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

The most useful feature here is the two-person maximum. In Tenerife, that means your instructor can watch your skills closely instead of herding a large class around underwater. I like the personal planning, too: Ludo and Julie arrange the course around your holiday rather than forcing you into a rigid timetable.

I also like that the course mixes practical skills with genuinely different underwater tasks. You work toward a 30-meter limit through deep and navigation training, then add options such as a night swim, wreck work, or buoyancy practice. The main consideration is the price, $596.12 per person, which is a serious part of a holiday budget.

Key points

• Five adventure dives: The course covers five training dives, with deep and navigation work required.
• Maximum of two students: You receive close attention from your instructor throughout the course.
• 30-meter certification goal: The program is designed to take your PADI qualification beyond basic open-water limits.
• Flexible holiday planning: The schedule is discussed with you instead of being treated as a fixed classroom package.
• Ludo and Julie lead the center: Their teaching style is described as calm, friendly, and professional.
• E-learning may be available: You can ask about completing the theory before arriving, or use the provided course material.

What the three-day Tenerife course is really for

This is the next step after a basic open-water qualification. You need at least 10 logged scuba dives, so the course is not intended for someone who has only completed initial certification and has never built confidence in the water.

The goal is to give you more control, more range, and more experience with conditions that basic training may not cover. You work through five adventure dives, with a deep session and an underwater navigation session required. The remaining work includes night, wreck, and peak-performance buoyancy activities.

The certification allows you to train toward scuba use at depths of up to 30 meters. That does not mean every underwater session takes place at 30 meters. It means the course gives you the training needed to progress toward that limit within PADI standards and safety procedures.

I see this as a skills course, not simply a badge-collecting exercise. You are asked to make decisions, manage your equipment, control your movement, and stay aware of your surroundings. That makes it useful for anyone who wants to feel less like a beginner on future excursions.

Starting at LJ Diving Tenerife in Las Galletas

The meeting point is LJ Diving Tenerife, at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, in Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The center is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the southern part of Tenerife and do not want to arrange a private transfer.

The listed operating hours are Monday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The course lasts about three days, but the exact plan is worked out with you. That flexibility matters on an island holiday, where you may want to keep time open for other plans.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since each session is limited to two people, you should not assume that a last-minute date will work. Contacting the center before booking is sensible if your holiday schedule is tight.

The activity returns to the same meeting point. You should arrive ready for a physical activity and allow enough time for equipment preparation, instruction, and the underwater sessions themselves. The program asks for a moderate level of fitness, so it is not aimed at people looking for a purely passive sightseeing activity.

How the five adventure dives fit together

The course is built around five adventure dives. The exact order can be planned with the instructor, and the listed subjects give the training a good mix of practical skills and underwater variety.

Deep training toward 30 meters

The deep session is mandatory. It is the part of the course most directly linked to your goal of progressing to 30 meters, but its real value is not simply reaching a greater number on a depth gauge.

At greater depth, air use and buoyancy control become more important. You need to remain calm, follow the plan, and understand how depth affects the way you and your equipment behave. The instructor manages this within PADI training and safety standards.

If you are still anxious about basic buoyancy or air management, this session may feel demanding. That is one reason the 10-dive minimum matters. The course expects you to arrive with some experience already in place, then helps you build on it.

Underwater navigation

Navigation is also mandatory. This session focuses on keeping track of direction and position instead of relying entirely on an instructor to guide you.

That is a useful skill for anyone who plans to scuba regularly. A calm, clear route makes an underwater session more enjoyable, and it helps you stay organized if visibility or surroundings become less familiar. You will be given instruction and support rather than being left to work it out alone.

Navigation can feel less dramatic than a wreck or night session, but it may be one of the most useful parts of the course. It turns you from someone who follows a route into someone who can take a more active role in planning a session.

Night training

A night session introduces a different mood and a different set of habits. The available course plan includes a night dive, allowing you to practice staying oriented and controlled when natural light is limited.

This is the sort of activity that can make a familiar site feel new. It also asks more from your preparation and communication. You need to pay attention to the instructor, your equipment, and the agreed plan.

The supplied information does not specify the exact site, start time, or marine life you will see. That is worth remembering when comparing packages. The appeal here is the training experience itself, not a promise of a particular animal encounter.

Wreck training

The wreck session gives you experience around a more structured underwater feature. A wreck can provide useful practice in awareness, buoyancy, and careful movement, particularly when you need to avoid contact with the site or stir up the bottom.

No specific wreck is named, so you should ask Ludo or Julie which site is planned for your dates. The word wreck can mean different things in different places, from a small shallow structure to a more involved site. The instructor can explain the depth, conditions, and limits before you enter the water.

Peak-performance buoyancy

Buoyancy work is often the quiet star of an advanced course. It may not sound as exciting as a night or wreck session, but better control makes almost every future scuba outing easier.

You practice staying at the depth you want, moving efficiently, and avoiding unnecessary contact with the bottom. That can help conserve air and reduce effort. It also makes you a more considerate partner around marine life and underwater sites.

If you already feel comfortable with buoyancy, this session still gives you a chance to refine small habits. If you struggle with floating too high or dropping too low, it may be the training that gives you the biggest practical improvement.

A personal teaching style, not a large class

The course is a private activity for your group, with no more than two participants in a course. That is a major difference from a busy school class.

With two people, the instructor can spend more time correcting your position, answering questions, and adjusting the pace. If one skill takes longer than expected, you are not competing with a large group for attention. If you are progressing quickly, the instructor can keep the course moving.

Ludovic and Julie are the names most closely associated with LJ Diving Tenerife. The experience described by past participants points to a center that combines technical training with a relaxed manner. One recurring detail is Ludo’s calm approach, with no pressure or needless tension. Another is the friendly, family-run feel of the operation.

That tone will suit you if you learn best through conversation and steady coaching. It may be less suitable if you want a large resort-style program with many fixed departures and a fast, standardized schedule.

The small format also makes the course feel more personal. Several people have returned to the center for additional certification after earlier training with Ludo and Julie. That suggests the relationship with the instructor matters here, not just the qualification at the end.

Theory options before and during your stay

The course includes a theory component. Most courses offer an e-learning option, although you should confirm how it applies to your booking. If you do not complete the theory online, the center provides the support material needed for the course.

Doing the classroom work before your holiday can make the three days in Tenerife more efficient. You arrive with the basic concepts already familiar, leaving more time for practical training and questions. It also gives you a chance to identify anything you do not understand before the underwater work begins.

If you prefer face-to-face learning, using the provided material at the center is another route. The right choice depends on how you learn and how much preparation time you have before departure.

I would not treat the online option as a way to skip the learning. The theory supports the practical sessions, especially for navigation, depth planning, and safe decision-making. Ask what must be completed before the first session and what can be handled locally.

What the price includes in practical terms

At $596.12 per person, this is not a budget add-on. The value comes from the course structure: five adventure dives, PADI Advanced Open Water certification, a maximum of two participants, and direct instruction from an experienced center.

The small group is the strongest argument for the cost. You are paying for more than time underwater. You are paying for attention, correction, planning, and a course that can be arranged around your holiday.

The price will make more sense if you want to continue scuba after Tenerife. It is harder to justify if you only want one casual underwater outing or if you are unlikely to use the new skills again. In that case, a standard recreational session may be a better fit.

Before booking, ask what is included in the quoted price, including equipment, certification administration, and any theory materials. The supplied details confirm the training and certification, but they do not itemize every cost. A quick check prevents surprises.

Practical limits you should know before booking

You need a minimum of 10 logged dives. Bring proof of your logged experience if the center requests it, though the supplied details do not specify the exact form required.

You also need moderate physical fitness. Scuba training involves handling equipment and taking part in several underwater sessions over about three days. If you have concerns about your fitness or ability to participate, contact the provider before paying.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. However, your own cancellation is different: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes travel insurance and careful date planning worth considering.

The experience runs seven days a week during the listed operating period, from March 21, 2020 through June 16, 2026. Availability still depends on the session and confirmation from the center, so the date shown during booking should not be treated as guaranteed until confirmed.

Who will get the most from this certification

This course suits you best if you already hold basic certification, have at least 10 logged dives, and want structured progress without the feel of a large training factory.

It is especially useful for:

• A basic-certified scuba participant who wants more confidence before joining deeper excursions
• Someone interested in night or wreck training
• A returning customer who already knows Ludo and Julie and wants the next qualification
• A couple or pair of friends who value direct instruction
• A holidaymaker who wants to combine certification with time in Tenerife

It may not suit you if you have fewer than 10 logged dives, dislike multi-day training, or want a guaranteed fixed itinerary. The weather policy also matters if your schedule cannot handle a changed date.

Is this Tenerife Advanced Open Water course worth booking?

I would choose this course if you want a real skills upgrade and value close instruction. The two-person limit, flexible scheduling, calm teaching style, and five-part training plan give it a more personal feel than a large group course.

The price is high, and the cancellation terms are strict. You should confirm the exact inclusions, course dates, and planned sites before paying. If you do that and intend to keep scuba as part of your travels, the certification offers solid value.

Book it if you are ready for the next step beyond basic open water training. Skip it if you are still building your first 10 logged dives or only want a one-off recreational experience.

FAQ

How many logged dives do I need?

You need a minimum of 10 logged scuba dives before taking this Advanced Open Water certification course.

How deep can I train during the course?

The program is designed to improve your skills for scuba activity up to 30 meters. The deep session is mandatory.

How many people are in each course?

The course has a maximum of two participants. It is a private activity for your group.

What adventure dives are included?

The five listed adventure dives are deep, navigation, night, wreck, and peak-performance buoyancy. Deep and navigation are mandatory.

Can I complete the theory online?

Most courses have an e-learning option for the theory portion. If you do not use e-learning, the center provides the necessary support material.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Your own cancellation or amendment is non-refundable.