Santa Maria: Advance Open Water Diver – PADI or SSI Course

Sal rewards time underwater. This Advanced Open Water course in Santa Maria gives you five boat-based training sessions, including navigation, a deeper session, and three activities you choose. I like the practical mix of skill work and marine-life viewing, and I like that the course can be completed in two mornings and one afternoon. The main consideration is that you must already hold an Open Water or similar certification, and the PADI or SSI fee is extra.

I also like the small, focused feel suggested by the personal instruction from Daviz and Adi, two members of the Cabo Verde Diving team praised for their kindness and professionalism. The course has no pool training, which keeps the schedule short, but it also means you should arrive comfortable in open-water conditions and in good physical health.

Key points about the Santa Maria course

• Five boat-based training sessions: Complete one deeper session, one navigation session, and three additional activities.
• A short two-to-three-day format: The recommended plan uses two morning double sessions and one afternoon.
• No pool work required: Your training takes place from the boat and in the sea.
• Choose three extra activities: Options can include wreck exploration, current-based underwater work, or underwater photography.
• Useful worldwide certification: Select PADI or SSI, with the certification fee paid separately at the center.
• Personal instruction in several languages: English, Spanish, Italian, and French are available.

What the $417 price includes in Santa Maria

The course costs $417 per person. That price covers transport, an instructor, equipment, and five boat-based training sessions. I consider that a fair package for an advanced course because the major practical costs are included, rather than added one by one.

The included equipment matters if you are traveling light. You do not need to arrange a separate rental package before arriving, and transport is included as part of the course. The listing does not specify the vehicle, pickup time, boat size, or group size, so I would ask Cabo Verde Diving for those details before booking if they affect your plans.

The certification charge is separate. A PADI certification costs 80 euros, while SSI certification costs 40 euros, paid directly at the dive center. That creates a noticeable difference in the final price. If you already know which agency you prefer, add that fee to the advertised cost before comparing this course with another option.

I would also check whether your existing certification is PADI, SSI, or another recognized equivalent. The course accepts an Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver qualification, or a similar qualifying certificate. You cannot join as a beginner without certification.

How the two mornings and one afternoon work

The recommended schedule is designed around double sessions in the morning, followed by one afternoon session. In practical terms, you can expect the five required activities to be spread across roughly two to three days, with the exact order set by the instructor and sea conditions.

A morning schedule makes sense in Santa Maria. It gives you two training blocks while you are fresh, then leaves the afternoon free on one day. The course is not presented as a long classroom program, and no pool practice is required. Your main preparation takes place through eLearning before the practical work begins.

I would not book this course with a tightly packed departure schedule. You need room for the full course, transport, five boat sessions, and any adjustment to the plan. The stated time commitment is two to three days, so keep at least the full window open.

The timing also gives you a useful break between sessions. Advanced training asks you to think about navigation, buoyancy, trim, breathing, and fin technique while also managing equipment and surroundings. Those skills are easier to absorb when the schedule is not rushed.

Starting with eLearning and the essential skills

Before entering the water, you complete the eLearning portion. This gives you the background for the practical sessions and lets the instructor spend more time on technique rather than basic explanations.

The course aims to improve several core habits:

• Buoyancy control: You practice staying at the right level in the water with fewer unnecessary movements.
• Trim: You work on your body position, which can make movement more efficient.
• Breathing: You pay closer attention to calm, controlled breathing.
• Fin technique: You refine how you kick and move through the water.
• Navigation: You learn to use underwater direction and positioning skills.

These may sound like small adjustments, but they make a real difference. Better trim and fin technique can help you use less effort. Improved buoyancy can help protect the underwater environment by reducing accidental contact with the bottom. Navigation gives you more independence and confidence on future trips.

The course is therefore not only about going farther down. It is about becoming calmer and more precise underwater. I see that as the strongest reason to take an advanced course rather than simply booking another recreational outing.

The first required session: going beyond 18 meters

One of the five required activities is a deeper session beyond 18 meters, or 60 feet. Depending on your age, the maximum depth can reach 30 meters. The instructor controls the final depth and makes the plan within the certification rules.

This session introduces you to the different conditions that come with greater depth. You may notice changes in task management, air use, and the way you monitor your surroundings. The course information does not promise a particular site or marine species, so I would treat the location as part of the day’s operational plan rather than the main selling point.

The key value is controlled practice. You are not simply asked to go deeper on your own. You work with an instructor and use the session to build good habits at a depth beyond the usual entry-level range.

Age matters here. The course accepts participants from age 10, but the maximum depth depends on age. If you are booking for a younger participant, confirm the specific depth limits with the center before paying.

The navigation session and why it matters

Navigation is the second required activity. This part helps you build confidence in maintaining direction and understanding where you are underwater.

For many certified people, navigation is the skill that fades fastest after initial training. A navigation session gives you a chance to practice instead of relying entirely on a guide. That can make future underwater outings less stressful, especially when visibility, current, or unfamiliar surroundings make orientation harder.

You should expect this session to feel more like a practical lesson than a sightseeing stop. Your attention will be split between the route, your instruments or reference points, your position in the water, and communication with the instructor.

That is useful. The course is meant to build control, not just provide five scenic boat outings. You may see marine life during the session, but the main purpose is to sharpen your ability to find your way and stay aware of your surroundings.

Choosing the three additional activities

After the deeper and navigation sessions, you complete three more activities of your choice. The available examples include wreck exploration, current-based underwater work, and underwater imaging.

Each option offers a different kind of practice:

• Wreck exploration can introduce new ways of observing an underwater site and managing your movement around structures.
• Current-based work helps you understand how moving water affects your position and effort.
• Underwater imaging lets you work on framing and handling a camera without losing control of buoyancy or direction.

The exact choices may depend on conditions, instructor availability, and the sites used that day. I would ask the team which three options are available during your stay, especially if you have a specific interest in photography or wrecks.

This choice is one of the course’s better features. You can use the required certification time to work on the areas that matter most to you. If you are still uneasy with basic control, choose activities that reinforce body position and movement. If those skills already feel comfortable, an imaging-based session may give you a new challenge.

Seeing Sal’s underwater world while you train

The course combines instruction with access to the underwater world around Sal. That combination is valuable because the training has a real setting rather than taking place only in a classroom or pool.

At the same time, I would keep expectations sensible. The supplied information does not name exact sites, promise particular animals, or guarantee a certain type of wreck or current. Marine conditions can shape the plan, and the instructor may adjust the activities to suit the day.

The boat format gives you access to sites away from shore and keeps all five sessions within one organized program. Transport and equipment are included, so you can focus on the course rather than arranging separate logistics.

For me, the best way to view the sightseeing element is as an added benefit. You are there to earn an advanced certification and improve your technique. Marine life and scenery make the sessions more enjoyable, but the training remains the central purpose.

Instruction from Cabo Verde Diving

Cabo Verde Diving provides the instructor, equipment, transport, and boat sessions. Languages offered are English, Spanish, Italian, and French, which gives you a useful choice if technical instructions are easier in a language other than English.

One personal recommendation specifically praises Daviz and Adi for being kind and professional. That is worth noting because instructor manner matters in an advanced course. You need clear explanations, calm corrections, and enough confidence to ask questions when a task does not feel right.

The score available for this experience is 5 out of 5 from one review. That is encouraging, but it is also a very small sample. I would treat the positive impression as a helpful signal, not as proof that every group will have the same experience.

Before your first session, tell the instructor about your recent experience level and the skills you most want to improve. The course is designed for people who already have certification, but certified people can still arrive with very different amounts of recent practice.

Who should book this course

I would recommend the course to you if you already hold an Open Water certification and want structured practice rather than another basic outing. It suits someone who wants to improve navigation, buoyancy, trim, breathing, and fin technique in a short stay on Sal.

It also works well if you want a certification that can be used internationally. You can choose PADI or SSI, though you should compare the separate certification prices before deciding.

The course is less suitable if you have not been underwater recently and are hoping for a casual introduction. It includes five training sessions and asks you to complete eLearning, so you should be ready to take part actively.

It is not suitable for children under 10. Every participant must be in good health or provide a medical certificate from a doctor. If you have any health concern, obtain medical clearance before arranging the course rather than waiting until the first morning.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and a reusable water bottle. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and littering is prohibited. Those rules are simple, but they matter in a marine environment and during a physically demanding activity.

Booking flexibility and practical timing

You can reserve your place and pay later, which is useful when your Sal plans are still changing. Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Even with that flexibility, I would avoid placing the course on your final day. The stated duration is two to three days, and your schedule needs to allow for all five boat sessions. Confirm the start time and pickup arrangements with Cabo Verde Diving after booking, since those details are not provided here.

The course price is listed at $417 per person, while the certification charges are listed in euros. Ask how the final payment will be handled and which certification agency best fits your needs. The lower SSI fee may appeal if you are comparing total costs, while PADI may be your preferred agency for personal or future training reasons.

Should you book the Santa Maria Advanced Open Water course?

I would book this if you want a compact, practical way to build stronger underwater habits in Sal. The five-session structure is the real strength: you practice deeper work, navigation, and three selected activities instead of simply repeating the same type of outing.

The package also offers solid convenience. Transport, equipment, instruction, and boat access are included, and the course can fit into two mornings and one afternoon. Add the certification charge to the advertised price, and confirm the exact activities and schedule before you commit.

Choose it if you are already certified, in good health, and ready to learn. Skip it if you want a beginner experience, a single sightseeing trip, or a guaranteed list of sites and animals. For the right participant, this is a useful step toward calmer, more capable underwater travel, with Sal providing the setting and Cabo Verde Diving providing the structure.

FAQ

Where does the Advanced Open Water course take place?

The course takes place in Santa Maria on Sal, Cape Verde, with the five training sessions conducted by boat.

How much does the course cost?

The listed price is $417 per person. The PADI or SSI certification fee is not included.

How much is the PADI certification fee?

The PADI certification costs 80 euros, paid at the dive center.

How much is the SSI certification fee?

The SSI certification costs 40 euros, paid at the dive center.

How many training sessions are included?

The course includes five training sessions by boat.

What activities are required?

You must complete a deeper session beyond 18 meters or 60 feet, a navigation session, and three additional activities of your choice.

Do I need pool training?

No pool training is required for this course.

What certification do I need before joining?

You need an Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certificate, or a similar qualifying certification.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10. The maximum depth can depend on your age, with a stated maximum of 30 meters.

How long does the course take?

The stated time commitment is two to three days. The recommended schedule is double morning sessions over two mornings and one afternoon.