OPEN WATER CERTIFICATION – Become an autonomous diver up to 18m !

Tenerife’s southern coast gives you a fine setting for earning a PADI Open Water Diver certificate to a maximum depth of 18 metres. At LJ Diving Tenerife in Las Galletas, Ludo and Julie keep the course personal, with small groups and time to work through skills at your pace. I like the online theory, which lets you finish the classroom work before your holiday, and the included equipment, boat trips, showers, hot drinks, and underwater photos. The main catch is commitment: this is a multi-day certification course, not a one-off tryout, and the price is non-refundable if you cancel.

I also like the balance of a relaxed mood with proper attention to safety. Several students needed extra help with skills such as clearing a mask, and the instructors took things step by step rather than rushing. You should still arrive with moderate fitness and a willingness to study, practice, and listen carefully underwater.

Key points to know before booking

• Certification to 18 metres: Earn the widely recognized PADI Open Water Diver qualification after completing the online theory, exam, and practical training.
• Flexible course length: Choose a 3-day or 6-day format, although the booking information also describes the activity as lasting about four days, so confirm your dates before paying.
• Small, private-group approach: Your group takes part privately, with limited places in each session and room for individual instruction.
• Training with Ludo and Julie: The center is led by experienced PADI and FFESSM/CMAS instructors, with Daniel also involved in some courses.
• Useful extras included: Equipment hire, boat trips, showers, hot drinks, and underwater photographs are part of the package.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but personal cancellations are not refundable.

Starting at LJ Diving Tenerife in Las Galletas

You meet at LJ Diving Tenerife, at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, in Las Galletas. The center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the south of Tenerife without a car.

Las Galletas is a practical base for this kind of course. You are not signing up for a rushed beach activity where the whole lesson is squeezed into a morning. The center is set up for training, equipment preparation, and repeated practice. Access to showers is a small but welcome detail after time in the water, while hot drinks help during the pauses between sessions.

Your exact timetable depends on the course option and the center’s availability. The experience is advertised as either three or six days, while the general duration is listed as approximately four days. That difference is worth clarifying before booking. A short schedule may suit a tightly planned holiday, while the longer option gives you more time to repeat skills and absorb the material.

The course is private for your group, but that does not necessarily mean you have the whole ocean to yourself. You may meet other certified divers on a boat trip or at the center. The key benefit is that your instruction is not treated like a large class with everyone pushed along at the same speed.

Completing the theory before you arrive

The academic part is available online through PADI e-learning. You study the basic principles before arriving in Tenerife and take the exam online. This leaves your time on the island for the part that matters most in a certification course: learning to manage yourself, your equipment, and your surroundings in the water.

The online format is useful, but do not treat it as a box to tick in five idle minutes. You need to understand subjects such as safety procedures, equipment use, underwater communication, and responsible ascent planning. If you finish the lessons in a hurry, you may spend more time later trying to recall the basics when your attention should be on your practical skills.

The instructor-led part lets you ask questions that arise from your own experience. Ludo and Julie are described as working in several languages, which may be helpful if technical English is not your first language. You can expect explanations before each exercise, followed by practice and correction.

The course is presented as suitable for people with some experience, yet the training is also used for first-time participants. If you have never used scuba equipment, contact the center and explain your background before booking. That simple check will help confirm that the selected timetable and course level fit you.

Learning the practical skills step by step

The practical sessions are the heart of the course. You learn how to use the equipment, control your breathing and movement, and respond to common situations. The aim is not just to complete a list of exercises. You need enough control to make sensible decisions underwater without depending on an instructor for every small problem.

This is where the small-group format earns its keep. A student who struggles with a mask exercise needs calm repetition, not pressure from a crowded schedule. One participant described working through that difficulty with extra patience, while another completed the course alone and progressed at an individual rhythm. That kind of attention can make the difference between forcing yourself through a lesson and building real confidence.

The teaching style is relaxed, but the safety side is taken seriously. Before each activity, you should receive an explanation of what you will do and how to handle it. If you have trouble, the instructors guide you through the skill step by step. You still have to do the work, but you are not left guessing.

The equipment is supplied and described as good quality, well maintained, and in good condition. That saves you the cost and trouble of bringing a full personal setup. It also gives you a chance to learn what works for you before buying equipment of your own. One useful part of the instruction is advice about future equipment purchases after the course.

Meeting Tenerife’s underwater life by boat

Boat trips are included, giving you a chance to experience more than the training area around the center. The water around Tenerife is known for varied marine life, and the course highlights the possibility of seeing creatures such as fish, crabs, rays, dolphins, and other sea life.

Exact sites and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, so keep your expectations sensible. The value of the boat outing is not only the animals you may see. It also gives you practice preparing for a boat-based session, entering the water from a different setting, and settling into the rhythm of a proper scuba outing.

Underwater photographs are included as well. This is a pleasant extra for a first certification course, since your attention is usually fixed on breathing, position, and hand signals rather than taking pictures. You can leave with a visual record of the experience without trying to operate a camera while still learning basic skills.

Do not let the promise of photographs distract you from the course itself. A certificate is earned through training and demonstrated ability. The photographs are a keepsake, not the main reason to choose this program.

How the instructors shape the experience

Ludo and Julie are the central figures at the center, and Daniel is also involved in some training. Their approach combines personal attention with a friendly atmosphere. That matters because scuba training can feel intimidating at first, especially when you are asked to remove or clear a mask, manage a regulator, or solve a problem while underwater.

A good instructor does not simply explain a skill once and move on. You need clear instructions, time to practice, and honest feedback. The strongest pattern here is patience. Students who needed more time were encouraged rather than hurried, and the instructors kept the tone warm without ignoring safety.

The center also has a family-style feel. That can be a real advantage if you prefer conversation and personal contact over an impersonal training factory. It may be less appealing if you want a completely anonymous, fast service with no social side. You will be spending several days with the same team, so the human fit matters.

The instructors’ qualifications include PADI and FFESSM/CMAS backgrounds. That gives the course a solid professional framework, while the local operation remains small enough for direct communication. Ask questions early, especially about the course length, languages, meeting times, and your own previous experience.

What the $722.78 price includes

At $722.78 per person, this is a serious holiday expense. Its value depends on what you want from the trip. You are not paying only for an introductory underwater session. The package covers a certification program, instructor guidance, equipment hire, boat trips, showers, hot drinks, and underwater photographs.

The equipment inclusion is important. Buying or transporting a complete set of scuba gear would add cost and hassle, especially if you are still deciding how often you will use it. The certification also has lasting value because PADI is a widely recognized organization. Once qualified, you have a foundation for future recreational scuba activities, subject to the rules and requirements of the operator you use later.

The price makes less sense if you only want to try breathing underwater once. A short introductory session would be a better match for that goal. This program suits you if you want a qualification and are ready to put in several days of study and practical work.

A private format can also justify a higher price than a large group course. You receive more direct attention and may progress without waiting for a dozen other students. Still, confirm exactly what your selected 3-day or 6-day option includes, since the advertised general duration is approximately four days.

Fitness, weather, and planning details

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity involves handling equipment, getting into and out of the water, and spending time in a boat or training setting. The information does not give a detailed medical screening list, so contact the center directly if you have a health concern or are unsure about your suitability.

Weather can affect the schedule. If poor conditions force the activity to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection applies to a weather cancellation by the operator. It does not apply if you cancel for another reason, since the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking.

Plan your holiday with spare room around the course. A certification program needs your attention, and a delayed session could affect later plans. The center operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the supplied information does not promise a fixed daily start time, so confirm the meeting schedule in advance.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Transportation to the center is not listed as included, though the location is near public transportation. If you are staying elsewhere in Tenerife, allow enough time to reach Las Galletas without cutting it close.

Who will get the most from this course

This course is a good fit if you want to become an autonomous recreational scuba diver to 18 metres and prefer patient, direct teaching. It should also suit couples, families, and small private groups who value a relaxed atmosphere and want the same instructors throughout the process.

It may work well for a nervous beginner, provided you are honest about your concerns before starting. The instructors’ patient approach and small groups give you room to repeat skills. You still need to accept that some exercises may feel awkward at first. That is normal, but no course should promise that fear disappears instantly.

It is less suitable if you have only one free morning, dislike online study, or want a casual activity with no exam. It is also not ideal if you need flexible cancellation terms. The non-refundable policy makes accurate planning important.

Should you book the Tenerife Open Water course?

I would book this course if certification is your real goal and you like the idea of learning with Ludo, Julie, and a small team rather than in a large commercial class. The strongest reasons are the patient instruction, private-group setup, supplied equipment, and practical extras such as boat trips and photographs.

Before paying, confirm whether your dates fit the 3-day or 6-day version, why the general duration is described as approximately four days, and whether your previous experience matches the course level. If you want a serious qualification with personal support in Las Galletas, this is a strong choice. If you only want a quick holiday activity, choose something shorter and less demanding.

FAQ

Where does the course begin?

You meet at LJ Diving Tenerife, Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Las Galletas.

How long does the certification course take?

You can choose a 3-day or 6-day course. The general activity information also gives an approximate duration of four days, so confirm the exact format and dates before booking.

What certification will I receive?

You will work toward the PADI Open Water Diver certification, allowing recreational scuba activity to a maximum depth of 18 metres when you meet the course requirements.

Is the theory completed online?

Yes. The theory is available through online PADI e-learning, and you take the exam online before focusing on the practical training in Tenerife.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Equipment hire is included in the experience.

Are boat trips and photographs included?

Yes. The course includes boat trips and underwater photographs. Showers and hot drinks are also available.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations or amendment requests are non-refundable.