PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course (AOWD) – 2 days

Ready for more than the basics? Scubanana’s two-day PADI Advanced Open Water course in Tenerife gives certified beginners a structured way to build confidence, try new specialties, and reach greater depths under an instructor’s care. I like the small groups of up to eight and the fact that gear, course materials, and PADI fees are included. The main consideration is that you must already hold an Open Water certification and be physically fit enough for scuba training.

The course begins at 9:00 a.m. in Radazul, a practical base on Tenerife’s east coast. I also like the range of skills available, from navigation and buoyancy control to night and wreck training. Two days can feel full, though, especially if you are still getting comfortable with your equipment or have not been in the water recently.

Key points at a glance

• Five different Adventure Dives: The course experience can include navigation, buoyancy control, deep training, a wreck visit, and a night session.
• Small classes: A maximum of eight people allows instructors to pay closer attention to your technique and comfort.
• Radazul as a home base: You begin and finish at Scubanana Dive Center, with access to local sites and additional locations along Tenerife’s east coast.
• Gear is included: You do not need to arrange a separate rental package for the course.
• Experienced instructor team: Instructors named in course feedback include Pauline, Izaac, Denis, Fran, Giulia, and others.
• A useful next step after Open Water: You do not need years of experience or a special advanced qualification before enrolling.

Why this two-day course works for new advanced divers

The name can make the course sound more intimidating than it is. You do not need to be an expert. PADI designed the Advanced Open Water course as a natural next step after Open Water certification, so you can begin soon after earning your basic qualification.

That makes this a good choice if you can already manage the core skills but want more practice in real conditions. You will work on new techniques while an instructor watches your breathing, position, communication, and general control. The goal is not simply to collect another certificate. It is to help you become calmer and more capable underwater.

The course uses Adventure Dives rather than asking you to commit immediately to several full specialty courses. Each one introduces a different type of scuba activity. You may discover that navigation is useful, that night sessions are exciting, or that buoyancy work is exactly what your technique needs.

The structure also gives you a chance to learn what kind of scuba you enjoy. One Adventure Dive can count toward the first dive of the matching PADI Specialty Course. If you have already completed a specialty course, ask Scubanana whether one of your previous sessions can receive credit.

Starting at Scubanana in Radazul

Your meeting point is Scubanana Dive Center at Puerto Deportivo, Avenida Colón, number 1, in Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The course starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point when the day’s work is finished.

Radazul is useful because the center has direct access to a local setting for underwater training, while the staff can also take you to other sites along Tenerife’s east coast. That gives the course more variety than staying in one place for every session.

You should plan to arrive ready for a full morning and afternoon of activity. The supplied details do not give an exact daily timetable, so your instructor will set the order of sessions and any location changes. Ask about the next day’s plan before leaving the center. That small habit makes it easier to prepare your equipment, food, and transport.

The center is near public transportation, which is helpful if you are not renting a car. The activity ends back at the starting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

What the five Adventure Dives can teach you

The exact order may vary, but the course experience described here includes five sessions. These typically cover different skills rather than repeating the same type of outing.

Navigation: learning to stay oriented

Underwater navigation is one of the most useful skills you can build after Open Water certification. It asks you to pay attention to direction, distance, landmarks, and your position in relation to the group.

This can be challenging because the water can make familiar directions feel less obvious. The value is practical: better navigation helps you stay with your plan, communicate more clearly, and feel less dependent on an instructor.

Buoyancy control: making every movement count

Buoyancy work may sound basic, but it is one of the foundations of comfortable scuba. Good control means fewer unnecessary movements, better air use, and less disturbance to the seabed.

This session can expose small habits that are hard to notice during ordinary recreational outings. You may need to adjust your breathing, trim, or weight setup. The work is not flashy, but it can make every later session more enjoyable.

Deep training: going beyond familiar limits

The course gives you a supervised introduction to greater depth. This is not a license to ignore limits. It is a controlled lesson in how deeper water changes the way you plan and manage a session.

Your instructor handles the training within PADI procedures and your ability level. If depth makes you nervous, say so early. A good instructor can explain the purpose of each exercise and help you progress without turning the course into a test of bravery.

Wreck training: a different kind of underwater environment

A wreck session adds variety and gives you a chance to work around a distinct underwater feature. The course details do not promise a specific wreck, so you should ask Scubanana what site is planned for your dates.

The important distinction is that wreck training is not the same as entering a wreck. Your instructor will explain the limits of the session and how to behave around the structure. Listen carefully, keep your position controlled, and do not treat the site as a place for unsupervised exploration.

Night training: seeing familiar water differently

The night session is often the most memorable part of the course. Darkness changes the pace and makes communication, equipment checks, and group awareness especially important.

The course information indicates that a night session is included in the five-session format described by past participants. Confirm the schedule with Scubanana, since the timing depends on local conditions and the center’s plan.

For a first night session, expect to rely more heavily on your light, your buddy, and your instructor’s directions. It can feel demanding, but it also gives you a new way to approach a familiar site.

The instructor team and teaching style

The strongest feature of this course is the attention from the teaching team. Pauline is praised for combining enthusiasm with careful instruction, while Izaac is described as an expert who took time to answer questions and guide students safely. Denis is also singled out for making the course both instructive and enjoyable.

Other instructors named in the available feedback include Giulia, Fran, Kathi, Benny, Henning, Laura, Carlos, Isaac, Raquel, and Ubay. The names suggest a sizeable team, but the important point for you is that the center can match different students with different instructors and interests.

The teaching style appears relaxed without being casual about safety. That balance matters. You want an instructor who can create a friendly atmosphere but will still correct poor trim, weak navigation, or careless equipment habits.

Small groups help here. With no more than eight participants, there is a better chance that your instructor can see what you are doing and give you useful corrections. Group size is not the only factor, but it can make a noticeable difference during navigation and buoyancy sessions.

Equipment, learning materials, and what to bring

The course price includes diving gear, learning material, local taxes, instructor support, and PADI fees. That gives the stated $539.48 price more value than a course price that covers teaching alone.

You still need to think about personal comfort. One useful tip from the course feedback is to consider bringing or buying your own mask, especially if you have struggled with fit in the past. A poorly fitting mask can distract you throughout a session, and no amount of attractive scenery makes that pleasant.

Bring your log book. You will be recording your sessions, and keeping an accurate record is part of building a useful personal scuba history. Also bring whatever personal items the center requests before arrival, since the supplied details do not list a complete packing guide.

Photos are not included. If you want underwater images, ask about options before the course begins rather than assuming a photographer will be present.

Is $539.48 a fair price?

For a two-day PADI course, the price is easier to assess when you look at what is bundled. You receive instructor time, equipment, learning materials, local taxes, and PADI fees. You are not also trying to arrange a separate rental package or pay an extra certification charge at the end.

The value is strongest if you are planning to continue with scuba. You are not only paying for five sessions. You are also getting supervised practice in skills that can shape how safely and comfortably you approach future outings.

It may feel expensive if you only want a casual day in the water. This is a certification course, not a sightseeing package. You will spend time on instruction, planning, and technique, including skills that may feel more demanding than simply following a guide.

The small-group format adds value for students who want personal corrections. If you already have strong experience and only want independent recreational outings, the course may offer more structure than you need.

Who should book this course?

This experience suits you if you:

• Have recently completed PADI Open Water and want a clear next step
• Want to try several specialties before committing to full specialty courses
• Prefer instruction in English
• Value small groups and direct feedback
• Are comfortable with a two-day training schedule
• Want to explore more than one site around Tenerife’s east coast
• Are physically fit enough for scuba activity

It is less suitable if you are not certified, have a medical concern that could affect scuba, or want a completely flexible holiday activity. You must already be a certified Open Water Diver, and you should be in suitable physical condition.

The minimum age stated is 12 for PADI Junior Open Water Divers. That makes the course available to younger certified participants, but the student must still meet the course requirements and be able to take part safely.

Practical timing and flight advice

Start time is 9:00 a.m., so check how you will reach Radazul before the first morning. Public transportation is nearby, but the provided details do not specify routes or journey times.

You should also plan your flight carefully. The guidance says not to scuba within 12 hours before a flight. Since this is a two-day course, do not place your return flight immediately after the final session without checking the timing with the center.

The course is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, while cancellation at least 24 hours ahead allows a full refund. That policy is reasonable, but it makes early planning important.

What makes Scubanana a good base in Tenerife

Scubanana combines a local Radazul starting point with access to other east-coast locations. You can get comfortable at the center’s nearby sites, then experience different conditions as your skills develop.

The facilities are described as clean and well organized, with equipment in good condition. That matters more than fancy decoration. A tidy center makes the morning easier, and well-maintained equipment helps you focus on the lessons rather than on avoidable gear problems.

The atmosphere also appears friendly and informal. That can be reassuring if you are nervous about advancing after Open Water. At the same time, you should remember that a relaxed mood does not remove the need to pay attention. Treat every briefing, equipment check, and instructor correction seriously.

My final call: book it if you want real skill-building

I would recommend this course to a certified Open Water Diver who wants more confidence, more variety, and a proper introduction to advanced scuba skills. The best reasons to book are the small groups, included equipment, access to several east-coast sites, and the chance to try night, wreck, deep, navigation, and buoyancy sessions in one organized course.

Before booking, confirm the planned five sessions, the expected site schedule, and any personal equipment questions. If you have not been in the water for some time, ask whether a refresher would be sensible first.

Book it if you want to keep learning. Skip it if you only want a relaxed one-off outing with no classroom or skills work. For the right student, Scubanana offers a friendly and well-supported bridge between basic certification and more independent scuba.

FAQ

Do I need an Open Water certification?

Yes. You must already be a certified Open Water Diver to take part.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

What time does it start?

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

Where does the course begin?

It begins at Scubanana Dive Center, Puerto Deportivo, Avenida Colón, number 1, 38109 Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes local taxes, a diving instructor, diving gear, learning materials, and PADI fees.

Is diving insurance included?

No. Diving insurance is not included.

How many people can join the course?

The maximum group size is eight participants.

What age can a junior certified diver be?

PADI Junior Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old can enroll, provided they meet the course requirements.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded.