PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course (AOWD) – 2 days

Tenerife’s PADI Advanced Open Water course is a practical step up from basic certification, not a course reserved for expert scuba users. Over roughly two days, you work through five Adventure Dives, with underwater navigation, buoyancy, deeper water, wreck exploration, and a night session among the possible specialties. Small groups of up to eight make this a more personal course than a large resort operation.

I like two things right away: the course includes your scuba equipment and PADI fees, so the price is easier to understand, and Scubanana can take you beyond the house site at Radazul to other bays along Tenerife’s east coast. Instructors named by returning customers include Pauline, Izaac, Denis, Fran, Giulia, and others, with a clear emphasis on careful supervision.

The main consideration is the price, $539.48 per person, which is a serious outlay for two days. You also need to arrive already certified as an Open Water Diver, be fit enough for scuba, and plan around flights because you should not fly for at least 12 hours after your final session.

Key points to know before booking

• Five practical Adventure Dives: The course can include navigation, buoyancy control, deep water, wreck exploration, and a night session.
• Radazul is your base: You meet at Scubanana Dive Center in Puerto Deportivo and finish back there.
• Equipment is included: Gear, learning materials, instructor support, local taxes, and PADI charges are covered.
• Small teaching groups: The maximum is eight people, useful when students have different skill levels.
• Age and certification rules: PADI Junior Open Water Divers from age 12 can enroll, but every participant must already hold Open Water certification.
• Bring your own mask if possible: A well-fitting mask can make the underwater work much more comfortable.

What this two-day course actually does

The word advanced can sound intimidating, but the course is designed for people who have just earned Open Water certification. You do not need years of experience. You need a valid Open Water or Junior Open Water qualification, reasonable physical fitness, and the ability to take part safely in scuba activities.

The aim is not simply to collect another card. Each Adventure Dive gives you a chance to try a specialty while improving basic control. You may work on navigation, learn how to manage yourself at greater depth, refine buoyancy, visit a wreck, or experience the different demands of a night session.

That mix matters. Basic certification teaches you how to stay safe underwater. Advanced training helps you become less dependent on an instructor and more capable of handling real-world conditions. You are still supervised, but you begin to make better decisions about position, air use, orientation, and movement.

The course also gives you a useful way to discover what kind of scuba activity suits you. If navigation feels satisfying, you may later want a navigation specialty. If the wreck session catches your imagination, you can continue in that direction. Each Adventure Dive may count toward the first session of the related PADI Specialty Course, subject to the relevant requirements.

Starting at Scubanana in Radazul at 9:00 am

Your meeting point is Scubanana Dive Center at Puerto Deportivo, Avenida Colón number 1, in Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The start time is 9:00 am, and the activity returns to the same location.

That simple arrangement is useful. You do not need to work out a separate ending point or arrange a transfer between several meeting locations. The center is also near public transportation, although the available information does not specify routes or travel times, so check your own connection before booking.

Radazul is especially convenient for a course because some underwater sessions can take place directly from the center. That cuts down on unnecessary travel and lets you focus on preparation, equipment checks, and instruction. Other sessions can take you to sites along Tenerife’s east coast, giving the course a wider feel than repeating every exercise in one bay.

The course is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, but you should still read the meeting instructions carefully and allow time to arrive ready for a 9:00 am start.

The five Adventure Dives and what each teaches

The course is described through different Adventure Dives rather than one long classroom program. The exact order can depend on conditions, instructor planning, and the needs of the group, but the reported course format includes five sessions.

Navigation

Underwater navigation is one of the most useful skills you can gain after Open Water certification. It asks you to pay attention to direction, distance, reference points, and your position in relation to the group.

This work can feel more demanding than a sightseeing session because you have to think while managing buoyancy and breathing. That is also why it is valuable. Good navigation helps you stay oriented and reduces the chance of wasting air or becoming separated from your group.

Peak buoyancy control

Buoyancy work is not flashy, but it changes the quality of every future session. You practice staying at the right level in the water, avoiding unnecessary contact with the bottom, and moving with less effort.

For a newer scuba user, this can be one of the most instructive parts of the course. It brings together breathing, body position, equipment control, and calm movement. You may find it challenging at first, but improvement here can make all later specialties easier.

A previous participant specifically found navigation and buoyancy more demanding, but also instructive. That is a fair expectation. These sessions are not just relaxed sightseeing. You are there to improve technique.

Deep water

The deeper session introduces you to the planning and awareness needed when you go beyond the limits of basic Open Water training. You learn how depth affects your planning and your physical response, always under instructor supervision.

The point is not to chase a dramatic depth number. It is to understand how a deeper descent changes the way you monitor yourself, your equipment, and your remaining air. For someone fresh from basic certification, that added awareness is more important than the depth itself.

Wreck exploration

The wreck session adds a clear sense of purpose to the course. You are not only practicing skills in open water. You are learning how to observe a wreck site responsibly and manage your position around a structure.

The information available does not identify the exact wreck or promise penetration inside it, so you should not assume that the session involves entering the wreck. Think of it as an introduction to wreck procedures and awareness, with the details set by the instructor and local conditions.

Fran has led deep and wreck training at Scubanana, and participants have also worked with instructors such as Denis. Staff assignments can change, but the center has several instructors experienced in guiding this part of the course.

Night session

A night session is often the most memorable part of an Advanced Open Water course because the underwater environment feels different after dark. Your attention shifts toward your light, your group, and the small area immediately around you.

It also asks you to remain calm and methodical. You are building confidence in a setting that can feel unfamiliar, rather than simply repeating a daytime route.

A night session is not guaranteed as a casual add-on. It is part of the five-session course format described for this program, but timing can depend on conditions and the center’s schedule. Ask Scubanana to confirm the final sequence when you book.

Instructors, supervision, and group size

The center’s maximum group size is eight. That is not the same as a private course, but it is small enough to make individual correction possible, especially when students arrive with different levels of comfort.

The instructors connected with this course include Pauline, Izaac, Denis, Fran, Giulia, Kathi, Benny, Henning, and others. Pauline has been described as enthusiastic and attentive during Advanced Open Water and Nitrox training. Izaac has taught both Open Water and advanced-level work. Denis has led advanced training, including sessions involving the night program.

You should not assume that one particular instructor will be assigned to you unless Scubanana confirms it. The useful point is that the center has a broad teaching team, so your course may involve more than one instructor across the two days.

That can be a plus. Different instructors may explain the same skill in different ways, helping you understand a difficult point. It can also mean you should speak up if you need a concept repeated. The course is short, so clear communication matters.

Safety is central to the training. You are not being sent off to manage new conditions alone. The instructor supervises each session and adjusts the work to the group’s ability and the conditions at the site.

Equipment, learning materials, and the mask question

The $539.48 price includes diving gear, learning materials, local taxes, instructor services, and PADI fees. That removes several costs that can otherwise appear after you book.

It does not include diving insurance or photos. Insurance is worth checking carefully before the course because it is your responsibility, and ordinary travel insurance may not cover scuba-related incidents. The supplied information does not name an insurance provider or specify what level of cover you need, so ask before arrival.

The gear is described as being in excellent condition and the center as clean and well organized. Still, equipment fit is personal. One participant had trouble with a mask that did not fit well and recommended bringing your own. I agree with that advice. If you already own a comfortable mask, pack it. If you do not, allow time to check the rental mask carefully before entering the water.

Do not forget your logbook. You will be recording your training, and keeping it current is useful when you later book further sessions or specialty courses.

Is $539.48 good value?

At first glance, $539.48 is a lot for a two-day activity. The value improves when you account for what is included: gear rental, instruction, learning material, PADI charges, and local taxes. You are also paying for five Adventure Dives rather than a single introductory session.

This is not the cheapest way to spend two days in Tenerife, nor should it be. You are buying structured training, supervision, and a recognized progression from basic certification. If your goal is simply to see underwater scenery once, this course is more training than you need. If you plan to continue with scuba, it can be a sensible investment.

The small-group limit is another part of the value. A full group of eight is not intimate, but it is much more manageable than a large class where every correction has to be rushed. That matters most during navigation and buoyancy practice, when small mistakes are easiest to fix with direct feedback.

Ask about the exact schedule before paying if you need to plan other Tenerife activities. The course lasts about two days, but the supplied details do not give precise session times for every specialty.

Who will enjoy this course most

This course fits you best if you have recently earned Open Water certification and want supervised practice before taking on independent scuba trips. It is also a good match if you want to try several specialties without committing to a full specialty course immediately.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity and willing to learn rather than simply sightsee. The course includes technical skills, and navigation and buoyancy may require concentration.

It may not suit you if you are not yet certified, if you want a one-hour introductory experience, or if you need a fully private instructor. It also requires planning around air travel. You should not fly within 12 hours before a flight after finishing the course, so leave a proper buffer before your departure.

Participants aged 12 and older can take part if they hold the appropriate PADI Junior Open Water or Open Water certification. The activity is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following safety instructions and classroom explanations in that language.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Before booking, confirm three things with Scubanana: the likely instructor, the exact Adventure Dive schedule, and what insurance they require. Also tell the center about any personal equipment needs, especially if you have a mask that fits poorly.

Wear clothing suitable for a full day around the water and bring your certification details and logbook. The available information does not list a full packing list, so Scubanana is the right place to confirm anything beyond the included equipment.

Should you book the Scubanana AOWD course?

I would book this if you already hold Open Water certification and want a focused, supervised way to build real ability in Tenerife. The combination of small groups, included equipment, east-coast sites, and five varied training sessions gives the course more substance than a basic sightseeing trip.

I would hesitate only if the price strains your budget, you need a private course, or your schedule leaves no room between the final session and a flight. For everyone else, this is a strong next step, especially if navigation, buoyancy, wrecks, or night sessions are skills you want to try before choosing your next PADI specialty.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Advanced Open Water course start?

The course starts at Scubanana Dive Center, Puerto Deportivo, Avenida Colón, number 1, 38109 Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the course begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 am. The activity ends back at the Scubanana Dive Center.

Do I need Open Water certification?

Yes. You must already be a certified Open Water Diver to take part. PADI Junior Open Water Divers aged 12 or older can also enroll.

What is included in the price?

The price includes local taxes, an instructor, diving gear, learning materials, and PADI fees. Diving insurance and photos are not included.

How many people can join the course?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.