Reviewed · PUERTO RICO RESORT EXCURSIONS
2 Day PADI Scuba Diver Course in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is where you learn calm control underwater. This 2-day PADI Scuba Diver course with Blue Water Diving pairs confined-water skill sessions with real open-water practice, all in English and capped at 6 travelers. I like that the instruction is hands-on and professional, and you get the full setup since all necessary equipment is included and stays well adjusted for beginners.
Plan for a long couple of days, since each session runs roughly 9am to 2pm, and the big drawback is that food and drinks are not included. Between skills training and two open-water sessions on day 2, you will want to manage energy and hydration on your own.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Two Days in Gran Canaria: Skills First, Then Real Water
- Why the sequence matters for beginners
- Getting There: Start Point, Timing, and Hotel Pickup
- Day 1 Confined Water: Learning Buoyancy, Breathing, and Control
- What to watch for on day 1
- Day 2 Local Beaches: Two Open-Water Sessions to Build Confidence
- What makes the day 2 focus valuable
- Instructors and Coaching Style: Why This Team Gets Named
- Equipment Included: Less Stress, Better Learning
- English Instruction and Small Groups: How You Benefit
- Transfers, Mobile Ticket, and Getting Back
- Price and Value: What $390.52 Buys You
- Who This Course Fits Best (And Who Might Think Twice)
- Should You Book This 2-Day PADI Scuba Diver Course?
- FAQ
- What time does the course start, and where do I meet?
- Are hotel transfers included?
- What is included in the 2-day course price?
- Are food and drinks provided?
- How big is the group?
- What health steps are required before scuba training?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Confined-water training first, so you start day 2 feeling ready
- All equipment included, which removes a lot of first-time stress
- Two open-water sessions on day 2, focused on comfort and skill practice
- Small group size (max 6), which makes coaching feel personal
- Hotel pickup and drop-off for select hotels, saving time and hassle
- English instruction, so you can focus on technique instead of translation
Two Days in Gran Canaria: Skills First, Then Real Water

This course is built like a smart ladder. You start in controlled water to master the basics. Then you move to the coast for two open-water sessions where you get to apply those skills while relaxing and getting comfortable underwater.
Day 1 is about building your body and brain memory. You will practice core scuba tasks in confined water, then wrap up the day with the confidence that comes from repetition. The schedule is roughly 9am to 2pm each day, with a start listed at 8:30am at Blue Water Diving.
Day 2 shifts the focus. You head to one of the local beaches and complete two open-water sessions. This is where you stop thinking only about tasks and start enjoying the underwater world while still using what you trained.
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Why the sequence matters for beginners
As a beginner, you don’t just need rules. You need muscle memory. The confined-water sessions help you learn how to breathe, move, and manage buoyancy while everything stays predictable. Then day 2 asks you to repeat that under more natural conditions, without turning it into a rushed test.
That structure is exactly what people value most in feedback I’ve seen about this team, especially the way instructors help you get calm and stay safe.
Getting There: Start Point, Timing, and Hotel Pickup

You meet at Blue Water Diving on Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain. The start time is 8:30am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
If your hotel is one of the selected pickup locations, you get transfers included. That matters more than it sounds. On a short course, saving transit time gives you more actual training hours and less stress before you even suit up.
The tour also notes mobile ticket use and that the course is offered in English. If you want straightforward communication with your instructor, that’s a plus.
Day 1 Confined Water: Learning Buoyancy, Breathing, and Control

Day 1 begins with confined water sessions, starting around 9am and finishing around 2pm. This is the part you should embrace, even if you feel nervous at first. You are not being asked to perform. You are being taught.
What you do in confined water is the foundation for everything on day 2:
- Learning how to handle your equipment confidently
- Practicing the skills you will later use in open water
- Building comfort so you can relax instead of tense up
One detail I really like is that the instruction can feel tailored. In past feedback about Blue Water Diving, instructors are credited with coaching people from early fear or uncertainty into steady underwater comfort. That kind of pacing helps beginners stay in control and keep breathing normally.
Other dives around the island:
What to watch for on day 1
Confined water is where you should aim for calm, not speed. If you feel yourself holding your breath or panicking, say something right away. Instructors can work with you on breathing and technique so you can continue safely and confidently. That approach showed up clearly in feedback about Chris providing support when someone had a panic moment on day 2, getting their head and breathing sorted to meet safety requirements.
Day 2 Local Beaches: Two Open-Water Sessions to Build Confidence

On day 2 you head to a local beach and complete two open-water sessions. The goal is not just ticking off requirements. It is getting you comfortable underwater while putting your skills from day 1 into practice.
During these sessions, you should expect to feel like you are doing two different things at once:
- Using the fundamentals you practiced in confined water
- Learning how it feels when conditions are more real than a training pool
This is also where you can start enjoying the actual scuba experience. Feedback about the course often highlights the chance to relax underwater and see interesting underwater sites, including wrecks and wildlife.
What makes the day 2 focus valuable
A lot of beginner programs rush people into open water before they feel secure. Here, day 1 sets you up so day 2 is about comfort and execution, not survival mode. For you, that usually means better learning and a much higher chance you leave wanting more.
Instructors and Coaching Style: Why This Team Gets Named
Blue Water Diving is repeatedly described as friendly, professional, and encouraging. People specifically mention instructors such as Eileen, Chris, Kate, Lily, and Caytlin, plus a standout reference to Carolyn. That is a sign of consistent teamwork and a training culture that takes beginners seriously.
Here’s what comes through in the feedback themes that matter to you:
- Instruction that helps you feel safe
- Attention to detail that speeds up learning
- Coaching that can include tough love, when needed, to correct breathing and calm quickly
- Training that feels customized to your level, so you do not get treated like a checklist
That “calm and competent” approach is exactly what you want when you are new to scuba. If you have never done it before, you need more than instructions. You need reassurance, then clear correction.
Equipment Included: Less Stress, Better Learning
The course includes all necessary equipment. For a first-time scuba student, that is big value. You avoid the stress of renting or guessing what you need. You also avoid the common beginner problem of getting gear that is uncomfortable or poorly fitted.
Feedback about the program calls out that the equipment provided was in great condition and adjusted well. When your gear fits properly, you can focus on breathing and buoyancy instead of fighting your setup.
Equipment inclusion also helps with cost predictability. With this package, you pay for the course experience rather than adding a second bill for rentals.
English Instruction and Small Groups: How You Benefit
This course is offered in English and has a maximum of 6 travelers. In practical terms, that means:
- You get more time for questions.
- The instructor can notice small issues faster.
- You are less likely to feel lost in a crowded class.
For many beginners, the hardest part of learning scuba is fear of doing it wrong. Small group size reduces that pressure. It also helps you build trust in the instructor, which makes it easier to relax in open water.
Transfers, Mobile Ticket, and Getting Back
The course includes hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels, which is a real convenience on a two-day schedule. Your day is not only about training. It is also about timing your sleep, meals, and arrival so you can show up ready.
The course uses a mobile ticket, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Simple. Easy to plan around.
Price and Value: What $390.52 Buys You
At $390.52 per person, this is a focused two-day learning package. The value is not just the low number on paper. It is what the price covers:
- Professional guidance
- Confined water sessions on day 1
- Two open-water sessions on day 2
- All necessary equipment included
- Hotel transfers for selected hotels
The main cost you still own is time and food. The course does not include food and drinks, so you will likely spend on meals while you are out training.
Still, compared to piecing together lessons, equipment, and logistics separately, this bundle tends to be cost-effective for beginners who want a clear path. The small group size also supports value because you get more instructor attention per student than in bigger classes.
If you are trying to decide whether two days is enough, ask yourself what you want out of it. If your goal is learning the core skills to become comfortable and safe underwater, this course format makes sense. If you want longer time to polish skills or master specialty techniques, you might eventually choose an expanded course later.
Who This Course Fits Best (And Who Might Think Twice)
This is a great fit if:
- You are brand new to scuba or returning after a gap and need structured coaching
- You want a clear two-day path from basic skills to open-water comfort
- You prefer a small group and English instruction
- You like the idea of learning with an instructor who can respond quickly if you panic or feel tense
It may be less ideal if:
- You have a medical condition that could limit scuba participation
- You are traveling from far away and you cannot respect timing around flying and the required health steps
The program requires that you complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some conditions may prevent participation, including examples like asthma and heart conditions. Also, it says underwater training within 18 hours of flying is not recommended, so plan your travel days accordingly.
If you are unsure, check with your doctor before you commit. That is not just paperwork. It protects you.
Should You Book This 2-Day PADI Scuba Diver Course?
If you want a beginner-friendly way to go from first lessons to confident open-water practice, I think this is a strong booking choice. The combination of professional instruction, equipment included, and a schedule that starts with confined water and then moves to open water works well for people who want to feel safe and learn fast.
I would book it if:
- You can handle a full day from roughly 9am to 2pm
- You are ready to manage meals since food and drinks are not included
- You are comfortable completing the health questionnaire and following the flying timing guidance
If you are looking for a short course that gives you real underwater experience without chaos, Blue Water Diving’s setup in Gran Canaria is easy to recommend.
FAQ
What time does the course start, and where do I meet?
You meet at Blue Water Diving at Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain, with a listed start time of 8:30am.
Are hotel transfers included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
What is included in the 2-day course price?
The course includes a professional guide, all necessary equipment, and two open-water sessions spread across the two days. Mobile ticket use is noted.
Are food and drinks provided?
No. Food and drinks are not included, so you will need to plan your own meals during the day.
How big is the group?
The experience has a maximum of 6 travelers, which keeps coaching more personal.
What health steps are required before scuba training?
You must complete a health questionnaire prior to diving training. Underwater training within 18 hours of flying is not recommended, and some medical conditions (examples given include asthma and heart conditions) may prevent you from participating, so check with your doctor if needed.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, you can cancel for free. The policy states you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and changes within 24 hours are not accepted.
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