Deep Diver vs Advanced Open Water: What’s the Difference?
Deep Diver vs Advanced Open Water is a common question for divers who want to go deeper. Both courses include deep diving, but they have different goals. Advanced Open Water gives you a taste of many dive types, while Deep Diver focuses fully on diving safely to 40 metres.
This guide compares the two so you can choose the right next step. Not sure which fits your plans? Tell us your level in the form below.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | PADI Advanced Open Water | PADI Deep Diver |
| Type of course | Core certification | Specialty course |
| Focus | Five different Adventure Dives | Deep diving only |
| Maximum depth | 30 m | 40 m |
| Deep dives included | 1 (Deep Adventure Dive) | 4 deep training dives |
| Prerequisite | Open Water Diver | Advanced Open Water, or Adventure Diver with Deep |
| Minimum age | 12 years | 15 years |
| Typical duration | About 2 days | About 2 days |
| Price at Chloe’s Diving Center | €310 | €250 |
See all prices on our diving prices in Hurghada page.
Advanced Open Water: Broad Experience
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is about variety. Along with the required Deep and Navigation dives, you choose three more, such as Wreck, Drift, Night or Peak Performance Buoyancy. It is the natural next step after Open Water.
Deep Diver: Depth Specialist
The PADI Deep Diver course builds on the Deep Adventure Dive. With four training dives, you learn advanced planning, gas management, narcosis awareness and emergency decompression procedures, and you are certified to 40 metres.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Advanced Open Water if you have recently finished Open Water and want to build experience across many types of diving.
- Choose Deep Diver if you already hold Advanced and want to explore deeper wrecks and walls between 30 and 40 metres.
For most divers, the answer is both, in order: Advanced first, then Deep Diver.
Combining Both Courses
Your Deep Adventure Dive from Advanced can count as the first dive of the Deep Diver specialty, so taking them together saves time. Together, Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver cost €560 at Chloe’s Diving Center.
Book Your Course
The Deep Diver vs Advanced Open Water choice depends on where you are in your diving journey. Whichever you choose, we will help you dive deeper safely. Explore our PADI diving courses in Hurghada, then book your course or message us on WhatsApp.
Can I take Deep Diver without Advanced Open Water?
You need Advanced Open Water, or Adventure Diver with the Deep Adventure Dive, or a qualifying certification.
How deep can I go with Advanced Open Water?
Up to 30 metres.
How deep can I go with Deep Diver?
Up to 40 metres, the recreational limit.
Can I do both in one holiday?
Yes. Many divers complete Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver in the same week.
