SSI Open Water, South Tenerife

The best part of this SSI Open Water course is its small size. With no more than four people, you get far more personal attention than in a crowded class, which matters when you are learning breathing control, equipment use, and safety skills for the first time. The course packs six underwater sessions into three days.

I like that the price includes equipment, instruction, course material, insurance, and transportation, so you are not piecing together a budget from add-ons. I also like the human touch reported by the Medanodive team: Chris, Isma, Jon, Mal, and Monika are described as patient, friendly, and careful with new students. The main consideration is the pace. Six sessions in three days is an intensive commitment, and you need moderate fitness and the ability to swim.

Key points at a glance

• Six underwater sessions over three days: A concentrated path toward the first level of scuba certification.
• Maximum group size of four: More direct help with skills and equipment than a large class usually allows.
• El Médano starting point: Meet at Av. Magallanes, 5, at 8:30 am, with the activity ending back there.
• Equipment and insurance included: The $600.85 price covers the main practical costs.
• Patient instruction: Chris and Isma are specifically praised for calm, personal teaching.
• Minimum age 12: Children must be accompanied by an adult and able to swim.

Learning the basics in El Médano

This is not a quick tryout in a swimming pool. It is the first level of a full SSI scuba course, spread across three days and six underwater sessions. You will learn how to handle the equipment, manage your breathing, and perform the required skills under an instructor’s supervision.

That format suits you if you want a qualification rather than a single holiday activity. The course asks for a little more time and concentration, but you finish with a useful foundation for future scuba trips. The provided information does not spell out every classroom topic or exact certification requirement, so confirm the current SSI course structure with Medanodive before booking.

The course begins at 8:30 am at Av. Magallanes, 5, in El Médano. That early start leaves room for the day’s training and keeps the three-day schedule moving. You return to the same meeting point at the end of the activity, which makes the morning easier to manage if you are staying nearby.

El Médano is a practical base for this kind of activity. It gives the course a small-town setting rather than the feel of a large resort operation. Transportation is included, but the details of each transfer are not specified, so ask where the group will train on each day and how long the rides usually take.

Six sessions, three days, and a serious learning curve

The central promise is simple: six underwater sessions during three days. That gives you repeated practice instead of a single introduction followed by a long gap. Skills that feel awkward at first can become more familiar when you use them again the next day.

You should still expect a full schedule. Learning to use scuba equipment takes attention, and new students often need time to think through each step. The instructors’ patience matters here. Chris is repeatedly described as calm and encouraging, while Isma is praised for personal treatment and clear support. Those qualities are especially useful when you are trying to manage new equipment and course work at the same time.

The exact order of the six sessions is not provided. A sensible approach is to expect a mix of instruction, skill practice, and supervised underwater time, with the instructor adjusting the pace to the group. Because the group is limited to four, you should be able to ask questions and receive corrections without waiting behind a large class.

That small group is one of the strongest reasons to consider this course. It does not guarantee a private lesson, but four people is a manageable number for an instructor who needs to watch buoyancy, breathing, equipment handling, and comfort levels.

What the Medanodive team adds

The staff is the most consistently praised part of this experience. Chris is described as patient, professional, friendly, and good-humored. One particularly useful detail is that he helped students handle the challenge of combining online learning with practical equipment during their first two days.

Isma also receives specific praise for personal attention and encouraging instruction. Jon, Mal, and Monika are named as part of the wider team, giving you a sense that this is a small operation with several familiar faces rather than an anonymous booking desk.

The tone appears relaxed, but the instruction is not casual about safety. People who completed courses with the center describe feeling comfortable and well supervised. That balance is valuable. You want an instructor who can keep the mood light without treating the skills as a joke.

The course information does not guarantee a particular instructor. If you have a strong preference for Chris or Isma, request that person when you book, but understand that availability may decide the final assignment.

The underwater setting around Tenerife

The course takes place from Medanodive in South Tenerife, but the exact training locations are not listed in advance. That means you should not book this expecting one fixed reef, wreck, or named marine site.

Other activities with the center have used Abades, where conditions included reduced visibility close to the beach because sand had been stirred up. Farther out, visibility improved, with a cave, trumpet fish, and an octopus noted as highlights. That information is useful, but it should not be treated as a promise for this three-day course.

It tells you something about the range of conditions around the area. Visibility can change with the location and water movement, and the most interesting scenery may require moving beyond the entry point. A good instructor will choose sites according to training needs and conditions, but you should ask what sites are planned for your dates.

You may also hear about additional locations around the island. Past course participants have been taken to different sites after completing required skills, including more adventurous training for higher-level qualifications. For an SSI Open Water student, the priority is learning safely and comfortably. The most dramatic site is not always the best place for a first skill session.

What the $600.85 price covers

At $600.85 per person, this is a substantial purchase, but the included items make the figure easier to assess. You receive scuba equipment, an instructor, SSI material and fees, diving insurance, and transportation.

The insurance is particularly important. It means you are not being asked to arrange a separate activity policy for the course, at least according to the supplied details. The course material and SSI fees are also included, which reduces the chance of surprise charges connected to certification.

Transportation adds value if the training sites are away from the meeting point. You should still ask what is covered in practice, since the description does not state the transfer range or whether every movement during the three days is included.

There are no listed exclusions. That is helpful, but it does not mean every personal expense is covered. Food, drinks, accommodation, and any optional activity are not discussed, so plan those separately rather than assuming they form part of the course price.

Compared with paying separately for equipment rental, instruction, insurance, course material, and local transport, the package is easier to budget. The real value depends on whether you want certification. If you only want to try scuba once, a shorter introductory session may suit you better. If you want the first recognized step toward independent recreational scuba, the three-day structure makes more sense.

Who should book this course

This course is best for a beginner who wants a proper foundation and can commit to three consecutive days. You need to be able to swim and have a moderate level of physical fitness. The minimum age is 12, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The small group should suit you if you prefer asking questions and receiving frequent corrections. It is also a good match if you value a friendly local team and want help beyond the technical lessons. The Medanodive staff has helped people with advice about local restaurants, bars, and things to do, although that is an extra benefit rather than a formal part of the course.

You may want to reconsider if you dislike early starts, feel uncertain about swimming, or want a slow, widely spaced training plan. The schedule is concentrated, and a three-day course leaves less room for delays or a bad personal day.

Service animals are allowed, and the center is near public transportation. Those details help with access to the meeting point, though the course’s physical requirements still apply.

Practical planning before you arrive

Confirmation is provided at booking. The listed meeting time is 8:30 am, so arrive ready to begin rather than treating the start as a loose suggestion. The meeting point is Av. Magallanes, 5, 38612 El Médano, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Wear practical swim clothing and bring anything you normally need for a full morning outdoors, though the supplied information does not give a packing list. Ask the center what personal items are required before your first session. You should also confirm the daily schedule, training locations, instructor assignment, and the exact SSI certification process.

The provider may need to change the chosen date if it is unavailable. If another date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered. For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The booking is offered in English. That makes it suitable if you want instruction in English, but it is worth confirming language needs in advance if anyone in your group is less comfortable with technical terms.

My take on the instruction style

I like the evidence of patience in the teaching. New scuba students need time to process several things at once, and a calm instructor can make the difference between a useful challenge and an uncomfortable morning.

The team also seems comfortable working with different ability levels. Experienced customers have returned for additional courses, while beginners have received close support. That suggests a center capable of teaching beyond one basic lesson, though your own experience will depend on the instructor and the small group on your dates.

The praise is not limited to technical skill. The staff is described as approachable, fun, and willing to talk about the activity afterward. That matters in a place like El Médano, where you may want local advice as well as certification.

Still, keep expectations realistic. A friendly team cannot remove the need to study, practice, and stay focused. This is training, not simply a sightseeing outing with a mask.

Should you book SSI Open Water in South Tenerife?

Book it if you want a genuine first scuba qualification, appreciate close instruction, and can manage six underwater sessions across three days. The four-person maximum, included equipment and insurance, and patient teaching from the Medanodive team make the $600.85 price easier to justify.

Before paying, confirm the current SSI syllabus, daily timetable, training sites, transport details, and instructor availability. If you want a relaxed one-off experience with little study, choose something shorter. If you want skills you can carry into future scuba trips, this El Médano course is a strong fit.

FAQ

How long does the SSI Open Water course last?

The course lasts approximately three days and includes six underwater sessions.

Where does the activity start?

You meet at Av. Magallanes, 5, 38612 El Médano, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, at 8:30 am. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the $600.85 price?

The price includes scuba equipment, an instructor, SSI material and fees, diving insurance, and transportation. No exclusions are listed.

How many people can join the course?

The maximum group size is four travelers.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult and able to swim.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.