3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

The big appeal here is that you earn a worldwide SSI Open Water certification while learning in Madeira’s clear Atlantic waters. You begin with study and pool skills, then move into sea sessions with a professional instructor and finish qualified to descend as far as 18 meters, or 60 feet, with a buddy.

I like the small maximum of five people, which gives instructors room to help with breathing, fin control, and nerves. I also like the combination of a pool and nearby sea access, since you can practice skills in a controlled setting before dealing with real conditions. The main caution is the pace: three days of multi-hour training, plus study time, can feel full-on.

Key points to know before booking

• Three days from first lesson to certification: Expect classroom work, pool practice, and open-water sessions rather than a casual introduction.
• Small groups of up to five: This gives you more personal attention, especially if you feel uneasy in the water.
• SSI certification to 18 meters: Once qualified, you can take part in buddy-based recreational scuba trips around the world.
• Madeira’s sea conditions matter: The course requires suitable weather, and the Atlantic can feel cold to some people.
• Equipment and fees are included: You do not need to arrange your own scuba gear or pay separate activity taxes.
• No lunch or private transport: Plan your meals and make your own way to the Funchal meeting point.

Learning scuba in Funchal, one skill at a time

Azul Diving Madeira runs this course from its center near Hotel Penha França Mar in Funchal. You meet at 9:30 a.m., then work through the academic and practical parts of the SSI program over about three days.

This is not a one-hour resort lesson. You are working toward a proper entry-level qualification, so the schedule includes several hours of instruction each day. You will need to pay attention, practice repeatedly, and set aside some study time outside the water.

That effort is the point. A recognized Open Water certificate gives you more freedom than a supervised introductory session. After completing the course, you are qualified to scuba with a buddy to a maximum of 18 meters, subject to the normal rules and conditions of the dive operator you use.

I would choose this course if you want a real skill you can use on future holidays. If you only want to see fish once and do not expect to continue, the three-day commitment may be more than you need.

Day one: classroom work and pool practice

The early part of the course focuses on the basic ideas that keep you safe underwater. You learn how the equipment works, how to communicate below the surface, and how to manage the skills required for independent recreational scuba with a buddy.

The pool is especially useful here. It lets you work on breathing, buoyancy, finning, and equipment handling without immediately adding waves, currents, or the pressure of a real sea session. If you are nervous, this is where a patient instructor can make a real difference.

Several instructors have received particular praise for calm, personal coaching. Lupii is noted for helping an anxious student build confidence. Sara worked closely with one beginner on breathing and fin technique, while Tomas was described as adapting his communication to the student’s needs. Those details matter more than flashy promises. Your first challenge is often not the equipment, but staying relaxed while breathing through a regulator.

The course is delivered in English. Since the group is capped at five, you should have a reasonable chance to ask questions and repeat a skill if it does not feel right the first time. Still, this is intensive training. Do not expect a leisurely morning followed by a free afternoon every day.

Moving from the pool to Madeira’s Atlantic

Once you have practiced the required skills, the course moves into open water. The nearby sea access keeps the transition practical, although ocean conditions are less predictable than a pool.

You might encounter cooler water, current, or reduced comfort compared with the training pool. One experienced customer found the sea cold and used both a 7 mm wetsuit and a shortie. The center helped with suitable protection, but you should not assume that Madeira’s mild air temperature means the water will feel warm.

The staff also help carry and set up equipment, which is useful when you are still learning what goes where. That support can reduce the mental load, but you should still expect to become familiar with your own gear. The goal is not simply to be escorted underwater. It is to understand enough to make sensible checks and respond to routine situations.

Sea training usually feels like the moment when the course becomes real. In the pool, each exercise is controlled. In the Atlantic, you must apply the same skills while looking around, managing your position, and staying aware of your buddy. That is valuable preparation for future recreational trips.

The three sea sessions and final qualification

One account of the SSI Open Water program describes about two and a half days of work, including one pool session and three sea sessions, with study in the evenings. The exact timing can vary, but you should plan on a similar level of commitment rather than treating the stated three days as a loose estimate.

The sea sessions allow you to repeat the essential skills and gain comfort at increasing levels of real-world complexity. You will work with your instructor, follow the SSI course requirements, and complete the final assessment under guidance.

The course does not promise a sightseeing trip on every session. Training comes first. You may have chances to notice Madeira’s marine life, but your attention will often be on breathing, buoyancy, signals, and safe procedures. That is the right trade-off for a certification course.

After you qualify, you may want to add another paid outing during your stay. A post-course trip to the Garajau Marine Reserve was described as a memorable next step, with a large grouper, barracuda, parrotfish, and many smaller colorful fish. The center also runs shore sessions, night outings, wreck trips, and boat-based excursions, but these are not part of the $527.44 course price.

Why the small group matters

A five-person maximum is one of the strongest practical features here. Beginners do not all progress at the same speed. One person may need help clearing a mask, another may need more time with breathing, and someone else may be ready to move ahead.

A small group gives the instructor more room to notice those differences. It also makes it easier for you to speak up before a small worry becomes a large one. That matters if you are anxious, lack confidence in the water, or have never used scuba equipment before.

The personal approach appears consistent across the staff. Instructors named in customer accounts include Lupii, Tomas, Sara, Nico, Rafa, Esmeralda, Guadalupe, and others. You should not assume you can request a specific instructor, but the range of names suggests that the center uses a team rather than relying on one person.

Rafa received particular praise for keeping a young student calm during an Open Water course. In another situation, he helped when a student’s personal buoyancy device failed, escorting her ashore and replacing it with center equipment. That kind of practical response is exactly what you want from a training center.

Equipment, comfort, and safety

Scuba equipment is included, along with all fees and taxes. That improves the value, especially if you are visiting Madeira without your own gear. It also simplifies the booking process because you do not need to arrange tanks, regulators, buoyancy equipment, or exposure protection separately.

The equipment was described as being in good condition, and staff assist with carrying and setting it up. You should still tell the center in advance if you have concerns about fit, warmth, or comfort. The available equipment may work well for most people, but personal fit is important for masks, wetsuits, and buoyancy devices.

The center’s strongest quality is its attention to confidence and safety. Instructors helped nervous beginners, adjusted plans when conditions were poor, and kept students from forcing a session when the weather was not suitable. This is especially important in Madeira, where sea conditions can affect the day’s plan.

The course requires good weather. If conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is sensible, but it also means you should avoid scheduling the course so tightly that one changed session disrupts your whole holiday.

What the $527.44 price includes

At $527.44 per person, this is a serious purchase, but you are paying for a full certification program rather than a short introductory activity.

The price includes:

• Scuba equipment
• All fees and taxes
• Academic instruction
• Pool training
• Open-water course sessions
• SSI certification training

Lunch is not included, and private transportation is not included. The meeting point is near public transportation in Funchal, so you need to arrange your own route and meals.

The value depends on your plans. If you expect to scuba again, the worldwide SSI qualification can justify the cost because you are gaining a reusable skill. If you are unsure about scuba or have only one free day, a shorter introductory session may suit you better, though it would not provide the same certification.

The added value also comes from the small group and equipment support. A cheaper course with a large group might give you less personal coaching. Here, the group limit is low enough to make individual help more likely, particularly during the pool and early sea sessions.

Funchal location and daily practicalities

You meet at Azul Diving Madeira near Hotel Penha França Mar in São Martinho, Funchal, at 9:30 a.m. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

Because the meeting point is near public transportation, you may be able to reach it without arranging a private transfer. The activity does not include private transport, so confirm your route and allow enough time to arrive before the morning start.

You should plan for active days. Bring what you need for a full morning and afternoon around the water, but remember that lunch is your responsibility. The course may include study in the evening, so do not fill every night with late plans.

The booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The course is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of 41 days. That is useful planning information: if your Madeira dates are fixed, book early rather than waiting until the last few days.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The weather exception is separate, with a new date or full refund offered if the operator cancels because conditions are unsuitable.

Who will get the most from this course

This is a good fit for you if:

• You want an internationally recognized beginner qualification.
• You can commit three days to structured training.
• You are comfortable studying some material outside the water.
• You want a small group and close instructor support.
• You plan to continue scuba on future trips.
• You prefer a course that includes pool preparation before sea sessions.

It may be less suitable if you want a relaxed sightseeing activity with no homework. You also need to accept that sea sessions depend on weather and that the Atlantic may feel cold.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity details, but this remains a physical course in open water. If you have specific health concerns or questions about your ability to take part, ask the provider before booking.

FAQ

How long does the SSI Open Water course take?

The course lasts approximately three days. It includes academic work, pool practice, and open-water training. One course account describes about two and a half days of sessions, with study in the evenings.

What certification do I receive?

You receive an SSI Open Water certification. It allows you to take part in scuba activities with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, around the world.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. The use of scuba equipment is included in the price, along with all fees and taxes.

Where does the course start?

You meet at Azul Diving Madeira near Hotel Penha França Mar, R. Carvalho Araújo, São Martinho, 9000-022 Funchal, Portugal.

What time does the course begin?

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m. The activity finishes back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you need to make your own meal arrangements during the training days.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the Azul Diving Madeira course?

Book it if you want a proper entry-level qualification and can give Madeira three focused days. The small group, pool preparation, included equipment, and patient coaching from instructors such as Lupii, Tomas, Sara, Nico, and Rafa make this a strong choice for a nervous beginner as well as someone ready to build a long-term scuba hobby.

Think twice if you only want a quick underwater glimpse or if your holiday schedule cannot absorb a weather-related change. At $527.44, this is best viewed as training for future trips, not simply another Funchal excursion. For the right beginner, that makes the price easier to justify.