OPEN WATER

The SSI Open Water Diver course at Ocean Dreams Tenerife is their flagship recreational certification. The programme runs six theory sessions, five confined water sessions, and five open water dives — a structured progression that ends with a worldwide certification to dive in pairs to 18 m.

The minimum age is 10 years, which SSI designates the Junior Open Water Diver. In practice, this makes the course viable for families visiting Tenerife who want a proper certification rather than a one-time experience dive.

Open water sessions take place in the sea off Los Cristianos. At this level, the dive sites available include Palm-Mar Wall (25 m), Abades (two reefs, trumpetfish cave, turtles), and Las Eras (wall with swim-through) — all accessible at OWD or OWD/AOWD level. The water sits between 22 and 24°C with 30 m visibility, which helps with skills practice during the open water component.

At €500, this is the full certification pathway. For students who can't complete the full OWD, Ocean Dreams also offers the Scuba Diver at €380 as an intermediate step, or the Basic Diver at €130 for a first experience without committing to certification.