

You took your first breath underwater during a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) experience and something clicked. You fell in love with the quiet, the weightlessness, and the way time slows beneath the waves, and now you’re wondering how to progress your diving?
Your next holiday was already plannedโOpen Water Certification, of course. And now you find yourself craving more: more skills, more confidence, and yesโฆ Sipadan.
At Scuba Junkie Mabul, the Advanced Open Water course is your next chapter. And we have the perfect package to take you from beginner to advanced, with a dive day at Sipadan to top it all off.
The PADI Advanced Open Water course is a two-day course that includes:
Thatโs six dives in totalโa chance to learn, explore, and gain experience. At Scuba Junkie, we believe education should be hands-on, fun, and unforgettable.
Once you book your course, our dive team sends your PADI learning material directly to your PADI app. This means you complete the theory at your own pace, before arriving. No lost time in a classroomโyou came here to dive!
We start where it matters: buoyancy. Although not a required dive by PADI, at Scuba Junkie itโs a must. Why? Because buoyancy is the foundation of every great diver.
Youโll practice hovering in various positions, perfecting trim, adjusting weights, and conserving air. At Awas, our house reef, we have platforms and structures perfect for swim-throughs and instructor-designed games. Some instructors use hoops, others use weightsโbut all make sure itโs both educational and fun.
Navigation starts on land with your compass. Never used one? No problemโyour instructor will explain it clearly before you hit the water. Then itโs time to:
The flat, sandy bottom at Awas makes it ideal for practicing without damaging any reef.
After two dives, your stomach will be ready for our famous buffet lunch. Vegetarian, vegan, and delicious options served up in our eco-friendly restaurant. No seafood hereโsustainability is part of our mission.
Itโs time to choose your next dive. Here are your options:
Your deepest dive is first of the dayโand thereโs a reason. After a good nightโs rest and time to off-gas nitrogen, your No Decompression Limit (NDL) is longest in the morning.
Youโll descend to 30m and experience:
Itโs all taught in a supportive, no-stress way that builds your confidence, not your nerves.
After a surface interval, snacks, and a bit of theory recap, you head out for your last official dive. Another adventure dive of your choiceโby now youโll be moving with more ease, tracking your depth and time like a pro.
The course may be complete, but your day isnโt over. Many guests choose to go for an optional extra dive to cement their new skills. Or you can relax at the beach with a smoothie and a new scuba certification in hand.
At first, your air will disappear fast. Youโll wonder if youโll ever master hovering. But after six dives, you will be a master in how to progress your diving and everything changes:
We see it every weekโdivers who arrive unsure and leave transformed.
You did it. You’re certified, confident, and ready. The final day in our Advanced Open Water + Sipadan Package is the cherry on top.
Due to Sabah Parks regulations, youโll do two dives at Sipadan, followed by a third dive at either Mabul or Kapalai.
At Sipadan, expect:
Itโs a celebration of everything youโve learnedโand everything the ocean has to offer.
Choose the package that fits your journey on how to progress your diving:
โก๏ธ See more package options and accommodation types
All packages include:
Excludes:
Note: First day of diving will NOT be at Sipadan or Si Amil due to safety and course requirements. Courses are not conducted at these islands.
Solo traveller? A RM200 supplement applies if youโre the only participant on your dive day.
The journey from DSD to Open Water and then to Advanced Open Water isnโt just about racking up dives. Itโs about growing as a diver, building skills, and gaining the confidence to take on new challenges.
And when your final dive of the course ends in Sipadan, with sharks gliding past and jackfish dancing in the blueโyouโll realize youโre no longer a beginner.
Questions on how to progress your diving? Wondering which adventure dives suit you best? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

