Scuba Diver

The Scuba Diver course is the shorter path to a certification — 12 to 16 hours, compared to 25–32 for the full Open Water. The trade-off is a 12-metre depth limit and the requirement to dive accompanied by a professional. It's positioned explicitly for people who don't have enough days on São Miguel to complete the full course. Minimum age is 10.

All equipment and €1.5 million liability insurance are included. The centre offers both SSI and PADI tracks, so if you have a preference for one agency, you can complete this course under that system.

With a Scuba Diver cert you can still join boat departures to the south coast spots — you just go in with a guide rather than as an independent diver. Sites like Âncoras (14–22 m) or Ponta da Cozinha (12–18 m) are accessible at that limit. It's a sensible option if your trip is short but you want something more than a one-off Batismo.