3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

Madeira’s appeal here is simple: you learn the basics in a pool, then take those skills into the Atlantic while staying in a small group of no more than five. The setting gives your course a real sense of place, with close sea access in Funchal and the chance to continue with sites such as the Garajau Marine Reserve after qualifying.

I like the patient, personal instruction, especially for beginners who feel nervous in the water. I also like that the package includes scuba equipment and all fees, so the $527.44 price is easier to understand from the start. The main caution is that this is a full three-day commitment, with multi-hour sessions and some study outside the scheduled water time.

Key points at a glance

• Three-part training: Expect academic work, pool exercises, and open-water sessions before certification.
• Small maximum group: With up to five participants, instructors can give more direct attention.
• SSI worldwide certification: Qualify to scuba with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, around the world.
• Personal coaching: Instructors such as Lupii, Rafa, Sara, Nico, and Tomas have helped beginners build confidence at their own pace.
• Madeira sea life: After certification, local outings may include Garajau, where large grouper, barracuda, parrot fish, and schools of smaller fish have been seen.
• Practical limits: Lunch and private transport are not included, and the Atlantic can feel cold even with a 7mm suit and shorty layer.

Three days to become a certified scuba diver

This SSI Open Water course is not a quick holiday taster. You are working toward a qualification that allows you to scuba with a buddy to 18 meters, or 60 feet, in locations around the world.

That matters because the course must cover more than simply breathing underwater. You will learn basic theory, practice equipment and safety skills in a pool, then show that you can use those skills in the sea. The pace is focused, but the reward is a qualification you can build on with later courses and guided outings.

The course begins at Azul Diving Madeira, based at the Hotel Penha França Mar in Funchal. The scheduled start is 9:30 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point. Since you are staying in Funchal, this is a handy arrangement. You do not need to spend time crossing the island before training starts.

The official duration is about three days. In practical terms, you should keep those days largely free. Previous course schedules have included one pool session, three sea sessions, and study in the evenings. The exact order can depend on progress, conditions, and the centre’s schedule.

Classroom work before the Atlantic

The academic part gives you the rules and reasoning behind safe scuba. You will need to understand how your equipment works, how to respond to common problems, and why pressure changes affect your body as you descend and return to the surface.

This stage may feel less exciting than the pool or sea sessions, but it is where good habits begin. I would not treat the evening study as optional holiday homework. If you are tired after a long training session, it is tempting to put the books aside. You will get more from the course if you read carefully and ask questions while the material is fresh.

The centre’s instructors have different teaching styles, but the strongest theme is individual attention. Lupii is praised for calmly helping a nervous beginner manage anxiety. Sara and Nico have also worked patiently with students who needed extra help with breathing and finning. Tomas is described as someone who adjusts the way he explains skills to suit the student in front of him.

That is useful information if you are curious about scuba but not naturally confident in the water. You do not need to arrive as an expert. You do need to speak up when something feels unclear or uncomfortable. A good instructor can adjust the pace, but only if you explain what you need.

Pool training at the Hotel Penha França Mar

Pool practice is the sensible bridge between theory and the sea. You can learn how the mask, fins, buoyancy control device, tank, and other equipment feel without dealing with waves or open water at the same time.

The centre provides the scuba equipment, and the course price includes its use. That keeps the initial cost predictable. It also means you can learn with gear selected and prepared by the centre rather than trying to assemble a full personal kit before you know what suits you.

The pool is particularly valuable for first-time students. You can repeat a skill, pause, and try again under the direct eye of an instructor. Rafa has been praised for keeping a group calm, while another student credited Sara with helping improve breathing and finning technique.

Do not judge your ability by how you feel during the first exercise. Many beginners need time to get used to breathing through a regulator and controlling their position in the water. The purpose of the pool session is not to make you look polished at once. It is to give you a controlled place to build the habits you will use later.

Taking those skills into Madeira’s sea

The open-water portion is where the course becomes distinctly Madeiran. You move from a controlled pool setting into the Atlantic, with its changing visibility, movement, temperature, and marine life.

The sea sessions are not sightseeing trips first and lessons second. You are still being assessed and coached. Expect to repeat the core skills and show that you can manage yourself with a buddy. The instructors’ job is to help you become safe and self-reliant, not simply to guide you around fish.

That said, Madeira adds a welcome sense of adventure. The centre has close sea access for training, which helps avoid wasting time on long transfers. After qualification, you can consider further local outings, including the Garajau Marine Reserve and a wreck site. Those are not part of the stated course package, but they give you a good reason to plan an extra day if you want to see what local scuba is like after certification.

The Garajau area has produced sightings of a large grouper, barracuda, large parrot fish, and large schools of colourful fish. Conditions do not always cooperate, and current can affect what you see. That is part of the appeal of sea training: you learn that nature does not run on a fixed schedule.

You should also prepare for cold water. One experienced customer needed a 7mm suit plus a shorty layer to stay warm. That will not be necessary for everyone, but it is a useful warning if you are sensitive to cold. Ask the centre what exposure protection is appropriate for the dates of your course rather than assuming Madeira means warm water.

Instructors who focus on confidence

The most strongly praised part of this course is the human side. Several instructors are named in connection with calm explanations, good humour, and careful handling of nervous students.

Lupii has helped beginners move from anxiety to confidence. Rafa has been singled out for keeping a young student relaxed and attentive. Sara worked with a referral student who lacked confidence in the water, focusing on breathing and finning rather than rushing ahead. Tomas is known for changing his communication style to suit individual needs.

The centre’s wider team includes Esmeralda, Guadalupe, Theo, Sam, Raffa, Roberto, Tony, Scott, Cecile, Nico, and others. You may not have a choice of instructor, so I would not book on the expectation of getting one particular person. Still, the range of names and repeated emphasis on personal coaching suggest a centre with a broad teaching team rather than a single instructor carrying the whole operation.

This matters in a small course. If you struggle with mask clearing, buoyancy, or simply the feeling of being underwater, you have a better chance of being noticed quickly. The maximum group size of five is one of the clearest advantages over a large commercial class.

What the $527.44 price covers

At $527.44 per person, this is a serious expense, but it includes the main items you need for certification: scuba equipment, fees, and taxes. You are not paying only for a brief boat outing. You are buying several days of instruction and supervised training.

The package does not include lunch or private transportation. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back there, so you can manage your own route without paying for a dedicated transfer. Bring money or food for the day, and leave room in your schedule for the course to run as a full training block.

The value depends on your goal. If you only want to try breathing underwater once, this is more commitment and cost than you need. A short introductory session would be a better match, if available. If you want a recognized qualification that lets you continue scuba at home or on future holidays, the included equipment and certification fees make the price more reasonable.

Another value point is what can come after the course. One student completed the SSI Open Water course and then added three more local outings during the same stay. Another began with Open Water and continued with regular Saturday sessions, night outings, shore sessions, and advanced training. You are not limited to a one-off holiday activity if you decide that scuba suits you.

A realistic schedule for your three days

Your exact timetable is subject to availability and sea conditions, but the structure is clear enough to plan around.

Day one usually sets the foundation. You begin with academic instruction and pool work, learning the equipment and basic procedures. This can be a long day because the course combines explanations with practical exercises.

The next sessions move into open water. You repeat and apply your skills under supervision. The centre may spread the sea work across the remaining days, with study continuing outside the water sessions.

The final stage is your qualification. You must complete the required work and demonstrate the necessary skills. Once certified, you can participate in scuba outings with a buddy to the stated maximum depth of 18 meters.

Do not stack this course with ambitious sightseeing plans in Madeira. Funchal has plenty to do, but this training deserves your best energy and attention. You may be able to explore in the late afternoon or evening, yet a relaxed schedule will make the course more enjoyable.

Safety, equipment, and weather

The centre handles the scuba equipment, and the equipment has been described as being in good condition. Staff help carry and set up gear before outings, which is useful when you are still learning how every part fits together.

One incident involved a student’s personal buoyancy device failing. Rafa returned the student safely to shore and replaced it with the school’s equipment. That is the kind of practical response you want from a training centre. It also reinforces a useful rule: check your equipment, and tell your instructor immediately if something does not feel right.

Weather matters. The course requires suitable conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. A cancellation later than that is not refundable, and changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would avoid booking flights, restaurant reservations, or other fixed plans too tightly around the course until your place is confirmed.

Who should book this SSI course

This course suits you if you want a proper qualification rather than a single introductory swim. It is also a good fit if you appreciate close coaching and prefer a small school to a large operation.

You should be comfortable setting aside three days and doing some study. Most people can participate, but the course is not passive. You will need to listen, practice, repeat skills, and work with a buddy.

The course may be especially helpful if you are nervous. The repeated emphasis on breathing, finning, calm instruction, and confidence-building is more relevant to a beginner than flashy sightseeing. You can tell the instructor when you need a slower explanation or another attempt.

It is less suitable if you want a casual activity that takes only a few hours. It is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes cold water, long training days, or the possibility of schedule changes caused by the Atlantic.

Is this Madeira scuba course worth booking?

I would book it if your aim is to leave Madeira with a real SSI Open Water qualification and the ability to continue scuba elsewhere. The small group, included equipment, pool practice, and personal instruction give the course a strong practical base.

I would think twice if you are undecided about scuba or have only one free day. In that case, a shorter introductory experience would make more sense. For everyone else, this is a focused way to learn in Madeira, with enough local follow-up options to keep the experience from ending when you receive your certification.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans are uncertain, pack time for study, and ask about cold-water protection before the first session. If you can accept the three-day commitment, this course offers a clear route from nervous beginner to certified scuba diver.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

It starts at Azul Diving Madeira, located at the Hotel Penha França Mar, R. 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 SSI Open Water course last?

The course lasts approximately three days.

What training is included?

The course includes academic instruction, pool training, and open-water training with a professional instructor.

What depth does the certification allow?

The SSI certification allows you to participate in scuba outings with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, worldwide.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included, along with all fees and taxes.

Are lunch and private transportation included?

No. Lunch and private transportation are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can receive a different date or a full refund.