Home
Academy
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course

PADI · Continuing Education

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen

Earn PADI Advanced Open Water in 3 days with five required PADI Adventure Dives plus an extra guided fun dive in Xico’s normal six-dive format. If Night is selected, the course normally runs as five total dives.

Advanced Open Water Course Playa del Carmen

Why learn with Xico

Runs Even With One Client This product does not depend on Xico filling a group before it can operate.

Real Dive Center Facilities A physical dive center with showers, lockers, retail, rental gear, and diver facilities before and after the activity.

Close to the Beach and Boat Pickup The Playa del Carmen dive center is close to the beach and local boat pickup for simple dive-day logistics.

Insured Professional Operation Required business, boat and vehicle insurance.

Your Training Journey

How the course works

PADI learning

Knowledge development

Included

PADI digital learning for the selected Adventure Dives is included.

Real-world training

Open-water training

5 training dives · Playa del Carmen reefs and suitable local training sites

PADI certification requires five Adventure Dives: Deep, Underwater Navigation and three electives. Xico normally adds one extra guided fun dive for six total dives. If Night is selected as an Adventure Dive, the course normally runs as five total dives because of the schedule.

Course Schedule

Your 3-day training plan

Day 1 Schedule confirmed with Xico

Deep & Navigation

Complete the two core Adventure Dives and establish the foundation for the rest of the course.

Day 2 Schedule confirmed with Xico

Two Selected Adventure Dives

Build skills in two additional areas selected with your instructor.

Day 3 Schedule confirmed with Xico

Final Adventure Dive & Certification

Complete the fifth Adventure Dive and remaining learning/performance requirements.

Before You Book

Everything you need to start

Included

PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning and digital materials
Instructor-led training
Required training dives or practical sessions listed for the course
Certification processing on successful completion
Rental scuba gear unless the course states otherwise
Taxes and marina or local training fees where applicable
Towel and locker at Xico Dive Center
Drinking water during dive-day operations

Extras / not included

External physician consultation if medical clearance is required

Requirements

Open Water Diver or equivalent
Minimum age 12
Required diver medical screening
Junior rules apply to ages 12-14

Course details

Agency: PADI
eLearning: Included
Training dives: 5 training dives
Training location: Playa del Carmen reefs and suitable local training sites
Equipment: Included
Materials: Included
Availability: Year-round
Minimum booking: Runs with one student

More course details What to bring, training logistics and instructor requirements

What to bring

Swimsuit
Dry clothes for after training
Certification card or proof of prerequisite certification
Sunglasses, hat and personal sun protection for surface time
Required physician medical clearance, if applicable

Training schedule: Three-day plan with five PADI Adventure Dives plus one additional guided fun dive in the normal daytime Xico format. If Night is selected as an Adventure Dive, the schedule normally contains five total dives. Exact order depends on the selected electives, conditions and instructor planning.

Open-water logistics: Training dives operate from local dive boats and suitable Playa del Carmen sites.

Schedule note: Start dates are available subject to instructor availability, student readiness and operational confirmation.

Certification requirements: Training is conducted and evaluated by an appropriately qualified instructor for the agency and course. Certification or recognition is issued only after the applicable course requirements are successfully completed.

Course Details

PADI Advanced Open Water in Playa del Carmen

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in Playa del Carmen is built around diving, not long classroom sessions. PADI certification is based on five Adventure Dives that expand your range, confidence and underwater decision-making.

Five PADI Adventure Dives Plus Xico's Extra Fun Dive

Every course includes a Deep Adventure Dive and Underwater Navigation, plus three electives selected with your instructor. In Xico's normal daytime format we add one extra guided fun dive, so most students complete six total ocean dives. If Night is selected as one of the Adventure Dives, the schedule normally runs as five total dives.

Choose Adventure Dives That Fit Your Goals

Suitable Xico elective options can include Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift, DPV / Scooter, Underwater Naturalist and Night, depending on age, conditions, timing and instructor planning. DPV / Scooter is a particularly dynamic option for divers who want to add controlled propulsion skills to the course.

Build Experience Across Three Days

Xico spreads the program across a practical three-day structure. That gives you time to debrief each dive and apply what you learned on the next one rather than simply collecting signatures.

Use Advanced to Unlock More Diving

The certification opens the door to deeper recreational profiles and is the foundation for Rescue Diver and many specialty courses. In Playa del Carmen it is also useful preparation for more demanding wreck, cenote and seasonal dive experiences where qualification and recent experience matter.

Ready to go?

Check course availability

Tell us your preferred start date, number of students and any questions. The Xico team confirms instructor availability, the training schedule and next steps before your course is booked.

Direct confirmation from the Xico team
Instructor and course schedule checked
Requirements reviewed before training

Prefer WhatsApp? Message Xico →

Good to Know

Questions before you book?

What certification do I need for PADI Advanced Open Water?

You need an Open Water Diver certification or equivalent. Divers aged 12-14 complete the Junior Advanced Open Water version with the applicable junior depth and supervision limits.

Which Adventure Dives can I choose for Advanced Open Water?

Deep and Underwater Navigation are the two core Adventure Dives. Three electives are selected with your instructor from suitable Xico options such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift, DPV / Scooter, Underwater Naturalist and Night, depending on age, conditions, timing and the training plan. Xico normally adds one extra guided fun dive for six total dives; if Night is selected, the course normally runs as five total dives.

Do I need a certain number of logged dives before Advanced Open Water?

There is no large logged-dive threshold for the standard PADI Advanced Open Water course beyond holding the qualifying certification. Tell Xico about your recent diving and comfort level so the instructor can plan the five dives appropriately.

Will Xico run my course if I am the only student?

Yes. Xico can run its courses with one booked student, so you do not have to wait for us to fill a group. Your requested start date still needs instructor and operational confirmation.

When should I complete the course eLearning?

When eLearning is part of the course, complete as much as possible before the first practical session. This protects your in-water training time and lets the instructor focus on questions, skills and application rather than basic theory.

What happens if weather or a port closure affects course dives?

If weather, sea conditions or a port closure prevent required ocean training, Xico will first try to reschedule the affected training according to safe conditions and availability. Certification is issued only after the required performance requirements are completed.