ADVANCED OPEN WATER CERTIFICATION – Improve your scuba diving skills up to 30m !

Tenerife’s PADI Advanced Open Water course is built around five practical underwater sessions, not long classroom days. You’ll work toward a 30-meter limit with Ludo, Julie, or their experienced team, and the course can be arranged around your holiday plans. I especially like the two-person maximum and the choice of adventure subjects, including a night session, wreck work, and buoyancy control.

The main consideration is the price, $596.12 per person, and the three-day commitment. You also need at least 10 logged scuba sessions, moderate fitness, and weather that allows the program to run.

Key points to know before booking

• Two people maximum: You receive unusually direct attention instead of being one face in a large class.
• Five practical sessions: Deep work and underwater navigation are required, with other subjects selected from night, wreck, and buoyancy training.
• Training to 30 meters: The course is designed to extend your certified depth from entry-level limits.
• Ludo and Julie’s personal approach: Their center is family-run, and repeat customers are often welcomed back by name.
• Flexible theory options: You may be able to complete the academic portion through e-learning, or use the supplied study material.
• Three days in Las Galletas: The course begins and ends at the center on Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores.

What the three-day course is really about

An Advanced Open Water course is less about collecting another card and more about becoming calmer and more capable underwater. You already need 10 logged sessions, so this is not a first-timer program. You should arrive comfortable with basic equipment, normal descents, and standard underwater procedures.

The aim is to give you experience in situations that entry-level training may only introduce briefly. You’ll practice handling greater depth, finding your way without relying entirely on an instructor, and refining your position in the water. Those skills are useful long after your holiday in Tenerife ends.

The course is arranged over approximately three days, although the exact timetable is planned with you. That matters in Tenerife, where you may also want time for beaches, walks, or other island plans. The schedule is not presented as a rigid block, and the small number of places in each session helps the instructor keep the pace personal.

You’ll meet at the center in Las Galletas, in the south of Tenerife. Each session returns to the same meeting point. There is public transportation nearby, but the supplied details do not include a hotel transfer, so plan to reach the center yourself.

The two required sessions: depth and navigation

The 30-meter session is the heart of the course. It gives you a controlled introduction to the practical effects of greater depth and helps you apply the right procedures while an instructor is close by.

This is not simply a matter of going lower. You’ll need to stay aware of your air use, buoyancy, position, and the way the deeper environment affects your decisions. The value is in learning to manage those changes with a clear head rather than treating depth as a badge of bravery.

The second required subject is underwater navigation. This can be one of the most useful parts of the course because good navigation makes you less dependent on a guide. You’ll work on using a compass and natural references, with the instructor helping you turn basic direction skills into something practical.

I would pay close attention here, even if you are mainly interested in wrecks or night work. Navigation is the skill that quietly improves almost every future session. It can help you stay with your group, return to a planned point, and feel less uncertain when visibility or surroundings change.

Choosing the other three adventure subjects

The program lists night, wreck, and Peak Performance Buoyancy as the additional subjects. Along with depth and navigation, these make up the five-session structure. You should discuss the final selection with the instructor when you book or arrive, since the course is specifically planned with your interests and holiday schedule in mind.

A night session changes the way you use your attention. Familiar surroundings can feel entirely different after dark, and your light becomes an important part of communication and awareness. The supplied information does not promise a particular site or wildlife encounter, so book it for the skill and atmosphere rather than a guaranteed animal sighting.

A wreck session adds a clear purpose to underwater exploration. You’ll learn to approach a wreck carefully and understand why structure, orientation, and safe limits matter. The description does not identify the wreck or promise entry inside, so ask what kind of wreck work is planned before choosing this subject.

Peak Performance Buoyancy is the most broadly useful option. It focuses on staying balanced in the water, avoiding unnecessary movement, and using less effort. Good buoyancy can make every later session more comfortable, and it is particularly helpful if you feel you sink, float, or bump around more than you would like.

Because the course is limited to two people, the instructor can spend more time correcting small habits. That is a real advantage here. In a large class, buoyancy advice may stay general. With only one other student, you can ask why a problem is happening and work on it immediately.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is two students. For a technical skills course, that is the detail I value most.

You can ask questions as they arise instead of waiting for a whole group to finish. If you need extra time with navigation, buoyancy, or equipment checks, the instructor has a better chance of noticing. The course description also emphasizes a dedicated, experienced instructor, with PADI Elite status held for five years.

The personal approach appears to be part of the center’s character. Ludo and Julie run a family-owned operation, and the tone is described as friendly, calm, and professional. One returning customer came back to Tenerife after an earlier introductory session with them specifically to complete the Advanced course. Another described Ludo as relaxed and reassuring during certification work.

That does not mean the course is casual. The program follows PADI training and safety standards, and the relaxed tone should help you concentrate rather than remove the discipline. You’ll still need to listen, practice, and meet the required standards.

The small group has one possible drawback: places are limited. If your Tenerife dates are fixed, contact the center before building the rest of your holiday around this course. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Theory before the underwater work

The academic part may be available through e-learning. If that option fits your schedule, you can handle much of the theory before arriving and use your time in Tenerife for practical instruction.

If e-learning is not suitable, support material is provided. I would not treat the theory as a formality. The depth and navigation sessions make more sense when you understand the reasons behind the procedures, and preparation can leave more time for questions with Ludo, Julie, or the assigned instructor.

Ask how the theory will be handled when you make your reservation. The supplied details say most courses have the e-learning possibility, but they do not specify exactly how far in advance you must complete it or which platform is used.

A closer look at the instruction

The strongest feature of this experience is the blend of structure and flexibility. You have a clear training goal, five adventure sessions, two required subjects, and established PADI standards. At the same time, the timetable is planned with you rather than imposed as a one-size-fits-all holiday package.

That balance suits someone who wants a proper certification without spending three days in a crowded school. You can ask for explanations, take stock between sessions, and discuss which optional subjects match your experience.

The center also places weight on clean and well-handled equipment. Specific equipment brands and rental details are not provided, but the center’s approach includes attention to equipment hygiene. One account specifically noted clean equipment and disinfected masks and regulators, followed by coffee after the session. The coffee is a small touch, but it tells you something about the relaxed pace the center aims for.

You should still ask what is included in the $596.12 price. The supplied details confirm the course and support material, but they do not list equipment rental, certification fees, transport, meals, or personal insurance separately. Do not assume every possible extra is covered.

Is $596.12 a fair price?

At $596.12 per person, this is not a budget add-on to a beach holiday. The value depends on how much you care about instruction quality and individual attention.

You are paying for an approximately three-day certification program, five adventure sessions, instructor support, and the chance to train toward 30 meters. A maximum of two people is a strong value point because private or nearly private tuition usually costs more elsewhere. If you need patient explanations or want to correct poor habits, that personal time may matter more than a lower headline price.

The price is less attractive if you only want a few scenic underwater outings. The course has required work, theory, and certification standards. It is designed for progress, not simply for sightseeing.

Before paying, confirm what is included and ask whether you already meet the prerequisite of 10 logged sessions. Also check the status of your existing certification and any paperwork the center needs. Those questions are practical, especially since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase.

What kind of scuba student will enjoy this most?

This course fits you best if you already hold entry-level certification and have at least 10 logged sessions. You should have moderate physical fitness and be ready to take an active role in your training.

It is a good match for:

• Someone who wants to progress toward 30 meters.
• A certified scuba student who prefers a two-person class.
• A returning customer who already knows Ludo and Julie’s style.
• A holidaymaker who wants the timetable shaped around other plans.
• Someone interested in combining required skills with night, wreck, or buoyancy work.
• A student who values calm instruction and has plenty of questions.

It may not suit you if you have fewer than 10 logged sessions, want a single short outing, or cannot commit to roughly three days. It is also not ideal if you need a fully fixed booking, since confirmation depends on availability and poor weather can affect the schedule.

Practical details at Las Galletas

The meeting point is LJ Diving Tenerife at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at that center.

Opening hours are listed as 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The course operates in a private format, meaning only your group participates. In practical terms, that means your group may be one or two people, not a mixed public class.

Bring enough time for the full course rather than scheduling a tight airport transfer or major excursion immediately afterward. The duration is approximately three days, but the daily timing is planned with you. Weather is also important. If poor conditions force cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

The cancellation rule is strict in all other cases. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so make sure your dates, prerequisites, and plans are settled before booking.

Should you book this Advanced Open Water course?

I would book it if you already have 10 logged sessions, want a recognized PADI certification, and value hands-on coaching more than the lowest possible price. The two-person limit, personal scheduling, and mix of depth, navigation, night, wreck, and buoyancy work give the course a useful sense of purpose.

I would hesitate if you are unsure about your dates, expect a casual half-day activity, or need every cost spelled out before committing. Contact the center first to confirm availability, the exact three-session schedule, which optional subjects are possible, and what the $596.12 price includes.

For the right student, this is a focused way to turn basic experience into better judgment underwater, with Ludo, Julie, and their team close enough to give real individual attention.

FAQ

Where does the Advanced Open Water course begin?

It begins at LJ Diving Tenerife, Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Las Galletas.

How long does the course take?

The course lasts approximately three days.

How many logged scuba sessions do I need?

You need a minimum of 10 logged scuba sessions.

How deep does the certification program train you to go?

The program is designed to improve your skills for scuba activity to 30 meters.

How many people participate in each course?

The course has a maximum of two participants, and it is a private activity for your group.

Which subjects are included?

The five adventure subjects include a mandatory depth session, mandatory navigation, and sessions selected from night work, wreck work, and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Can I complete the theory through e-learning?

Most courses have an e-learning option for the theory. If that is not used, support material is provided.

What happens if poor weather cancels the course?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.