OPEN WATER CERTIFICATION – Become an autonomous diver up to 18m !

Tenerife gives you a useful place to earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification, with warm-weather training, boat outings, and access to the Atlantic around Las Galletas. Ludo and Julie lead a small, personal program that takes you from online theory to practical skills and supervised open-water sessions.

I like the small-group approach, especially if you are nervous or need extra time with a mask-clearing exercise. I also like that equipment hire, boat trips, showers, hot drinks, and underwater photos are included, so you do not need to build the course around extra arrangements.

The main catch is the schedule. The course is advertised as either three or six days, while the booking information gives an approximate duration of four days, so confirm the exact plan before paying. The price is also substantial at $722.78 per person, and the booking is normally non-refundable.

Key points to know before booking

• Train to 18 metres: The course leads to the widely recognized PADI Open Water Diver qualification.
• Theory comes first online: Complete the e-learning and online exam before arriving, leaving your Tenerife time for practical work.
• Small groups matter: Ludo and Julie adjust the pace for individual needs, including nerves and mask exercises.
• The course includes useful extras: Equipment hire, boat trips, showers, hot drinks, and underwater photos are part of the experience.
• Meet in Las Galletas: The center is at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, near public transportation.
• Allow several days: Choose between a stated three-day or six-day format, and ask how that matches the approximate four-day listing.

From online theory to the Atlantic

This is not a quick try-out session. You are working toward an actual PADI qualification that allows you to use standard scuba equipment and descend to a maximum of 18 metres within the limits of your training and certification.

The first stage is completed online. You study the theory, learn the basic principles of safe underwater travel, and take the exam before the practical part begins. That arrangement is helpful on a holiday because you do not spend your first morning in Tenerife sitting in a classroom.

It also means you need to arrive prepared. If you leave the e-learning until the last minute, the practical sessions may feel rushed. I would complete the online work well before flying, note down any questions, and bring them to Ludo or Julie.

The course is managed by an instructor qualified through PADI and FFESSM/CMAS. The stated aim is both relaxed and disciplined: you learn at a comfortable pace, but you still need to meet the required safety and technical standards.

What the practical course is designed to teach

The supplied information does not give a minute-by-minute timetable, so you should not expect a fixed list of named sites or guaranteed marine species. The practical work is built around learning the skills needed to manage yourself underwater.

You can expect the instructors to explain each task before you perform it. This matters when you are learning to control breathing, handle equipment, and respond calmly to an unexpected problem. One customer needed extra help with the mask exercise, and the instructors reportedly took the time to work through it rather than pushing the person ahead too quickly.

That patient style is one of the strongest reasons to consider this course. A first underwater experience can feel strange, even for a fit and confident swimmer. A small group gives the instructor more time to notice discomfort, correct technique, and repeat an exercise when needed.

The course also includes practical sessions in the sea and boat outings. Boat access gives you a chance to see more of Tenerife’s underwater environment than a short shore-based introduction, though the exact sites depend on conditions and the instructor’s plan.

You should view the boat trips as part of the training, not as a sightseeing cruise. The point is to learn to prepare, enter the water, manage yourself underwater, and return safely. The marine life is an enjoyable bonus.

Why Las Galletas works for this course

The meeting point is LJ Tenerife at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, in Las Galletas, in the south of Tenerife. The center is near public transportation, which is useful if you are staying nearby and do not have a rental car.

The opening hours supplied for the activity are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. That gives you a broad daily window, but it does not mean every course session runs for those full hours. Confirm your start time and daily finish when your booking is confirmed.

The center is described as clean and well equipped. Practical details such as showers and hot drinks may sound minor, but they count after time in the ocean. You can rinse off, warm up, and talk through the day’s work without having to rush away.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes the logistics fairly simple, especially if you have planned the rest of your day around the course.

A personal teaching style

The most consistent feature of the feedback is the instructors’ personal manner. Ludo and Julie are repeatedly singled out for patience, calm explanations, and a friendly atmosphere. Daniel is also thanked for helping with one course.

That does not mean the training is casual. The feedback also points to careful instruction, good-quality equipment, and a strong focus on safety. One person who had trouble in the water described being guided step by step. Another noted that every activity was explained beforehand and that they felt safe during their first experiences.

This combination is valuable. A course can be technically correct but still feel cold or hurried. Here, the teaching appears to be built around making you comfortable while keeping the standards in place.

The instructors also speak several languages, though the available information does not provide a complete language list. If language support is important to you, ask what can be offered in your preferred language before booking.

Small groups are the real selling point

The center limits places in each session. That is especially useful for an entry-level qualification, where you may need direct supervision and quick answers.

A solo participant described receiving full attention from Ludo and learning at their own pace. Couples and families also used the course, including a parent whose teenage daughter earned her qualification. These examples suggest that the format can work for individuals, pairs, and family groups, provided everyone meets the course requirements.

Small groups do not guarantee a private lesson every day. The activity is described as private, with only your group taking part, but the size and make-up of that group should be confirmed. A private group can still include several people with different comfort levels.

For you, the practical question is simple: do you learn best with patient correction and room to ask questions? If so, this format may be worth more than choosing the cheapest large-class option.

Equipment, photos, and boat outings

Equipment hire is included, which saves you from bringing or renting your own basic kit. The available information does not list each item, so ask what is provided and what you should bring yourself.

The equipment is described as well maintained and in good condition. That is reassuring, but you should still check fit and comfort at the center. A mask that leaks or an ill-fitting suit can distract you from learning.

Boat trips are included as part of the program. Tenerife is known for its underwater attractions, and the course gives you a chance to see marine life in its natural setting while applying your new skills. Exact sightings cannot be promised, so book this for the training first and the wildlife second.

Underwater photos are also included. These can be a nice record of your first certified sessions, but the supplied information does not say how many images you receive or how they are delivered. Ask about the photo package if it matters to you.

The $722.78 price: what you are paying for

At $722.78 per person, this is a serious holiday expense. The value depends on whether you want a full qualification or only a one-time introduction to scuba.

For a certification course, the price includes several useful pieces: online theory, instructor-led practical training, equipment hire, boat trips, access to showers, hot drinks, and underwater photos. You are also paying for a multi-day course rather than a single short session.

The small-group teaching may be the most important part of the value. If you are anxious, inexperienced, or likely to need repeated practice, close attention can be more useful than a lower headline price.

You should ask what is not included before committing. The supplied details do not state whether transportation to the center, meals, certification administration, or any medical paperwork costs extra. They also do not give the exact number of sea sessions or total underwater time.

The course is aimed at people who want to continue scuba after Tenerife. If you only want to try breathing underwater once, a shorter introductory session may make more financial sense. If you want a qualification that lets you continue with certified scuba activities, the larger fee has a clearer purpose.

Choosing three days or six

The course is offered in three-day or six-day versions. A shorter program may suit a tightly planned holiday, while six days gives you more room to spread out theory, skills, and open-water work.

The booking details also describe the activity as lasting approximately four days. That is a point you should resolve before payment. It may reflect different course formats, scheduling, or a general estimate, but the information does not explain the difference.

Ask these questions before you book:

• Which format is available on your chosen dates?
• How many hours of practical training are planned each day?
• Are all sessions completed at sea?
• What happens if you need more time to pass a skill?
• When will the certification be issued?

A flexible schedule is one of the course’s useful features, but flexibility works best when the plan is clear. Do not place your flight home immediately after the final practical session unless the center confirms your timetable.

Fitness, safety, and readiness

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. That is the only fitness guidance provided, so anyone with health concerns should ask the provider what medical information or clearance is required before booking.

The instructors place clear emphasis on safety and technical control. You will be expected to listen carefully, follow instructions, and complete the required skills. This is not an activity where you can simply watch others and opt out of the important work.

The calm teaching style should help if you are nervous, but it cannot remove every challenge. Water comfort, mask exercises, equipment handling, and controlled descents can take effort. I would choose a slower course format if you know you need extra time.

The course is private for your group, which can make communication easier. It also means your schedule may be less flexible if one person in the group progresses more slowly. That is worth discussing if you are booking as a family or with friends of different experience levels.

Who will get the most from it

This course is a good fit for you if you want a recognized qualification, expect to continue scuba after Tenerife, and appreciate direct instruction.

It is particularly suited to:

• A first-time student who wants patient guidance
• A solo participant who values individual attention
• A couple or family seeking a shared qualification
• Someone who wants theory completed before the holiday
• A visitor staying in or near Las Galletas
• A nervous student who may need repeated practice

It may not suit you if you have only one free afternoon, want a guaranteed wildlife spectacle, or need a fully fixed timetable. It is also not ideal if you are looking for a cheap introductory activity rather than a certification course.

The high recommendation rate and perfect five-star score supplied for the experience support the positive picture, especially around teaching, safety, equipment, and personal care. Still, ratings cannot tell you how you will respond to the water or how the schedule will fit your holiday. Ask direct questions and be honest about your comfort level.

Booking details you should not overlook

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Places are limited, so book before your holiday becomes too tightly planned.

The activity operates every day from Monday through Sunday, with stated hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting point is the LJ Tenerife center, and the course finishes there.

The booking is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed. If poor weather forces the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That weather protection is useful, but it does not cover a change of mind or a personal schedule problem.

Because the course requires several days, I would avoid booking it at the very end of your trip. Build in enough time for the course itself and confirm the final session before arranging other fixed plans.

Should you book this Tenerife certification?

Book it if you want to leave Tenerife with a real PADI Open Water qualification and you value patient, personal instruction more than the lowest possible price. Ludo, Julie, and their team appear to put strong attention on calm teaching, clean equipment, safety, and helping students progress at their own pace.

Before paying $722.78, confirm the three-day or six-day format, the apparent four-day duration, what the fee includes beyond the listed items, and the exact schedule. If you want only a single taste of scuba, choose a shorter activity. If you want a careful foundation for future underwater trips, this Las Galletas course is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the 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 end?

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

How long does the course last?

The course is offered in three-day or six-day formats, while the activity information gives an approximate duration of four days. Confirm the exact format and schedule before booking.

What certification will I receive?

You work toward the PADI Open Water Diver certification, allowing training to a stated maximum depth of 18 metres.

Is the theory completed online?

Yes. The theoretical part is available through online e-learning, including an online exam.

Is equipment hire included?

Yes. Equipment hire is included in the course price.

Are boat trips included?

Yes. Boat trips are listed among the included features.

Are showers and hot drinks available?

Yes. Access to showers and hot drinks is included.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What happens if poor weather cancels the course?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the provider cancels because of poor weather.