SSI Advanced Course in Tenerife

Tenerife’s SSI Advanced Open Water course lets you choose five speciality sessions instead of following a fixed script. You might work on navigation, spend time underwater at night, or try wreck training. The flexibility is the main attraction, especially if you already hold basic certification and want a clear next step.

I like that equipment, course materials, snacks, and instruction are included, so you can pack lighter and focus on learning. I also like the small maximum of eight people and the friendly GooDiving team, including Roberta, Andrea, and Adam. The main point to consider is time: five sessions over about three days is a serious commitment, not a casual morning activity.

Key points at a glance

• Choose five specialities: Select from 15 options, including night, navigation, wreck, and deep training.
• Builds on basic certification: Each completed speciality counts as credit toward that speciality course.
• Small group size: Bookings are limited to eight people, which should allow closer supervision.
• Equipment is supplied: Scuba gear and learning materials are included, along with snacks.
• Plan around flights: Scuba activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended.
• Insurance is required: Daily cover costs 7 euros and weekly cover costs 15 euros if your own policy does not include scuba activity.

Why five specialities make this Tenerife course useful

An ordinary introductory session gives you a taste of scuba. This course is different. It is designed for someone who already has basic certification and wants more control, confidence, and range underwater.

You complete five sessions from five different specialities. The choice of 15 options gives you room to match the course to your interests. You may prefer practical skills such as navigation, or you may want something more unusual, such as a night session or wreck training.

That choice matters. You are not simply repeating the same routine five times. Each speciality has a different purpose, so the course can help you discover which type of underwater activity suits you best.

The course also gives you useful credit. Each completed speciality counts toward that speciality course, so the time you spend here is not just practice for one holiday. It can form part of a longer training path, provided you complete the required work for the relevant course.

I would see this as a good bridge between basic certification and more confident independent scuba travel. It is not presented as a sightseeing trip with a little instruction added. The training is the point.

Meeting Roberta, Andrea, and the GooDiving team

Your start point is Sand Club38639 Oasis del Sur in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The meeting time is 8:00 am, and the activity returns to the same location at the end.

The GooDiving team includes Roberta and Andrea, with support from Adam. The tone of the instruction appears to be patient and encouraging, which matters when you are returning to scuba after a long break. One recent customer had not been underwater for two years and found the team’s patience and enthusiasm especially helpful.

That detail is useful if your certification is current but your skills feel rusty. You may not need a beginner course again, but you may want instructors who allow time to settle back into breathing, buoyancy, equipment checks, and underwater communication.

Another customer completed four specialities in four days and received direct encouragement from the team. That gives you a sense of the course’s training focus, but it also hints at the workload. Five specialities in roughly three days can be demanding, particularly if you have not used your certification recently.

The course is limited to eight people per booking. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to keep the group more manageable than a large boatload of beginners. The exact instructor-to-participant arrangement is not specified, so you should ask GooDiving if you need a particular level of personal supervision.

What your three days may look like

The course lasts approximately three days, beginning at 8:00 am. The available information does not provide a fixed hour-by-hour schedule, so the order of the five specialities may depend on weather, local conditions, instructor planning, and your choices.

The structure is clear, though. You will complete five underwater sessions from five different speciality areas, with classroom or briefing work connected to the SSI Advanced Open Water program. Learning materials are included, so you do not need to arrange them separately.

You should expect each session to have a particular training goal. A navigation speciality may focus on finding your way and improving your awareness of direction. A night speciality changes the feel of the experience, since visibility, lighting, and communication become more important.

Wreck training offers a different setting and may appeal if you are curious about underwater sites with a story attached. Deep training is another option listed among the choices. The exact sites and depths are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a named wreck or a guaranteed type of marine life.

The practical benefit of the format is variety. The possible drawback is that you have less freedom to treat every session as a relaxed sightseeing outing. You will need to pay attention, complete the required work, and manage your energy over several days.

Choosing the right five options

You can choose from 15 adventure specialities. The published examples include:

• Night training
• Deep training
• Navigation training
• Wreck training

The remaining options are not listed, so ask for the full menu before booking if you already have a specific goal.

I would choose based on your next planned scuba trip. If you often visit unfamiliar sites, navigation may be the most useful choice. If you want a new type of experience rather than a technical skill, a night session may be more appealing.

Wreck training can add variety, but you should ask about the level of wreck access included. The information confirms wreck training as an available option, but it does not promise penetration or a particular site.

The same caution applies to deep training. The course includes a speciality choice, but no maximum depth is stated. Ask the instructor to explain the session before you commit, especially if you have medical concerns or limited recent experience.

You may also be able to combine practical and fun choices. For example, navigation, night, and wreck training could give you a varied course, while two other options may address your personal weaknesses. The value comes from choosing with purpose rather than simply selecting the most exciting names.

Equipment, materials, and the real value of $616.69

The price is $616.69 per person. That is not a small add-on to a Tenerife holiday, but it covers a three-day training experience with five sessions, learning materials, and the use of scuba equipment.

Equipment alone can make a course more complicated for visitors. You do not need to arrange a separate rental package for the advertised activity, and you can pack lighter. Snacks are also included, which is a small but useful touch during active mornings.

The price looks strongest if you need both instruction and equipment. If you already own a complete setup and only want guided underwater time, the package may feel less economical. You are paying for structured training, not simply access to the water.

The course also has lasting value because each completed speciality counts as credit toward that speciality course. That makes it more useful than a one-off refresher for someone who intends to keep training.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they may be available to buy. Treat photographs as an optional extra rather than part of the package when you compare the cost with other Tenerife activities.

Safety, fitness, and medical checks

You must complete a health questionnaire before taking part. Some existing medical conditions, including asthma and heart conditions, may prevent you from scuba activity. If either applies to you, consult your doctor before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the course.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. You do not need to treat this like an athletic event, but you should be comfortable handling scuba equipment and taking part over several days.

Scuba insurance is mandatory in Tenerife. If your travel insurance does not include it, GooDiving can offer DiveAssure cover for 7 euros per day or 15 euros per week. Check the length of your course and the terms of the policy before deciding which option fits.

Flight timing deserves careful planning. Scuba activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. For a three-day course, place it early enough in your holiday to leave a full buffer before your return flight. This is one of the most important practical details in the entire booking.

A current valid passport is required on the day. The meeting point is near public transportation, but no transfer service is included in the information provided. You should plan your own route to Sand Club38639 Oasis del Sur and allow time to arrive before 8:00 am.

Who will get the most from this course

This course suits an Open Water certified participant who wants to progress without arranging five separate training sessions. It is also a sensible option if you have basic certification but feel out of practice and prefer patient guidance.

The experience may appeal to someone making an annual Tenerife trip and looking for more than a simple recreational session. One customer returned to Tenerife partly to see marine life and used the visit as the moment to advance training. That combination of holiday and skill building can make good use of your time.

It is less suitable if you want a flexible, lazy beach activity. You need to attend over about three days, start early, complete five different speciality sessions, and meet the health and insurance requirements.

It may also be a poor fit if you are flying home immediately after the final session. The 24-hour flight guideline can affect your itinerary, so check your flights before you reserve.

Small-group learning and the human side

Scuba courses can feel very different depending on the instructors. Here, the strongest impression is the personal approach associated with Roberta, Andrea, and Adam. Their work with returning participants suggests that they can help you rebuild confidence rather than rushing you through the checklist.

That is important because advanced training is not just about collecting credits. You want to understand what you are doing, stay calm when conditions or visibility change, and leave with skills you can use again.

The language mix may also be comfortable for an international audience. The available feedback includes English, German, and French comments, while the course itself is conducted by the GooDiving team. Ask about instruction language if that affects your booking.

The eight-person limit is another practical plus. It does not guarantee a private instructor, but it puts a ceiling on group size. If you value close attention, ask how the group is divided for each session.

Booking, cancellation, and timing advice

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time.

Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. That rule makes it wise to check your health, flights, insurance, and transport plans before booking.

The mobile ticket is convenient. Keep the confirmation accessible on your phone, but also bring your passport and any certification details the operator requests. The supplied information confirms that a valid passport is required, while it does not specify which physical certification card or digital record you should present.

Because the start is early, plan breakfast and transport in advance. Snacks are included, but they are not a replacement for whatever food and drink you normally need during a physically active day.

Should you book the SSI Advanced Course in Tenerife?

Book it if you already hold basic scuba certification, want five different training experiences, and plan to remain in Tenerife long enough to respect the 24-hour flight guideline. The included equipment, materials, snacks, five sessions, and small group limit make the $616.69 price easier to justify for someone serious about progressing.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a returning participant who wants patient support. Roberta, Andrea, and Adam appear to bring the right kind of calm encouragement for someone rebuilding confidence after time away.

Think twice if you only want a single scenic underwater outing, need a fully private instructor, or have a tight flight schedule. Confirm your medical eligibility, insurance, preferred five specialities, and language needs before paying.

For the right person, this is a practical Tenerife course with real training value, not just another holiday activity.

FAQ

How long does the SSI Advanced Open Water course last?

The course lasts approximately three days.

What time and where does the course start?

It starts at 8:00 am at Sand Club38639 Oasis del Sur in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Five sessions are included, with each one from a different speciality.

Which specialities can I choose?

You can choose from 15 speciality options. Listed examples include night, deep, navigation, and wreck training.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. The use of scuba equipment and the learning materials for the SSI Advanced Open Water course are included.

Do I need scuba insurance?

Yes. Scuba insurance is mandatory in Tenerife. If your travel insurance does not include it, DiveAssure cover is available for 7 euros per day or 15 euros per week.