2 Days SSI Advanced Open Water Course in Boracay

Boracay looks even better below the surface. This two-day SSI Advanced Open Water course gives certified beginners a structured way to improve their scuba skills while trying new activities with an instructor. I like that you can begin soon after SSI Open Water certification, and I like that the course includes equipment, taxes, and lunch for both days.

The main consideration is that the exact adventure sessions are not fixed in advance. You and your SSI instructor choose from the available SSI options, so you should ask what is planned before booking. At $490 per person, the price is not small, but it covers two days of training and the basic equipment you need.

Key points to know before booking

• Two full training days in Boracay: The course is designed to build confidence through guided underwater practice, not simply add a certificate to your wallet.
• You choose the adventure sessions with your instructor: SSI offers options such as night training and underwater navigation, with learning material available through SSI Digital Learning.
• Scuba equipment and lunch are included: You do not need to arrange your own gear, and lunch is provided on both days.
• Instruction is the strongest part: Brian is praised for clear, direct explanations, while Max is noted for helping a less frequent diver feel safe.
• The group can have up to 10 people: That is still a manageable size, but it is not private tuition.
• The course starts and ends at DiveGurus Boracay: Private transportation is not included, so plan your own way to Sitio Ambulong Road.

What the SSI Advanced Open Water course is really for

SSI Advanced Open Water training is best understood as a confidence course. It builds on the skills you already learned in Open Water certification and gives you more time underwater with an instructor nearby.

You are not starting from zero. To enroll, you need an SSI Open Water certificate or an equivalent qualification from another training organization. That requirement matters because the course assumes you already understand basic scuba procedures, equipment use, and underwater safety.

I like this step for people who finished their first certification but still feel a little stiff in the water. Many new certified divers know the theory yet need more practice with buoyancy, navigation, or new underwater tasks. Two guided days can help turn basic knowledge into calmer habits.

The course is also useful if you want to find out what kind of scuba activities suit you. SSI lets you and your instructor select from a range of Adventure Dives. The available learning material covers seven popular options, although you are not limited only to those seven.

That flexibility is helpful, but it also means your course may not look exactly like another person’s course. If night training interests you, you can study the night diving chapter and ask about a Night Adventure Dive. If finding your way underwater is your weak spot, review the navigation material and request the Navigation Adventure Dive.

Day one: turning Open Water skills into confidence

The first day should feel like a bridge between your basic certification and more demanding underwater tasks. You will meet at DiveGurus Boracay Dive Center at Sitio Ambulong Road, review the plan with your instructor, and prepare for the selected sessions.

The supplied schedule does not name exact sites or promise a fixed order of activities. That is worth knowing. The instructor will choose suitable sessions with you, and conditions or local operations may affect the timing.

Your first priority is likely to be a clear briefing. Good instruction matters more here than flashy promises. Brian, one of the instructors, is praised for explanations that are clear and straight to the point. That style is valuable when you are learning a new task and do not want a long lecture filled with jargon.

Expect the course to reinforce what you already know while adding a new layer of control. You may spend time reviewing equipment, planning the session, and discussing the skills required for the selected Adventure Dive. Underwater, the aim is not to rush through a checklist. It is to help you understand what you are doing and why it matters.

Lunch is included on day one. That makes the day easier to manage, since you do not need to leave the center to arrange a meal. Private transportation is not included, though, so you remain responsible for reaching the meeting point and getting around Boracay outside the course arrangements.

If you are a less frequent diver, tell your instructor early. Max is specifically praised for taking good care of a diver who rarely goes underwater and for explaining the process well. That is the sort of support you want to request directly: slower explanations, a quick check before entering the water, or extra attention to a skill that makes you uneasy.

Day two: more practice, less hesitation

The second day gives you another chance to work with the same instructor and apply what you learned on day one. That continuity is one of the better features of a two-day format. You do not have to explain your comfort level and previous skills to a completely new team every morning.

A second day also gives you time to correct small problems. You may understand underwater navigation on paper but struggle to use it in practice. You may feel comfortable with standard scuba equipment yet need more time before trying a new activity. The instructor can use the second day to repeat, adjust, and reinforce those skills.

The course description presents the training as suitable for divers of all levels, but the certification requirement remains important. In practical terms, this is for certified Open Water divers who want the next step, not for someone who has never used scuba equipment.

Lunch is again included. The course ends back at the DiveGurus meeting point, which keeps the basic plan simple. The listed opening hours are Monday through Saturday, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, for the stated operating period. Confirm your preferred start time when booking, since the listing gives opening hours rather than a guaranteed daily timetable.

The maximum group size is 10 people. That can work well for a social training day and may keep the price below private instruction. Still, you should not expect the same level of personal attention as a one-to-one course. If you are nervous, newly certified, or want to focus on a particular skill, ask how many people are assigned to your instructor.

Choosing your Adventure Dives with care

The best part of this SSI format is the chance to choose activities that match your goals. The course material gives you a useful way to prepare before meeting your instructor.

Night training appeals to people who want a different underwater setting and are comfortable with the special planning it requires. Navigation training is a practical choice if you want to improve your sense of direction and become less dependent on a guide.

The course can also introduce other SSI Adventure Dive options. The available information does not specify which exact activities are offered on your dates, so do not book with one particular session in mind unless DiveGurus confirms it first.

I recommend reading the relevant SSI Digital Learning chapters before arriving. The online material gives you the foundation for several popular Adventure Dives and lets you arrive with better questions. It also helps you use your limited instructor time for practical guidance rather than basic reading.

The online material is a supplement, not a replacement for the instructor. You still need to discuss your choices, complete the required training, and follow the center’s instructions. A chapter can explain navigation, but it cannot watch your technique or respond to your comfort level in the water.

The instructors are a major reason to consider it

Instructor quality can make or break an advanced course. Here, Brian and Max receive especially positive attention for different reasons.

Brian is praised for direct, easy-to-follow explanations. That is a strong match for advanced training, where a complicated briefing can make a simple skill seem harder than it is. You want an instructor who explains the task, checks that you understand it, and then lets you practice.

Max is noted for helping a diver who rarely goes scuba training feel safe. That detail is particularly useful if you are certified but do not get underwater often. You may want extra reassurance, and there is no shame in saying so before the first session.

The center is also described as supportive by someone training toward Divemaster level there. That suggests the team works with people at different stages, from new advanced students to more experienced trainees. It does not guarantee that every instructor will suit every personality, but it is a positive sign for anyone who values patient coaching over a rushed certificate.

The course receives a top overall rating from three listed ratings. That is encouraging, though the sample is small. I would treat the strong feedback as a reason to consider the center, not as proof that every day will be perfect.

What the $490 price includes

At $490 per person, this is a serious holiday expense. The value depends on how much use you make of the two days and whether you would otherwise need to rent equipment or arrange meals separately.

The price includes:

• Scuba equipment
• All fees and taxes
• Lunch for both days

That all-in structure is helpful. You can compare the total cost without immediately adding basic gear rental or two midday meals. It also removes some of the small charges that can make training prices harder to compare.

The fee does not include private transportation. If your accommodation is not close to Sitio Ambulong Road, budget time and money for your own trip to the center. The activity begins and ends at the meeting point, so you should not assume hotel pickup.

I see the best value for someone who already plans to continue scuba training. If you want only a single casual underwater outing, a full Advanced Open Water course may be more training than you need. If you want stronger skills, new activity options, and a recognized next certification, two days with an instructor can justify the cost.

Ask about the certification paperwork and the exact Adventure Dive choices before paying. The supplied details confirm the SSI course and included equipment, but they do not spell out every administrative step or name a particular underwater site.

Practical details that affect your day

The meeting point is DiveGurus Boracay Dive Center, Sitio Ambulong Road, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. The activity ends there as well.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received at booking. Keep the confirmation accessible on your phone, but also save the meeting address offline in case your connection is weak.

The center is near public transportation. That makes the lack of private transport less troublesome, although you still need to plan your route. Since the opening hours begin at 6:00 AM, early starts are possible, but the exact course start should be confirmed.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied requirements, but the key eligibility rule is your previous certification. You need SSI Open Water or an equivalent qualification from another agency.

The activity runs Monday through Saturday during the stated operating period, from November 2, 2023, through December 6, 2026. Sunday availability is not listed, so do not assume you can schedule the course then.

Cancellation is flexible if you act early. You can receive a full refund by cancelling at least 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this course

I would recommend this course to:

• A recently certified Open Water diver who wants more time under instruction
• Someone who feels uncertain with navigation or another specific skill
• A diver who wants to try a new SSI Adventure Dive
• A person who values patient explanations and structured practice
• Anyone continuing toward higher scuba training

It may be less suitable if you want a private instructor, a fixed list of named sites, or a casual one-time activity without certification work. The group limit of 10 is reasonable, but it does not promise a personal guide for every student.

It is also not ideal for someone who has not yet completed basic certification. The course builds on Open Water training rather than replacing it.

Should you book the Boracay SSI Advanced Open Water course?

Book it if you already hold an Open Water qualification and want a focused, two-day step forward. The strongest reasons are the included gear and lunches, flexible Adventure Dive choices, and instructors such as Brian and Max, who are praised for clear teaching and steady support.

Before booking, contact DiveGurus to confirm the two selected activities, daily start times, group size for your dates, and any certification paperwork. That short check will help you decide if the $490 fee matches what you want.

I would choose this course over an unstructured scuba outing if building skill is your main goal. I would skip it if you only want a quick holiday activity or need private transportation and one-to-one instruction included in the price.

FAQ

What certification do I need for this course?

You need an SSI Open Water Certification or an equivalent qualification from another training organization.

Can I take the course immediately after Open Water certification?

Yes. The course is designed to be taken after completing SSI Open Water certification.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

What is included in the price?

Scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, and lunch for both days are included.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Where does the course start and finish?

It starts and ends at DiveGurus Boracay Dive Center on Sitio Ambulong Road, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.