3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

The best part of this three-day SSI course is the steady move from classroom work to pool practice and then the sea. You learn the basic skills in a controlled setting before dealing with open water, which is especially useful if you feel nervous about breathing underwater. The course finishes with a certification accepted around the world, allowing you to go to 18 meters with a buddy.

I like the small maximum group of five and the personal help from the instructors. I also like that equipment, fees, and taxes are included, so you can focus on learning rather than sorting out gear. The main consideration is the pace: this is a serious, multi-hour course with study time in the evenings, not a casual holiday activity. Sea conditions may also force a change of date.

Key points to know

• Pool training comes first: You practice key skills before moving into open water.
• Three sea sessions are possible: The course commonly takes about two and a half days, with three open-water sessions and one pool session.
• The certification reaches 18 meters: Your SSI qualification allows future buddy dives to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet.
• Small groups suit beginners: The group limit is five, useful when you need extra time with breathing, finning, or equipment.
• Several instructors are praised for patience: Lupii, Esmeralda, Nico, Sara, Rafa, Tomas, and others have helped new students build confidence.
• Funchal access is simple: Meet at Azul Diving Madeira by Hotel Penha França Mar at 9:30 a.m., with public transport nearby.

Starting your SSI course in Funchal

Azul Diving Madeira operates from Funchal, with the meeting point at Hotel Penha França Mar on Rua Carvalho Araújo. You start at 9:30 a.m., and the activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

That central setup matters. You do not need to arrange private transport, and the area is close to public transportation. Lunch is not included, so plan for your own food during the training day. Since the course involves several hours of work, a proper breakfast and a simple lunch are sensible choices.

The advertised duration is three days, though the actual training pattern can run to roughly two and a half days. One recent course structure included pool practice, three sea sessions, and evening study. Treat the schedule as full rather than flexible. You will need to give the course your attention instead of trying to fit it between several other Madeira activities.

What you learn before entering the sea

An SSI open-water course combines academic learning, confined-water skills, and open-water training. The supplied information does not give a lesson-by-lesson syllabus, but you can expect the course to cover the basic knowledge and practical skills needed for independent recreational scuba with a buddy.

The pool stage is one of the strongest features for a new student. You can work on breathing, buoyancy, finning, and equipment handling without immediately dealing with waves, current, or the wider sea. If you are anxious, this gives you a chance to slow down and repeat a skill before moving on.

The instructors also seem to take confidence seriously. Sara and Nico are specifically praised for helping a nervous student improve breathing and finning. Lupii is noted for calmly supporting a beginner through anxiety, while Tomas is described as adapting his explanations to the student in front of him.

That personal approach is important. Learning to use a mask, regulator, buoyancy device, fins, and air cylinder can feel like a lot at once. A patient instructor can make the difference between simply completing the requirements and actually feeling ready to continue.

Moving from the pool to Madeira’s sea

Once the basic exercises are in place, you progress to open water near Funchal. The course includes use of scuba equipment and all fees and taxes, so you do not have to arrive with your own kit.

The transition from pool to sea is the point where the course becomes more demanding. You may need to manage changing visibility, movement in the water, and the natural sensation of being surrounded by open water. Your instructor remains central to the process, checking that you can perform the required skills and stay calm.

The center has access to a pool and close sea training areas, which helps reduce wasted time. That is useful on a short course. You spend less of the day traveling between separate training locations and more time working on the skills that matter.

The course can include three sea sessions. These are not simply sightseeing trips. You are still being assessed and coached, so expect the instructor to focus on your control, communication, and response to basic problems. The underwater scenery is a welcome reward, but the main goal is competence.

The instructors and the value of close attention

Azul Diving Madeira uses a team that includes instructors and boat skippers, and several names appear in the course feedback: Lupii, Esmeralda, Nico, Sara, Rafa, Tomas, Guadalupe, Tony, and others. Your assigned instructor may be different, so do not book on the assumption that a particular person will lead your course.

What you can reasonably expect is a center used to working with beginners and continuing students. The strongest praise focuses on calm instruction, friendly support, and careful attention when someone lacks confidence. One teenage student was helped through the course by Rafa, and another student received patient coaching from Sara and Nico after arriving with limited confidence in the water.

That matters more than flashy equipment or a dramatic location. A beginner needs clear instructions, time to ask questions, and an instructor who notices when something is not right. If you feel uneasy, tell the instructor early. The course works best when you are honest about your comfort level rather than trying to appear more capable than you feel.

The small group limit of five is another advantage. It does not guarantee a private lesson, but it should give the instructor a manageable number of students to monitor. You are less likely to disappear into a large class, and you should have more opportunity to repeat a skill if needed.

The underwater reward after certification

Madeira offers more than a training site. Once qualified, you can continue with local trips, including the Garajau Marine Reserve and a shipwreck site mentioned by the center’s clients. These outings are separate from the course, but they show what you can do next.

The Garajau area is described with sightings of a large grouper, barracuda, parrot fish, and large schools of smaller fish. Marine life is never guaranteed, and conditions can affect what you see, but the reserve gives you a clear reason to continue after certification.

The shipwreck is another popular follow-up option. It is not part of the stated three-day course, so you should not assume it is included. Think of it as a possible next activity once you have your certification and enough comfort for a more specialized setting.

Night trips and further training are also available through the center, according to the supplied information. One beginner course led to three additional sessions during the same stay, while other students went on to advanced qualifications. This is a useful advantage if you want to build a relationship with one center instead of starting from scratch on every holiday.

Equipment, comfort, and practical limits

Scuba equipment is included, which gives this course a better value than a basic lesson that charges separately for every item. The equipment is described as being in good condition, and the center has handled changes when a student’s personal buoyancy device failed.

Water temperature is worth considering. One experienced participant found the sea cold and used a 7 mm suit with a shortie for warmth. That does not mean every student will need the same combination, and the course information does not specify the exact suit supplied. Still, if you are sensitive to cold, ask the center what exposure protection is available before arrival.

Comfort affects learning. If you are shivering, distracted, or struggling with a mask, it becomes harder to focus on breathing and buoyancy. Tell the instructor if you are cold or uncomfortable rather than trying to push through silently.

The course also requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. That is sensible for sea work, but it means you should avoid scheduling the course on your final day in Madeira. Leave some room in your itinerary in case weather interrupts the plan.

Is $527.44 good value?

At $527.44 per person, this is a substantial activity cost, but it covers a full certification course rather than a single introductory swim. You receive academic instruction, pool training, open-water sessions, scuba equipment, and the required fees and taxes.

The value depends on your goal. If you only want to try breathing underwater once, a shorter introductory session would cost less and take less time. If you want a qualification you can use on future trips, the three-day course makes more sense because it gives you structured training and an internationally recognized SSI certificate.

You should also count the time cost. You will give up much of three days, and evening study may be required. Lunch is extra, and private transport is not included, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

The group size improves the value. A maximum of five lets you receive more direct attention than you might in a large class. That can be particularly worthwhile if you are nervous, need repeated explanations, or want an instructor to watch your technique closely.

The 98 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating indicate strong satisfaction, but I would focus less on the numbers than on the repeated themes: patience, safety, friendly instruction, good equipment, and help with confidence. Those are the qualities that matter most in a beginner course.

Who should book this course?

This course suits an adult or older teenager who wants a proper entry into scuba rather than a quick tourist activity. It is also a good match for you if you expect to continue diving after Madeira and want a qualification accepted at other centers around the world.

It may suit nervous beginners particularly well, provided you are willing to speak up and take the training seriously. The instructors have helped students who lacked confidence, but no course can remove every concern instantly. You still need to participate fully, study the material, and follow safety instructions.

The course is less suitable if you have only one free morning, do not want evening study, or prefer a slow holiday schedule. It is also a poor fit if you need guaranteed sea conditions or a fixed timetable. The weather clause is standard for ocean activities, but it can affect your plans.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. The provided information does not list detailed medical, age, or swimming requirements, so ask the center directly about any personal health concern before booking.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The course is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of 41 days, so last-minute availability may be limited.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Bring enough time for the full course and do not plan a tight connection afterward. Since the activity returns to its meeting point, you can use public transportation or make your own way back, but private transport is not part of the package.

Should you book Azul Diving Madeira?

Book it if you want a real SSI open-water qualification, prefer small groups, and can spare three focused days in Funchal. The combination of pool practice, sea training, included equipment, and patient instructors gives beginners a sound route into scuba.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to someone who feels nervous but genuinely wants to learn. Ask about the exact schedule, suit size and thickness, medical requirements, and available dates before paying. Skip it if you want a short, low-commitment activity or cannot allow for weather changes.

For a serious first step into underwater travel, this course offers useful training rather than a one-off thrill. The certification, 18-meter limit, and possibility of further sessions in Madeira give you a clear path beyond the first three days.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

It starts at Azul Diving Madeira, the SSI and PADI center at Hotel Penha França Mar, Rua Carvalho Araújo, São Martinho, Funchal, Portugal.

What time does the course start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the course last?

The course is scheduled for approximately three days. A typical structure may take about two and a half days, with pool training, three sea sessions, and study in the evenings.

What certification do I receive?

You receive an SSI open-water certification. It is recognized worldwide.

How deep can I go after certification?

The certification allows you to take part in buddy scuba sessions to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included in the course price.

Are fees and taxes included?

Yes. All fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you need to arrange your own food.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, but the meeting point is near public transportation.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You can be offered another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.