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

A PADI Advanced Open Water upgrade with a 30m goal in Tenerife is interesting because it turns a holiday into real, structured skill practice. I love the 2-person max setup, and I love how the plan is defined with you, since you are on holiday and not on a factory schedule. The one catch: you need at least 10 logged scuba outings, moderate physical fitness, and you still have to work around good weather.

What makes this course feel different is the instructor team. Ludovic (Ludo) and Julie run the program with a calm, professional pace, backed by Ludo’s PADI Elite status for 5 years. You also get options for the theory, with e-learning available or support materials provided if you prefer to handle it your way.

Key reasons this course is worth your time

• 2-person max training so you get real feedback instead of waiting your turn
• Five adventure sessions that cover depth, navigation, night work, a wreck area, and peak buoyancy skills
• PADI Elite instructor support from Ludovic (Ludo) and Julie, with standards and safety in mind
• Theory flexibility via e-learning or provided support material
• Small-group limit that keeps the training relaxed, not rushed
• Cleanliness and comfort that come up again and again in reviews, including disinfected mask and regulator gear

Tenerife’s 30m goal, with the kind of coaching you can actually use

Tenerife is a solid place to level up because the course focuses on control, not just checking boxes. The meeting point is easy to reach in Las Galletas (Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16), and the activity ends back at the same place. For many people, that simple logistics piece matters more than you expect.

Now, the real “why this works” part is the small class size. When it is only you and one other student, you spend less time watching and more time correcting. And with Ludovic (Ludo) and Julie leading, the vibe is not harsh or intimidating. From what I see, that matters most for advanced skills, like holding stable buoyancy and staying calm when visibility or conditions are not perfect.

You also get planning time that respects your vacation mood. This is not just a checklist. You set your pace with the instructor, then the program builds to your limit under training standards.

Price and value: what you pay for at about $596.12 per person

At $596.12 per person for 3 days, the value is in what you actually receive: a structured path to PADI Advanced Open Water certification, with 5 adventure sessions that build confidence for up to 30m.

Here is what your money is really buying:

• A dedicated instructor with serious credentials (PADI Elite for 5 years)
• A small-group format, max 2 students per course
• Training built around specific competencies, not random “extra” water time
• The official certification progression, not just sightseeing

You might also like the flexibility around theory. Many people prefer e-learning to save time on vacation, and the course supports that. If you do not want to do e-learning, they provide support material for the theory portion.

One more note on value: the course is described as relaxed and rigorous. That is the sweet spot, because advanced training needs repetition and coaching, but you do not want your holiday to feel like boot camp.

How the 3-day program works in real life

The course runs about 3 days, and you will finish back at the same meeting point in Las Galletas. You will receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, as long as there is availability.

The overall flow is simple:

• You get structured guidance from Ludovic (Ludo) and Julie.
• You do the required adventure sessions, in a relaxed and rigorous progression.
• You build the skills that let you safely handle deeper and more challenging conditions, up to the 30m limit.

Because the schedule is not published as a strict hour-by-hour plan here, the best way to think about the timing is this: over 3 days, you fit in all five required adventure sessions plus the briefings and in-water practice that make them stick. In a course like this, the briefing time is not “waiting time.” It is where you learn what to focus on, and it prevents you from repeating mistakes.

If you plan to do theory with e-learning, you can handle that part before you arrive, then focus on the water work during the trip.

The five adventure sessions, and what each one gives you

This is the heart of the course. The program builds toward your ability to manage depth, navigation, reduced light, and unfamiliar environments, while improving buoyancy and control.

Maximum-depth session (mandatory)

This is required, and it is also the one people usually worry about the most. The goal is not just to reach a number. You practice how your body and breathing change as you go deeper, and how buoyancy and comfort can shift with depth.

You get coached through the process so you understand what you should feel, what you should watch, and how to stay relaxed. That is how you turn “I can do it” into “I can do it confidently.”

Navigation session (mandatory)

Navigation is a big deal for scuba confidence. It helps you stop relying on luck and start using simple skills to control your path underwater.

In practical terms, you learn how to orient yourself, manage headings, and move with purpose. If you have ever felt turned around, even briefly, you will love having a method that keeps you calm.

Night session

Night work changes everything. Less light means fewer visual cues, so you have to slow down and trust your technique more.

You practice maintaining control and staying steady while moving through low visibility conditions. This kind of experience tends to make you a better diver in daylight too, because your buoyancy and awareness have to be sharper.

Wreck area session

A wreck area adds structure, angles, and new sight lines. The training focus is on control, awareness, and safe movement around an object rather than treating it like an obstacle course.

If you like the idea of seeing something more interesting than open water, you will likely enjoy this one. If you get uneasy near structures, it is especially worth asking for clear guidance during your planning time with the instructor.

Peak Performance buoyancy session

This is the session where the whole course “clicks” for a lot of people. Peak Performance buoyancy is about efficient movement and stable trim, which means less effort and more comfort.

The result you want is simple: you spend less energy fighting your position and more energy enjoying what you see. It also makes everything else easier, because good buoyancy reduces stress when conditions change.

Small-group coaching in action: what Ludo and Julie do differently

What stands out in reviews is the way the instruction feels personal. Ludovic (Ludo) is described as calm and professional, and Julie is part of the teaching team that keeps the experience friendly and approachable. The family-owned feel comes up a lot too, meaning you are not treated like a ticket number.

Here are a few concrete details you can take into your decision:

• Gear cleanliness is a theme. One review specifically notes disinfected mask and regulator gear.
• The center feels comfortable, and reviews compare it favorably to nearby options.
• You get flexibility. People who return year after year talk about the club adapting to what they need.
• There is real warmth. One review credits Daniel with local tips, including where to find ceviche and mojitos.

That kind of human touch is not just “nice.” It matters because advanced training is when people most need reassurance and fast feedback.

Who this course is best for, and who should think twice

This program is designed for divers who already have baseline skills. The requirement given is 10 logged scuba outings minimum, plus moderate physical fitness.

You will likely be a great fit if:

• You want to go up to the 30m limit with structured training, not random “because it is there” attempts
• You learn best with direct feedback in a very small group
• You want the flexibility of planning your pace, instead of feeling pushed through a rigid format
• You want a mix of skills, not just one focus area

You might think twice if:

• You do not meet the 10 logged scuba outings requirement yet
• You are unsure about night work or wreck area conditions and would rather build confidence with simpler sessions first
• Your schedule cannot handle date shifts due to weather, since the course needs good conditions

Practical tips before you go to Las Galletas

You cannot control weather, but you can control how prepared you arrive. Here are a few smart moves based on what the course emphasizes:

• If you can, do your theory through e-learning ahead of time. It saves you stress during the trip.
• Plan for the 3-day flow. Even if the exact order of sessions varies, you should expect a steady rhythm of briefings and in-water skill work.
• Bring a realistic mindset. Advanced training is about repetition and correction. If you stay patient, you will notice improvement fast.
• Mentally prep for depth, low light, and navigation. The best attitude is curiosity, not pressure.

Should you book this 30m Advanced course?

I think you should book it if you want something practical, coach-led, and small-group in Tenerife. The combination of a 2-person max format, a PADI Elite instructor, and five required skills makes it feel like real progression, not just a vacation add-on.

Skip it and choose a different option only if you are not ready for the 10 logged scuba outings level, you do not have moderate fitness, or you cannot handle weather-related rescheduling.

If you do book, you are signing up for clear training goals and a team that takes safety and cleanliness seriously, while keeping the mood relaxed. That mix is rare, and it is why this course earns strong feedback year after year.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point, and where do I return?

The course starts at the shop at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the Advanced Open Water course?

It runs for 3 days approximately.

What certification do I earn?

You earn the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

How deep will I be trained to go?

The program is for progressing up to 30m.

What scuba experience do I need before joining?

You need to have at least 10 logged dives minimum.

How big is the group during the course?

It is a small group format, with a maximum of 2 people per course.

Do I need to do theory in person?

Not necessarily. You can choose e-learning for the theory part, and if you do not use e-learning, support material is provided.

What if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the course refundable if I change my mind?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.