ADVANCED

The Advanced Open Water course at Scubafriends Tenerife runs over two to three days and caps at three students per group — tighter than anything a larger operation would offer. The two mandatory adventure dives are navigation (compass work in open water) and deep beyond 18 meters; the remaining three are chosen from a list that includes wrecks, buoyancy improvement, night diving, search and recovery, drysuit, fish identification, and drift diving. No written exam at the end.

Minimum age is 12, and the entry requirement is an existing Open Water or equivalent certification from any agency. Dive insurance is required; DAN Europe coverage can be arranged at the center.

Three package tiers are available. The Bronze at €399 covers the e-learning manual, five adventure dives, full equipment rental including dive computer, transport to dive sites in the center's van, water and snacks, and the AOWD certification. The Silver at €440 adds photos and video, a Dive Against Debris certification, and DAN Europe insurance. The Gold at €659 extends to six dives with one in Nitrox, adds Nitrox and DSMB specialty certifications on top of the AOWD, photos, video, and DAN insurance.

For anyone who wants to reach 30 meters but cannot fit five dives into the schedule, the center also offers the PADI Adventure Diver track requiring only three dives — worth asking about when booking.

Instruction is in Italian, Spanish, or English depending on the student. The dive sites used are off Costa Adeje, reached by the center's van and chosen based on conditions on the day.