What certification will I receive after completing the course?

After successful completion, you’ll receive an internationally recognized Advanced certification, allowing you to dive deeper and access more advanced dive sites worldwide.


Ready to Take Your Diving Further?

Message us today and continue your journey with the Advanced Course at YU Dive Khao Lak.
Deeper dives and new experiences are waiting for you!


What Our Customers Say

Yu Dive Khao Lak place picture
5.0
Based on 20 reviews
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Aleksandar Perth profile pictureAleksandar Perth
07:55 08 Mar 26
I always wanted to try diving and this was the perfect place to start. I did my Open Water Diver course with Aleks at YU Dive Khao Lak and had a fantastic time. He is a very professional and patient instructor who makes learning to dive easy and enjoyable. The dives around Khao Lak were beautiful and I always felt safe and well looked after. Highly recommend YU Dive if you are looking for a dive shop in Khao Lak.
Hrvoje Goldner profile pictureHrvoje Goldner
12:35 02 Mar 26
I had a great diving experience with Alex. He was attentive, detailed, and made sure everyone — from beginners to experienced divers — felt safe and confident underwater. His calm approach and professionalism really stood out. Highly recommend diving with him, and I’ll definitely be back!
Lucija Cotic profile pictureLucija Cotic
14:55 01 Mar 26
I had an absolutely great experience with Alex. He was extremely attentive, careful, and very patient throughout the entire learning process. As a beginner, it was very important for me to feel safe and relaxed, and with him I truly felt calm and in good hands. He explained the basics of diving clearly and thoroughly, without rushing. His experience and professionalism were evident at every moment. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to learn to dive in a safe and comfortable environment. I will definitely come back for more dives!
Peiter profile picturePeiter
03:55 27 Feb 26
“My dive at Richelieu Rock was simply spectacular! A huge thank you to my dive buddy Dajana: she was incredibly attentive and caring. Especially at a challenging spot like this, there’s nothing better than feeling so well looked after. I can’t praise her highly enough! My only regret is that I was only there for a few days – otherwise, I definitely would have dived with her more often.” Best regards, Peter
vbezbradica profile picturevbezbradica
20:21 11 Feb 26
I’ve been diving with Aleks for over 20 years, and the dives at the Similan and Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, and Koh Bon were by far the most enjoyable and memorable. The underwater landscapes are stunning, with some of the richest marine life in the world. I would highly recommend this experience to everyone. Thanks, Aleks – see you again very soon!
sonja katic profile picturesonja katic
11:15 16 Jan 26
Our trip to the Similan Islands with YU Dive Thailand was wonderful. Everything was exactly as agreed, and the entire day was very well organized. The organizer was attentive and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed throughout the excursion.
We particularly want to highlight the amazing snorkeling experience. It was a joy to see so many different types of colorful fish while observing the vibrant corals. We were even lucky enough to spot some large sea turtles!
The beaches and the sea are truly beautiful – like a paradise. We enjoyed the phenomenal natural scenery, and the overall nature within this national park is stunning. It was a memorable day and we highly recommend their services to anyone visiting the area.
Aaron Lee profile pictureAaron Lee
13:00 30 Dec 25
My wife Rymma completed her PADI Open Water certification with Aleks, and he was incredibly patient, caring, and thorough throughout the entire course. He was always punctual — often arriving early to the session — and well-prepared for every session.

During her first dive she experienced some panic attacks, but Aleks calmly reassured her, gave her time to relax, and returned to the water with her an hour later — and she succeeded. His teaching style is supportive, confidence-building, and truly top-notch.

After the course, we also completed two-tank dives with him in the Similan Islands, and the experience was fantastic from start to finish.

Thank you for teaching Rymma, Aleks — you did a fantastic job! We hope to dive with you again soon.
nick chung profile picturenick chung
12:55 19 Dec 25
If you are looking for a shop that put customers’ experience & quality come first, Yu Dive with Aleks would be the one you shouldn’t miss.

This is not the first we were diving with Aleks. Every time we get under the water with Aleks the feeling is the same that you will know you are in good hands. He is caring, considerate, patient, familiar with diving area. He took care of everyone not only in the water, but start from the pier, on the boat and after dive. You will feel safe, comfortable and built-up confident to dive with him.

And, this time we were doing the AOW course with him. We enjoy the time spend with him and bring us such a great memories. Thanks for showing us a glimpse of the best of under sea in the area.

It just can’t enough for saying. Simply go & dive with him. A great caring and encouraging Serbian Dive Instructor & Dive Guide.

Hvala puno.
Mattias Sanseovic profile pictureMattias Sanseovic
13:22 18 Dec 25
Great diving center! They organised for us not only great diving but land tour trips aswell and it was on spot from start to finish! Aleks is very helpful and listened to our wishes. Would highly recommend.
Sandra Dejanovic profile pictureSandra Dejanovic
19:22 18 Nov 25
An absolutely phenomenal experience-a sense of safety, enjoyment and a brand-new adventure!
We felt all of that while diving with Yu Dive Khao Lak and Aleksandar, our instructor.

Thank you, Sale, for your patience, experience and knowledge, which made it possible for me to relax completely and enjoy my own “underwater feature film.” I’m grateful to you for helping me push the boundaries of what I thought was possible once again!

See you next year!
Tatjana Žižić profile pictureTatjana Žižić
13:51 17 Nov 25
A fantastic organization with an excellent, responsible instructor. I truly recommend this experience to both beginners and experienced divers. The dives are stunning, and you’ll witness an incredibly vibrant and colorful underwater world! Richelieu Rock is an absolute must — the highlight of all our dives.
We stayed on a liveaboard and were extremely satisfied: the equipment is new, the crew is always ready to help, and the accommodation and food are exceptional.
We also ventured into the jungle, slept in complete wilderness, and enjoyed all the beauty of untouched nature.
I wholeheartedly recommend YU Dive, especially to people from the former Yugoslavia, because sharing the language — and the mentality — makes the whole experience even better.
Bojana Novakovic profile pictureBojana Novakovic
11:12 17 Nov 25
My diving experience with Saša was positive and inspiring. He helped me overcome all the fears and uncertainty that I had as a beginner.
The preparation for each dive was concise and relevant. During diving he was very attentive, and he monitored us very closely, therefore I felt very safe at each moment. I would definitely recommend Saša as an experienced dive master. I plan to come to Saša’s diving school again and continue this amazing underwater journey.
I had an amazing experience learning to dive with Saša at Yu Dive School. His patience and clear, calm instruction style made every lesson enjoyable and confidence-building.
He pays incredible attention to detail and always makes safety the top priority, which helped me feel completely comfortable throughout the entire course.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely supportive diving instructor, I can’t recommend Saša enough. Truly outstanding!
George T profile pictureGeorge T
02:52 14 Nov 25
I had a wonderful time on Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. Apart from the excellent diving sites, my dive guide, Alex, was also exceptional. I enjoyed every moment, and I will surely book dives with Yu Dive again!
Sanja Pesic profile pictureSanja Pesic
08:12 13 Nov 25
I’ve been diving with Aleks in the Similan and Surin Islands, including Richelieu Rock for 3 years and his support while taking underwater photos is priceless. Diving with him and Yu Dive means being extra safe and super fun. It is always a great pleasure to come back to Khao Lak. I highly recommend it.
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Gordana Jovanovic profile pictureGordana Jovanovic
17:00 12 Nov 25
If you want an unforgettable adventure and enjoyment YuDive is for you! The best instructor ever, you will feel safe and satisfied! Recommendations from the heart for the instructor! Don’t miss it!

01

Explore

Discover the best diving spots.

Begin your adventure by exploring the stunning dive sites around Khao Lak, where vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters await. Our daily trips cater to divers of all levels, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone.

02

Review

Enjoy a day filled with diving and adventure.

Experience the thrill of diving in some of the most beautiful locations, including the Similan Islands and Surin Islands. Our experienced guides will ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the day, making it a perfect outing for both beginners and seasoned divers.

03

Schedule

A detailed itinerary for the day trip.

Get ready for an exciting day!

04

Book

Secure your spot for an unforgettable diving experience with YU Dive, where adventure and safety come first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best diving spots?

The best diving spots include the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, and Richelieu Rock, known for their vibrant marine life and stunning underwater landscapes.

What should I bring for a day trip?

For a day trip, bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a refillable water bottle. We provide diving gear, but feel free to bring your own if preferred. Don’t forget your camera to capture the beautiful moments!

How long do the daily trips last?

Daily trips typically last around 8 to 10 hours, including travel time and diving.

Is food provided on the trips?

Yes, lunch is included in our daily trips, featuring a selection of local Thai dishes to keep you energized throughout the day.

What is the maximum group size for diving trips?

Our daily diving trips maintain a maximum group size of 4 divers per guide, ensuring personalized attention and safety for all participants.