3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

First real instruction in Madeira starts with you. In Funchal, this 3-day SSI Open Water Course turns pool skills into confidence in open water, with equipment included and a small maximum group size. You end with a worldwide SSI Open Water Diver certification that lets you go with a buddy down to 18 meters (60 feet).

I really like how much the team focuses on calm, practical coaching. Instructors such as Lupii, Sara, Nico, Tomas, and Rafa are repeatedly described as patient and encouragement-first, especially if you feel nervous about breathing or your finning.

I also like the hands-on support right when it matters. People mention gear setup and even help carrying equipment to the boat skippers Francisco and Vlad provide on trips, so you spend less time wrestling with regulators and more time learning the right habits.

One possible consideration: the water can feel very cold. If you run heat-sensitive, plan for thicker wetsuit options, like the 7mm and shortie that helped one student stay comfortable.

Key highlights you should know before you book

• SSI certification with a practical limit: you qualify for buddy-based underwater sessions up to 18 meters (60 feet).
• Small group size (max 5): more attention, fewer people to wait on, easier feedback loops.
• Pool, academics, then open water: skills are built before you ever get exposed to the real conditions.
• Strong instructor track record: named staff members like Lupii, Esmeralda, Sara, Nico, and Tomas show up again and again.
• Boat and gear handling support: carrying equipment and getting set up is part of the routine, not your job.
• Plan for cooler water: some students specifically recommend preparing for cold conditions.

What the SSI Open Water Course gives you, in plain language

This is an SSI Open Water Course focused on helping you become a certified Open Water Diver. The big payoff is the certification itself, since it’s recognized worldwide and supports buddy-based underwater sessions to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet).

The course is designed as a progression. You start with academic and pool training, then you move into open-water work with a professional instructor. That order matters, because you learn what to do before you have to do it while dealing with buoyancy, currents, and normal “new diver” stress.

You’ll also get the sense that the center runs this as a real training program, not just a “come along and see the fish” outing. The structure is multi-hour across three days, and that intensity helps you finish feeling prepared instead of just hoping everything works out.

Three days in Funchal: how the training typically flows

Your day starts at 9:30 am at the Azul Madeira SSI and PADI center in Funchal. The exact mix of classroom, pool, and open-water time can vary with conditions, but the overall sequence is consistent: academic and pool training first, then open-water sessions.

On the skills side, the course aims at the fundamentals you need to manage yourself underwater. That usually means you learn how to handle equipment, regulate breathing, control buoyancy, and move efficiently with good finning. One review specifically called out coaching on breathing and finning as the turning point for a student who lacked confidence.

On the classroom side, you should expect study time as part of the program. One learner said the course included studying on evenings, and another noted they completed a final exam under the center’s guidance.

In real terms, you’re buying time, structure, and coaching. If you’ve tried learning from videos and an inflatable pool at a resort, you’ll feel the difference fast. Here, you get feedback in the moment and corrections that stick, because you practice the same skill again right after it’s explained.

Pool skills, then open-water sessions with pro guidance

The pool part is not just a warm-up. It’s where you learn to trust your buoyancy and reduce the panic factor that comes with new skills. If you’re the kind of person who gets nervous in water, this step matters, because you can build muscle memory before open water adds waves, depth changes, and limited visibility.

Then you move to open water. That’s where the instruction shifts from “can you do the skill” to “can you do the skill while staying calm and aware.” Your instructor’s job is to keep things safe while helping you refine control, breathing rhythm, and trim.

The open-water sessions are also the place where the team’s support shows up beyond just teaching. Several reviews highlight help with gear setup and carrying equipment to the boat, and skippers taking care of you on the water. When that works, the whole course feels smoother, because you’re not spending your mental energy fighting logistics.

Where you practice around Funchal, and what to watch for

The course is based in Funchal, and it ends back at the meeting point. From there, open-water training and later excursions use the Madeira coast and nearby sites.

One review ties the training experience to the Garajau Marine Reserve afterward. That person described seeing grouper, barracuda, large parrotfish, and lots of colorful fish, even when currents were not in their favor. While Garajau was not confirmed as part of the Open Water course itself, it does show the kind of underwater life and conditions you can expect the center to work with once you’re certified.

So here’s how I’d frame it for your planning. During training, you’ll be focused on skills and safety first. But the local diving environment gives you real motivation, because Madeira offers underwater scenery and wildlife that reward learning well.

Instructors and team support: the real reason people return

This center shows up in reviews for a reason: the teaching style and support feel personal. Names that appear in multiple stories include Lupii, Esmeralda, Sara, Nico, Tomas, and Rafa. You also see repeated praise for staff roles, including Anthony, Guadeloupe, Theo, Sam, Raffa, Roberto, Tony, Scott, Cecile, plus boat skippers Francisco and Vlad.

What I like about this pattern is that it suggests continuity. You’re not dealing with “whoever is around today” instruction. Instead, you get the sense that the center has a consistent training approach, and they staff it with people who care about students actually improving.

A few specific moments stand out. One learner described an instructor taking time to focus on breathing and finning when they were anxious. Another described a calm, tailored coaching style, which is exactly what you want when your brain is busy learning new motor skills.

There’s also evidence the center takes care of small problem-solving in the moment. One family described a gear issue during a shore session and how the instructor helped fix the problem quickly, even adjusting to a different BCD without extra charge. Another mentioned getting GoPro footage from the qualifying session for free.

That kind of help is not guaranteed every day, but it’s a strong signal of mindset. In a course this hands-on, mindset is part of the value.

Gear, equipment, and staying comfortable in cooler water

The price includes use of scuba equipment and all fees and taxes. That matters because equipment can otherwise become a hidden cost, especially if you need multiple sizes or want to avoid trial-and-error gear choices.

Still, comfort is not only about equipment access. Madeira water can feel cold to some people. One reviewer said the sea water was very cold for them, and the team helped them stay comfortable with a 7mm and a shortie.

So my practical advice is simple: think about temperature tolerance before you show up. If you run cold, pack accordingly or ask what thickness is realistic for the time of year. Even with good coaching, being shivering-cold makes it harder to learn and harder to enjoy the experience.

Also, remember the course is multi-hour and intensive. When you’re cold, you lose focus faster. When you’re comfortable, you learn better and stay calmer, which is exactly what the training is designed to build.

Price and value: what $527.44 really buys you

At $527.44 per person for 3 days (approx.), this is not a budget-only course. But it also isn’t a “pay extra for basics” setup.

Here’s what your money covers based on the included items: use of scuba equipment, plus all fees and taxes. Lunch is not included, and private transportation is not included either, so you’ll want to plan meals and get yourself to the meeting point near public transportation.

The value part for me comes from two things you cannot easily price: coaching quality and time efficiency. A 3-day SSI Open Water Course with structured pool and academic training is a concentrated way to earn a credential. Instead of spreading lessons across random days, you get a focused sequence with multi-hour instruction.

Group size also feeds value. With a maximum of 5 travelers, your instructor can correct details without losing track of you. For a skill-heavy course like this, small group attention is where the cost starts to feel more reasonable.

Timing, pacing, and what to do the day you start

You start at 9:30 am. Build your morning around being ready to learn, not around sleeping in and then scrambling for gear and paperwork.

Because sessions can run multi-hour, treat this like an active training block. Wear something comfortable for transitions between classroom, pool work, and the time you spend preparing for the water.

Also plan for the fact that you might have evenings with studying. That came up in a review, which tells me the course isn’t only “on the clock.” If you want a vacation packed with long lunches and late dinners, this may feel a bit demanding.

Who this course suits best, and who should think twice

This course is for you if you want a structured path to a globally recognized certification. It’s especially good if you’re nervous about getting started, because the coaching style is repeatedly described as patient and encouraging.

It also makes sense if you like clear guidance and hands-on correction. People highlighted help with breathing and finning, plus support on the boat and during setup. That kind of coaching is a big deal when you’re building trust in your gear and your body position.

Who should think twice? If cold water shuts you down quickly, you’ll want to plan your wetsuit thickness and thermal strategy early. Since comfort affects learning, being under-prepared can make the course feel harder than it needs to be.

If you’re already an experienced swimmer but new to scuba systems, you’ll likely do well. If you have strong anxiety about being underwater, bring that honesty to your instructor on day one. The center seems to respond well to anxious students, and that early rapport can prevent problems later.

After you qualify: the kind of outings you can look forward to

You finish with SSI certification that allows buddy-based underwater sessions to 18 meters (60 feet). Once you’re certified, you’ll be in a position to join the center for additional outings.

Reviews point to popular types of experiences they run, like Garajau Marine Reserve trips and night sessions. One learner also described an impressive wreck outing, which they highlighted as a top memory.

So think of this course as the gateway. The real experience is not only the credential, it’s what the credential unlocks, with a team that already knows how you learned and what you’re ready for next.

Should you book this SSI Open Water Course in Funchal?

I’d book it if you want a tight, skill-based training program in a place with strong underwater options. The big reasons: the small group size, the repeated praise for patient instruction (with names like Lupii, Sara, Nico, Tomas, and Rafa showing up), and the practical support for gear and boat setup.

I would hesitate if you know you struggle with cold water. Since the sea can be chilly for some people, and comfort affects learning, make sure you’re ready for wetsuit thickness and staying warm.

If you want a certification that you can use worldwide, this is a solid way to get there in three days. You’ll trade some vacation freedom for a focused training experience, and if you show up ready to learn, you’ll likely leave feeling like you can actually handle your gear, your breathing, and yourself underwater.

FAQ

What certification do I earn at the end of the course?

You finish with an SSI worldwide recognized Open Water Diver certification. It entitles you to take part in underwater sessions with a scuba buddy up to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet) around the world.

What is included in the $527.44 price?

The price includes use of scuba equipment and all fees and taxes. Lunch and private transportation are not included.

How long is the course, and what time does it start?

The course runs for 3 days (approx.). The start time is 9:30 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How big are the groups?

The course has a maximum of 5 travelers, which keeps the instruction more focused and personal.

Is the course offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What happens if weather is poor, or if I cancel?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For cancellations made up to 24 hours in advance of the start time, you can cancel for a full refund, but cancellations within 24 hours of the start time are not refunded.