Six students, five training sessions, and real confidence. In Gran Canaria, this PADI Advanced Open Water course pairs you with a certified instructor for hands-on underwater skills, including a 30 m training session and underwater navigation work. The main consideration: food and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want to plan ahead around your day on the water.

What I like most is how much is handled for you. Equipment hire, insurance, and an online study manual are included, and the group size stays small (up to 6). Hotel pickup and drop-off are included too, but only for selected hotels—so double-check that yours is in the pickup area.

PADI Advanced Open Water in Gran Canaria: what you’re really buying

This course is about building comfort and options. You’re not just trying to hit checkboxes. You’re training skills that make your future scuba adventures calmer, safer, and more interesting—especially when conditions change or you want to explore something beyond basic reefs.

You’re buying a two-day program built around five underwater sessions. Two are fixed and form the core of the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver experience: a 30 m session and underwater navigation training. The last three are elective, so you can steer your training toward the kind of underwater time you actually want—wrecks, boat-based outings, or an evening/night session.

At this price point ($415.65 per person), the big value is that you don’t get nickel-and-dimed for essentials. Your equipment hire, insurance, tuition, online study materials, and even certification fees are included. That’s a better deal than many “instruction only” packages where you later pay separately for gear, paperwork, or coverage.

Blue Water in Gran Canaria: small-group attention that matters

You’ll start at 8:30 am at Blue Water’s meeting point on Calle Olimpicos (Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n). It’s near public transportation, so you’re not locked into a car.

One practical advantage: the maximum group size is 6 travelers. In a course like this, that matters. Smaller groups tend to mean more feedback during briefings, more help with buoyancy and breathing control, and less waiting around while you watch someone else practice.

The other advantage shows up in how the team teaches. In past experiences at this center, instructors like Eileen and Mati have been praised for patient, structured coaching—and for keeping the mood fun while still taking training seriously. I love that balance because it affects how you perform under the water: you move slower, ask better questions, and soak up corrections instead of rushing through them.

Your two-day flow: five underwater sessions, paced and instructor-led

Over approximately two days, you complete five training sessions as part of the PADI Advanced Open Water course. There’s no need to guess the overall goal: the course is designed around applying skills, not just watching demonstrations.

You’ll also have a required practical prep step before you can jump in. You’ll complete a health questionnaire prior to diving/scuba participation. If you have pre-existing conditions (the course specifically mentions things like asthma and heart conditions), you should consult your doctor to confirm you’re cleared.

Here’s the rhythm you should expect:

• Start with online study and an online study manual (provided).
• Meet in the morning for gear and briefings.
• Complete the two core sessions: the 30 m session and underwater navigation.
• Finish with three elective options you choose from with your instructor.
• End back at the meeting point (hotel drop-off isn’t listed as the guaranteed end, so plan to return to the center area).

Because the course is certified and structured, you’ll also need evidence of your current dive/scuba certification to participate.

The two core skills: 30 m training and underwater navigation

These are the sessions that make the title Advanced feel real.

The 30 m training session

You’ll practice going to 30 meters as part of the course’s deep component. Even if you’ve been going deeper before, training at this depth with an instructor-focused plan helps you fine-tune breathing, buoyancy control, and situational awareness.

What I like about having this as a fixed core: it gives the course a clear backbone. You’re not relying on luck with which sites you get. You know one of your major learning outcomes will be that deeper-water comfort.

Underwater navigation training

You’ll also complete underwater navigation training, which is one of the most useful “forever skills” in scuba. Navigation turns casual exploring into intentional exploration. You learn how to keep orientation, manage your course, and avoid the common feeling of being slightly lost even when you’re close to your starting point.

This is also where instructor coaching shows up most. When navigation is taught well, you spend less time guessing and more time enjoying what you’re seeing.

Choosing your electives: boat outings, wreck visits, and night sessions

The final three sessions are flexible. You can pick from options like:

• Boat-based underwater sessions
• A wreck visit
• A night underwater session

Your instructor works with you to choose the electives that fit your interests and experience level. That flexibility is a real advantage if you’re planning a Gran Canaria trip with other days of diving/scuba later, or if you know you’re specifically curious about wrecks, night-time marine life behavior, or boat-based access to certain water sites.

In practice, I think electives are where you get the “this course matched my vacation” feeling. If you like history and structure, the wreck option will probably feel like the most memorable learning day. If you want to experiment with controlled conditions, boat outings can help you focus on technique instead of surface logistics.

Gear, insurance, and study materials: what’s included and what that changes

This is one of the most reassuring course listings I’ve seen, because the basics are covered:

• Full equipment hire
• Insurance
• Tuition
• Online Study Manual
• Online study includes a certification fee

You’ll also get the Adventures in Diving crew pack (provided) and you’ll need a log book.

What this means for you as a traveler: you can travel lighter in the luggage sense. No extra gear to worry about. No uncertainty about whether you’ll be able to rent a compatible setup. And since insurance is included, you’re not trying to puzzle together coverage at the last minute.

One more good note from how this center operates: in earlier course experiences here, divers have liked the communication before arrival and the chance to do the e-learning ahead of time. If you have a busy travel schedule, that matters—you can get study prep done before the first morning and focus only on practical sessions once you arrive.

Hotel pickup and the 8:30 start: logistics that shape your day

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but only for selected hotels. The meeting time is 8:30 am, so even with pickup, you’ll want to be ready to move early.

Why this matters: in scuba training, morning timing helps you get calmer water conditions and a smoother day flow. It also keeps you from burning vacation hours waiting around.

If your hotel isn’t on the pickup list, you’re still in decent shape because the meeting point is near public transportation. Still, check your route in advance so you don’t spend your first morning learning the local bus rhythm.

What to bring, and the rules you should respect

Plan on bringing:

• Adventures in Diving crew pack (provided)
• Log Book (you need this)
• Evidence of your dive/scuba certification
• Completion of the required health questionnaire (handled through the process before you participate)

Also respect these important constraints:

• Diving/scuba within 48 hours of flying isn’t recommended.
• Some medical conditions may prevent you from participating, so it’s on you to confirm with a doctor if you’re unsure.

For fitness, the course asks for moderate physical fitness. That’s not “Olympic athlete” fitness, but you should be comfortable with getting in and out of the water and handling the physical demands of being in a training environment for two mornings.

Best for who? Choosing the right diver for this course

This course is a great fit if:

• You already hold dive/scuba certification and want the next level of skills.
• You’re hungry for practical training—especially deeper water comfort and navigation.
• You want to tailor your experience with electives like wreck visits or night underwater sessions.
• You like small groups and direct instructor feedback.

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re looking for a relaxed “look around” vacation day. This is training. Expect briefings and skill practice.
• You dislike early starts. The 8:30 am meeting time sets the tone fast.
• You don’t want to manage food plans, since food and drinks are not included.

Price and value: is $415.65 a fair deal?

For $415.65 per person, you’re getting a package that includes more than just instruction:

• equipment hire
• insurance
• tuition
• online study manual
• certification fee
• five total training sessions across two days
• selected-hotel pickup and drop-off

That package structure tends to be the difference between “cheap course” and “good course value.” The cost makes sense when you consider you’re not separately paying for gear or insurance, and you’re not improvising around paperwork at the end.

If your alternative is booking each piece separately—gear, instructor time, coverage, and certification—your total usually climbs. Here, your biggest variable is less about what’s included and more about whether your hotel is part of pickup, and how well you’re able to complete the online study before day one.

Should you book this PADI Advanced course?

I’d book it if you want a structured next step from your current certification and you care about real-world skills like underwater navigation and controlled deeper-water comfort. I also think it’s a strong choice if you like having elective options, because wreck visits and night underwater sessions can turn a training course into an actual highlight of your Gran Canaria trip.

Before you commit, do two quick checks:

• Confirm your dive/scuba certification documentation and your medical readiness for the health questionnaire process.
• Check whether your hotel is eligible for pickup, since that affects your morning ease.

If both look good, this feels like a solid value course that can make your future underwater days more confident, not just more frequent.

FAQ

What is included in the PADI Advanced course?

The package includes a professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), full equipment hire, tuition, an online study manual and certification fee, and insurance.

How much does it cost?

It costs $415.65 per person.

How long is the course?

The course runs for 2 days (approx.).

How many underwater sessions will I complete?

You complete 5 underwater sessions in total.

Which sessions are required for the course?

The two core required sessions are a 30 m training session and underwater navigation training.

Can I choose some of the sessions?

Yes. The final three sessions are optional choices such as boat-based sessions, a wreck visit, or a night underwater session. Your instructor will work with you to pick what fits.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only.

What equipment and materials do I need?

Equipment hire is included. You need a log book, and the Adventures in Diving crew pack is provided.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Are there any health or timing restrictions?

You’ll complete a health questionnaire prior to participating. Diving/scuba within 48 hours of flying isn’t recommended, and some medical conditions (like asthma or heart conditions) may prevent you from participating—check with your doctor if needed.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.