PADI Open Water Course Gran Canaria: Certification in 3 Days

Pool skills, then four dives in calm water off a Gran Canaria beach.

The PADI Open Water Course in Gran Canaria is a three-day scuba certification class combining pool training with four open water dives from a local beach in a sheltered setting. The course runs daily from approximately 8:30am to 2pm, includes hotel pickup at selected hotels, and ends with an internationally recognized PADI certification card. A guide leads instruction in English, Spanish, Russian or Ukrainian. Participants must be at least 10 years old and in moderate physical fitness.

The experience

The course starts in a swimming pool where you learn the fundamental skills of scuba diving under close instruction. This confined water session covers the techniques you'll need before moving to open water: how to breathe underwater, manage buoyancy, clear your mask, and stay comfortable at depth. The guide walks through each skill step by step, making sure you're confident before the next one begins. After the first day, you move to one of Gran Canaria's local beaches for four open water dives where the real learning happens in a quiet, safe environment.

Each day runs from around 8:30am to 2pm, so the schedule is compact without rushing. The dives take place in shallow, sheltered water where you can focus on what you've learned in the pool and build confidence at your own pace. The guide reinforces the skills from earlier in the course and watches for any signs you need to slow down or practice something again. By the end of the three days, you'll have logged four open water dives and completed all the requirements for the PADI Open Water certification. The credential that lets you dive independently anywhere in the world up to 18 meters deep.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included at selected hotels, so you don't arrange your own transport to the beach. The course includes insurance, the PADI manual (available as a printed or digital version depending on which option you choose), and the certification itself. You'll need to complete a health questionnaire before diving. Certain pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart issues may prevent participation, so check with your doctor if you have any concerns. Diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended.

What’s included

• PADI Open Water certification.
• three days of instruction with a live guide in English, Spanish, Russian or Ukrainian.
• confined water pool training.
• four open water dives from a Gran Canaria beach.
• insurance.
• PADI manual in printed or digital format (your choice at checkout).
• hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels.

Options for this experience

2 options

Diving course with an online manualGuide in 4 languages · 09:00Book your course and get the manual online

Diving course with a digital versionGuide in 4 languages · 08:30Book your course with a digital copy of the manual, a downloadable app for your iPad or tablet

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 to 85 years) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Blue Water Diving

Is this one for you?Choose this course if you want to earn a recognized scuba certification in a short timeframe without traveling far from your accommodation: the three-day schedule and included hotel pickup mean you can fit diving training into a week-long trip without losing days to travel or planning.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What do I learn during the pool sessions on the first day?

The pool sessions cover the basic skills of scuba diving: breathing underwater through a regulator, controlling your buoyancy, clearing water from your mask, and staying calm and comfortable at depth. The guide teaches each skill in shallow water so you can practice and ask questions before moving to open water.

Where do the open water dives take place?

The four open water dives happen at one of Gran Canaria's local beaches in a quiet, sheltered environment. The exact beach depends on conditions and the operator's choice, but all dives are designed to be calm and safe for a newly certified diver.

Will I get a PADI certification card at the end?

Yes, the PADI Open Water certification is included in the course. Once you complete all three days and the four open water dives, you'll receive the internationally recognized card that allows you to dive independently up to 18 meters deep anywhere in the world.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it work for all accommodations?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but only at selected hotels in Gran Canaria. Check with the operator to confirm your hotel is on the pickup list before booking.

What happens if I'm not comfortable underwater during the course?

The guide reinforces skills throughout the three days and makes sure you're happy and comfortable in the water before moving forward. If you need extra practice on any skill, the guide will work with you in the pool or shallow water until you feel ready.