Five dives worth of real progress.

If you want to level up your scuba skills fast, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) course in Tenerife is a smart way to do it in just 2 days, with instruction in English and a tight group size. What I like most is the practical setup: gear, learning material, and PADI fees are included, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. The second big plus is the “learn by doing” format, with hands-on coaching that focuses on specific skills you can use immediately.

One thing to plan around: you must already be a certified Open Water Diver and be physically fit to participate, and the center asks you not to do scuba sessions within 12 hours of a flight. If you’re looking for something super spontaneous without any prep, this isn’t that.

Key points before you book

• Small groups (max 8) mean more attention when you tweak technique underwater
• Gear + PADI fees included reduces cost surprises and admin stress
• Skill variety covers buoyancy, navigation, deeper water, wreck, and a night underwater session
• East-coast water spots plus sessions starting near Radazul, so you get both convenience and variety
• English instruction with well-reviewed instructors who stress safety while keeping it fun

Where Tenerife fits your AOWD goals

Tenerife is a good match for AOWD because it’s easy to get consistent water time without complicated logistics. You start from Radazul, then you can expect to head out along the east coast for different underwater spots, which helps the course feel like more than just training exercises in one place.

The two-day pacing matters, too. You’re not spread thin across weeks of scheduling. Instead, you get a compact burst of training that builds confidence quickly. That’s especially useful for skills like buoyancy control and navigation, where repeated practice beats one-off explanations.

The other real-world win is group size. With a maximum of 8 people, it’s easier for instructors to spot small errors early and correct them before you build bad habits.

Scubanana in Radazul: simple start, good base

Your day begins at Scubanana in Puerto Deportivo, Av. Colón nº1, 38109 Radazul, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with a 9:00 am start. The course ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not hunting for transport at the end of each day.

What makes this base appealing is how straightforward it feels. One review notes you can go out to the water from the school location without needing a car. If you’re visiting Tenerife and want to keep your schedule calm, that kind of access is genuinely valuable.

Facilities and organization also come through clearly in the feedback: people describe the center as clean and well organized, with equipment in excellent condition. For many divers, that’s not “nice to have.” It’s the difference between a smooth learning environment and an exhausting one.

The underwater skills you’ll practice (and why they matter)

AOWD sounds like it’s only for “advanced” divers, but the real purpose is to advance your skills. You build confidence through a set of Adventure training blocks under a PADI instructor’s supervision, logging your training as you go.

Here’s what you should expect based on what the course experience includes for this operator:

• Underwater buoyancy control: this is where you learn to manage your position and movement more smoothly, so you waste less energy and disturb less marine life
• Navigation: you practice routes and orientation so you’re not just following the guide everywhere
• Deeper water experience: you go beyond the depth you’ve already done in Open Water, with structured guidance
• Shipwreck / wreck focus: you get a taste of how to approach more complex underwater environments
• A night underwater session: you experience scuba in low light with technique and awareness training

Why this set works: it builds a foundation for the next step. Buoyancy and navigation are “forever skills.” Deeper water adds range and planning habits. Wreck training and night work both force you to slow down, pay attention, and rely on preparation.

How two days usually feel in practice

Even with a two-day schedule, AOWD doesn’t need to feel rushed if your instructor team is on top of technique and safety. The best parts of this course style, as reflected in feedback, are the close follow-up on technique and the way instructors adjust to different comfort levels within the same group.

A typical flow you can expect looks like this in real life:

1) Skills review and coaching on the surface

2) Underwater practice for the day’s training blocks

3) Debrief to tighten technique and prepare for the next session

You’re also likely to keep your logbook updated as you complete each water training block. One practical tip from the center’s experience: bring your own logbook because it matters for tracking and certification paperwork.

Instructor coaching: safety first, and yes, it’s fun

One reason this operator gets repeatedly recommended is the instructor mix and the way they teach. Multiple instructors are named in feedback, including Pauline, Giulia, Fran, Izaac, Isaac, Benny, Denis, Laura, Kathi, Henning, Raquel, and Carlos.

The consistent theme across those names: they’re professional, they explain clearly, and they put safety first without turning the experience into a lecture. For example, Pauline and Giulia are specifically credited with helping learners master underwater buoyancy and navigation. Fran gets mentioned for introducing deeper water and shipwreck focus, plus guiding a first night underwater session.

That matters because AOWD has a few moments where nerves are normal. When your instructor keeps things calm and breaks down what you need to do, you spend your energy learning instead of worrying.

If you’re bringing a friend or family member at a similar training stage, the small-group setup also helps the team respond to different levels without losing momentum for anyone.

Gear, materials, and what you should personally bring

This course includes diving gear, plus learning material and PADI fees. That’s a big value point, because gear rental can be a sneaky cost when you’re traveling.

Still, there’s one comfort detail worth handling yourself: consider bringing (or at least getting) a mask that fits you well. One piece of advice from the experience is that a mask that doesn’t fit comfortably can make training harder, especially when you’re focused on technique. If you’re relying on borrowed gear and you’re even slightly between sizes, it can throw off your whole day.

Also, keep your logbook ready. If you show up with the right personal items and a calm mindset, the course tends to run smoother.

Where your sessions happen along Tenerife’s east coast

You’ll get sessions directly around Radazul near the center, and you’ll also head to other underwater spots along Tenerife’s east coast. That combination is practical: you get the comfort of a familiar start, then you still experience variety without complex travel.

The operator’s location also shows up in feedback as relaxed. You’re not locked into a stressful “always on the move” schedule. Instead, the schedule feels centered, and you spend your mental energy on the skills you came for.

Price and value: what you pay for, and what you’re not paying for

The price is $539.48 per person for the 2-day course. What makes this feel reasonable is what’s included:

Included:

• local taxes
• diving instructor
• diving gear
• learning material
• PADI fees

Not included:

• diving insurance
• photos

That inclusion list matters because it covers the items that usually cost extra on short courses. Instructor time is obviously the core expense, but gear and PADI fees are the parts that can be annoying to price out separately.

For your budgeting: plan on having scuba insurance sorted separately. Photos are also not included, so if you want keepsakes, you may need to decide in advance whether you’ll purchase them.

In short: for a fast, guided AOWD with a small group and gear handled for you, this price looks like you’re paying mostly for training time, not logistics.

Who should take this AOWD course

This AOWD course is best for you if:

• you already have PADI Open Water certification and want structured skill growth
• you benefit from small-group coaching and clear correction
• you want variety in the training blocks, including navigation, deeper water, wreck focus, and a night underwater session
• you’d rather have gear and PADI fees arranged than manage rentals and paperwork

It may not be your best fit if:

• you’re not ready to meet the physical condition requirements
• you need a course that works without being a certified Open Water Diver first
• you have a flight soon after training and can’t respect the guidance about avoiding scuba sessions within 12 hours of flying

Final call: should you book this?

I’d book this AOWD course if you want a focused 2-day jump in skills, with small groups, strong instructor support, and the practical benefit that gear and PADI fees are included. The training mix (buoyancy, navigation, deeper water, wreck focus, and a night underwater session) also covers the areas that tend to make divers feel more confident beyond basic certification.

I’d think twice if scheduling or timing is tight, or if you know you get uncomfortable with borrowed equipment and you’re not willing to manage fit items like a mask. Otherwise, this looks like a very solid value option in Tenerife.

FAQ

What certification do I need to take the AOWD course?

You must be a certified Open Water Diver to take part in this activity. PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old are also ready to step up and enroll.

Is the course taught in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

Local taxes, the diving instructor, diving gear, learning material, and PADI fees are included.

What is not included?

Diving insurance and photos are not included.

How big is the group?

The group has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.