PADI Advanced Diving Course in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria’s PADI Advanced course gives you more than a few scenic swims. In two days, you complete five supervised underwater sessions, including a descent to 30 meters and underwater navigation, then choose three additional specialties with your instructor.

I like the small maximum of six people and the fact that your online manual can be completed before arrival. I also like the flexible choice of sessions, especially the chance to use a boat, visit a wreck, or arrange a night session. The main consideration is that the schedule depends on weather, your certification, medical clearance, and your ability to fly safely after the course.

Key points at a glance

• Five sessions over two days: Two are required, a 30-meter descent and underwater navigation, while you choose the other three.
• Small groups: The maximum is six people, which allows for more direct instruction and room to adapt the plan.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment hire, insurance, tuition, online study material, and the certification fee are included.
• Several ways to tailor the course: You may choose boat-based sessions, a wreck, a night session, or search and recovery.
• Experienced instructors: Instruction has included team members such as Eileen, Danny, Mati, Kate, and Chris.
• Practical start: Meet at Blue Water Diving at 8:30 am, with pickup and return available from selected hotels.

What this PADI Advanced course actually adds

The PADI Advanced course is designed for certified scuba participants who want more control, confidence, and range underwater. You are not starting from the beginning. You need to show proof of certification, complete a health questionnaire, and bring your log book.

The course covers five sessions in all. Two are fixed. The first takes you to a maximum of 30 meters, under the supervision of a professional instructor. The second teaches underwater navigation, a skill that sounds simple until visibility, current, and changing directions make it harder to keep track of yourself.

The other three sessions are chosen from available options. The stated possibilities include a boat session, a wreck, a night session, and search and recovery. You discuss those choices with the team and shape the course around your interests and goals.

That flexibility matters. A participant who wants to improve navigation may choose search and recovery. Someone curious about marine structures may prefer a wreck. A night session offers a very different setting from a morning descent, though it will depend on conditions and timing.

Day one, preparation before the first descent

Your morning begins at 8:30 am at Blue Water Diving, on Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, in Gran Canaria. Hotel pickup and return are included from selected hotels, so check your accommodation before booking rather than assuming every hotel is covered.

The online study manual is provided as part of the course. Completing it before you arrive is a smart move. It leaves more time for equipment checks, briefings, skills work, and the actual underwater sessions instead of trying to absorb theory during a busy two-day schedule.

The supplied Adventures in Diving crew pack is also provided. You still need your log book and proof of your existing certification. The course is conducted in English, so you should be comfortable following safety explanations, practical instructions, and underwater planning in that language.

The center provides full equipment hire. The team has been praised for adjusting the equipment to each person, which is important for comfort and safety. Your instructor will explain the plan, check your setup, and discuss the selected sessions before you enter the water.

The exact order can change. Weather, sea conditions, boat timing, your experience, and your preferred options all affect the plan. A useful feature of this course is that the staff can revise the schedule. One participant planned a night session but switched to search and recovery when conditions and departure timing changed.

The 30-meter session, your first major test

The required descent to 30 meters is the session that gives the course its advanced label in a practical way. You learn how your body, equipment, air supply, and awareness change as you go farther down.

You should expect a detailed briefing before entering the water. The purpose is not simply to reach a number on a gauge. You will be working on safe depth control, air awareness, and calm decision-making under instructor supervision.

This session is best suited to someone who already feels comfortable with basic buoyancy and standard procedures. If you are still struggling to stay level or manage your air calmly, tell the instructor early. A good course should build skill, not pressure you into proving something.

The course insurance is included, as are tuition and certification costs. That adds value because the price is not just paying for access to the water. You are paying for instruction, equipment, supervision, course material, and the final certification fee in one package.

You should also plan your flights carefully. Flying within 48 hours after scuba activity is not recommended. If your holiday ends soon after the course, leave enough time between your final session and your flight.

Underwater navigation, the skill you keep using

The navigation session may be the most useful part of the course for your future scuba trips. It teaches you to keep track of direction and position rather than relying only on an instructor or another participant.

You will work with navigation techniques under supervision. The supplied information does not set out the exact exercises, so the instructor will explain the tools and method used on the day. Expect the session to focus on staying oriented, following a plan, and checking your progress.

Good navigation changes how relaxed you feel underwater. It lets you spend more attention on marine life and the site itself because you are not constantly wondering which way leads back.

This session also shows the value of a small group. With a maximum of six participants, the instructor has fewer people to monitor and more opportunity to correct technique. You should still expect to share the water and equipment setup with others, but the format is more personal than a large class.

Choosing the final three sessions

The course becomes more personal after the two required sessions. You choose three additional options with the team, based on interest and suitable conditions.

Boat-based sessions

Boat access gives the team more flexibility in reaching underwater sites. The center has its own boat, which can simplify the day compared with arranging transport through a separate operator.

Boat sessions may be a good choice if you want to see more marine life or reach sites that are not convenient from shore. You should ask about the planned site, launch time, and sea conditions during the briefing. Boat access is useful, but it does not guarantee a particular animal or site.

Wreck sessions

Wrecks add a clear point of interest to the course. You are not only practicing a skill in open water. You are learning to move around an underwater structure while keeping awareness of depth, buoyancy, air, and your position.

The available experience includes visits to two wrecks on some course schedules. The exact wrecks and access plan are not specified, so ask the team what is running during your dates.

Wreck sessions suit you if you enjoy exploration and can keep your equipment controlled around structures. They are less suitable if you want a purely relaxed wildlife session or if you are not yet comfortable managing buoyancy.

Night sessions

A night session changes the feel of the underwater world. You work with lights and a darker setting, so briefings and communication become especially important.

This option depends on the schedule and conditions. It may not be possible if weather turns poor or if you have limited time before leaving Gran Canaria. Ask early if night scuba is a priority, since the team needs to fit it around the other four sessions.

Search and recovery

Search and recovery gives you a practical problem to solve underwater. It can be a good alternative when a night session is not possible, and it adds a clear purpose to navigation and buoyancy work.

The session is not just sightseeing. You will need to follow a plan and work with your instructor. It is a solid choice if you want a more skills-based course rather than five scenic descents.

The instructors and teaching style

Blue Water Diving’s instructors have been described through specific experiences with Eileen, Danny, Mati, Kate, Chris, Kevin, and Adam. Eileen has taught both beginner and advanced participants, while Danny has been praised for patient briefings and careful preparation. Mati has also led advanced training.

You should not assume that a particular instructor will be assigned on your date. Still, the team’s approach appears consistent: explain the task clearly, adjust the teaching to your ability, and keep safety at the center without making the course stiff or joyless.

That balance is important. The strongest part of advanced training is not collecting five signatures. It is finishing with better buoyancy, clearer navigation, and more confidence in your own decisions.

One useful example is buoyancy control. A participant arrived wanting to improve neutral buoyancy and found that skill made the underwater experience more comfortable. That is exactly the kind of improvement worth seeking from an advanced course because it helps on every future session.

The staff have also worked with different levels at the same time. A couple completed Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses alongside each other, with the center adapting the plan to their separate needs. That flexibility may help families or pairs who want to progress at different speeds, though you should confirm the arrangement before booking.

Equipment, transport, and what you need to bring

Full equipment hire is included, so you do not need to pack a complete personal setup. The team can adjust the supplied equipment for you, but you should still tell them your sizes and any equipment preferences when you confirm your booking.

Bring your log book and proof of certification. The Adventures in Diving crew pack and online manual are supplied. Food and drinks are not included, so plan for meals and refreshments during the two-day schedule.

The activity starts and ends at the Blue Water Diving meeting point. Selected hotels receive pickup and drop-off. The center is near public transport, which gives you another option if your hotel is outside the pickup area.

The course requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You also complete a health questionnaire before entering the water. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation, so consult a doctor if you have a relevant medical concern.

You must also allow enough time before flying. The stated guidance does not recommend flying within 48 hours of scuba activity. That is one of the most important planning details, especially for a short Gran Canaria holiday.

Is $415.65 a fair price?

At $415.65 per person, the course is not the cheapest way to spend two mornings in Gran Canaria. But the package includes a substantial set of costs: five supervised sessions, a professional guide, tuition, full equipment, insurance, the online study manual, and the certification fee.

Hotel pickup and return are also included from selected hotels. Food and drinks are extra, and you should check the transport arrangement for your accommodation.

I see the best value here in the combination of training and flexibility. You are not paying only for equipment rental or a guided outing. You are working toward an internationally recognized PADI Advanced certification while choosing three sessions that match your interests.

The value is weaker if you already own all your equipment, have no interest in certification, or want only one casual underwater outing. In that case, a shorter recreational session may suit you better. If you want to progress as a scuba participant, the course fee is easier to justify.

Who should book this course?

I would choose this course if you already hold a recognized scuba certification, want more confidence, and can spare two full days. It is particularly well suited to you if you want a mixture of formal instruction and memorable sites such as wrecks or boat-accessed locations.

The small group limit is useful for participants who prefer direct feedback. The flexible final three sessions also help if you have a clear goal, such as navigation, night scuba, or search and recovery.

I would pause before booking if you are new to scuba, have not completed the required certification, or are uncertain about your medical fitness. This is an advanced course, not an introductory tryout. You also need a log book, proof of certification, and enough time before your flight.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Advanced course start?

The course starts at Blue Water Diving, Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the course begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You complete five sessions over approximately two days.

Which sessions are required?

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

Can I choose the other three sessions?

Yes. You can discuss the available choices with the team. Options listed include boat-based scuba, a wreck, a night session, and search and recovery.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Full equipment hire, insurance, tuition, the online study manual, and the certification fee are included. Food and drinks are not included.

What certification and health requirements apply?

You must provide evidence of scuba certification and bring your log book. All participants complete a health questionnaire, and some medical conditions may prevent participation. Flying within 48 hours after scuba activity is not recommended.

Should you book Blue Water Diving?

Book it if you want a serious but friendly step beyond basic certification. The strongest reasons are the five-session format, small groups, included equipment and insurance, and the chance to choose sessions that fit your interests.

The course works best when you complete the online material in advance and leave plenty of time before your flight home. If you do that, $415.65 buys more than a pair of underwater outings: it gives you structured training, a new qualification, and a practical way to become calmer and more capable in the water.