PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course (AOWD) – 2 days

Tenerife’s Scubanana Advanced Open Water course takes you beyond basic certification with a compact two-day program built around supervised specialty sessions. You may work on navigation and buoyancy, then try more adventurous skills such as deep-water, wreck, and night scuba training. Some course choices can depend on conditions and instructor planning.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which gives instructors room to watch your technique instead of treating the group like a queue. I also like that gear, learning materials, local taxes, and PADI fees are included. The main consideration is the price, $539.48 per person, plus the need to arrange your own diving insurance and photos.

Key points to know before booking

• Five training sessions: The course is described through participant experience as five Adventure Dives, including specialty work and, in some programs, night and wreck sessions.
• Experienced teaching team: Instructors named in course feedback include Pauline, Izaac, Denis, Fran, Giulia, Kathi, Benny, Henning, and others.
• Radazul base: You meet at Scubanana Dive Center in Puerto Deportivo, with some sessions starting directly from the center and others along Tenerife’s east coast.
• Equipment included: You do not need to arrange a separate rental package, though a well-fitting personal mask can make a real difference.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is eight, useful when you are still refining buoyancy, navigation, and air management.
• Certified divers only: You must already hold an Open Water Diver certification and be physically fit for scuba activity.

What the two-day course is really designed to do

The word Advanced can sound intimidating, but this PADI course is intended as the next step after Open Water certification. You do not need years of experience. You need a current Open Water qualification, a reasonable level of fitness, and the ability to take part safely in underwater training.

The course is less about collecting a title and more about learning how to manage yourself in new situations. You practice different skills under an instructor’s eye, log the sessions, and gain experience with conditions that basic certification may not have covered.

Each Adventure Dive can also count toward the first session of the related PADI Specialty Course. That gives the course extra value if you later want formal training in areas such as night, wreck, navigation, buoyancy, or deep-water work. Ask Scubanana which credits apply to your particular training history.

The two-day format keeps the course focused. You will not be spending a week on classroom theory, but you should still expect instruction, briefings, equipment preparation, supervised underwater work, and post-session discussion. The pace may feel full, especially if this is your first course after Open Water certification.

Starting at Scubanana in Radazul Marina

Your meeting point is Scubanana Dive Center at Puerto Deportivo, Avenida Colón, number 1, in Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

Radazul is a practical base because some sessions can begin right at the center. You do not need a car for the local training area, and the center is near public transportation. Other sessions may take you to dive sites along Tenerife’s east coast, giving you a change of setting during the course.

The center itself is described as clean and well organized, with equipment in good condition. That matters more than fancy decoration. A tidy base makes it easier to check cylinders, assemble equipment, sort exposure protection, and listen to the day’s briefing without confusion.

You will meet a multilingual team, although the activity is offered in English. Specific instructors associated with the course include Pauline and Izaac, who have led training in buoyancy and navigation, and Denis and Fran, who have handled advanced sessions including deep-water, wreck, and night work.

Instructor assignment can vary. The useful point is that Scubanana has a broad teaching team, so you should tell the center about your experience level and the skills you most want to practice before the course begins.

The five Adventure Dives and what you may practice

The course is generally built around five Adventure Dives. The exact combination should be confirmed with Scubanana, but the experience described includes navigation, buoyancy control, deep-water work, wreck exploration, and night training.

Navigation is one of the most practical parts of the course. You work on staying oriented rather than simply following an instructor. That can involve using a compass, judging distance, and keeping track of where you are in relation to the entry point. It is not flashy, but it is the kind of skill that makes later scuba trips calmer and safer.

Peak Performance Buoyancy focuses on body position, breathing control, and reducing unnecessary movement. This can be surprisingly challenging after Open Water certification. The payoff is better air use, less contact with the bottom, and a more controlled way to observe marine life without kicking up sediment.

Deep-water training introduces greater depth under close supervision. The point is not to chase a number. You learn how depth can affect your equipment, air consumption, buoyancy, and personal response. If you are new to deeper settings, this session may be more mentally demanding than the more scenic activities.

Wreck exploration adds a different kind of interest. A wreck site calls for careful positioning, good awareness, and respect for boundaries. You should not expect an unrestricted penetration experience from a standard Advanced Open Water course. The goal is supervised wreck awareness and exploration, not technical wreck certification.

Night training is often the most memorable part of an Advanced course because familiar surroundings feel completely different after dark. Your light becomes an important tool, and you must pay closer attention to your instructor and buddy. The review material specifically describes a first night session led by Fran, while another account refers to the course as including a night session.

These activities give you variety, but they also mean you should not expect every session to feel easy. Navigation and buoyancy may require more concentration than a sightseeing session. That is a good thing, provided you arrive ready to learn rather than expecting five effortless outings.

Why small groups make a difference

Scubanana limits the activity to eight participants. That is not a private course, but it is small enough for closer supervision than a large boat operation.

I particularly value this for buoyancy and navigation practice. An instructor needs to see whether you are overcorrecting with your inflator, drifting upward, losing your reference point, or finning harder than necessary. Smaller numbers make those details easier to spot.

The teaching team also appears comfortable working with mixed abilities and interests. If one person is still building confidence while another wants more attention on navigation or specialty credit, a small group gives the instructor more room to respond.

Still, group size is a maximum, not a promise that every session will feel private. Ask about the number booked for your dates if individual attention is your main reason for choosing the course.

Equipment, comfort, and the small mask lesson

Rental gear is included, which makes the $539.48 price easier to assess. You are not paying the course fee and then discovering that cylinders, basic equipment, or teaching materials cost extra. Local taxes and PADI fees are also included.

One practical tip is worth taking seriously: consider bringing or buying your own mask if you plan to continue scuba training. A mask that does not fit your face can leak, fog, or simply distract you throughout a session. The center supplies equipment, but fit is personal, and a rental mask that works for one person may be uncomfortable for another.

Bring your log book as well. You will be recording training sessions, and keeping an accurate record is useful when you later apply for specialty credit or book future scuba activity.

Photos are not included. If you want underwater images, ask about the options before the course starts. Do not assume an instructor can take pictures while supervising training.

Diving insurance is also excluded. You should check your own cover before arrival and make sure it applies to the type of scuba activity and depth involved. This is a key cost and safety detail, not a minor add-on.

What the instructors add to the experience

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is the teaching. Pauline is described as enthusiastic and highly professional, with a close interest in each part of the training. Izaac is associated with navigation, buoyancy, and strong technical guidance. Denis is praised for clear instruction during Advanced training, while Fran has led deep-water, wreck, and night sessions.

Other instructors named include Giulia, Kathi, Benny, Henning, Laura, Carlos, and Raquel. You may not work with all of them, but the range of names tells you that the center operates with a sizeable team rather than relying on a single instructor.

The tone also seems relaxed without being careless. Safety comes first, but the teaching style is not presented as stiff or intimidating. That balance is useful if you are newly certified and still feel uncertain about your skills.

The center also has a reputation for friendly team spirit. Even the resident dog gets a mention in the feedback, a small detail that gives the base a more personal feel than a purely transactional rental counter.

How good is the $539.48 value?

At $539.48 per person, this is not a budget add-on to a beach holiday. It is a formal PADI course with an instructor, equipment, learning materials, taxes, and PADI fees included.

The price makes the most sense if you want structured progression. You are paying for supervision, course administration, specialty exposure, and a recognized qualification, not simply for access to the sea. If you were already planning several guided sessions in Tenerife, the bundled course may be more efficient than booking each outing separately.

The value is also stronger if you use the course as a bridge to future specialties. An Adventure Dive may count toward the first session of a corresponding specialty course, subject to confirmation. That can reduce repetition later.

The price is less attractive if you only want relaxed sightseeing and have little interest in skills practice. Navigation, buoyancy, deep-water, wreck, and night training require attention and effort. You should choose this course because you want to improve, not because the word Advanced sounds impressive.

Remember to budget for insurance and possible photos. Those are not included, and the cost of travel to Tenerife is separate from the course price.

Who should book this course

You are a good candidate if you have recently completed PADI Open Water and want to keep your skills fresh. The course is also suitable if you have been certified for some time but want instructor-led practice before joining more challenging scuba trips.

It may suit you especially well if you value:

• A small group rather than a large commercial operation
• English-language instruction
• A mix of practical skills and specialty sessions
• Local training at Radazul plus sites along the east coast
• Included equipment and course fees
• A friendly center with several instructors

You should think twice if you are not physically fit for scuba activity, dislike structured training, or need a private instructor. You must already be a certified Open Water Diver, and the center requires you to be physically able to take part.

You also should plan your flights carefully. The supplied guidance says not to scuba within 12 hours before a flight. If your return journey is soon after the course, confirm the schedule before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and timing tips

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity starts at 9:00 am and returns to Scubanana at the end of the program. Since sessions may take place at the center or along the east coast, allow enough time for the full day rather than planning a tight afternoon appointment.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. This matters with a two-day course, since a late change can affect the entire training plan.

Before you arrive, confirm the planned Adventure Dives, instructor assignment, equipment sizes, insurance requirements, and whether you need to bring a log book or personal mask. A short email can prevent several small problems.

Should you book Scubanana’s Advanced Open Water course?

I would recommend it if you want real skill-building in a compact format and prefer a small, friendly center to a large group operation. The combination of navigation, buoyancy, deep-water, wreck, and night work gives you a useful range of experience, while the included gear and PADI fees make the price easier to justify.

I would not book it simply for casual underwater sightseeing. This is a training course, and the more technical sessions can be challenging. But if you have your Open Water certification, feel physically ready, and want instructors such as Pauline, Izaac, Denis, or Fran to help you take the next step, Scubanana in Radazul is a strong choice.

FAQ

Do I need an Open Water certification to take this course?

Yes. You must already be a certified Open Water Diver to participate.

How long does the course take?

The course lasts approximately two days.

What time does the course begin?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the activity start and finish?

You meet at Scubanana Dive Center, Puerto Deportivo, Avenida Colón, number 1, 38109 Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Diving gear is included, along with learning materials, local taxes, and PADI fees.

Is diving insurance included?

No. Diving insurance is not included in the price.

How many people can join the course?

The maximum group size is eight participants.