
3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 47 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving worth booking?
3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving is a 72-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $519 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 47 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (47)
- Duration
- 72 hours
- From
- $519 per person
This is the world’s most popular scuba course and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle. Learn to dive is fun! We will take you step by step in this 3/4 days course including swimmin pool
What you get
About this experience
This is the world’s most popular scuba course and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle. Learn to dive is fun! We will take you step by step in this 3/4 days course including swimmin pool sessions, theory and real diving. We offer included FREE Digital training Materials in your language.
What's included
Included
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Lunch
- Private transportation
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Funchal
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Azul Diving Madeira
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 47 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
47 verified traveler reviews for 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
PADI open water diving certification with Maria
I recently did my 3 day open water PADI qualification in Funchal with Maria. Maria and all the staff were lovely and supportive. When I started my PADI I was nervous and I had only dived once before, but Maria was able to talk me through what we were doing on each dive putting me at ease. We spent some time on each skill in the pool before each dive and everything was well paced and nothing was rushed. The price included all equipment as well as all the materials and the exam. You can see where you’re learning the skills in the theory as you go along. I’m looking forward to coming back next year to hopefully get my wreck diving licence 🙂.
via Tripadvisor
3 day open water PADI course
I recently completed my 3 day PADI open water diving course with Maria in Funchal. All of the staff were lovely and super friendly. I was a bit nervous at the start but Maria was able to put me at ease and give good clear instructions so I understood why we were doing certain thing and going at a pace that was good for me. I completed all the theory, dives and exams which were all included in the price. I will be back next year to hopefully get my wreck diving licence 🙂.
via Tripadvisor
A professional and caring dive centre.
We did our advanced PADI with Azul dive centre All the staff were very welcoming, professional, friendly and informative. The best part was the wreck dive which was amazing. The sea water was very cold (for me) but the dive team were extremely helpful and I had a 7mm and a shortie on to keep warm. The team are very helpful in carrying equipment to the boat, setting up our gear and getting us ready to dive. I would highly recommend the Azul dive centre. And I will come back to dive - especially to the wreck.
via Tripadvisor
Great place to learn and keep diving!
After doing more than 20 dives with Azul I can say only good things. I started with open water course with Esmeralda and then did a dive almost every Saturday. From relaxed shore dives to night dive. I dived with Esme, Guadalupe, Theo, Sam, Raffa, Roberto, Tony and Scott. And each one of them was fully professional and very nice. Their boat skippers Francisco and Vlad are always helpful and take care of you on the boat.
via Tripadvisor
fabulous experience
I went there to pass my PE 40. The staff is great, perfect welcome . Big dedication to Anthony and Guadeloupe See you soon in Madeira
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 72 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.
How much does 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving cost?
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Prices start at $519 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Funchal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving take?
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Plan for about 72 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Funchal is not rushed.
Is 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 47 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Funchal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 72-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving?
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Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Funchal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Funchal and add a light layer if any part of the 72-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Funchal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Funchal?
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On Outty we rank every Funchal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4, West Tour-Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz Natural Pools Small Groups. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Funchal?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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