Newly certified OWD divers often hear about courses
like the PADI system's AOW course
and the SSI system's AA course.
In fact, they are the same!
The PADI AOW course is equivalent to the SSI AA course
in terms of certification level.
Both courses include five "experience specialty dives,"
after which you can earn the certification.
Those who want to experience different diving specialties but have limited time,
or those with upcoming plans for diving trips to offshore islands or abroad.
| Minimum age requirement | 12 years old (Parental or guardian signature required if under 18) |
| Maximum age limit | None |
| Diving experience | Must hold an SSI Open Water Diver (Junior) certification or an equivalent certification from another system |
Before participating in diving activities, a health declaration form must be completed.
As long as you meet the conditions listed in the form and are physically and mentally healthy,
you can join the activity.
If any items on the form are marked "yes," consult your physician,
and with their approval, you can participate in the activity!
| Five foundational theory topics | After registration, you will gain access to online learning materials, which you can preview using your phone, tablet, or computer. During the course, there will be a half-day theory session where the instructor will guide you through each unit, ensuring every student fully understands the key theoretical concepts. |
| Five open water dive training sessions | Boat diving, night diving, deep diving, underwater navigation, and perfect buoyancy. |
| Course Fee | NT15,800 per person |
| Fee Includes | Use of full diving equipment during the course Pool entry fee Five open water training sessions Water insurance fees Online course materials International certification processing fees |
| Course Location | Hengchun Peninsula |
| Course Schedule | No fixed start dates You can message us to arrange a date that works for you |
| Course Duration | At least 10-15 hours, recommended to be completed over two to three days. |
Students can enjoy special discounts at BTS B&B during the course.
| Day ❶ | |
| 07:30－08:00 | Filling out basic documents |
| 08:10－09:40 | Perfect Buoyancy briefing |
| 10:10－12:00 | Perfect Buoyancy course |
| 12:00－13:30 | Lunch break |
| 13:30－14:30 | Underwater Navigation briefing |
| 15:00－17:30 | Underwater Navigation course |
| Day ❷ | |
| 07:30－08:30 | Boat Diving and Deep Diving briefing |
| 09:10－10:20 | Deep Diving course |
| 10:50－12:00 | Boat Diving course |
| 12:00－17:30 | Lunch break |
| 17:30－18:00 | Night Diving briefing |
| 18:50－20:00 | Night Diving course |
| 21:00－22:00 | Dive log and certification processing |
Yes! The AA certification includes the basic diving qualifications required for dive travel, so there's no problem participating! However, dive sites in different areas may have restrictions on diving experience due to their difficulty level. Some dive sites may even require specific types of diving, such as nitrox diving. These usually need accumulated experience or obtaining corresponding specialty certifications to unlock them, which you may notice when participating in dive travel. In SSI's
Yes! As long as your certification system meets the standards of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC), it is valid internationally. Therefore, you can choose the courses you want to take at your current level!
SSI and PADI are both internationally recognized diving systems. Both systems adhere to the standards of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC), so whether you take course with SSI or PADI, the certification you receive will be equally valid worldwide. For beginners, choosing a good dive shop and instructor to guide you is more important than selecting between the two systems.
A good diving system should not only have sufficient international recognition but also consistently update its training standards and materials. It should offer diverse advanced education options for divers to continually improve their skills and knowledge. Whether it's scuba diving, freediving, or mermaiding, SSI is considered by the Peninsula Hain coaching team to be a dedicated and comprehensive international diving education system. 
