From Open Water to Advanced — Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Open Water Diver (OWD) gets you to 18m. Advanced Open Water (AOWD) gets you to 30m — which is where most of the Red Sea's best dive sites sit.

What the upgrade unlocks

• Wreck dives at Abu Nuhas (24m–30m)
• Drop-off dives along the Brothers and Daedalus
• Most liveaboard itineraries (which expect AOWD minimum)

What the course covers

Five adventure dives over two or three days: typically deep, navigation, and three electives like wreck, peak buoyancy, or night.

Choosing a centre

Look for: PADI / SSI accreditation, English-speaking instructors, small group sizes (≤4), and current daily Red Sea diving so you actually dive new sites during the course rather than the same lagoon.