SSI Deep Diving Specialty Session in Tenerife

Reaching 40 meters is the point of this Tenerife specialty course. Over about two days, you work with a GooDiving instructor on planning, safety, and the skills needed for deeper underwater descents, rather than simply being taken along for a scenic swim.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which should give your instructor room to watch your technique. I also like the practical price package: equipment, study materials, course insurance, drinks, snacks, and pickup from hotels around Golf del Sur are included.

The main thing to check before paying is the course label. The title refers to SSI, while the description refers to PADI, and the information also mentions both three and four training descents. Confirm the exact certification and schedule with GooDiving.

Key points to know before booking

• Reach 40 meters: The specialty focuses on planning and safe scuba work at depths up to 130 feet, or 40 meters.
• Two-day format: You can complete the course during a short Tenerife stay, with a 9:00 am start.
• Four supervised practice sessions listed: Another section says three sessions, so confirm the final count before booking.
• Small local operation: The maximum group size is eight, with instructors including Andrea and Isa.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment, educational materials, insurance, snacks, drinks, and Golf del Sur hotel transfers are covered.
• Plan your flights carefully: Scuba activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended.

What this 40-meter specialty actually teaches

This is not a basic introduction to scuba. You need to be ready for a specialty course that deals with the extra planning and safety concerns of greater depth.

The stated limit is 130 feet, or 40 meters. That matters because deeper water changes how you manage the session, your air supply, and your response to problems. The course is intended to teach you how to plan a deeper descent and carry it out under close instructor supervision.

You are not simply buying four scenic outings. The point is skill development. You should expect instruction on the theory and practical steps needed to make deeper underwater time more controlled.

The wording says you will complete the specialty in about two days. That is useful if your holiday schedule is tight, but it also means the sessions will likely require your full attention. You should not treat this as a casual add-on between beach time and evening plans.

The course information says four practice descents are included. Elsewhere, it describes the activity as a three-session course. That is a real detail worth clearing up. Ask GooDiving whether the package includes three or four sessions, and whether the final session count depends on the certification system or your progress.

A closer look at the two-day schedule

The day begins at 9:00 am at GooDiving, located at Terrazas de la Paz, 113 Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello, Golf del Sur. If you are staying in the Golf del Sur area, hotel pickup and return transport are offered in an air-conditioned minivan.

That transfer is a small but useful part of the package. You do not need to arrange a taxi with bulky equipment or find your way to the center before an early start. If your hotel is outside the stated Golf del Sur pickup area, ask about the meeting arrangement before booking.

The first part of the course should give you the framework for safe deeper scuba work. The description specifically mentions planning, so expect the instructor to cover how a deeper session differs from a shallow one and how to prepare before entering the water.

The practical sessions then let you apply those ideas. You will work under an instructor rather than planning a 40-meter descent on your own. The close supervision is important here, especially if you have recently completed your basic certification and are still building confidence.

The exact order of classroom work and underwater sessions is not provided. GooDiving may set the schedule around local conditions, instructor availability, and your training needs. That flexibility can be helpful, but you should ask when the sessions finish each day if you want to reserve evening plans.

The instructors and the feel of a small school

The named instructors connected with the course include Andrea and Isa, with Roberta also associated with the GooDiving team. The available comments point to a calm, friendly teaching style, especially when a participant feels stressed or has trouble with a skill.

That matters more here than a flashy sales pitch. A deeper specialty asks you to stay composed, follow a plan, and communicate clearly. An instructor who can slow down and handle nerves positively is a real advantage.

The school also works in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. That gives you a practical choice of teaching language, though you should request your preferred language in advance rather than assume it will be available at every session.

The group limit is eight people. That is not a private lesson, but it is still a manageable ceiling for a specialist course. The final number on your date may be smaller. If personal attention is your top concern, ask how many participants are booked and how many instructors will be in the water.

Past course participants have also used GooDiving for several specialties, including a DPV course. The comments describe repeat visits and a family returning for additional training. That suggests the school handles continuing education, not only one-off holiday activities.

Tenerife underwater, with room for surprises

The information does not name the exact sites used for this specialty, so I would not promise a particular reef, wreck, animal, or visibility level. GooDiving’s location in Golf del Sur puts you in a well-known scuba area of southern Tenerife, but the site choice can vary.

The comments connected with the school refer to beautiful sites and sightings such as stingrays and an angel shark. One account also describes seeing a submarine in the marina. Treat these as possible local highlights, not guaranteed parts of this two-day course.

That distinction is important. A specialty course is built around training goals first. You might get memorable marine life, but the session may focus more on depth, planning, timing, and correct procedures than on stopping for every interesting creature.

If you care most about wildlife photography, ask whether the specialty schedule allows much time for photographs. Souvenir photos are not included, although they are available to purchase. You should also ask whether photographs are taken during every session or only when conditions and the schedule allow.

The useful payoff is confidence. After the course, you should have a clearer idea of how deeper scuba work is planned and what you need to monitor. The certification does not make careless behavior safe, but it gives you a structured way to build experience.

What the $401.24 price includes

At $401.24 per person, this is not a low-cost morning activity. It is a multi-part training package, though, rather than a single recreational session.

Your price includes:

• Educational materials
• Equipment rental
• Course insurance
• Hotel pickup and return in Golf del Sur
• Air-conditioned minivan transport
• Beverages
• Snacks

Those inclusions reduce the extra costs that can make a specialty course harder to compare. You do not need to rent a full equipment set separately, arrange local transport from a qualifying hotel, or buy basic refreshments during the training days.

The value depends on what you already own and what you need. If you have your own equipment and can reach the center easily, the package may feel less compelling. If you are flying in for a short holiday and need a complete setup, the included gear, materials, insurance, and transfers make the price easier to justify.

Souvenir photographs cost extra. The information does not state the price, so budget separately if you want images.

The certification details also affect value. Since the material refers to SSI in one place and PADI in another, confirm which agency issues the specialty card. Ask whether the $401.24 price includes the certification fee itself, since the provided details do not spell that out separately.

Health checks, passports, and flight timing

Before you enter the water, you must complete a health questionnaire. Some medical conditions, including asthma and heart conditions, may prevent participation. If either applies to you, speak with a doctor before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the course.

You also need a current valid passport on the day of the activity. That may seem unusual for a local training session, but it is listed as a requirement, so keep it with you.

The flight rule is especially important for visitors to Tenerife. Scuba activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. If you are taking a return flight soon after the course, leave enough time between your final session and departure.

This can affect a short holiday schedule. A two-day course near the end of your stay may look convenient, but it could force a longer gap before your flight. I would place the course earlier in the trip when possible, leaving the final day or more free before flying.

The activity is near public transportation, but hotel pickup is available from the Golf del Sur area. If you are outside that zone, check whether you should travel to the stated meeting point at 9:00 am.

Who will get the most from this course

This course suits a certified scuba participant who wants formal training for greater depth rather than another easy coastal outing. It is also a good fit if you are staying around Golf del Sur and want a package that handles equipment and transport.

You will likely appreciate the course if you:

• Want to reach the 40-meter depth limit within a structured specialty program
• Prefer direct instruction from a small local team
• Need rental equipment and course materials
• Have two days available for training
• Want hotel transfers from the Golf del Sur area
• Feel more comfortable with an instructor who can work calmly with nervous participants

It may not suit you if you are looking only for a relaxed sightseeing session. The deeper limit is the purpose of the course, so preparation and supervision matter more than a leisurely pace.

It is also not ideal for a rushed final day in Tenerife. The 24-hour flight guidance can make the timing awkward, and the health questionnaire may require you to deal with medical questions before arrival.

Families and repeat students may also find the school appealing. GooDiving has handled basic and specialty training for returning participants, but this particular course is still a serious progression step. Make sure every person in your group meets the course requirements.

Practical questions to ask GooDiving

The most useful questions are not about the scenery. They are about the course details that appear inconsistent.

Ask these before you confirm:

• Is this an SSI or PADI specialty?
• Does the course include three or four practical sessions?
• What certification agency issues the final card?
• Is the certification fee included in the listed price?
• How many people are booked on your dates?
• Which language will your instructor use?
• What time does each training day finish?
• Is pickup available from your exact hotel?
• How long must you wait after the final session before flying?

Getting clear answers will help you compare this package with other specialty courses in Tenerife. It also prevents an unpleasant surprise if you expected four sessions and the schedule provides three, or if you need a particular agency’s certification for future training.

Is the GooDiving specialty course worth booking?

I would book this course if you want a structured route to 40-meter scuba work, need equipment and transport, and can spare two full days in Tenerife. The small group limit, calm teaching approach associated with instructors such as Andrea and Isa, and broad list of included services make the package practical.

I would pause if your schedule is tight, your flight leaves soon after the course, or you mainly want a wildlife-focused outing. The biggest issue is not the price. It is the unclear SSI and PADI labeling, along with the conflicting count of three or four practical sessions.

Confirm those details in writing, then book if the agency and schedule suit you. With that housekeeping done, this looks like a useful specialty course for a certified scuba participant who wants deeper-water skills without arranging each part separately.

FAQ

How deep does the course go?

The course teaches techniques for scuba descents down to 130 feet, or 40 meters.

How long does the course take?

The specialty is described as a two-day course, approximately.

How many practical sessions are included?

One part of the information says four practice sessions, while another says three sessions. Confirm the exact number with GooDiving before booking.

What is included in the price?

Educational materials, equipment rental, course insurance, Golf del Sur hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned minivan transport, beverages, and snacks are included.

Where does the activity start?

The meeting point is GooDiving at Terrazas de la Paz, 113 Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello, Arona, Golf del Sur, Tenerife. The listed start time is 9:00 am.

Can I fly immediately after the course?

Scuba activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. Plan your course and flight with that guidance in mind.