3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

Funchal offers a practical setting for learning scuba skills: this three-day course moves from classroom and pool work to open-water training, with a maximum of five students. I like that you get hands-on practice before heading to sea and that the SSI certificate qualifies you to explore to 18 meters with a buddy around the world.

I also like the personal teaching style reported by students who worked with instructors such as Lupii, Tomas and Sara. They describe patient help with nerves and the basics, not just a checklist of skills. The main consideration is the pace: the course can be full-on, with study in the evenings, and the Atlantic water may feel cold.

Key points before you book

• A small group, capped at five: You should have room to ask questions and get individual attention.
• Pool practice comes first: Build familiarity with equipment and basic skills before the sea sessions.
• Three sea sessions are part of the course: The training includes open-water practice around Madeira.
• The SSI certificate reaches 18 meters: Once qualified, you can join a buddy for dives to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet).
• Bring time for study and meals: Training runs across about three days, and lunch is not included.
• Gear and fees are covered: Scuba equipment and taxes are included in the $527.44 price.

From pool practice to Madeira’s open water

This is a training course, not a casual introductory excursion. You begin with academic instruction and pool exercises, then apply what you have learned in the sea. The sequence matters: in the pool, you can concentrate on new skills in a controlled setting before adding the movement and conditions of open water.

The course is advertised as three days, though one student’s experience took about two and a half days. That account included a pool session, three sea sessions and studying in the evenings. Treat the timing as an approximate commitment rather than a promise that every student will finish at precisely the same pace. Your instructor will need to see that you can perform the required skills before signing off on certification.

The meeting point is Azul’s Funchal center at Hotel Penha França Mar, on Rua Carvalho Araújo. The start time is 9:30 am, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. From there, expect the course to shift between instruction, pool work and sea training. The exact order and timing of each session are not specified, so keep your plans flexible across the course days.

A maximum of five students is a meaningful advantage for a skills course. You are not trying to keep up with a large group while learning how to use unfamiliar equipment. Instructors have a better chance to notice when someone needs a clearer explanation, another try or a moment to settle their nerves.

That personal attention is one of the center’s strongest points. Students describe instructors taking time to work on breathing, finning and confidence, and adjusting how they explain things to the individual. If you feel apprehensive about being underwater, that kind of steady coaching can matter as much as the location.

Learning with a patient instructor

Azul’s team includes instructors named Lupii, Tomas, Sara, Nico and Rafa, among others. Their names come up in accounts of both beginner training and later courses, but your assigned instructor may differ. The common thread is a friendly, hands-on approach, with an emphasis on making students feel safe and ready to progress.

For a first course, you need more than a pleasant welcome. You need clear explanations, patient corrections and an instructor who takes your confidence seriously. Students describe receiving that kind of support, including focused help with breathing and fin technique. One account also describes an instructor assisting a student when her personal buoyancy control device failed, then replacing it with school equipment.

The group size helps make this teaching style possible. With no more than five participants, you are less likely to feel rushed through a new skill while others wait. It does not mean the course is easy or that every session will feel relaxed. You still have to learn and demonstrate the required skills, and the three-day format asks for attention and energy.

The course is listed as an SSI program. Some accounts describe PADI training at the same center, too, but what matters here is that this specific experience awards an SSI Open Water certification. The advertised qualification is recognized worldwide and allows you to take part in dives with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet. Certification is a useful starting point, not a claim that you have mastered every kind of sea condition.

What the sea sessions can add

Madeira’s sea sessions put pool practice into a more varied setting. You will be applying your skills in open water, where conditions can change and you need to stay aware of your surroundings and your buddy. The course details do not name a specific site for each training session, so do not assume that a particular reef or wreck is guaranteed.

The nearby Garajau Marine Reserve is a memorable place to continue once you are certified. Students describe seeing a large grouper, barracuda, parrot fish and plenty of smaller colorful fish there on a later outing. That is a separate experience, not a promised stop on this certification course, but it gives you a good reason to leave room in your Madeira plans for more time underwater.

A wreck is another possible follow-up, rather than a stated part of the course. One student who returned to the center for advanced training singled out a wreck outing as a highlight. If you have time and want to keep building experience after qualifying, ask the center what options are available during your stay. The course price should not be taken to include those extra outings.

Conditions are part of the lesson. One student found the seawater very cold and used a 7 mm wetsuit with a shortie over it. That is an individual example, not a guaranteed equipment requirement for every student or session. Scuba equipment is included in the course price, so ask the center what exposure protection is available and what they recommend for the dates you plan to go.

Sea conditions can also affect scheduling. A night outing booked separately, for example, was rearranged when conditions were considered too poor. For this course, the stated weather policy is that a cancellation due to poor weather brings either a different date or a full refund. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if your trip is short.

What $527.44 covers, and what it does not

At $527.44 per person, the price includes use of scuba equipment and all fees and taxes. For a multi-day certification course, that is more useful than a low headline price that leaves essential equipment costs unclear. You are paying for instruction and a structured route from pool exercises to open-water qualification, not simply for time in the sea.

Lunch is not included, and neither is private transportation. Plan to cover meals yourself during the training days, and arrange your own way to the meeting point. The activity begins and ends at the stated Funchal center; no transfer service is included.

The course is an investment in a skill you can use after your Madeira stay. The certification is recognized worldwide and allows buddy dives to 18 meters, so the value extends beyond this one trip if you plan to continue. But the price makes most sense if you genuinely want the qualification. If you only want a single supervised underwater outing, this multi-day course is more commitment than you need.

You may also want to budget for extra sea outings after qualifying. The center offers further experiences, including trips to Garajau and a night outing, but they are not listed as part of this course. Ask about availability and cost directly before counting them in your trip budget.

A full three days, not a quick holiday add-on

Start at 9:30 am and expect a focused schedule across roughly three days. The course demands attention both in the water and during study. One student’s course included evening revision, so do not plan every night as if you will be free to wander around Funchal after a light morning session.

That pace is a good fit if you want to leave Madeira certified and are ready to concentrate. It may feel less appealing if your holiday calendar is packed or you prefer to learn slowly over a longer period. The center’s small-group size and supportive instruction help, but they do not remove the need to practise, study and demonstrate the skills.

On average, the experience is booked 41 days ahead. That is useful context if you are building a trip around it, though it is not a stated booking deadline. Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The course is offered in English, and most people can participate, but the information provided does not spell out specific medical or age requirements.

Who will get the most from this course

Book this if you want a recognized first certification and are prepared to give several days to learning. It suits a beginner who values patient instruction, small groups and time to practise before going into open water. If you are nervous, the accounts of instructors helping students build confidence are encouraging, though you should still be ready to speak up about your concerns.

It is also a good choice if you want to start a longer relationship with a local center. Some students have returned for further courses and regular outings, from shore sessions to night experiences. You do not need to commit to all that in advance, but the option may appeal if you find you enjoy the course.

Think twice if your schedule is tight, you dislike structured study or you only want one short underwater activity. This is a compact certification course, not a slow-paced sampler. And if cold water is a concern, ask ahead about suitable exposure protection rather than assuming the included equipment will feel warm enough for you.

Should you book the Funchal Open Water course?

I would book this course if your goal is to earn an SSI Open Water certificate in a small group and you can set aside about three days for training. The combination of pool practice, three sea sessions, included equipment and a five-person cap offers a sensible foundation, while the instructors’ patient approach is a real plus for new learners.

I would hold off if you have only a day to spare or want a simple sightseeing activity. For the right person, this is a practical way to turn a Madeira holiday into the start of a lasting skill. Just arrive ready to study, bring time for lunch, and remember that the water may feel colder than the island’s sunny streets suggest.

FAQ

How long does the Open Water course take?

It is listed as approximately three days. One student completed the course in about two and a half days, including a pool session, three sea sessions and evening study.

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Azul’s center at Hotel Penha França Mar, Rua Carvalho Araújo, São Martinho, Funchal. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What certification do I receive?

The course provides an SSI Open Water certification. It is described as internationally recognized and qualifies you for buddy dives to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet).

Is scuba equipment included in the price?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment and all fees and taxes are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so plan to arrange your own meals during the course.

Is transportation included?

Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own arrangements to reach the meeting point.

How many people can take part?

The maximum group size is five participants.

What happens if poor weather cancels the course?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.