SSI Deep Diving Specialty Session in Tenerife

Forty metres changes how you plan. I like the two-day format, which gives you a focused way to complete advanced training while on Tenerife, and I like that equipment, learning materials, insurance, snacks, and hotel transport are included. The main caution is a mismatch in the details: some information says four practice dives, while another section calls it a three-dive course.

This is a small-group course capped at eight people, starting at 9:00 am from GooDiving in Golf del Sur. I also like the personal feel suggested by the instructors, especially Andrea, Roberta, and Isa, who are praised for calm teaching and clear support. You should still confirm the certification agency, since the experience is described as both an SSI session and a PADI Deep Diver course.

Key points to know before booking

• Reach up to 40 metres: The course teaches planning and safety for depths of 130 feet, or 40 metres.
• Two focused training days: You work through course material and supervised underwater sessions rather than trying to squeeze everything into one rushed outing.
• Small maximum group: No more than eight people are accepted, allowing closer contact with the instructor than a large class.
• Golf del Sur transport included: Pickup and return are offered from hotels in the Golf del Sur area, using an air-conditioned minivan.
• Supportive instructors: Andrea, Roberta, and Isa receive particular praise for patience, calm handling, and clear instruction.
• Important detail to confirm: The description refers to both three and four training dives, and it uses both PADI and SSI wording.

What this Tenerife course is really for

This is not a sightseeing boat trip with a short underwater stop. It is a specialty course for qualified scuba divers who want to learn how to plan and manage descents to 40 metres.

That extra depth matters. Gas use rises as you go lower, pressure changes become more significant, and small problems require calm, well-practiced responses. The course is designed to help you understand those issues before you attempt deeper recreational scuba on your own.

You will work with an instructor and complete supervised practice sessions. The emphasis is not simply on reaching a number on a depth gauge. You are learning how to prepare, monitor conditions, and stay within a safe plan.

The two-day schedule suits someone who already has basic certification and wants a clear training goal during a Tenerife holiday. It is less suitable if you want a relaxed introduction to scuba or only have time for one short activity.

Day one: planning before going deeper

Your first morning begins at 9:00 am at GooDiving, located at Terrazas de la Paz on Avenida de Jose Miguel Galvan Bello in Golf del Sur. If you are staying nearby, hotel pickup can make the start easier. The included minivan transport is air-conditioned, and the service is also available for the return trip from participating Golf del Sur hotels.

The exact classroom schedule is not supplied, but the course includes educational materials. Expect the early work to focus on the planning side of deeper scuba: depth limits, gas planning, safety procedures, and the practical effects of pressure.

This part deserves your attention. At 40 metres, you do not want to rely on instinct alone. A good instructor should help you understand what changes at depth and how to respond without rushing.

The course is described as a PADI Deep Diver Specialty Course in one place, while the experience title identifies it as an SSI Deep Diving Specialty Session. That difference is important if you need a specific agency qualification for future training or equipment rental. Before paying, ask GooDiving which agency certification you will receive and what prerequisite qualification is required.

The instructors are one of the strongest reasons to consider this school. Andrea is praised for being calm, friendly, and professional, with a patient way of explaining and demonstrating skills. Isa is also described as positive and reassuring when a student felt stressed during training. That matters in a specialty course, where confidence should come from sound practice rather than bravado.

Underwater sessions around Golf del Sur

The practical work takes place under close instructor supervision. The supplied details describe four practice dives in the overview, but another section says this is a three-dive course. I would treat the number as something to verify directly before booking.

Whatever the final schedule, the important point is that you get repeated practice rather than a single test. Repetition lets you apply planning skills, check how you feel at depth, and discuss problems with the instructor afterward.

The local area is also a reason to train here. GooDiving’s instructors describe Tenerife as offering attractive sites with varied marine life. Specific experiences connected with the school include sightings of stingrays and an angel shark, as well as encounters around the marina with a submarine. Those sightings are not guaranteed on this course, but they show that the underwater setting can offer more than a bare training exercise.

You may also see different species at the local sites. One student specifically praised the marine life and said the sites included species they had not seen before. Still, the course goal is certification and safe technique, not a wildlife guarantee. Conditions, site choice, and visibility can affect what appears underwater.

A useful feature is the small maximum of eight participants. That does not mean every session will contain eight people, but it places a reasonable limit on group size. In a course that involves equipment checks, depth planning, and individual confidence, fewer people can make it easier to ask questions and receive direct feedback.

Why the 40-metre limit matters

A 40-metre maximum places this course at the upper end of standard recreational scuba training. You should see it as a planning and discipline course, not permission to treat every deep site casually.

At greater depth, air consumption can increase, and the margin for poor decisions becomes smaller. The course teaches you to account for that before entering the water. It should also help you understand why staying with your plan and your buddy matters.

I like that the description focuses on learning how to plan and safely reach 40 metres. That wording points to the right attitude. The depth itself is not the achievement that matters most. The useful skill is knowing when and how to go deeper, and when not to.

You should be comfortable with basic scuba skills before signing up. The information says most people can participate, but it also requires a health questionnaire. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent you from scuba diving, so speak with a doctor if you have any concern.

A valid passport is required on the day. Keep it accessible rather than packed away in your hotel luggage.

What is included for $401.24

The listed price is $401.24 per person. That is not a cheap add-on, but the package includes several costs that can quickly build up elsewhere:

• Educational materials
• Scuba equipment rental
• Dive course insurance
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Golf del Sur area
• Air-conditioned minivan transport
• Beverages
• Snacks

The equipment inclusion is particularly useful if you are flying to Tenerife and do not want to bring your own kit. It also keeps the booking simple, since you are not arranging separate rental, transport, and course services.

The included insurance adds value, though you should check exactly what the course insurance covers and whether your own travel insurance has suitable scuba protection. Insurance wording can vary, and deeper training is a good reason to read the details rather than assume every medical or equipment issue is covered.

For a two-day course, the price makes the most sense if you need the specialty qualification and will use the skills afterward. If you only want two days of underwater sightseeing, a standard guided scuba outing may be a better fit.

Souvenir photos are not included, but they can be purchased. Think of photographs as an optional extra, not part of the core value.

A practical look at the schedule

The experience begins at 9:00 am, either with pickup from an eligible Golf del Sur hotel or at the GooDiving meeting point. The course ends back at the meeting point.

The first day should combine instruction and practical work. You will need to absorb the theory, prepare your equipment, and follow the instructor’s plan underwater. Snacks and drinks are included, which is helpful on a full training day, but you should still arrive prepared for a physically active outing.

The second day gives you more time to reinforce the skills. A two-day format is useful because it allows the instructor to see how you manage after the first session and address any weak points before the course ends.

The exact order of classroom work, equipment preparation, and underwater sessions is not given. Ask GooDiving how many hours each day lasts, whether the sessions are on consecutive days, and whether the three or four underwater sessions are included in the quoted price.

That last question is not nitpicking. The course description provides conflicting numbers, and you deserve a clear answer before you commit your holiday time.

The teaching style and language advantage

GooDiving appears to be a family-run operation led by Roberta and Andrea. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not flashy presentation. It is steady, friendly teaching.

Andrea is praised for patience and clear demonstrations. Isa is praised for helping a nervous student stay positive. Roberta and Andrea are also described as experienced instructors who teach in English, Italian, French, and Spanish.

That language range can make a real difference when you are learning safety procedures. You should book in the language in which you can best understand technical instructions, especially if you are discussing pressure, gas planning, or emergency procedures.

The school also appears to handle more than one specialty. Previous students have completed several courses with GooDiving, including a DPV specialty, and some have returned for multiple visits. That suggests you can treat this as part of a longer training path rather than a one-off activity.

Still, friendly teaching does not remove the need to check the formal course requirements. Confirm your certification level, medical eligibility, agency, and the exact skills included.

Who will get the most from this course

I would consider this course if you:

• Already hold a basic scuba qualification
• Want formal training for deeper recreational scuba
• Prefer a small local school to a large commercial operation
• Are staying in or near Golf del Sur
• Need equipment and transport included
• Value calm, patient instruction
• Can set aside two mornings or days for training

It may not suit you if you are brand new to scuba, dislike classroom work, or only want a casual underwater outing. The course asks you to learn procedures and follow a plan. That is the point, but it is not everyone’s idea of a holiday activity.

It is also not ideal for a tightly packed itinerary. Scuba diving within 24 hours of flying is not recommended, so leave suitable time between the course and your flight home.

Safety, health, and timing details

You must complete a health questionnaire before taking part. Pre-existing conditions, including asthma and heart conditions, may stop you from participating. If you are uncertain, consult your doctor before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the course.

Do not schedule your flight home immediately after the final session. The supplied guidance advises against flying within 24 hours of scuba diving. Build that buffer into your Tenerife plans.

Bring your current valid passport on the day. The meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel pickup is offered for the Golf del Sur area. If you are staying elsewhere, confirm whether you need to make your own way to GooDiving.

The activity is limited to a maximum of eight people. Confirmation is sent at booking, and cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A late cancellation or late change is not accepted for a refund.

Should you book GooDiving’s Tenerife deep diver course?

Book it if you want a serious two-day qualification course, already have basic scuba experience, and appreciate patient instruction, included equipment, and easy Golf del Sur transport. The praise for Andrea, Roberta, and Isa gives the school a strong personal appeal, especially if you are nervous about deeper water or want explanations in English, Italian, French, or Spanish.

Before booking, contact GooDiving and confirm three things: the certification agency, the number of underwater sessions, and the prerequisite qualification. Those details are unclear in the supplied description, and they affect the course’s value.

If those points match your needs, $401.24 is a fair package price for materials, gear, insurance, transport, snacks, and two days of supervised instruction. You are paying for planning and safe technique, not just a trip below the surface. That makes it a sensible choice for a qualified diver who wants to progress, but less useful for someone seeking a simple holiday swim.

FAQ

How deep does the course go?

The course teaches safe scuba procedures for depths up to 40 metres, or 130 feet.

How long does the experience last?

The course takes approximately two days.

How many practice dives are included?

The information is inconsistent. One section says four practice dives, while another describes it as a three-dive course. Confirm the exact number with GooDiving before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the Golf del Sur area. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned minivan.

What does the price include?

The $401.24 price includes educational materials, equipment rental, course insurance, beverages, snacks, and Golf del Sur hotel transport.

Can I fly soon after the course?

Flying within 24 hours of scuba diving is not recommended. You should leave at least that interval between your final session and your flight.