PADI Advanced Diving Course in Gran Canaria

The best feature here is choice. You complete the two required parts, a 30-meter descent and underwater navigation, then select three more sessions that fit your interests. You might choose a boat outing, a wreck, a night session, or another option discussed with your instructor.

I like the small maximum of six and the practical setup: equipment, insurance, tuition, online study material, and certification are covered. The main catch is that this is a compact two-day course, so you need to complete your theory ahead of time and arrive ready for an early start.

Key points at a glance

• Five underwater sessions in two days: Two required skills plus three options chosen with your instructor.
• A real 30-meter test: The advanced course takes you beyond the usual open-water depth under professional supervision.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is six, which allows more direct instruction.
• Good preparation before arrival: The online manual lets you complete much of the study before reaching Gran Canaria.
• Useful practical extras included: Full equipment hire, insurance, tuition, hotel transfers from selected hotels, and the certification fee are covered.
• Flexible specialty choices: Boat work, wreck exploration, night work, and search and recovery may be available, depending on your plan and conditions.

What the two-day PADI Advanced course involves

This is a skills course first and a sightseeing outing second. You are not simply being taken underwater to look around. Each session has a training purpose, and your instructor explains the plan before you enter the water.

The course includes five underwater sessions across roughly two days. Two are fixed by the PADI Advanced program. One takes you to 30 meters, while another teaches underwater navigation. The remaining three are chosen from available options, so the course can be shaped around what you want to improve.

That flexibility matters. If you already feel comfortable with basic navigation, you may want to spend more time on a wreck or try a night session. If you want broader experience, you can select different types of underwater work instead.

The exact order can change. Conditions, boat availability, your comfort level, and your schedule all affect the plan. A useful example comes from the way the center handles changes: one participant had hoped to complete a night session, but poor weather and a departure deadline led to a search and recovery session instead.

You should think of the timetable as a working plan rather than a rigid promise. That is normal for water-based training and usually makes for safer, better instruction.

The 30-meter descent and underwater navigation

The 30-meter session is the course’s clearest step up from entry-level certification. Your instructor reviews the plan, checks your equipment, and watches how you manage depth, air, buoyancy, and your response to the underwater environment.

This is not a race to reach a number. The value is learning how a greater depth changes the way you handle a session. You will need to stay calm, monitor your air, and follow the briefing closely. The supplied information does not promise a particular site or marine life, so treat this as a training session with scenery, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Navigation is another core requirement. You practice finding your way underwater instead of relying entirely on an instructor to lead you. That can include working with a compass and judging distance or direction, although the precise exercises are set by the instructor.

A strong navigation session can make later independent outings less stressful. One account of the course describes a navigation session that included an angel shark, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The useful point is that the training can happen in a setting that feels like a genuine underwater outing rather than a dry classroom exercise.

Choosing the other three sessions

The three optional sessions are where you can give the course your own character. Blue Water Diving discusses the choices with you rather than assigning every part in advance.

Possible options include:

• Boat-based underwater work
• Wreck exploration
• Night work
• Search and recovery
• Other approved advanced-course specialties

A boat session can add variety and may give you access to sites that are not reached directly from shore. The center has its own boat, according to the available information, which can simplify the day’s arrangements. Boat schedules still depend on conditions and the planned site.

Wreck work suits you if you enjoy a stronger sense of place underwater. Several accounts describe visits to two wrecks, but the course details do not promise specific wrecks, penetration, or a particular location. Ask exactly what is planned and what limits apply during your briefing.

Night work is the most distinctive option, but it needs the right timing and conditions. It also demands that you feel comfortable with your basic skills. If the schedule or weather does not cooperate, another specialty may be substituted.

Search and recovery is a practical choice. It gives you a task to complete and lets you work on planning, control, and communication. This can be more useful than simply adding another sightseeing session, especially if you want to become a more capable and self-reliant participant.

Instruction from a small, adaptable team

The center’s approach combines formal training with a relaxed tone. Instructors associated with the course include Mati, Eileen, Danny, Kate, Chris, Kevin, and Adam, though the instructor assigned to your booking may differ.

Eileen is specifically praised for patient explanations and for helping people become calmer and more comfortable underwater. Danny is described as experienced and patient, with clear briefings before each session. Mati is also singled out for a professional yet enjoyable approach.

Do not read that as a promise that one of those instructors will teach your course. It is better to ask who is scheduled when you book. The useful takeaway is that the center has a team with experience teaching different levels, from first-time introductory sessions through professional qualifications.

The maximum group size is six. That is a meaningful limit for a skills course. You have a better chance of asking questions, receiving individual corrections, and discussing which optional sessions suit you.

The instruction also appears flexible for people progressing at different speeds. One account describes two people completing Open Water and Advanced training at the same time, with the center arranging a workable plan for both. That does not mean every combination can be guaranteed, but it suggests the staff can discuss a mixed schedule.

Preparing before you arrive in Gran Canaria

You receive an online study manual and should use it before reaching the center. Completing the theory in advance leaves more of your two days for briefings, equipment checks, and practical work.

The course requires the Adventures in Diving Crew pack, which is provided, and a log book, which you need to bring. Evidence of your existing dive certification is required for anyone taking part in certified training.

Plan for an 8:30 a.m. start at Blue Water Diving, at Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity finishes back at the meeting point.

Hotel pickup and return are included from selected hotels only. Confirm that your accommodation qualifies before relying on the transfer. If it does not, the meeting point is near public transportation.

You also complete a health questionnaire before taking part. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent you from participating, so consult your doctor if you have concerns. You should not schedule the course within 48 hours of flying, since post-flight and post-underwater timing matters for safety.

Equipment, insurance, and what you still need to pay for

The $415.65 price includes full equipment hire, tuition, professional instruction, insurance, the online manual, and the certification fee. That is a solid package for a short certification course because several costs that are often added separately are already covered.

Equipment is individually adjusted at the center. That matters more than fancy brand names. A proper fit can improve comfort, buoyancy control, and your confidence during the skills work.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own arrangements for the day, especially since an early start and several sessions can make a long morning. The supplied details do not specify whether meals, snacks, or refreshments are available at each site, so do not assume they are.

The value depends partly on how much of the optional program you use. If you complete five sessions, earn the certification, receive equipment, and use hotel transport, the price is easier to justify than if weather or personal limits reduce the practical portion. Ask how an interrupted session is handled before booking if your schedule is tight.

What the underwater settings may add

Gran Canaria gives this course a mix of training settings. The available sessions can include locations reached by car and others reached by boat. That keeps the program from feeling like five repeats of the same exercise.

You may see fish and other marine life, and one account records angel shark, stingray, cuttlefish, octopus, and wrecks. These sightings are possibilities, not promises. Marine life, visibility, and site choice vary with conditions.

The wrecks can make the optional sessions memorable, but you should clarify whether the plan involves viewing from outside or any form of entry. The supplied course details do not promise wreck penetration, and an advanced certificate does not automatically qualify you for every type of wreck activity.

The same applies to night work. Ask about timing, equipment, and the exact skill goals. A clear briefing is part of the value of this course, so use it to understand what you will do rather than treating the specialty name as enough information.

Who will get the most from this course

This course suits you if you already hold an entry-level certification and want more structure, depth, and variety. It is especially useful if you want to improve navigation, buoyancy, confidence, or experience with different settings before arranging more independent trips.

It also works well for a couple or friends with similar goals. The center has shown flexibility when people at different certification stages travel together, but you should discuss that arrangement in advance.

You need moderate physical fitness. You also need to be comfortable following instructions, completing preparation work, and spending two full days around scheduled underwater sessions. This is not the right choice if you want a casual single outing with no study or certification requirements.

The small group size helps, but it does not remove the need to be ready. Bring your log book, complete the online work, disclose health concerns honestly, and allow enough time between the course and your flight home.

Booking, cancellation, and practical cautions

Confirmation is provided at booking. The course is offered in English, and the activity uses a mobile ticket.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted.

Your biggest practical risk is a packed holiday schedule. The course lasts about two days, but weather, boat plans, and your own progress can affect the order of sessions. I would avoid booking it immediately before a flight, both because flying within 48 hours is not recommended and because you need some room for changes.

Is the $415.65 price fair?

For a PADI Advanced course, the price is reasonable when you use the full package. Five guided sessions, professional tuition, equipment, insurance, study materials, certification, and selected hotel transfers make this more than a simple recreational outing.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise need to rent equipment and arrange separate instruction. The included equipment also removes a major planning chore, while the small group limit gives the course a more personal feel.

The price is less compelling if you are unsure you want the certification or mainly want to see marine life. In that case, a single introductory experience may fit better, though this specific course is designed for certified participants who want to progress.

Should you book Blue Water Diving?

Book it if you already have the required certification, want five structured sessions in two days, and like choosing your own specialties. The combination of the 30-meter session, navigation practice, small groups, flexible planning, and included equipment gives you a useful step beyond basic certification.

Before paying, confirm your instructor, hotel transfer eligibility, preferred optional sessions, and the plan for your final day. I would also finish the online study work early and leave at least 48 hours between your last session and your flight.

Skip it if you want a slow holiday activity with no theory, if you cannot meet the medical requirements, or if your itinerary has no room for weather-related changes. For a prepared certified participant, though, this is a practical and well-supported way to build advanced skills in Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How long is the PADI Advanced course?

The course lasts approximately two days.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You complete five sessions connected with the PADI Advanced course.

What are the two required course sessions?

The required sessions are a descent to 30 meters and underwater navigation.

Can I choose the other three sessions?

Yes. You can discuss the remaining three options with your instructor. Choices may include boat work, wreck work, night work, and other available specialties.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Full equipment hire is included in the price.

Is hotel transportation included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels only. The activity starts and finishes at Blue Water Diving if you meet there.

What certification documents do I need?

You need evidence of your existing dive certification and a log book. The Adventures in Diving Crew pack is provided.

Can I fly immediately after the course?

Underwater activity within 48 hours of flying is not recommended. Plan your flights with that restriction in mind.