A two-day progression-focused course designed to build confidence, improve underwater control, and expand your diving range. Complete five adventure dives in varied conditions, combining shore and boat diving while developing practical skills you can use immediately.
This course is structured to let you experience a range of PADI adventure dives before committing to full specialty certifications. Over two days, you’ll complete five open water training dives, each focused on a different area of skill development. Two to three dives are typically conducted on the house reef, with one or two boat dives added depending on conditions and selected specialties.
Mandatory dives include the Deep Adventure Dive and the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive. The remaining three dives are chosen from a wide selection such as Perfect Buoyancy, Wreck, Night, Enriched Air, Search and Recovery, Marine Ecology, Fish Identification, Photo and Video, Computer Diving, or Waves, Tides and Currents. Dive selection is finalised with your instructor based on experience, conditions, and learning goals.
Training is practical and hands-on, with clear briefings before each dive and structured debriefs afterwards. The emphasis is on improving comfort, awareness, and decision-making underwater, rather than speed. By the end of the course, you’ll be qualified to dive deeper, plan more independently, and approach a wider range of dive sites with confidence.
Day 1
Course orientation and dive planning
Open Water Dive 1: Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive
Open Water Dive 2: Selected adventure dive (shore-based)
Open Water Dive 3: Selected adventure dive (shore or boat, conditions permitting)
Day 2
Open Water Dive 4: Deep Adventure Dive (boat dive, up to 30 m)
Open Water Dive 5: Selected adventure dive (often boat-based)
Final debrief and certification processing
Training dives take place on a combination of sheltered house reef sites and selected boat dive locations around Madeira. These areas offer varied topography, good visibility, and conditions suitable for skill development at different depths.
Boat dives access deeper sites and, when selected, wreck locations or marine parks. Exact sites are chosen daily based on weather, sea state, and training objectives to ensure safe and effective learning conditions.
Participants must hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification or a qualifying certification from another recognised agency. SSI Junior Open Water Divers may participate and earn the Junior Adventure Diver certification.
You should be comfortable with basic open water diving skills and medically fit to dive. A standard medical questionnaire must be completed before starting the course.
Training is delivered in small groups with a strong focus on individual progression rather than rushing through dives. Instructors adapt dive choices and teaching pace to match experience level, helping you gain meaningful improvements rather than just ticking boxes.
Access to both shore and boat dive sites allows the course to be tailored to conditions and interests. Multilingual instruction and digital learning materials make the course accessible and well-supported for international travellers.
Upon successful completion, you’ll earn the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification, recognised worldwide. This qualification allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 30 metres.
If you are a junior diver, the appropriate Junior Adventure Diver or Junior Advanced Open Water certification will be issued based on age and completed dives.
The course includes five open water training dives, each focused on a different adventure dive topic.
These dives are spread across two days and may include both shore and boat dives depending on conditions and specialty choices.
Not necessarily. Mandatory dives are Deep and Underwater Navigation, while the remaining three are selected with your instructor.
Selection depends on experience, interests, weather, and site availability, allowing the course to remain flexible.
Equipment is not included and must be rented separately if you do not have your own.
All rental equipment is available locally, and your instructor can advise on what is needed for your selected dives.
Digital training materials are included and can be completed in advance or alongside the practical sessions.
Completing theory ahead of time can help maximise in-water learning during the two days.
The course is moderately demanding and suitable for divers with basic fitness and comfort in open water.
Dives are spaced to allow adequate surface intervals and recovery time.
Nitrox may be used if you select the Enriched Air Adventure Dive and meet the requirements.
Your instructor will confirm availability and any additional considerations during planning.
If conditions are unsuitable for planned boat dives, alternative shore-based adventure dives may be substituted.
Safety and training quality take priority over sticking rigidly to a preset plan.
If you’ve been out of the water for a while, the course can still be suitable, but a refresher dive may be recommended.
Your instructor will assess comfort and suggest the best approach during the initial briefing.
Bring swimwear, a towel, and any personal dive equipment you own.
Digital certification details and medical clearance must be completed before starting the course.
About the centre
Penha França Mar Hotel
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Azul Diving Madeira, a partner of adventuro.
