SSI Deep Diving Specialty Session in Tenerife

The unusual appeal here is the chance to work toward a 40-meter depth qualification in only two days, with four supervised practice sessions listed for the course. I like the close instructor support and the fact that gear, study materials, course insurance, snacks, and transfers from Golf del Sur are included.

I also like the small maximum group of eight and GooDiving’s multilingual team, which includes Andrea, Roberta, and Isa. The main point to check before booking is the course wording: the experience is sold as an SSI specialty session, while the description also calls it a PADI Deep Diver course and gives both three and four underwater sessions in different places.

Key points to know before you book

• 40-meter target: You’ll learn planning and safety methods for deeper scuba work, reaching a maximum of 130 feet, or 40 meters.
• Two-day format: The course is designed for a short Tenerife stay, with a 9:00 am start and sessions spread across roughly two days.
• Small teaching setting: A maximum of eight participants allows for closer supervision than a large group.
• Golf del Sur pickup: Air-conditioned minivan transport is included from hotels in the Golf del Sur area.
• All the main course extras: Educational materials, equipment rental, beverages, snacks, and course insurance are included.
• Confirm the certification details: The description uses both SSI and PADI terms, so ask GooDiving which agency certification you will receive.

What the 40-meter course is really about

This is not a sightseeing boat trip with a short swim. It is a specialty training course for certified scuba participants who want to learn how to plan and manage greater depth. You work toward a limit of 40 meters, or 130 feet, under the supervision of a PADI instructor according to the course description.

At that depth, planning matters more than simply feeling comfortable underwater. The course focuses on how to prepare for a deeper descent and how to return safely. You should expect instruction that deals with depth-related procedures, careful monitoring, and controlled practice rather than a casual afternoon in the sea.

The two-day schedule makes this useful if you have limited holiday time. You do not need to give up a full week to work toward the specialty. Still, the short format means you should arrive ready to study, listen closely, and take the practical sessions seriously.

One important detail needs clearing up before you pay. The main description says you’ll complete four practice sessions with an instructor, while another section calls it a three-session course. The title refers to an SSI specialty, but the text also names the PADI Deep Diver course. These may reflect different versions of the same course, but the listing does not explain the difference. Ask which training agency, number of sessions, and final certification apply to your booking.

Starting at GooDiving in Golf del Sur

The listed meeting point is GooDiving, at Urb Terrazas de la Paz, 113 Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello, Arona, 38639 Golf del Sur. The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the activity returns to this point at the end.

If you stay in the Golf del Sur area, pickup and return make the morning simple. You do not need to arrange a taxi or carry scuba equipment across town. The included air-conditioned minivan is a practical touch, especially when you are managing bags, clothing, and personal items before an early start.

Pickup is specifically offered for Golf del Sur area hotels, not necessarily every part of Tenerife. If your hotel is outside that zone, check the transport arrangement before booking. The meeting point is also near public transportation, which gives you another option if you are not staying close enough for hotel pickup.

Bring your current valid passport on the day. You also need to complete a health questionnaire before entering the water. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation, so speak with your doctor if you have any concern. The operator also advises against scuba activity within 24 hours of flying, a key detail for anyone trying to fit this course around a Tenerife departure.

The first morning: preparation before the sea

The first part of the course should be viewed as a serious setup session, not wasted time before the exciting part. You’ll receive educational materials, go through the planning needed for greater depth, and prepare the equipment supplied as part of the price.

That preparation is where the course earns its value. At 40 meters, you need a clear plan for the descent, the working portion of the session, and the return. Your instructor can explain the procedures, check that you understand them, and supervise your equipment preparation before you put the theory into practice.

The named instructors associated with GooDiving include Andrea and Roberta, with Isa also mentioned as an instructor. The team is described as working in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. That language range can make technical explanations easier to follow, particularly when you are discussing safety procedures rather than simple sightseeing instructions.

You may also have drinks and snacks during the day. These are modest inclusions, but they help when a course takes up most of the morning and afternoon. Souvenir photographs are not included. They may be available to purchase, so do not assume an underwater photo package forms part of the $401.24 price.

The supervised underwater sessions

The practical work is the heart of the course. The supplied details describe four practice sessions, while the expectations section refers to three. Either way, you should expect repeated supervised practice rather than one quick descent to the maximum depth.

The first session is likely to help you apply the planning and safety points introduced on land. The later sessions give you a chance to build control and confidence as you work toward the 40-meter limit. Since the exact site sequence and session depths are not provided, I would not book this expecting a particular wreck, reef, animal, or underwater landmark.

That lack of a fixed sightseeing promise is not a weakness for the right participant. The point is to learn how to manage deeper scuba work in Tenerife, not to collect a guaranteed list of wildlife sightings. GooDiving’s wider local operation includes access to attractive sites, and one instructor described the area’s underwater settings as beautiful, with a variety of species seen during training. But this particular specialty package is best judged by its instruction and certification value.

Close supervision matters here. Greater depth leaves less room for casual mistakes, and the small maximum of eight participants should help the instructor keep an eye on the group. A group of eight is not private tuition, though, so ask about the expected group size for your dates if individual attention is your main reason for booking.

You should also allow enough time between sessions for any required review, equipment checks, and rest. The exact daily timetable is not supplied, so do not schedule a tight afternoon excursion or a long cross-island drive immediately afterward.

Instructors who make the difference

The strongest theme in the available feedback is the teaching style. Andrea is described as calm, friendly, and professional, while Isa is praised for staying patient and positive when a participant felt stressed during training. Those qualities matter more than a flashy sales pitch in a specialty course.

Roberta and Andrea are also described as an experienced couple who teach several specialties and work with an international clientele. One participant completed four SSI specialties with the team, which suggests GooDiving can be useful if you want to continue training beyond this one course.

You should still separate personal rapport from formal course requirements. A friendly instructor helps, but you also need clear answers about the agency, certification card, number of sessions, depth requirements, and any prerequisites. The mixed SSI and PADI wording makes that conversation especially important.

The overall score is 5 from seven published ratings, a small sample rather than proof that every session will be perfect. I would treat it as a positive signal, especially because the praise focuses on patience, communication, and support during training rather than only on sunny weather.

What the $401.24 price includes

At $401.24 per person, this is a substantial purchase, but the price covers more than guided access to the water. You receive the educational materials, rental equipment, course insurance, instruction, practical sessions, beverages, snacks, and transport from qualifying Golf del Sur hotels.

That bundle can be good value if you need to rent a full set of equipment and want the convenience of local transfers. Paying separately for gear, transport, insurance, and course materials could quickly narrow the difference between this package and a cheaper-looking course price.

The value is weaker if you already own equipment, do not need transport, or are not certain you want a formal specialty qualification. In that case, a standard guided underwater outing may suit you better, though this experience is designed for a different purpose.

Photos cost extra. This is easy to overlook if you hope to take home proof of your 40-meter training. Ask about the price and availability of images before the sessions begin, so you can make a clear choice rather than decide on the spot.

Who should choose this specialty session

This course suits a certified scuba participant who wants structured training and has only two days available in Tenerife. It is also a practical choice for someone staying in Golf del Sur who values hotel pickup and does not want to arrange equipment rental independently.

It may suit returning customers who already know GooDiving’s instructors. The team has worked with participants through open-water training and several specialty courses, so you can ask about building a longer training plan if this is one step in your development.

The course is less suitable if you are a complete beginner. The provided information describes specialty training for deeper scuba work, not an introductory certification. It is also not ideal if you want a relaxed, wildlife-focused excursion with no classroom or planning component.

Participants with medical concerns should take the health questionnaire seriously and consult a doctor before booking. The operator specifically notes asthma and heart conditions as examples of issues that may prevent participation. You should also avoid placing the course within 24 hours of a flight.

Practical details that affect your plans

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity ends back at the listed meeting point. The maximum group size is eight, and most participants can take part, subject to the health screening and course requirements.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. If you cancel later, the payment is not refunded, and changes made within that same period are not accepted. Use the local Tenerife time when calculating the cutoff.

The passport requirement is easy to meet but worth remembering. Keep your current passport with you on the day, even if you are staying within the resort area. You should also confirm pickup details if your hotel is not clearly within Golf del Sur.

The booking details do not give exact session locations, water conditions, daily finish times, or the required prior certification. Those are not small points for a specialty course. Ask GooDiving about them before payment, along with the SSI or PADI question.

My call: book it if the qualification is your goal

I would book this course if you already have scuba experience, want a 40-meter specialty, and appreciate a compact two-day format with equipment and transport included. The calm teaching style associated with Andrea, Roberta, and Isa is a real advantage when you are learning procedures that require concentration.

I would pause before booking if the mixed SSI and PADI wording remains unclear. Confirm the certification agency, the exact number of practical sessions, and the course prerequisites in writing. Also check that your flight schedule leaves at least 24 hours after the final underwater session.

For a serious specialty course in Tenerife, the package offers useful convenience and a strong instructor-led structure. For a first-time scuba participant or someone seeking only a scenic outing, choose a beginner course or guided recreational session instead.

FAQ

How long does the specialty session take?

The course lasts approximately two days and begins at 9:00 am.

How deep will I go?

The course is designed to teach safe scuba procedures down to 40 meters, or 130 feet.

How many practical sessions are included?

The main course description lists four supervised practice sessions, while another section describes the course as having three sessions. Confirm the exact number with GooDiving before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the Golf del Sur area. The activity begins and ends at the GooDiving meeting point in Golf del Sur.

What is included in the price?

The $401.24 price includes educational materials, equipment rental, course insurance, instruction, transport by air-conditioned minivan, beverages, and snacks.

Can I fly soon after the course?

Scuba activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. Plan your departure with that interval in mind.