3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

Madeira puts real sea time within easy reach. This three-day SSI Open Water course combines classroom study, pool practice, and open-water training in Funchal, with a small group capped at five people. I like the personal instruction and the chance to finish with a worldwide SSI certificate, rather than a simple one-off tryout. I also like that the course includes scuba equipment and all taxes, keeping the quoted $527.44 price fairly clear.

The main drawback is the pace. Several hours of training across three days, plus study in the evenings, can feel full-on during a short Madeira stay. Sea conditions may also affect the schedule, and lunch and private transportation are not included.

Key points before you book

• Small groups of up to five: You get more direct attention than in a large resort class.
• A complete beginner’s route: The course moves from academic work to pool exercises and then sea training.
• Three sea sessions are possible: A recent course structure included one pool session and three open-water sessions over about two and a half days.
• SSI certification to 18 meters: Completion allows buddy-based recreational scuba activity worldwide, subject to SSI rules and local conditions.
• Strong support for nervous students: Instructors such as Lupii, Sara, Nico, Tomas, Rafa, and Esmeralda are praised for patience and calm teaching.
• Funchal base with nearby sea access: The center is at Hotel Penha França Mar, near public transportation, with no private transfer required.

What the three-day SSI course really involves

This is not a quick dip in the sea with a mask and tank. It is a proper entry-level course designed to teach you the skills and judgment needed for independent recreational scuba activity with a buddy.

Your training begins with academic work. You learn the basic rules of pressure, breathing, equipment use, safety, and underwater communication. That preparation matters. It gives you a reason for each action instead of asking you to copy an instructor without understanding what is happening.

The course then moves into a pool. Pool practice is where you can concentrate on the fundamentals without the added challenge of waves, current, or changing visibility. You practice handling the equipment, controlling your breathing, and responding to common problems under close supervision.

The final stage takes you into open water around Madeira. The exact order can change with weather and sea conditions, but the course structure described by previous students involved one pool session and three sea sessions. One student completed the program in about two and a half days, with study continuing during some evenings.

That schedule is useful to understand before booking. You are not signing up for three leisurely mornings. You should keep much of each day open and avoid placing an important flight immediately after the final session. The stated starting time is 9:30 a.m., but training runs for several hours, and the work continues beyond the time spent in the water.

Meeting Azul Diving Madeira in Funchal

You meet at Azul Diving Madeira, the SSI and PADI center at Hotel Penha França Mar on Rua Carvalho Araújo in Funchal. The address is in the São Martinho area, and the meeting point is also where the course finishes.

The location is practical if you are staying in Funchal. The center is near public transportation, so you do not need to pay for a private transfer. That is especially helpful when you are carrying a bag of personal items, though the course includes the scuba equipment itself.

I would allow extra time for your first morning. A calm arrival helps you complete any required paperwork, meet the instructor, and get settled before the technical work begins. The booking information says confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability, so I would not assume your place is final until that confirmation comes through.

The maximum group size is five. That is one of the strongest features here. A small class gives your instructor a better chance to notice small problems with breathing, fin movement, or confidence before they become larger problems. It also makes questions easier to ask.

Pool practice before the sea

Pool training can seem less exciting than Madeira’s open water, but I consider it the most useful part for a first-time student. You can focus on one skill at a time and repeat it until it feels natural.

The instructors use the pool for exercises before taking you into the sea. That creates a controlled step between theory and actual open-water conditions. If you feel nervous, tell your instructor early. Sara was praised for helping one anxious student focus on breathing and fin movement, while Lupii was singled out for calmly working through anxiety and building confidence.

Those details point to an important strength of this center: the teaching appears adaptable. Tomas was praised for changing his communication style to suit the student in front of him. That is exactly what you want in an introductory course, because one explanation rarely works for everyone.

You should still expect to work. The course requires attention, repetition, and a willingness to listen when you are tired. The instructors can support you, but they cannot replace your own effort. If you struggle with a skill, the best approach is to say so rather than trying to hide it.

Open-water training around Madeira

The sea sessions are where the course begins to feel like a real recreational qualification. You apply the pool skills in open water while staying close to your instructor and following the planned exercises.

Madeira’s conditions are not always identical from one day to the next. Weather and sea conditions can lead to changes, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should avoid building a tight schedule around the course.

The training appears to use both close sea access and boat-supported activity at the center. One student described the facilities as having a pool and nearby access for training sessions. The staff also help with carrying equipment, setting up gear, and preparing students for boat outings.

After certification, some students went on to the Garajau Marine Reserve with Azul. That is not part of the stated course price, but it gives you an idea of what you might add afterward. The reserve was praised for large grouper, barracuda, parrot fish, and schools of colorful fish. A wreck trip was also highly praised by another customer.

Do not confuse those extra outings with the three-day course itself. The course price covers training and equipment, not an extended series of recreational trips after you qualify. If you want to continue, ask the center about available follow-up sessions and their separate prices.

What the instructors do well

The clearest pattern in the feedback is the human side of the teaching. Staff members named include Esmeralda, Lupii, Sara, Nico, Tomas, Rafa, Guadalupe, Tony, and others. The consistent praise is for patience, friendliness, careful explanations, and a strong focus on safety.

That matters most if you are uncertain in the water. One student arrived with very little confidence and credited Sara with helping improve breathing and finning. Another started nervous and felt much more comfortable after Lupii took time to explain each step.

The support does not stop with formal instruction. Staff have been described as helpful while carrying equipment and setting up gear. A student also described Rafa responding quickly when a family member’s buoyancy equipment failed, escorting her back to shore and changing the equipment.

I would treat those stories as encouraging evidence, not a guarantee that every session will feel effortless. Your experience depends on the instructor assigned, the group, the conditions, and your own comfort in the water. Still, a maximum of five students gives the team a fair chance to provide individual help.

The center has also worked with teenagers. One 15-year-old completed the course with Rafa, who was praised for keeping the group calm and comfortable. That suggests the course can suit older teenagers, though the supplied information does not state a formal minimum age, so confirm age requirements before booking for a child.

Equipment, costs, and what you bring

The $527.44 per-person price includes scuba equipment, use of the equipment, all fees, and taxes. That is good value for a full certification course, since you are paying for instruction, pool and sea training, equipment access, and the certification process rather than a single supervised swim.

The price does not include lunch or private transportation. You should plan your own midday food and decide how you will reach the Funchal meeting point. Since the center is near public transportation, a private vehicle is not essential.

Equipment quality is an important concern for beginners. The center has been praised for well-maintained equipment, and staff have responded quickly when a piece of gear caused a problem. One family also received complimentary video footage from a GoPro after a qualifying session, but you should not assume that video is included with every course.

Sea temperatures can feel cold, especially if you are not used to Atlantic water. One experienced customer needed a 7 mm wetsuit and a shortie for comfort. That does not mean every student will use exactly that combination, but it is a useful reminder to tell the team if you feel cold. Comfortable students learn better and make calmer decisions.

The SSI certificate and the 18-meter limit

After you complete the required academic, pool, and open-water work, you receive an SSI Open Water certification. The qualification is recognized worldwide and allows you to join recreational scuba sessions with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, subject to the certification rules and local requirements.

That depth limit is enough for many standard recreational sites, but it does not qualify you for every type of underwater activity. Wrecks, night sessions, strong currents, and greater depths may require additional training or experience. The center offers further programs, including advanced training, but those are separate from this course.

The certificate is valuable because it changes how you plan future holidays. Instead of booking only a supervised introductory session, you can look for appropriately organized buddy-based outings around the world. You still need to stay within your training, consider local conditions, and follow the rules of the operator you choose.

The course is therefore a good fit if you want a lasting skill, not just a holiday story. If you only want to see underwater scenery once and do not plan to continue, a shorter introductory activity may be a better use of your time and money.

Who should book this course?

I would choose this course if you want patient instruction, a recognized qualification, and a small class. It suits adults and possibly older teenagers who are comfortable committing three days to training rather than squeezing the activity into a single morning.

It is also a sensible choice for nervous beginners. The repeated praise for instructors such as Lupii, Sara, Tomas, and Rafa suggests that the center takes confidence seriously. Tell the team about anxiety, limited water experience, or concerns about breathing at the start. The more they know, the better they can support you.

You should think twice if your Madeira visit is very short or packed with fixed plans. The course involves multi-hour sessions, evening study may be needed, and bad weather can force a change. It is also not the best choice if you want a casual, low-commitment activity with no written work.

Because the course is frequently reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of 41 days, I would arrange it early if your dates are fixed. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather.

Is the $527.44 price fair?

For a complete SSI Open Water course, I consider the price reasonable, especially with equipment, taxes, pool work, sea sessions, and instruction included. The small group limit strengthens the value because you are not paying for a mass class where the instructor must divide attention among a large crowd.

The price is less attractive if you are unsure about completing a certification. In that case, ask whether an introductory session is available before committing to three days. That option is not described here, so you would need to check directly with Azul Diving Madeira.

The biggest value comes after the course. If you plan to continue with local or international scuba activities, the certificate can justify the cost. If your only goal is a brief look underwater, the time commitment may matter more than the dollar figure.

Should you book Azul Diving Madeira?

I would book this course if you want a serious start, prefer personal instruction, and can keep three days reasonably open. The small group, included equipment, pool-to-sea progression, and repeated praise for patient instructors make it a strong option in Funchal.

I would not book it at the last minute without checking availability, and I would not schedule it beside an immovable flight or packed excursion plan. Pack patience, allow for cold water, arrange lunch, and speak up whenever something feels unclear. For the right student, this is more than a holiday activity: it is a useful qualification taught with a notably personal touch.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

The course starts at Azul Diving Madeira, the SSI and PADI center at Hotel Penha França Mar, Rua 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 course last?

The course lasts approximately three days. One completed course took about two and a half days, with pool and sea sessions plus study.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of five participants.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment, fees, and taxes are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should make your own food arrangements.

What depth does the SSI certification allow?

The worldwide SSI certification allows buddy-based recreational scuba activity to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.