PADI Advanced Diving Course in Gran Canaria

This PADI Advanced Open Water course in Gran Canaria is interesting because you get a tight schedule of five guided scuba sessions in the space of about two days, with real underwater skills built into the plan. I love that two parts are fixed and useful, including a 30-meter depth training block and underwater navigation, so you leave with clear progress. I also love that Blue Water handles the heavy lifting with full equipment hire, insurance, and an online study manual, plus pickup at selected hotels. One possible drawback: food and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to plan your meals around the morning start at 8:30 am.

The course is run in English, capped at a small group size of 6, and it is designed for divers who already have certification. If you’re comfortable with moderate physical activity and you can complete the required health questionnaire, it is a very practical way to upgrade your control and confidence fast.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Two core skill areas are included: 30-meter depth training and underwater navigation
• You customize the last three sessions: options include boat-based outings, wreck visits, and night water work (if conditions allow)
• Small groups, max 6 people, which usually means more feedback and less waiting around
• All equipment and insurance are included, so you can travel lighter and focus on training
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are available for selected hotels only
• Online study manual and certification fee are part of the package

Why Gran Canaria Is a Smart Choice for Advanced Open Water Skills

Gran Canaria is a solid pick if you want advanced training without turning the trip into a logistics puzzle. You’re in a place where the local setup supports repeated water work across two days, which matters because skills stick better when you practice them in a short stretch.

The main reason I like this course format is that it is structured but not stiff. You get two required core skill components, then you choose the remaining sessions from options like boat outings, wreck visits, and night water work. That mix is ideal for divers who want both competence and variety. You’ll also be working with a certified PADI instructor the whole time, which helps you correct small habits before they become bad ones.

One more practical point: the meeting point is near public transportation, and the course includes hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels. That lowers the stress level on vacation days when you just want things to start on time and stay on track.

Price, Inclusions, and the Real Value of the $415.65 AOWD Package

At $415.65 per person for roughly two days, you’re not just paying for “time in the water.” You’re paying for an organized training pathway with equipment support and course fees folded in.

Here’s what you get included:

• Professional guidance from a certified instructor
• Hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels only
• Full equipment hire
• Tuition
• Online study manual plus the certification fee
• Insurance

What you do not get:

• Food and drinks

So the best way to judge value is to add up what you would otherwise need to arrange yourself. Most divers underestimate how much energy it takes to source gear, sort insurance, and manage training paperwork. Here, those pieces are included, and you can focus on the parts you actually want to improve: depth control, navigation, buoyancy habits, and decision-making underwater.

Also, the course is capped at 6 travelers. That small group size is a quiet value booster. With fewer divers in the mix, you’re more likely to get individualized attention during briefings and practice.

Day 1 and Day 2: What the Five Training Sessions Actually Build

Over the two days, you complete five guided scuba sessions. Two are fixed core skills:

• a 30-meter depth training session
• an underwater navigation session

Those two components are the heart of the advanced level because they force you to think beyond basic breathing and hovering. Depth control teaches you how conditions change at greater depth, how your body responds, and how to stay calm and efficient. Navigation, on the other hand, is where you learn to build a plan underwater and execute it. It’s not flashy, but it is what helps you stop feeling like you are just following bubbles and start feeling like you are steering yourself.

You’ll also complete three additional sessions you can choose from based on interest and what conditions allow. The options listed include:

• boat-based sessions
• wreck visits
• night water work

Because the exact mix can be discussed and tailored, this course is not a one-size-fits-all checklist. It is a good fit if you already know what you want more of, like wreck photography practice, a change of scenery from shore to boat, or the challenge of working at night with training wheels on.

What the schedule feels like day to day

You start at 8:30 am at the Blue Water meeting point. With a morning start, expect the day to move with purpose, because you need time for briefings, getting equipped, and completing multiple underwater workouts across the two days. The training is not described as slow and casual, so if you like a relaxed vacation pace, you may need to plan for the rest of your day being lower-key.

You’ll get a log book requirement listed for participation, and you’ll want to come prepared with proof of prior certification. That proof requirement matters because it ensures the instructor can keep the training at the right level.

The 30-Meter Depth Training Block, Without Guesswork

The core depth requirement is a training session up to 30 meters. Even if you already feel comfortable at depth, this part is still valuable because it is coached. You get instructor guidance focused on control, planning, and safe execution.

What you should pay attention to:

• How your breathing changes as depth increases
• How buoyancy feels different when you’re deeper
• How to manage time underwater so you don’t rush the important steps

Depth training can be intimidating for some divers, but it often becomes much easier when the instructor sets expectations clearly and keeps you within a structured framework. The course also includes insurance, which is an important “peace of mind” item for many people.

Who benefits most from this 30-meter component

This part is especially useful if your diving habits are still a little inconsistent. If you want to feel steadier at greater depth, or if you want to stop thinking so much and start executing, this training block is the right place to get coached.

Underwater Navigation: The Skill That Changes How You Explore

The other required core component is underwater navigation. This is the kind of skill that pays off long after the course ends, because it changes how you experience every future site.

Navigation training typically focuses on:

• planning your route and staying oriented
• using key reference points
• managing effort so you don’t burn air from stress

If you’ve ever surfaced thinking, I didn’t really know where I was, this is your fix. It turns dives into guided exploration instead of mystery tours.

In the small-group setting, instructors can usually spot the specific mistake you’re making, like over-correcting course or not taking bearings often enough. That is where the course value really shows up.

Choosing Your Remaining Three Sessions: Boat, Wreck, and Night Options

The fun part of this course is that you can shape the last three sessions around your interests. You can choose from:

• boat-based sessions
• wreck visits
• night water work

Even without a detailed list of exact sites in the provided information, this choice structure is still a big deal. It lets you match your training to the kind of diving you want to do next. For example:

• If you want variety, boat-based outings can expand what you get to see in a short trip.
• If you love history and structure, wreck visits add visual cues that make navigation training feel more concrete.
• If you want a mental and sensory challenge, night water work adds a layer of concentration that often improves overall control.

The course description also notes you can discuss optional dives and the team will work with you to suit the ones you like. That means you’re not locked into a preselected script if you have clear preferences.

Equipment, Study, and Paperwork You Actually Need to Pack

One of the most traveler-friendly parts of this course is that you get full equipment hire. That matters if you’re traveling from elsewhere, because it means you can avoid shipping or renting a full scuba kit.

You still need:

• your log book
• evidence of your current dive/scuba certification (required for participation)
• completion of a health questionnaire before diving

The course also provides:

• an online study manual
• a certification fee as part of the package
• a crew pack (provided)

The health questionnaire requirement is standard, but it’s worth treating seriously. The course notes that some pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or heart conditions, may prevent you from diving. If you have anything in your medical history, talk to your doctor before you plan your trip dates.

Meet-Up Time, Pickup, and How to Keep the First Morning Stress Low

You meet at Blue Water at 8:30 am. The address provided is on Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain, and the location is near public transportation.

Here’s why you’ll care about this:

• A morning start means you should be rested the night before.
• If your hotel is eligible for pickup, you can avoid a scramble for transport while you’re already on a schedule.
• If your hotel is not in the pickup list, public transit access makes the meeting point easier to reach than more remote dive areas.

The course ends back at the meeting point. That simple loop is helpful for planning the rest of your day.

The Blue Water Instructor Experience, Based on Real Patterns I Notice

The course is led by a certified PADI instructor, and the center’s style comes across as hands-on and supportive. Across the instructor names shared, you see a pattern: instructors like Mati and Eileen show up in advanced coaching roles, and the broader team includes people like Lily, Kate, Chris, Kevin, Adam, and Danny. While you may not get the exact same lineup, it signals that the operation runs more like a team sport than a factory line.

What stands out as consistently valuable in this kind of training setting is:

• Clear briefings that help you know what you are doing before you go underwater
• Feedback that improves control, especially buoyancy and calm decision-making
• A focus on fun without skipping safety

I’d also pay attention to the way the training can be adapted to your level. One diver experience shared that the e-learning at home helped them arrive ready for the practical work. Since the course includes an online study manual, I recommend you do the study portion before you show up, so your two days are spent on skill practice rather than catching up.

Who Should Book This Course in Gran Canaria

This course makes the most sense if:

• you already hold the required scuba certification and want the PADI Advanced Open Water level
• you want coaching on depth control and underwater navigation
• you enjoy having a mix of mandatory skills plus chosen options like wreck or night water work
• you prefer smaller groups, with a max of 6 people

It might be a less ideal fit if:

• you are not comfortable with moderate physical fitness requirements
• you are worried about health questionnaire screening, especially with respiratory or heart-related conditions
• you have a tight schedule and can’t handle a 8:30 am start both days

Should You Book This PADI Advanced Course with Blue Water?

If your goal is clear, book it. This is good value for divers who want structured training plus equipment and insurance handled for you, and who like the idea of choosing between boat outings, wreck visits, and night water work for the remaining sessions.

I’d especially recommend it if you want to improve practical competence fast, not just collect a card. The combination of 30-meter depth training and underwater navigation is the kind of upgrade that changes future trips, even when you’re not thinking about “advanced” at all.

One final practical check before you pay: confirm that your current certification will be accepted and make sure you’re comfortable completing the health questionnaire. If those boxes are checked, you’re set for a focused, instructor-led couple of days in Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How many sessions are included, and how long is the course?

The course runs for about 2 days and includes five guided scuba sessions.

What are the two required core sessions?

The two core sessions are a 30-meter depth training session and an underwater navigation session.

What optional session types can I choose from for the remaining three?

You can choose from options such as boat-based sessions, wreck visits, or night water work. You discuss the options with the team.

Is equipment included in the price?

Yes. Full equipment hire is included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only.

What do I need to bring or have to participate?

You need evidence of your current scuba certification, plus a log book. You must also complete a required health questionnaire prior to diving.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.