3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

Madeira puts the sea at your doorstep. This three-day SSI open-water course in Funchal combines classroom study, pool practice, and supervised sea training with a small team of up to five people. I like the small group size, which gives an instructor room to help nervous beginners. I also like that the course ends with a worldwide SSI certification, allowing you to scuba with a buddy to 18 meters, or 60 feet, after qualifying.

The main drawback is the pace. This is an intensive course with multi-hour sessions and some evening study, not a relaxed holiday activity. Sea conditions can also affect the schedule, and the Atlantic may feel cold, especially if you are not used to cooler water.

Key points to know before booking

• Three days of practical training: Expect academic work, a pool session, and open-water instruction, with one recent course taking about two and a half days.
• Small maximum group: The course is limited to five participants, a useful advantage when you are learning breathing control and safety skills.
• Madeira sea access: Training takes place around Funchal, with close access to the water and later opportunities to visit sites such as Garajau Marine Reserve.
• Equipment and fees included: Scuba equipment, taxes, and course fees are covered, while lunch and private transportation are not.
• Certification to 18 meters: Successful students receive an SSI qualification for buddy-based recreational scuba around the world.
• Patient instruction: Instructors such as Lupii, Sara, Nico, Tomas, Rafa, Esmeralda, and others are praised for calm, personal support, especially with beginners who feel anxious.

What the three-day SSI course is really like

This is a proper qualification course, not a brief tourist tryout. You will learn the basic theory behind scuba, practise key skills in a pool, and then use those skills in the sea under professional supervision.

The course is offered by Azul Diving Madeira in Funchal. The advertised start time is 9:30 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end. The published duration is three days, though the exact rhythm can vary with weather, sea conditions, and your progress.

A recent student described the course as roughly two and a half days, with three sea sessions, one pool session, and study completed partly in the evenings. That gives you a useful idea of the workload. You should keep your schedule fairly open rather than booking another major activity each afternoon.

The course is delivered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so you should not treat the reservation as final until that confirmation arrives.

Starting at Azul Diving Madeira in Funchal

The meeting point is Azul Diving Madeira, located at Hotel Penha França Mar on Rua Carvalho Araújo in Funchal. The address is in the São Martinho area, and the location is near public transportation.

That matters because private transport is not included. You will need to make your own way to the center each morning, and lunch is also your responsibility. Since sessions can last several hours, I would bring water and plan where you will eat before or after training.

The small group limit of five is one of the strongest practical features. New scuba students often need repeated explanations, extra help with equipment, or a few quiet minutes to settle their breathing. A small class makes that much easier than a large resort-style group.

The instructors also appear to work closely with one another. The center has several instructors and boat skippers, including Francisco and Vlad. That gives the school the feel of a local operation rather than a one-person business, while still keeping the class personal.

First comes theory, then the pool

The academic part gives you the foundation for safe scuba. You will need to understand equipment, underwater communication, basic safety procedures, and how to respond to common problems before moving into the sea.

The course also includes pool training. This is where you can focus on the mechanics without waves, current, or open water adding extra pressure. For a first-time student, that protected setting is valuable. You can work on breathing, buoyancy, finning, and basic emergency skills while your instructor watches closely.

I especially like the reports of patient teaching for students who lacked confidence in the water. Sara spent extra time helping one student with breathing and finning, while Lupii helped another beginner work through anxiety. Tomas was praised for adjusting his explanations to suit the person in front of him.

Those details are more useful than a generic promise of professional instruction. Learning to breathe calmly underwater is not automatic for everyone. If you are nervous, tell the center in advance and speak up again on the first morning. You should not feel pressured to move on until you understand the skill.

Moving into Madeira’s open water

Once you are ready, the course shifts to supervised sea sessions around Funchal. The transition from pool to ocean is the moment when the training begins to feel real. You will need to manage your equipment, breathing, position in the water, and communication while dealing with natural conditions.

The course includes three sea sessions according to the detailed student account, though the center controls the exact plan. Conditions may require changes. One planned night session was moved to a safer day when conditions were poor, which is the right call for a school putting safety first.

The Atlantic can be cold. One experienced customer needed both a 7mm suit and a shortie to stay comfortable. Equipment use is included in the course, but you should ask Azul exactly what exposure protection is available for your dates and whether you may need an extra layer.

Cold water can distract you from learning. If you tend to feel chilly, say so before entering the water. Staying warm is not a minor comfort issue. It affects concentration, breathing, and how enjoyable the session feels.

Why the small group makes a difference

Five people is the maximum, not a promise that every session will have exactly five. Either way, this is a useful format for a technical beginner course.

Your instructor can watch how you move, check your equipment, and respond if you become unsettled. One account describes an instructor calmly supporting a nervous student until that person felt ready for future scuba. Another describes Rafa escorting a student back to shore after a buoyancy control device problem and replacing the faulty personal equipment with school equipment.

That kind of response is what you want in a course. Equipment can fail. People can panic. A good instructor does not treat either event as an embarrassment.

A 15-year-old student also completed the course with Rafa, who helped the group stay calm and comfortable. The provided information does not list a general minimum age or detailed medical requirements, so families should ask the center directly before booking for a minor.

From qualification to Madeira’s marine life

The certification is the practical payoff. After completing the required training, you can take part in recreational scuba with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, worldwide under SSI rules.

That does not mean you should immediately attempt difficult conditions on your own. The qualification gives you a foundation, but experience grows gradually. Azul can also provide a useful next step after the course, since several students went on to book additional sessions during their stay.

The Garajau Marine Reserve is a particularly appealing follow-up. A post-course outing there included sightings of a large grouper, barracuda, large parrot fish, and schools of smaller colorful fish. Those sightings are not guaranteed, of course, but the reserve gives you a clear reason to continue exploring after the formal lessons finish.

There is also a wreck site that has impressed experienced customers. If you want to try it, ask the center whether your new qualification and recent experience are suitable for the conditions on your date. An open-water certificate is a beginning, not a guarantee that every site is appropriate for a newly qualified student.

The instructors and teaching style

Azul’s greatest strength appears to be its people. The names connected with positive course and follow-up experiences include Esmeralda, Lupii, Sara, Nico, Tomas, Rafa, Guadalupe, Tony, Esme, Anthony, and others.

I would not assume you can request a particular instructor unless the center confirms it. Still, the pattern is encouraging: students describe calm explanations, friendly support, and close attention to confidence levels.

Lupii received especially strong praise for helping an anxious beginner become comfortable. Tomas was appreciated for adapting his communication style. Sara and Nico helped a referral student improve breathing and finning. Rafa was praised for his care with a younger student and for handling an equipment problem quickly.

The school also appears to have a social side. One person began with the open-water course and later completed more than 20 sessions with the center, including relaxed shore outings and a night session. That suggests Azul can work well if you want to make scuba part of your Madeira holiday rather than simply tick off a certificate.

What the $527.44 price includes

At $527.44 per person, this is a significant purchase, but it includes more than a one-hour introductory session. You receive the instruction, scuba equipment, course fees, and taxes. The three-day format also gives you repeated practice instead of a quick experience followed by a sales pitch.

The value is strongest if you genuinely want certification. You are paying for structured training, supervised skill work, sea sessions, and an SSI qualification recognized internationally. The small group limit adds value because personal instruction matters greatly when you are learning a safety-based activity.

The price is less attractive if you only want to see underwater life once. In that case, a shorter introductory experience may suit you better, though this particular course is designed for people who want a qualification.

Remember the extra costs in your daily budget. Lunch is excluded, and you must arrange your own transportation to Funchal. Extra recreational sessions after certification are also not listed as part of this price.

Who should book this course

I would recommend it to an adult or suitable young person who wants a real entry-level scuba qualification and can commit three days to focused training.

It is a good match if you value:

• Personal attention rather than a large class
• Patient support with nerves or low water confidence
• A recognized SSI qualification
• Pool practice before sea training
• The chance to continue with local sites after qualifying

You should think twice if your Madeira schedule is packed. The course is intensive, and evening study may be required. You also need to accept that weather and sea conditions can change the order or timing of sessions.

This is not the right choice if you want a completely passive excursion. You will study, practise, repeat skills, and take responsibility for learning safe habits.

Practical planning for your three days

Arrive ready for a full morning and possibly a longer training day. Wear comfortable clothing for changing, bring water, and allow time for meals outside the course. Since lunch is not included, you should not assume the training day will pause at a convenient restaurant hour.

Keep the following day free from strenuous plans if possible. The course involves several multi-hour sessions, and you may prefer quiet time after training rather than racing across Madeira to another attraction.

Ask about the expected order of pool and sea sessions when you receive confirmation. The public information indicates academic work, pool instruction, and three sea sessions, but weather and student progress can affect the schedule.

Also ask about the included equipment, especially suit thickness and fit. The equipment is included and has been described as being in good condition, but comfort varies from person to person. A well-fitting suit and buoyancy control device will help you focus on instruction.

Azul accepts mobile tickets, and the center is near public transportation. The exact meeting point is Hotel Penha França Mar, so check the address carefully before setting out.

Cancellation and weather rules

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Weather is a special consideration. If poor conditions cause the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but it also means you should avoid placing an important flight or same-day transfer immediately after the final session.

FAQ

Where does the SSI open-water course meet?

The course meets at Azul Diving Madeira, at Hotel Penha França Mar, Rua Carvalho Araújo, São Martinho, 9000-022 Funchal, Portugal.

What time does the course start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days. One detailed account describes completing it in about two and a half days, with evening study included.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment, all fees, and all taxes are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you need to make your own meal arrangements.

Is transportation included?

Private transportation is not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What depth does the SSI certification allow?

The certification allows you to take part in recreational scuba with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters, or 60 feet, around the world.

Should you book Azul Diving Madeira?

Book it if you want a serious, small-group route to an SSI qualification and appreciate instructors who can work patiently with nerves. The combination of pool training, sea practice, included equipment, and close access to Madeira’s marine sites gives the course solid value at $527.44.

I would be cautious only if you have limited time, dislike structured study, or expect warm tropical water. For a focused learner who wants to leave Madeira with a certification and the confidence to continue, Azul offers a practical and personal start.