PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver
The full Advanced Open Water adventure for ages 12–14 — 5 specialty dives, 30m depth, and skills that last a lifetime. Same course, same certification, junior rules.
Duration
2–3 days
Max Depth
30m
Min Age
12+
Certification
Junior Advanced Open Water Diver
The PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver course gives young divers aged 12–14 the exact same qualification as the adult PADI Advanced Open Water Diver — the same 5 adventure dives, the same 30m depth certification, and the same globally recognised PADI credential. The only difference is that all open water dives must be conducted with a certified adult in the water.
It’s a fantastic next step for any young diver who has completed their Junior Open Water certification and is ready to go deeper, dive smarter, and experience the best of what the Gulf of Thailand has to offer.
What’s the Difference from the Adult AOWD?
The course content, dives, and certification are identical. Junior Advanced Open Water Divers:
- Dive to 30m — the same maximum depth as the adult certification
- Must always dive with a PADI certified adult diver (parent, guardian, or our dive guide)
- Automatically upgrade to a full adult Advanced Open Water Diver certification at age 15 — no extra course, no extra fee
5 Adventure Dives — What to Expect
Two adventure dives are mandatory:
- Deep Adventure Dive — descend to 30m with the instructor, experiencing depth, nitrogen narcosis awareness, and gas management
- Underwater Navigation — use a compass and natural references to navigate precisely underwater
Your child chooses 3 elective dives from our available options. Popular choices include:
- Peak Performance Buoyancy — perfect trim and air consumption
- Fish Identification — recognise the Gulf of Thailand’s incredible marine life
- Underwater Naturalist — understand how the reef ecosystem works
- Search & Recovery — use patterns to locate objects underwater
Course Structure
Day 1 — eLearning review (completed online before arrival) + first adventure dives including Deep and Navigation at local sites
Days 2–3 — Three elective adventure dives by boat to Sail Rock, Koh Tao, or Chumphon Pinnacle depending on conditions and chosen specialties
Hotel pickup arranged, boat departs around 9am, back by 3–4pm on boat days.
A certified adult must be in the water for every open water dive. If both parent and child want to complete courses together, ask us about scheduling the parent’s own course alongside the junior program.
After Junior Advanced Open Water
The Junior AOWD is the prerequisite for the PADI Rescue Diver course (minimum age 12). It’s also the certification that unlocks the full depth of every dive site on our dive tours — including the most dramatic sections of Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle.
What's Included
- PADI eLearning materials
- PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification fees
- Hotel transfers to/from your resort
- Professional PADI dive instructor
- 5 adventure dives (incl. Deep dive and Underwater Navigation)
- Dive insurance
- All scuba equipment (including junior-sized gear)
- Lunch and drinks on boat days
Not Included
- Towels
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
FAQ
Minimum age is 12. Divers aged 12–14 earn the Junior AOWD certification; at 15 it automatically upgrades to the full adult AOWD.
Yes — the PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver is certified to 30m, the same as the adult certification. All dives must be conducted with a certified adult diver present.
A certified adult must be in the water for all open water dives. If a parent isn't certified, one of our guides will dive with your child — or you can certify together. Ask us about family scheduling.
Yes — same course, same skills, same PADI qualification. The "Junior" designation reflects the supervised diving requirement, not a lesser standard of training.
The PADI Rescue Diver course is available from age 12 with AOWD certification. It's widely considered the most rewarding course in recreational diving — and the pathway to the professional level.
Guests
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your trip
You might also like
Explore more adventures with Silent Divers.
Diving Tour Ang Thong Marine Park
Explore 42 pristine islands in Ang Thong National Marine Park — dramatic limestone cliffs, vibrant coral reefs, and rich marine life in a protected paradise.
Diving Tour Chumphon Pinnacle
Experience one of Thailand's most sought-after advanced dive sites — a granite pinnacle adorned with pink anemones, schooling fish, and the chance to see whale sharks.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
Take your diving further — explore up to 30m depth, develop navigation skills, and complete 5 specialty adventure dives over 2–3 days.
PADI Deep Diver
Safely plan and execute dives to 30m — unlock deeper wrecks, walls, and reefs in just 2 days. The most popular PADI specialty course.
