Tenerife: Beginners Scuba Dive Experience in Turtle Area

The main draw here is a first chance to breathe underwater with a PADI instructor close at hand, then snorkel in the same stretch of Tenerife’s Atlantic coast. You’ll get a short safety lesson, a boat ride with open-water views and a guided scuba session capped at 12 metres.

I like two things in particular: the patient, closely supervised instruction that helps beginners settle in, and the chance to see marine life both below the surface and from the boat. The trade-off is that the scuba portion lasts about 25 minutes, and turtles are wild animals, so a sighting is never certain.

Key points

• A beginner-friendly first session: A PADI instructor teaches the basics before you enter the water, with one instructor assigned to every two participants.
• Maximum depth of 12 metres: Your instructor supervises your scuba session throughout, and you can signal if you need to pause or return toward the surface.
• Scuba plus snorkeling: The schedule allows about 25 minutes for each activity, with time to try both during one outing.
• Turtle country, not a guarantee: The site is known for turtles, but they are wild. Fish and rays are also among the marine life you may see.
• A small group and a short boat ride: The group is limited to 10, and the speedboat ride to the site takes about 15 minutes each way.
• Most essentials are included: Wetsuit, fins, mask, insurance, water, boat transport and guided snorkeling are covered. Bring your own towel, swimsuit and sun protection.

A first look beneath Costa Adeje

This is an introduction to scuba, not a certification course. You’ll learn the basics from a PADI-qualified instructor, use supplied equipment and descend no deeper than 12 metres under close supervision. That controlled first try can be a good way to find out how you feel about breathing through a regulator before committing to a longer course.

The experience is designed for people with little or no scuba experience. Several participants have arrived nervous, unsure about snorkeling or worried about pressure in their ears. Instructors such as Ruben and Romana have been praised for taking things slowly, checking in and helping people feel at ease. Staff assignments can change, so don’t book expecting a particular instructor.

You don’t need to be a confident swimmer to take part, according to participants who completed the experience despite limited swimming confidence. Still, being in open water can feel very different from being in a pool. Tell your instructor if you’re anxious, having trouble equalizing your ears or need a moment. You should never feel pushed to go faster than you’re comfortable with.

Starting at the Travel Sub Dive Centre

Meet at the reception of Travel Sub Dive Centre, inside the Escuela Náutica building in front of pier 5 at Puerto Colón’s private parking area. The exact meeting point matters: go inside the building and find reception rather than waiting outside by the pier.

The activity lasts about three hours from start to finish. That includes check-in and instruction, the boat transfers, time in the water and the return to the centre. The scheduled segments add up to less than three hours, so allow for preparation and the practical transitions between activities.

The group is limited to 10 participants, with one instructor for every two people during the scuba session. This close ratio is useful for first-timers: you have someone nearby to help with equipment, signals and the first moments underwater. Some participants have had one-to-one attention, but that is not the standard ratio to count on.

Instruction is offered in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Russian. Before you set out, you’ll get a safety briefing of about 30 minutes. The briefing covers the basics you need to know, including how to use the equipment and communicate underwater. Listen closely and ask questions before leaving shore. It’s the best time to raise concerns about nerves, comfort or ear pressure.

The speedboat ride to the Atlantic site

The ride to the activity site takes about 15 minutes. It’s a short transfer, but it is part of the appeal: from the boat, you can take in views of the Atlantic and Tenerife’s coastline, and keep an eye out for marine life such as dolphins or whales.

The boat ride can also feel exposed. One participant described the views as spectacular and the water as very salty, a useful reminder to secure your hat and avoid putting loose belongings where they can blow away. Bring sunscreen and a sun hat, as the equipment provided is for the water, not protection from the sun.

The boat has room for people who prefer not to enter the water. The activity can suit someone who wants to enjoy the coast and ocean views without snorkeling or scuba, though it is worth confirming any specific needs with the operator before booking.

A supervised scuba session up to 12 metres

At the site, the group splits between the scuba and snorkeling activities. Your instructor helps you get ready, then guides you through the underwater session, which lasts about 25 minutes. The maximum depth is 12 metres. That limit keeps this firmly in introductory territory and gives you a chance to focus on breathing, movement and getting comfortable rather than covering a large area.

The first minutes can be the hardest. You are adapting to a new way of breathing, adjusting to the equipment and learning to manage pressure in your ears. If you have trouble, signal your instructor rather than trying to push through. Instructors have been praised for slowing down, helping participants ascend slightly when needed and letting them set a manageable pace.

There is no promise of a particular underwater sighting, and the site may feel less dramatic than a more advanced scuba location. The point here is to try the activity with support and see what the local marine life offers. Participants have spotted fish, rays, octopuses and other small sea creatures. Even a modest first session can be absorbing when every breath and movement is new.

The staff take safety seriously while keeping the tone relaxed. That balance matters, especially if nerves threaten to take over. You can tell your instructor how you’re feeling before entering the water, and you should expect clear instructions rather than a rushed start. The standard ratio is one instructor for two participants, though the team may provide more individual attention when circumstances allow.

Snorkeling near the turtle site

After the scuba session, you’ll have about 25 minutes for guided snorkeling. The site is known for Atlantic turtles, and the operator says sightings are common, but turtles are wild animals and cannot be guaranteed. Keep your expectations flexible: you may see turtles, or you may spend your time watching fish and other sea life instead.

Snorkeling gives you a second way to explore the water without the scuba equipment. If you’re nervous about putting your face in the sea, take your time getting used to the mask and breathing. One participant who initially felt uneasy while snorkeling later settled down and completed the scuba session with an instructor’s help. That isn’t a promise that every concern will disappear, but it shows why speaking up early is worthwhile.

The guide accompanies the snorkeling group, and the two water activities give you different perspectives on the same outing. Scuba lets you experience breathing underwater and moving closer to the seabed. Snorkeling offers a simpler view from the surface. If one activity feels like enough, don’t treat the other as a test of courage. Check with the team about what you can comfortably skip.

What $85 covers, and what it doesn’t

At $85 per person, the price covers the boat trip, scuba session, guided snorkeling, one instructor for every two scuba participants, equipment, wetsuit, fins, mask, insurance and water. For a first-time outing, having the essential gear and instruction included makes the cost easier to assess: you’re paying for a guided half-day activity rather than just a short period in the water.

Photo and video footage are not included, but may be available to buy on the spot. Ask about the price before you decide. Bring a towel and swimsuit, as well as sunscreen, a sun hat and flip-flops. Wetsuits are provided, but towels and swimwear are not.

Prescription scuba goggles are not provided. The mask cannot be worn over regular glasses, so you’ll need contact lenses or to go without glasses during the activity. If you rely on glasses for safe movement around the boat or centre, plan for that limitation in advance.

Who will get the most from this outing

This experience makes sense if you’re curious about scuba but not ready to sign up for a course. It also suits couples or friends with different confidence levels, since one person can take the plunge while the other starts with snorkeling. The small group and close instructor ratio are particular pluses for someone who wants support rather than a large, fast-moving session.

Children from age 8 can take part, but minors aged 8 to 17 must be supervised by an adult on the boat, and the adult pays the activity cost. The activity is not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, people with heart problems, diabetes or pre-existing medical conditions, or people over 95. Check the full health requirements with the provider if you’re unsure whether the activity is appropriate for you.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the provider before booking to confirm how the boat transfer and entry into the water will work for you. Accessibility can depend on what you need at each stage, not just whether the activity carries an accessibility label.

Plan to avoid flying or going to a high altitude for at least 12 hours after the scuba session. If you have travel plans soon after the activity, schedule this outing accordingly. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which can help if your plans are still taking shape.

Should you book this Tenerife scuba experience?

Book it if you want a supported first try, appreciate a small group and would be happy with marine life beyond turtles. The strongest reasons to choose it are the close instructor supervision, the mix of scuba and snorkeling, and the boat trip along Tenerife’s coast. The team’s calm, patient approach is especially valuable if the idea of breathing underwater feels exciting and a little intimidating.

Think twice if you want a long scuba session, a specific wildlife sighting or an advanced underwater site. The scuba portion is about 25 minutes, and no one can promise that turtles will appear. If those limits fit your expectations, this is a practical way to test whether scuba is for you without signing up for a full course.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about three hours. The safety briefing takes around 30 minutes, each boat ride about 15 minutes, and the scuba and snorkeling sessions about 25 minutes each.

How deep does the scuba session go?

The maximum depth is 12 metres. A PADI-qualified instructor supervises the session.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. The site is known for turtles, and sightings are common, but turtles are wild animals and cannot be guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a wetsuit, fins, mask and other scuba equipment, as well as the boat trip, guided snorkeling, insurance and water.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun hat, sunscreen and flip-flops. Wetsuits are provided.

Can I wear my glasses with the mask?

No. The mask cannot be used with glasses. You’ll need contact lenses or to remove your glasses during the water activities.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Russian.

Can children take part?

Children under 8 are not eligible. Minors aged 8 to 17 must be supervised by an adult on the boat, and the adult pays the activity cost.

Is the activity suitable for someone who does not want to enter the water?

Yes. The activity information says it can suit people who want to enjoy the ocean and Tenerife’s coastline from the boat without snorkeling or scuba.

How long should I wait before flying after the activity?

You should plan not to fly or go to a high altitude for at least 12 hours after the scuba session.