SSI Deep Diving Specialty Session in Tenerife

Reaching 40 meters underwater is the point of this two-day Tenerife specialty course. You learn how to plan for greater depth, manage the added pressure, and work through supervised practice with a PADI instructor. The setting is Golf del Sur, with pickup available from nearby hotels and a small maximum group of eight.

I like the practical package: equipment, course materials, and course insurance are included, so you do not need to build a separate rental bill. I also like the personal feel suggested by the named GooDiving team, including Andrea, Roberta, and Isa, with support in several languages.

The main thing to check before paying is the course wording. The details refer to both PADI and SSI, and one section says three sessions while another promises four. Ask GooDiving to confirm the exact certification agency and number of practice sessions.

Key points

• Two days to 40 meters: The course is designed for advanced underwater work at a maximum depth of 130 feet, or 40 meters.
• Small group limit: No more than eight participants are accepted, allowing closer instructor supervision than a large class.
• GooDiving instructors: Andrea, Roberta, and Isa are named in the supplied information, with English, Italian, French, and Spanish support noted.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment rental, educational materials, insurance, snacks, drinks, and Golf del Sur hotel transfers are covered.
• Four-session wording to verify: The description refers to four practice sessions, while another section calls it a three-session course.
• Strict flight timing: You should not plan to fly within 24 hours after the course.

What the 40-meter specialty actually teaches

This is not a sightseeing trip with a quick orientation attached. It is advanced scuba training for someone who already holds the required basic certification and wants to work at greater depth.

The stated goal is simple: learn how to plan and safely complete underwater excursions down to 40 meters. At that depth, planning matters more than it does on a shallow recreational outing. You are dealing with greater pressure, tighter limits, and a need for calm, careful decision-making.

The course is scheduled over about two days and includes supervised practice. The supplied details promise four practice sessions under a PADI instructor, while another description calls it a three-session course. That is not a small wording issue. The number of sessions affects both your schedule and the value you receive, so I would confirm it before booking.

You should also clarify the agency. The experience title refers to an SSI specialty, but the main course description refers to PADI. Both are established training systems, but your qualification will be recorded through one agency or the other. If you are adding this to an existing certification path, ask which system will appear on your paperwork.

Starting at GooDiving in Golf del Sur

The meeting point is GooDiving, at Terrazas de la Paz, 113 Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello, Arona, 38639 Golf del Sur. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end.

If you are staying in the Golf del Sur area, hotel pickup and return transport make the morning easier. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the center, and the air-conditioned minivan is useful after spending time in heavy equipment. Pickup is specifically offered for hotels in that area, so confirm that your accommodation qualifies rather than assuming all southern Tenerife hotels are covered.

The center is near public transport, which gives you another option if you are outside the pickup zone. The exact pickup timetable is not provided, so allow time for collection and arrive ready for a full training day.

A current valid passport is required on the day. You also complete a health questionnaire before taking part. This is standard but important: conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation, and the supplied guidance recommends speaking with your doctor if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Day one: planning for greater depth

The first day should prepare you for the demands of greater depth rather than rush you straight into the water. The course description says you will learn how to plan these excursions and how to stay safe at 40 meters.

That planning component is the heart of the specialty. You are not simply going lower because an instructor says it is fine. You are learning how to think ahead, understand the limits of the session, and manage the conditions that change as you descend.

Educational materials are included, which is a useful advantage at this stage. You can review the theory as part of the course rather than paying extra for a separate manual. The materials also give you something to refer back to after returning home.

Equipment rental is included as well. For a visitor, that makes the course much simpler. You do not need to pack or transport a full kit, and the price is easier to judge because a major extra cost has already been covered.

The group limit is eight people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to support closer supervision than a large class. If you are nervous about working at greater depth, ask how many participants are booked on your dates and how the instructor time is divided.

Day two: supervised practice underwater

The practical work is carried out under an instructor. The description refers to four practice sessions, while the shorter summary says three. I would get a written answer from GooDiving before you commit, especially if you are comparing this with another specialty course.

The key value is not simply reaching the maximum depth. You are practicing the methods introduced during the course while an instructor is close by. That matters when you are working on a new skill set and want immediate correction rather than trying to sort out a problem later.

The supplied information does not name the exact underwater locations or promise particular animals. That is useful to remember when setting expectations. Tenerife has a strong reputation for marine life, and the GooDiving material refers to beautiful local sites, but this booking should be judged first as a training course, not as a guaranteed wildlife tour.

Several names appear in connection with the GooDiving team. Andrea is described as calm, friendly, and professional, while Isa is praised for a patient approach when a student felt stressed during training. Roberta and Andrea are also associated with multilingual instruction in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. Instructor assignment can change, so treat these names as helpful context rather than a guarantee that one particular person will teach your course.

What the included transport and snacks are worth

The listed price is $401.24 per person. That is a serious amount, but it covers more than the water sessions alone. You receive educational materials, equipment, course insurance, drinks, snacks, and round-trip transport from qualifying Golf del Sur hotels.

For a visitor, that package can offer fair value. Equipment rental alone can add up, and transport removes two local taxi journeys. Course insurance is another practical inclusion, particularly for a specialty qualification where you want the administrative details handled in one place.

The snacks and drinks are modest but welcome. A full training day is easier when you do not have to find food between sessions. I would still treat them as light provisions, not a substitute for bringing anything you personally need.

The value is strongest if you are already staying in Golf del Sur and need rental equipment. It is less clear if you have your own equipment, live outside the pickup area, or only want a few scenic underwater outings. In that case, you are paying for structured instruction and certification, not just time beneath the surface.

Souvenir photos are not included. They can be purchased separately, but no price is supplied. If photographs matter to you, ask about availability and cost before the course begins.

The instructor style and language options

Good instruction matters more as the course gets more demanding. You want a teacher who can explain a problem clearly, keep the group calm, and spot small mistakes before they become serious.

The named instructors give you a useful sense of the center’s approach. Andrea is associated with a calm and professional teaching style. Isa is described as especially helpful when a student was anxious during training. That kind of patience is valuable for a specialty course, where confidence should come from good habits rather than bravado.

Roberta and Andrea are linked with instruction in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. If you are not fully comfortable learning technical material in English, request your preferred language when booking. The supplied information does not promise every language for every session, so confirm the actual instructor for your dates.

You should also be honest about your comfort level. This is not the place to hide anxiety or pretend that a problem is minor. Tell the instructor if you need an explanation repeated or want a skill reviewed before continuing.

Who should book this course

I would recommend it to a certified scuba participant who wants formal training for greater depth and prefers a compact two-day schedule. It also suits someone staying near Golf del Sur who values hotel transfers and does not want to organize equipment rental separately.

It may work well for families or couples who have trained with GooDiving before. The supplied feedback includes a family that returned for additional specialty training after completing an earlier basic course. That suggests the center can accommodate returning students who want to build their qualifications over time.

The course also suits people who want instruction in more than one language. English, Italian, French, and Spanish are associated with the team, though you should confirm availability.

I would not choose it if you are a complete beginner. The course assumes prior scuba training, and the stated purpose is advanced work at 40 meters. It is also a poor fit if you plan to fly home soon afterward. The guidance says underwater activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended, so protect enough time at the end of your trip.

Health, timing, and the details that matter

You complete a health questionnaire before taking part. Some medical conditions may prevent participation, including asthma and heart conditions. If you have any concern, consult your doctor before booking instead of waiting until the morning of the course.

The start time is 9:00 a.m. The activity lasts about two days, but the individual daily timetable is not supplied. Ask how long each day runs, when the practice sessions take place, and when the course paperwork is completed.

The group maximum is eight. That gives you a reasonable chance of direct supervision, but it does not mean you will receive private instruction. Ask whether the group is split into smaller underwater teams if several people book together.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time, so do not leave cancellation decisions until the last minute.

The main strengths and the main caution

The strongest part of this experience is its practical structure. You receive instruction, equipment, materials, insurance, transport, and refreshments in one booking. That makes the course easier to budget and removes several small tasks from your holiday.

The second strength is the close-instructor format. A maximum of eight participants is sensible for training that reaches 40 meters, and the supplied instructor information points to a calm, supportive teaching style.

The main caution is inconsistent course information. You should clarify three points before booking:

• Is the qualification through SSI or PADI?
• Are there three practice sessions or four?
• Which instructor and language will be available on your dates?

Those questions do not suggest a problem with the experience itself. They simply protect you from booking the wrong certification format or expecting a different amount of practical training.

Should you book the GooDiving specialty?

Book this course if you already have scuba experience, want structured training down to 40 meters, and are staying close enough to Golf del Sur to use the included transfer. The equipment, materials, insurance, snacks, and small group limit help justify the $401.24 price.

I would pause if you are mainly seeking a scenic day underwater, need a beginner course, or have a flight home within 24 hours. I would also ask GooDiving to resolve the SSI and PADI wording and confirm whether the course includes three or four practice sessions.

Once those details are clear, this looks like a focused way to add an advanced specialty during a Tenerife holiday, with the strongest value going to participants who need both instruction and rental equipment.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

It starts at GooDiving, Urb Terrazas de la Paz, 113 Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello, Arona, 38639 Golf del Sur, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the activity begin?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

How deep does the training go?

The course is designed for underwater training down to 40 meters, or 130 feet.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are offered from hotels in the Golf del Sur area.

What is included in the price?

The price includes educational materials, equipment rental, course insurance, air-conditioned minivan transport, drinks, and snacks.

Are photos included?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.

Can I take part if I have a medical condition?

You must complete a health questionnaire before taking part. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation, so consult your doctor if you have concerns.

Can I fly soon after the course?

Underwater activity within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. Allow at least that period before your flight.