3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

Madeira is a fine place to learn scuba skills because this course moves from pool practice to open-water training without asking you to figure out the basics on your own. The small group limit of five gives instructors room to help with breathing, finning, equipment, and nerves.

I like the personal instruction and the useful progression from classroom work to a pool session and then sea training. I also like that equipment and taxes are included, and that the resulting SSI certificate lets you join buddy-led sessions worldwide to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

The main catch is that this is an intensive three-day commitment, not a casual holiday activity. You will need to study outside the water, bring your own lunch, arrange your own transport, and accept that sea conditions can change the schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Three days of serious training: Expect academic work, pool exercises, and open-water sessions rather than a quick introductory swim.
• Small groups of up to five: This matters if you want close help with breathing, buoyancy, or confidence.
• SSI certification to 18 meters: Successful completion qualifies you to scuba with a buddy within the stated depth limit.
• Madeira water can feel cold: A 7 mm wetsuit plus a shortie has helped one participant stay comfortable.
• Strong instructor support: Staff members including Lupii, Rafa, Sara, Nico, Tomas, Esmeralda, and Guadalupe have been praised for patience and calm teaching.
• Extra sea trips are possible: The Garajau Marine Reserve and a wreck are popular follow-up choices, but they are not the core three-day course.

Why this Funchal course works for first-time scuba students

The best feature here is the steady build-up. You do not begin by being dropped into the sea and told to cope. You first learn the basic theory, handle the equipment in a pool, and then move into sea conditions with an instructor beside you.

That order matters. New students often need time to get used to breathing through a regulator, clearing water from a mask, controlling their position, and using fins without tiring themselves out. Pool work gives you a calmer place to repeat those skills before the ocean adds current, visibility changes, and cooler water.

The course is run by Azul Diving Madeira, an SSI and PADI center at the Hotel Penha França Mar in Funchal. The advertised start time is 9:30 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point. The center is near public transport, so you may not need a private car, though private transport is not included.

The group cap of five is especially useful. That is small enough for an instructor to notice if you are struggling with your breathing or feeling anxious. It also avoids the impersonal feel of a large training group, where you can spend more time waiting than practicing.

What the three days actually involve

The course combines academic study, pool training, and open-water sessions. The precise order can depend on conditions and student progress, but you should expect several hours of work each day rather than a light morning outing.

The academic portion gives you the safety foundation for the certificate. You will need to understand the basic rules of pressure, equipment use, communication, controlled ascents, and buddy procedures. One participant described the course as taking about two and a half days, with evening study included, so keep part of your evenings free.

The pool session is where the course begins to feel practical. You learn to assemble and use scuba equipment, then practice the skills needed to stay calm and solve simple problems underwater. This is also where a good instructor earns their fee. Sara, for example, was praised for helping a nervous student focus on breathing and finning, while Tomas was singled out for adjusting his explanations to suit the student.

After the pool work come the sea sessions. The course commonly involves three sea sessions, though the exact plan can be affected by conditions. These are not sightseeing outings first and training second. Your priority is to show that you can use the skills safely in open water.

That can feel full-on, especially if you have never used scuba equipment. The payoff is that you finish with a recognized qualification rather than only a memorable first swim. The SSI Open Water certification permits buddy-based scuba sessions worldwide to a maximum depth of 18 meters, subject to the normal rules of the certification and the conditions of each future trip.

The Funchal setting and what makes Madeira useful

Funchal gives the course a practical base. The meeting point at Hotel Penha França Mar is easy to identify, and the center has access to both a pool and nearby sea training areas. That combination saves time and lets the instructors choose the right environment for each stage.

Madeira also gives you a chance to continue after the certificate. The Garajau Marine Reserve is a popular next step, and one newly qualified student described seeing a large grouper, barracuda, large parrot fish, and schools of smaller fish there. Those reserve trips are additional activities, not a guaranteed part of the three-day course.

A wreck is another possible follow-up. One experienced participant described a wreck session as the highlight of an advanced course, while another student was advised to complete the Open Water qualification and then try a wreck trip. Do not book this course solely for that wreck, since the supplied information does not say it is included. Think of it as a possible reason to stay in Madeira for another session.

Night outings are also offered by the center outside the beginner course. Conditions sometimes require a change of plan. That is worth noting because flexibility is part of sea-based activities. If the water is not suitable, a safer date or alternative arrangement may be needed.

Instructors who help nervous beginners

The repeated strength of this course is the human side. Several instructors are named in the feedback, including Lupii, Rafa, Sara, Nico, Tomas, Esmeralda, Guadalupe, Anthony, and others on the Azul team.

Lupii was praised for helping a nervous student regain confidence during the SSI Open Water course. That student completed the training and then chose three more sessions with the center, including Garajau and a night outing. You should not assume every student will have the same instructor, but you can reasonably expect a small team rather than a single fixed teacher.

Tomas was described as calm, kind, and good at changing his explanations to suit the student. That is important because scuba instruction is not one-size-fits-all. Some people need the technical reason behind a skill. Others need a simple physical demonstration and a few quiet repetitions.

Rafa received especially strong praise for working with a 15-year-old student and keeping the group at ease. In another situation, he helped when a participant’s own buoyancy control device failed, returning that person to shore and replacing the equipment with the center’s gear. The school also provided complimentary action-camera footage in that case.

Those details do not promise a particular instructor or free video for every booking. They do show the type of support you should look for: calm communication, close supervision, and a willingness to adjust when equipment or confidence becomes a problem.

Equipment, comfort, and the cold-water question

Scuba equipment is included, along with fees and taxes. That makes the price easier to understand, since you are not starting with a low headline rate and then adding a separate equipment charge.

The condition of the equipment has been praised, though no rental gear is perfect for every body. Tell the staff if a mask leaks, fins feel awkward, or your exposure protection is not warm enough. A poor fit can turn a manageable lesson into a tiring one.

Madeira’s water may feel cold, particularly if you are accustomed to warmer tropical seas. One participant needed a 7 mm wetsuit with a shortie over it to stay warm. That does not mean you will require exactly the same combination, but it is a useful warning for anyone who expects summer temperatures simply because the island has a mild climate.

Cold can affect concentration. If you are shivering, you will have a harder time managing your breathing and completing skills. Ask about the available suit options at the center and allow enough time to get comfortable before entering the water.

How much value do you get for $527.44?

At $527.44 per person, this is not a cheap holiday add-on. It is better understood as a full entry-level qualification, with instruction, equipment use, and taxes built into the price.

The value depends on what you want. If you only want to try scuba once, a shorter introductory session may suit you better. If you want the freedom to join future buddy-led sessions around the world, the certification gives this course a much stronger purpose.

You are paying for several elements at once: theory, pool instruction, sea training, equipment, instructor time, and the final SSI qualification. The small maximum group of five also matters. A larger class could cost less, but it may offer less individual attention when you need help.

Lunch is not included, so plan for food during the training days. Private transport is also not included. The center is near public transport, and the activity begins and ends at the same Funchal meeting point, which keeps the logistics fairly simple.

The course is usually booked well ahead, with bookings averaging 41 days in advance. That is a useful planning clue, especially if your Madeira visit falls during a busy period. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Who should book this course?

This course suits a first-time student who wants a proper qualification and is willing to devote three days to it. You should be comfortable with a schedule that includes study, equipment work, pool exercises, and several hours in the sea.

It is also a good choice if you feel nervous in the water but want patient instruction. The small group and the center’s record of helping hesitant students make it a more reassuring option than a large, rushed class.

Families should check the details for each participant before booking. One successful course involved a 15-year-old, but the supplied information does not state a general minimum age for this activity. Do not assume every child or teenager will meet the requirements without confirming first.

Experienced scuba students will not get much from this entry-level course unless they need the SSI qualification. For them, a separate trip to Garajau, a wreck session, a night outing, or an advanced course may make better use of their time.

Practical details that can affect your plans

The start time is 9:30 a.m. at Azul Diving Madeira, located at Hotel Penha França Mar, Rua Carvalho Araújo, São Martinho, Funchal. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate. It is not described as private, but the maximum group size is five. That is a useful middle ground: you get other students around you, but the group should remain manageable.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

I would avoid booking this on the final three days of your Madeira holiday. A weather change or slower-than-expected progress could require flexibility. Give yourself spare time if earning the certificate is important.

Should you book the Azul Diving Madeira Open Water course?

Book it if you want a real SSI Open Water qualification, close instruction, and a chance to continue with sea sessions around Madeira. The combination of pool work, three-day training, included equipment, and a five-person limit gives you solid value for a serious beginner course.

Think twice if you want a short, relaxed activity with no study or if cold water concerns you. You will need time, concentration, and a willingness to practice skills repeatedly.

For most first-time students who want to learn properly, I would choose this course over a quick introductory session. Ask about the instructor assigned to your dates, the available wetsuit sizes, and the expected sea schedule before you pay. If those details suit you, this is a practical way to begin scuba in Madeira and leave with a qualification you can use beyond Portugal.

FAQ

Where does the course begin?

It begins at Azul Diving Madeira, the SSI and PADI center at Hotel Penha França Mar, Rua Carvalho Araújo, São Martinho, 9000-022 Funchal, Portugal.

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days. One completed course was described as taking about two and a half days, with evening study included.

What certification do I receive?

You receive an SSI Open Water certification after completing the required training and assessment.

How deep can I go with this certification?

The certification allows you to join buddy-based scuba sessions to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, worldwide.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment, all fees, and all taxes are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should plan your own food during the training days.

Is transport included?

Private transportation is not included. The center is near public transport, and the activity begins and ends at the stated meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You may also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.