PADI Advanced Diving Course in Gran Canaria

Five underwater sessions, big confidence boost. This 2-day PADI Advanced course in Gran Canaria is built around two required skills plus three you get to tailor to your taste, all with a certified instructor and full gear support.

I especially like how the weeknight logistics stay simple: you start at 8:30 am at Blue Water’s location, and you’re back there when you’re done. I also love that you’re not just learning theory, you’re getting repeated time in the water while options like boat time, wreck visits, and a possible night session let you steer the experience toward what excites you.

One consideration: food and drinks are not included, and hotel pickup only covers selected hotels. If you’re on a tight schedule in Las Palmas, it’s smart to plan meals around the early start.

Two-Day Highlights That Make This Course Worth a Spot

• Small group size (max 6) means you can actually ask questions and get timely feedback.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels) cuts stress on an early morning start.
• Two core requirements are locked in: a deep session to 30 m and underwater navigation.
• Choice of final three sessions can include boat time, wreck visits, and a possible night underwater option.
• What’s included in the price covers tuition, full equipment hire, insurance, plus the online study manual and certification fee.
• A friendly, structured coaching style shows up across instructors, including Mati, Eileen, Danny, and Colin, plus team members Kate and Chris at the helm.

A Two-Day Advanced Scuba Course That Still Feels Personal

This is a fast, focused course. Over about 2 days, you complete 5 underwater sessions tied to the PADI Advanced program, with a certified instructor guiding the whole arc.

What makes it feel less like a factory line is the mix of structure and choice. You get two fixed sessions that build core skills, then you pick the remaining three from a list of options you can discuss with your instructor during the program.

Day 1 Morning: 8:30 am Setup at Blue Water, Then Straight Into Training

You meet at Blue Water at 8:30 am at Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain. The meeting point is near public transportation, which matters if you are not staying in a hotel that offers pickup.

From there, the day is about getting you ready and then getting you into the water. The center’s communication style seems to matter here: divers have talked about getting solid guidance ahead of time so they can complete the e-learning before arrival, which helps the in-water part feel less rushed.

Also keep in mind the practical, non-glamorous part of safety. Before you dive, you must complete a health questionnaire, and some medical conditions can prevent you from participating. You’ll also want to avoid diving within 48 hours of flying, since that’s not recommended for participants.

Your Two Core Sessions: 30 m Deep Water and Underwater Navigation

The course has two core sessions that everyone completes.

Core Session 1: Deep Water to 30 m

You’ll do a deep water session reaching 30 m. This is the part that usually scares people on the first day, but the training is designed to take you through it with your instructor right there, helping you manage the challenge with a clear plan.

One useful detail from past students: instructors at Blue Water are known for getting you comfortable enough to stay calm. That shows up in comments about learning skills like neutral buoyancy, which tends to make deeper water feel more controlled.

Core Session 2: Underwater Navigation

The other required session is underwater navigation. In practice, that means you are learning how to move with purpose underwater, not just float around and hope you find something interesting.

Navigation also seems to be where the team has some fun with real-world moments. One student described spotting an angel shark during a navigation session, and that’s the kind of experience that makes the technique feel useful, not just exam-like.

The Flexible Part: Choose Your Final Three Sessions

After the two required sessions, you choose the last three from options the instructor can work around with you.

Here are the main possibilities:

• Boat time for better access to sites
• A wreck visit option
• A night underwater session option
• If conditions change, the plan can shift to fit what’s safe and possible

That last point matters in real life. Bad weather can change the schedule, and the team will adjust. One participant described having a night option planned, then switching due to bad weather and doing a search and recovery-type session instead. That kind of flexibility helps you feel like you’re not losing the course, even when the day changes.

What you might see (and why it matters)

The value of choosing your final three sessions is not just variety. It’s how you match your training to the experiences you actually want to remember.

Past participants described marine life like sting rays, cuttlefish, octopus, and fish sightings, plus wreck-related interest. Boat-access sites can also mean more consistent visibility and more chance to see wildlife, depending on conditions.

If your goal is to come home with both skill and stories, this is the part to take seriously. Pick options that match what you want to explore, not just what sounds safe.

Equipment, Study, Insurance, and Certification Fees: What You Pay For

The price is $415.65 per person, and it’s one of those cases where the inclusions really matter.

Included items:

• Professional guide throughout the course
• Hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels
• Full equipment hire
• Tuition
• Online study manual and certification fee
• Insurance

That is a lot bundled together. If you’ve ever priced out scuba trips separately, the cost creep can get ugly fast. Here, the equipment and insurance are handled for you, and the online study manual and certification fee are already in the total.

You’ll still want to budget for food and drinks. That’s the one thing clearly left out, so plan your meals around an early 8:30 am start.

How the Team Approach Feels in the Water

This course is instructor-led, and the training style seems to be a big reason people come back.

A consistent theme is professional and patient instruction paired with humor and a relaxed group atmosphere. Names that show up in past experiences include instructors like Mati and Eileen, with other team members such as Lily, Kate, Chris, Kevin, Adam, and Danny also getting credit for making the days feel well-managed.

There’s also a practical element: instruction is described as tailored to skill level and what you want to learn. One diver mentioned the team took their earlier rough skills and turned them into someone who felt comfortable and calm underwater.

If you’re already certified and want to improve quickly, that customization helps. You spend less time repeating what you already know and more time tightening the parts that matter.

Group Size and Language: Fewer People, More Attention

The group maximum is 6 travelers, and the course is offered in English.

Small groups matter for learning because instructors can see what you’re doing without everyone getting lost in the shuffle. It also makes it easier to get help on specific parts of navigation and control during the course.

The course starts in the morning and ends back at the meeting point. That keeps the day simple, and it means you’re not scrambling to line up an evening transportation plan.

What You Need to Bring and Know Before You Go

Here’s the checklist that keeps things smooth.

Required proof and paperwork

• You need evidence of dive certification to join the certified course.
• You must complete a health questionnaire prior to participating in the underwater sessions.
• Some health issues, like asthma or heart conditions, may prevent you from diving, so it’s wise to check with your doctor.

What to bring

• You’ll need your log book.
• The crew pack is provided with the course, so you do not need to source that on your own.

Timing and fitness

• Start times are early, so being rested helps.
• You should have a moderate physical fitness level.
• Avoid diving within 48 hours of flying.

These are not tiny details. They shape whether the course feels smooth or stressful. If you’re unsure about your medical clearance, handle that before you book, not while you’re standing on the dock.

Price and Logistics: Is $415.65 Good Value?

For $415.65 per person, you get a short, structured course over about two days, with 5 underwater sessions, full equipment hire, insurance, tuition, the online manual, and the certification fee.

To decide if it’s good value for you, I’d look at what you would otherwise pay for:

• equipment rental
• insurance
• guided instruction
• any separate training materials or certification paperwork
• transportation for the early start, if your hotel qualifies for pickup

Because this package includes so many of those, the cost tends to pencil out well compared to piecing everything together on your own. The one true out-of-pocket gap is food and drinks, which is normal for this kind of activity.

Who Should Book This Course (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This course is a strong fit if you:

• already have dive certification and want to progress your skills
• want a guided, safety-first structure over two days
• like the idea of choosing your final sessions, including options like wreck visits and possibly a night underwater session
• prefer a small group and English instruction

You should pause and think harder if:

• you have any medical condition that might affect diving clearance
• you recently flew and you cannot meet the timing guidance of not diving within 48 hours of flying
• you rely on hotel pickup but your hotel is not on the selected list
• you hate early starts, since 8:30 am is non-negotiable here

Should You Book This PADI Advanced Course in Gran Canaria?

If your goal is to build real underwater confidence quickly, this course is a solid booking. The combination of two core requirements, three optional session types, and a small group structure makes it feel practical, not just scenic.

I’d book it if you want an instructor-led experience with serious safety and clear communication. The team’s reputation for patient teaching, calm coaching, and flexibility when conditions change makes it a good match for people who want training that still has fun in it.

If you’re hoping for a relaxed, eat-at-will vacation day, plan carefully. Early mornings and food not included mean you’ll want to set yourself up well on the ground.

FAQ

How long is the PADI Advanced course in Gran Canaria?

It runs for about 2 days.

What dives or underwater sessions are included?

You complete 5 underwater sessions. Two are core requirements: a deep water session to 30 m and an underwater navigation session. The final three are chosen from options discussed with your instructor.

What is the price per person?

The price is $415.65 per person.

Does the package include equipment and insurance?

Yes. The price includes full equipment hire, tuition, and insurance, along with the online study manual and the certification fee.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only.

Where do we meet and when does it start?

The meeting point is at Blue Water on Calle Olimpicos, C. Doreste y Molina, s/n, 35130 Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain, and the start time is 8:30 am. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What do I need to bring, and do I need prior certification?

You need a log book. You also need evidence of dive certification to join the certified course. Before diving, you must complete a health questionnaire.