Best after Open WaterAdvanced Open Water
Build confidence, improve navigation and open up more Sydney dive sites.
Best forNewly certified divers ready to keep going
PrereqOpen Water Diver or equivalent
DurationUsually 2 days
Live Sydney course dates for certified divers
Find your next step as a diver.
Already certified? Choose the course that builds confidence, unlocks better dives and keeps your skills moving — with live Sydney dates you can actually book.
Start with the goal that feels most like you
I just got certifiedKeep momentum going while everything is fresh. I want more confidenceImprove control, buoyancy, navigation and comfort. I want to dive more placesUnlock deeper sites, longer dives, wrecks and travel.
Rusty or don’t have a buddy? We’ve built supported pathways for that too. Find your fit.
Find your next step
Skip to live datesWhat best describes you?
Choose the option closest to you. We’ll show the best course options and the next dates you can actually book.
Why keep training with Abyss?
Confidence comes from the right support.
Choose your next course with a Sydney team that teaches in real local conditions and helps certified divers keep moving.
4.9★ Google ratingTrusted by more than 1,200 divers and students.
PADI 5-Star CDCStructured PADI continuing education in Sydney.
Local Sydney trainingCourses built around the conditions you actually dive.
No buddy? We can help.Training gives you instructor support and compatible divers.
Recommended next courses
Start with the best courses for your goal.
Choose the goal above, then start with the course that solves your next-step need: confidence, better dive access, safety or a bigger pathway.
Best after Open Water
Stay down longerEnriched Air Nitrox
Stay down longer on repetitive dives and make local boat dives and travel easier.
Best forRegular local divers and travellers
PrereqOpen Water Diver or equivalent
DurationShort course
Confidence builderPeak Performance Buoyancy
Feel calmer underwater, use less air and protect the reef with better control.
Best forDivers who want more comfort and control
PrereqOpen Water Diver or equivalent
DurationUsually 1 day
Refresher / ReActivate
Refresh key skills and make your return to diving feel supported and easy.
Best forCertified divers returning after a break
PrereqAny recognised scuba certification
DurationHalf-day option
Underwater Navigator
Improve confidence, orientation and independence on local dives.
Best forDivers who want to feel less lost underwater
PrereqOpen Water Diver or equivalent
DurationUsually 1 day
Freediving Course
Build breath control, focus, water confidence and another way to move calmly in the ocean.
Best forDivers who want better water confidence and breath awareness
PrereqComfortable in the water
DurationUsually 2 days
Modern buoyancyAvelo Diver
Learn the Avelo system and build a lighter, simpler way to control buoyancy.
Best forDivers curious about newer equipment and streamlined buoyancy
PrereqOpen Water Diver or equivalent
DurationUsually 1 day
More sitesDeep Diver
Build planning, awareness and confidence for deeper recreational dives.
Best forDivers preparing for deeper sites and travel
PrereqAdvanced-level experience
DurationUsually 2 days
Safety essentialRescue Diver
Become calmer, more aware and the buddy other divers trust.
Best forDivers ready to improve safety and awareness
PrereqAdvanced-level certification plus first aid
DurationUsually 2 days
First aid foundationEmergency First Response
Build the first aid and CPR foundation required for Rescue Diver and useful in everyday life.
Best forDivers preparing for Rescue or wanting stronger safety skills
PrereqNo diving certification required
DurationUsually 1 day
Career builderDivemaster
Turn strong recreational experience into leadership, mentoring and professional training.
Best forCareer-minded divers
PrereqRescue, first aid, 40 dives to start
DurationIntensive or mentored pathway
Technical pathwayTec 40
Start technical diving with disciplined planning, gas awareness and decompression procedures.
Best forExperienced recreational divers
PrereqAOW, Nitrox, Deep/depth experience, 30 dives
DurationAbout 2.5 days
Live dates for upcoming courses
Next course dates.
Choose All courses to browse the full upcoming training list, or use a course tab opened from a course card to see matching dates.
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Master Scuba Diver planner
Build your Master Scuba Diver plan.
Master Scuba Diver is PADI’s highest recreational rating, but it is not a single course. It is a pathway that combines Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, five PADI specialties and 50 logged dives. Use this planner to see which Abyss package best fits where you are now: the full pathway, the Tec 40 version, a top-up package or a quick Abyss review.
Highest recreational PADI ratingFree Avelo bonus includedFull package saves $770Pathway to Rescue, specialties and 50 dives
Real Sydney divingSerious recreational goalFree Avelo bonus
One rating. Four clear booking paths.
Choose the path that fits what you already have. The aim is simple: become broader, safer and more confident without paying twice for training you have already completed.
AdvancedRescue + EFR5 specialties50 logged divesMaster Scuba Diver
Full MSD Package $2,695Best if you still need Rescue, EFR and most specialties. Includes the Avelo Diver course as a free bonus. Full MSD + Tec 40 $3,045The full pathway with Tec 40 replacing the final standard specialty option. MSD Top-Up Package $2,295For divers who already have Rescue and current EFR. Includes five specialties plus the free Avelo bonus. Top-Up + Tec 40 $2,645The top-up pathway with Tec 40 replacing the final standard specialty option.
Full package value: $3,465. Save $770 compared with booking the full MSD pathway separately.
Already part-way there? Use the planner before you book. If you already have Rescue, EFR, Avelo or several specialties, it will point you toward a top-up package or an Abyss review instead of pushing you into the full package.
Where are you now?
Answer four quick questions. We’ll show your best package, why it fits, and the next action to take.
Estimated pathway progress: 34%
Recommended: Full MSD Package — $2,695
Rescue + EFR + five specialties + free Avelo bonus
You are Advanced-level and still need Rescue, EFR and most specialties. The Full MSD Package is the cleanest booking path because it gives you the full structure in one pathway.
Rescue Diver includedEFR includedFive specialties includedFree Avelo bonus included
Packages cover training only. Equipment rental and gear hire are not included. The Avelo Diver course is included as a free bonus with Abyss MSD packages and has no cash value or automatic deduction if already completed. Master Scuba Diver recognition still requires the required certifications and 50 logged dives.
Freediving
A parallel pathway for breath control, ocean confidence, relaxation and community.
Explore freedivingDivemaster
Turn strong recreational experience into leadership, mentoring and professional-level dive support.
Explore DivemasterInstructor Training
For qualified Divemasters ready to move from leading dives to teaching new divers.
Explore Instructor TrainingTec 40
Prepare for disciplined technical planning after Nitrox, Deep and logged experience.
Explore Tec 40Questions certified divers ask
Still deciding? Start here.
The best next course depends on what you want diving to feel like next: easier, safer, deeper, more social, or part of a bigger goal. These answers are designed to help you choose without needing to understand every course name first.
Fastest way to choosePick the option that sounds most like you, then use the live dates to book a course you qualify for.
01I just finished Open Water. What should I do next?
Most newly certified divers should start with Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Nitrox or Peak Performance Buoyancy. These courses build confidence, improve control and open up more local Sydney diving while your motivation is still fresh.
Simple rule: if you want more supported experience, choose Advanced. If you want longer dives, choose Nitrox. If you want to feel calmer underwater, choose buoyancy.
02I feel rusty, nervous or out of practice. Where should I start?
Start with Refresher / ReActivate if you have had a break, feel unsure about core skills, or want a supported return before joining other courses or local dives.
Returning should not feel embarrassing. The goal is to make the next dive feel normal, controlled and enjoyable again.
03I do not have a regular buddy. Can I still keep training?
Yes. Training is one of the easiest ways to stay active without needing to organise a buddy yourself. You will be with an instructor and other divers working towards similar goals.
For social confidence, use courses and guided local dives as a way to meet compatible buddies and become part of the Abyss diving community.
04How do I choose between Freediving, Divemaster, Instructor Training and Tec 40?
Choose Freediving if you want breath control, ocean confidence and a parallel water-skill pathway. Choose Divemaster if you want to lead and mentor divers. Choose Instructor Training if you are already a qualified Divemaster and want to teach. Choose Tec 40 if you are an experienced recreational diver ready to begin technical diving.
The right pathway depends on your certification level, recent experience, logged dives and the type of diving future you want to build.
05Which courses count towards Master Scuba Diver?
Master Scuba Diver is a pathway, not a single course. You need Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, five PADI specialties and 50 logged dives.
Useful specialties for Sydney divers often include Nitrox, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigation, Deep, Wreck, AWARE or other specialties that support the type of diving you actually want to do.
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