SSI Deep Diving Specialty Session in Tenerife

Reaching 40 meters underwater in two days is the main draw here. GooDiving pairs classroom planning with closely supervised practice, so you learn how pressure, air use, and safety procedures change as you go deeper. Instructors including Andrea, Roberta, and Isa are associated with the center, and the teaching style is calm, patient, and practical.

I like the small maximum group of eight, plus the tidy package of equipment, study materials, course insurance, snacks, and transport. Pickup from the Golf del Sur area also saves you from sorting out local travel before a 9:00 am start. The main caution is that the information gives both three and four practice descents, and it refers to both PADI and SSI, so confirm the exact certification and schedule before paying.

Key points

• Reach 40 meters: The course trains you for descents to 130 feet, or 40 meters, with an instructor close by.
• Two-day format: You complete the specialty session during two days rather than spreading it across a longer holiday.
• Small group size: The maximum is eight participants, which should allow more direct attention than a large class.
• Full basic package: Study materials, rental equipment, course insurance, snacks, beverages, and transport are included.
• Golf del Sur pickup: Hotel collection and return are offered within the Golf del Sur area.
• Confirm the course label: The title says SSI, while the description refers to the PADI Deep Diver Specialty Course.

What the two-day course is really for

This is not simply a chance to go farther below the surface. The useful part is learning how to plan a deeper underwater outing and how to manage yourself when the margin for error becomes smaller.

At 40 meters, you need better control of air use, depth, time, and ascent planning than you do on a basic recreational outing. The course is designed to teach those habits under instructor supervision, using a mix of educational work and practical sessions.

You should expect a specialty course rather than a sightseeing trip with a short lesson attached. GooDiving’s description focuses on planning and safe procedures, and the training includes supervised descents. That makes this a good next step if you already hold the required entry-level qualification and want structured training instead of simply attempting a greater depth on your own.

The wording is slightly inconsistent. The main summary promises four practice sessions, while the short description says three. The title names SSI, but the course description calls it PADI Deep Diver. That may reflect a listing error or different certification options, but it matters if you need a particular agency’s card. Ask GooDiving exactly how many sessions are included and which agency issues the qualification.

Day one: planning, preparation, and the first descents

Your start time is 9:00 am at GooDiving, at Terrazas de la Paz on Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello in Golf del Sur. If you are staying in the Golf del Sur area, hotel pickup and return are offered in an air-conditioned minivan.

The transport is a small but useful benefit. You do not need to carry rented equipment through unfamiliar streets or arrange a taxi for an early start. It also keeps the group together, although you should confirm that your hotel falls within the stated pickup area.

The first day should set the tone for the course. You will work through the educational side of deeper underwater travel, including how to plan the descent and how to handle the added demands at greater depth. The supplied materials are included, so you are not paying extra for the basic course content.

The practical sessions are the important test. You will use rented equipment and work under the close supervision of an instructor. The course is not described as a private lesson, but the maximum group of eight is modest enough to allow attention to individual problems.

That matters if you are still refining buoyancy, breathing, or task management. An instructor can watch how you respond and correct small habits before they become serious issues. The center’s instructors are described in the available feedback as patient and reassuring. Isa, in particular, is noted for handling a stressed student in a positive way, while Andrea is described as calm, friendly, and professional.

Do not treat those comments as a promise that every session will feel effortless. Greater depth asks more from you, and comfort in the water matters. Still, the emphasis on patient instruction is reassuring for anyone who wants a measured learning environment rather than a rushed course.

The first day may also be the best time to judge how well the course fits your ability. If the gear does not feel right or you are uneasy with the first session, speak up early. The point of specialty training is to build reliable habits, not to collect a depth number at any cost.

Day two: building confidence at 40 meters

The second day continues the practical work and gives you a chance to apply the planning covered earlier. The stated target is 40 meters, or 130 feet, and the course aims to help you reach that depth safely with an instructor nearby.

That depth is the reason to book this course. You are not merely repeating an entry-level session in a new location. You are learning how to make decisions with greater pressure and a more demanding ascent plan. The exact order of the sessions is not provided, so do not expect a fixed list of named sites or a guaranteed marine sighting.

Tenerife’s underwater setting adds appeal, but the course should be judged first as training. The available information refers to beautiful sites and sightings of species such as stingrays and angel sharks during other GooDiving activities. It also mentions a submarine encounter and a DPV specialty in the wider program. Those are interesting signs of the center’s range, but they are not promised parts of this 40-meter course.

Your own underwater views will depend on the site, conditions, certification plan, and the instructor’s decision on the day. That is as it should be. A training session should not press ahead simply to deliver a particular animal or photo.

GooDiving serves English, Italian, French, and Spanish speakers, according to the information supplied by past participants. That can be helpful if you prefer to discuss technical points in one of those languages. Ask when booking which instructor will lead your dates and which language the materials and teaching will use.

The instructors and teaching style

The people matter more than the minivan or the snacks in a course like this. Andrea and Roberta run GooDiving, and Isa is also identified as an instructor. The strongest pattern in the available feedback is not a particular site, but the way instructors handle students.

Andrea is described as calm, friendly, and professional, with a clear way of showing and explaining skills. Isa is praised for staying positive when a student felt stressed. That gives you a useful idea of the center’s approach: supportive instruction rather than a stern push through a checklist.

Roberta and Andrea are also described as experienced instructors who teach several specialty courses. Some participants completed multiple SSI specialties with them, including a 40-meter qualification. Again, your session will depend on the instructor assigned, but the center appears set up for continued training rather than one-off beginner lessons only.

I would ask three direct questions before booking:

• Is this an SSI or PADI specialty course?
• Does the two-day plan include three or four practical sessions?
• Which instructor will lead the course, and what language will be used?

Those questions are not nitpicking. The difference between three and four sessions affects value, and the certification agency affects what the course means for your future training.

What the $401.24 price includes

At $401.24 per person, this is not a cheap casual activity. It becomes easier to assess when you count what is included: educational materials, rental equipment, course insurance, hotel pickup and return within Golf del Sur, air-conditioned transport, beverages, and snacks.

You are paying for instruction and certification training, not just access to the water. If you already own suitable equipment, the rental portion may be less important to you, but the instructor time and course insurance still carry value.

The small group also helps justify the price. A maximum of eight does not guarantee a private-feeling session, yet it is more manageable than a large class where you spend much of the day waiting. The value is strongest if you want a recognized specialty qualification and would otherwise need to arrange study materials, gear, transport, and insurance separately.

The price does not include souvenir photos. That is a minor extra, but it is worth knowing if you hope to bring home underwater images. No amount for photos is given, so ask about the cost rather than assuming they are part of the package.

You should also remember that the course is listed as approximately two days, not as a tightly timed sightseeing excursion. The 9:00 am start is clear, but the end time is not. Keep your schedule open on both days, especially if you have dinner plans, a flight, or another timed activity.

Health, timing, and practical rules

You need a current valid passport on the day of the activity. You will also complete a health questionnaire before entering the water.

Certain medical conditions, including asthma and heart problems, may prevent participation. If you have any concern, consult your doctor before booking rather than waiting until arrival. This is a sensible precaution for any activity involving pressure changes.

Do not plan to fly within 24 hours after the course. The supplied guidance specifically advises against underwater activity within 24 hours of flying, and you should build your holiday around that rule. The safest approach is to schedule the course well before your flight home, leaving a full buffer rather than trying to squeeze it into the final day.

Most travelers can participate, but that broad statement does not replace the health check. You should be comfortable in the water, able to follow instructions, and ready for a more demanding specialty than basic certification.

Public transportation is nearby, though the included pickup is more convenient if you are staying in Golf del Sur. If you are outside that area, clarify whether you must reach the meeting point yourself.

The experience returns to the meeting point at the end. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check your flight, health, and hotel plans before committing.

Who will get the most from this course

This course suits a certified recreational participant who wants a formal next step. You should be ready to study, listen carefully, and spend two days working on technique rather than simply sightseeing.

It is a particularly good match if you:

• Want training to 40 meters with an instructor present
• Prefer a small group over a large commercial class
• Need rental equipment and course insurance included
• Are staying in or near Golf del Sur
• Value patient instruction and multilingual support
• Have enough time before flying home

It may not suit you if you are looking for a quick introduction to scuba, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or a relaxed half-day outing. This is a specialty course with real preparation involved.

It may also be the wrong choice if you need absolute certainty about the issuing agency and the number of sessions but cannot get clarification before booking. The SSI and PADI wording should be resolved first.

Should you book GooDiving’s 40-meter specialty session?

I would book this if your goal is a genuine specialty qualification and you want the practical pieces handled in one package. The price includes enough useful extras to make sense, especially when you add equipment, insurance, transport, study materials, and a small group.

The best reason to choose it is the apparent teaching style. Andrea, Roberta, and Isa are presented as calm, patient instructors, and that is exactly what you want when learning to manage greater depth. The Tenerife setting and possible marine life are welcome bonuses, not the main reason to go.

Before you pay, confirm the SSI or PADI certification, the promised number of practical sessions, the pickup details, and the instructor for your dates. If those answers match your needs, this is a focused, practical way to add 40-meter training to a Tenerife holiday. If you want photos, a specific animal sighting, or a short recreational outing, choose another type of session.

FAQ

How deep does the course go?

The course is designed to train you for depths up to 40 meters, or 130 feet.

How long does the course take?

The course takes approximately two days and starts at 9:00 am.

Are equipment and course materials included?

Yes. Educational materials, rental equipment, and dive course insurance are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered for hotels in the Golf del Sur area. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan.

How many people can join the course?

The maximum group size is eight participants.

Can I fly soon after the course?

Flying within 24 hours of the activity is not recommended. You must also complete a health questionnaire, and some medical conditions may prevent participation.