LORD HOWE ISLAND WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Three Days to Master the Reef: Lord Howe’s Advanced Open Water Course
A three-day, five-dive Advanced Open Water course on Lord Howe Island — starting at $800, ages 10+ — designed to build confidence and earn your Advanced Open Water PADI certification.
Three Days to Master the Reef: Lord Howe’s Advanced Open Water Course.
On Lord Howe Island, Dive Lord Howe runs a focused Advanced Open Water Course that stretches across three days and five adventure dives — deep, drift (or boat-substituted), underwater navigation, underwater naturalist and peak performance buoyancy — designed to sharpen skills and expand your confidence beneath some of Australia’s clearest sub-tropical seas.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Five Adventure Dives That Progress Your Skills
The course comprises five open-water dives including a deep dive, a drift dive (substituted with a boat dive when conditions require), underwater navigation and specialist skill dives in naturalist observation and peak performance buoyancy.
Lord Howe’s Clear, Temperate Waters
Dives take place around the Lord Howe Island Group; clarity can reach beyond 40 metres in summer, with cooler months still offering good visibility — conditions that make navigation and deep-dive training especially rewarding.
A Structured Course That Builds Confidence
Blending eLearning with five in-water adventure dives and knowledge reviews on each section, the program is designed to leave you with improved buoyancy, navigation and the experience necessary to advance your recreational diving.
What the day feels like
What the Course Feels Like
Across three days you move from classroom eLearning review to progressive open-water dives: Day 1 covers dives 1 and 2 (with the deep dive scheduled when conditions allow), Day 2 covers dives 3 and 4, and the underwater navigation exercise (about 1.5 hours) is completed on Day 2 or Day 3 depending on scheduling. Small-group boat dives return midday, leaving time to consolidate skills between sessions.
THE DIVES
Five Adventure Dives That Progress Your Skills
The course comprises five open-water dives including a deep dive, a drift dive (substituted with a boat dive when conditions require), underwater navigation and specialist skill dives in naturalist observation and peak performance buoyancy.
THE SETTING
Lord Howe’s Clear, Temperate Waters
Dives take place around the Lord Howe Island Group; clarity can reach beyond 40 metres in summer, with cooler months still offering good visibility — conditions that make navigation and deep-dive training especially rewarding.
THE OUTCOME
A Structured Course That Builds Confidence
Blending eLearning with five in-water adventure dives and knowledge reviews on each section, the program is designed to leave you with improved buoyancy, navigation and the experience necessary to advance your recreational diving.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should prepare differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Dive Lord Howe operates from September–May, with peak season December–March; the operator is closed 1 June–31 August for equipment servicing and limited dive options in winter.
Bring swimwear, a towel from your lodge, water, reef-safe sun protection, extra snacks or lunch for long mornings, your dive certification card or proof, and sea sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness on the open ocean.
The program is scheduled as a three-day course consisting of five dives and associated knowledge reviews.
Meet at Shed 2, Lagoon Road, Lord Howe Island, NSW 2898; the dive shop sits on the lagoon foreshore within easy walking or riding distance of most lodges.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How do I book?
You can book online or contact Dive Lord Howe on 02 6563 2253; consult their Terms & Conditions page for booking policies.
Do I need to book prior to arriving on Lord Howe Island?
Yes — because Dive Lord Howe takes only small groups of divers, pre-booking dive packages prior to arrival is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Where on the island do you dive?
Dive Lord Howe selects sites around the Lord Howe Island Group based on prevailing circumstances and conditions.
What if I haven't dived in a while?
If you haven't dived within a few months, a quick refresher dive is recommended and can be completed on the island or at another dive centre before arrival.
When is the best time to come for diving?
Anytime from September–May is suitable; December–March is peak season. The operator is closed 1 June–31 August for equipment servicing and limited winter diving.
What happens if diving is cancelled due to weather?
Refer to the operator’s cancellation policy and consider travel insurance when planning travel to Lord Howe Island.