Tenerife: Discover Scuba Diving with Free Photos

Tenerife’s volcanic coast gives a first scuba experience a striking setting: beneath the surface, you can see underwater rock formations and look for marine life, with a certified instructor beside you. I like that you begin in calm, shallow water and can build confidence at your own pace. I also like that equipment, insurance and a few free photos are included in the $105 price.

The main consideration is that this is an introduction, not a long underwater expedition. The maximum depth is 12 metres, and the total outing can take between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on group size. You must be able to swim, and you should not plan to fly or go to a high place such as Mount Teide for 24 hours afterward.

At a glance

• A gentle start: Learn basic scuba skills, then practise in a shallow, calm area before going deeper.
• Volcanic scenery: The underwater route features volcanic formations and marine life. Fish and an octopus have been spotted, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• Small group size: No more than 10 participants, with an instructor supporting you throughout.
• A short, beginner-friendly session: The underwater portion is listed as about an hour, while the full activity takes 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Photos are included: Expect 2 or 3 photos per person. More photos and video can be purchased.

A volcanic coast, seen from below

Tenerife is known for its volcanic origins, and that geology carries on beneath the water. This outing gives you a beginner’s look at those formations without requiring prior scuba experience. You are not just swimming along a beach: after learning the basics, you move into a different world of rock shapes and marine life.

The exact route and the animals you see are not specified, so it is best to think of the scenery as a possibility, not a fixed checklist. Participants have encountered fish and an octopus, but sightings depend on what is in the area that day. The volcanic formations are a central part of the appeal, while the animals add a welcome bit of luck.

The outing is based at Marina del Sur in Puerto de las Galletas, on Tenerife’s south coast. Meet the Ocean Friends Buceo and Freediving team at dock 5, and arrive 15 minutes before your start time. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you will need to make your own way to the marina.

From a short lesson to shallow-water practice

The session starts with a theory lesson. Your instructor covers basic scuba concepts, how to use the equipment, breathing techniques and ways to communicate underwater. That groundwork matters, especially if this is your first time using scuba gear. It gives you a chance to understand what is happening before you move into the water.

You then head to a calm, shallow area by the beach for your first practice. This is where you can get used to breathing through the equipment and working through the basic skills. The pace is meant to be gradual: you can take the time you need to feel more comfortable before going farther.

That gradual start is one of the strongest reasons to choose this activity as a first scuba experience. The sea can feel unfamiliar when you are learning a new way to breathe and move. A shallow practice session lets you focus on those basics, rather than trying to take in the scenery before you are ready.

Going to a maximum depth of 12 metres

Once you are comfortable, the instructor guides you farther underwater, to a maximum depth of 12 metres. The limit keeps the experience in beginner territory while giving you a better view of the volcanic formations and marine life. The underwater portion is listed as about one hour, though your exact time and pace may vary.

You will have a certified instructor with you throughout. The group is capped at 10, which gives the outing a smaller feel than a large boat activity, though it does not guarantee a private session. One participant happened to have a private session; that was good luck, not something to count on when booking.

The instructor’s role is particularly important if you feel nervous or need more time. The emphasis is on safety and comfort, not on pushing you to a depth or pace that does not suit you. A participant who had sinus pain as the group went deeper ended their underwater time early. That is a useful reminder to speak up if something feels wrong. You do not need to continue deeper just to complete the planned route.

The advertised total duration is three hours, but the actual activity can run from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the number of people in the group. Allow a generous window in your day, and avoid arranging something tight immediately afterward. The underwater portion may be relatively brief, but the lesson, equipment use and practice are part of what makes the activity accessible to beginners.

What the instructor and group size mean for you

Instruction is offered in Spanish and English. The named instructor Elio has been associated with the team, but there is no promise that he will lead your particular session. The most useful thing to expect is a certified instructor who explains the essentials and stays with the group in the water.

Clear, practical teaching is valuable here. You do not need a long lecture full of technical detail before your first attempt. You need to understand the equipment, breathing and communication, then practise with support. Participants have especially valued patient, professional instruction, including explanations that stay focused on what a beginner needs to know.

A group limit of 10 is small enough to make this a more personal activity than a large excursion, but the exact feel will depend on how many people book that time. The pace can also affect how long the outing takes. If you are travelling with a child aged 10 or older, or with someone who is anxious about trying scuba, the chance to practise first is a real advantage.

Free photos, and what the price covers

At $105 per person, the price includes scuba equipment, a certified instructor, insurance and 2 or 3 photos per person. Those inclusions make it easier to judge the cost: you are paying not only for time in the water, but also for instruction and gear, without needing to arrive with your own equipment.

The photos are a nice extra, especially if you want a record of a first underwater session. They are not a full photo package. You can buy more photos and video if you want them, but neither the video nor extra images are included in the price. If photos matter to you, keep expectations to the 2 or 3 included per person.

Meals, drinks and transport to the marina are not included. Bring your own swimwear and towel, and plan your journey to Puerto de las Galletas separately. You may also want to leave room in your schedule after the activity, since the total time depends on the group.

The 24-hour rule matters in Tenerife

The key planning point comes after the session: do not fly or go to a high place for 24 hours. That restriction also applies to popular mountain trips such as Mount Teide. If you are trying to fit scuba and a high-altitude excursion into a short stay, schedule the underwater activity first and leave at least a day before going high.

You must be able to swim, and the minimum age is 10. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. These are firm considerations, not small-print details to sort out after arrival.

Bring swimwear and a towel, and arrive 15 minutes early at the dive centre’s meeting point at dock 5 in Marina del Sur. The activity is available in Spanish and English. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if you want to hold a place before finalising your plans.

Who will enjoy this first scuba session?

This is best for a curious beginner who wants to try scuba without committing to a full certification course. You get a lesson, shallow-water practice and a guided underwater outing in one short activity. The maximum depth of 12 metres keeps the scope clear: this is an introduction, not a technical course or a long exploration.

It can also suit families with a child aged 10 or older, provided everyone can swim and is comfortable with the activity. The small group cap and patient approach are helpful for first-timers, but each person still needs to be ready to follow the instructor’s guidance and communicate if they feel uneasy.

If you already have scuba experience, the outing may feel basic. Its value is in trying the activity in Tenerife’s volcanic waters, with equipment and instruction provided, rather than in reaching great depths or spending many hours underwater. For beginners, that simplicity is a plus.

The activity has a 4.7 rating across 75 ratings, with particularly strong praise for professional, reassuring instructors. That fits the format: for a first attempt, good instruction can matter more than a packed itinerary or a long list of promised sightings.

Should you book it?

Book this if you are curious about scuba, can swim, and want a supported first session with a chance to see Tenerife’s underwater rock formations and marine life. The shallow practice, certified instruction, small group limit and included photos make the $105 price reasonable for a guided introduction.

Skip it, or choose another day, if you are pregnant, cannot swim, need to fly or visit a high place within 24 hours, or want a long underwater adventure. If those limits work for your plans, this is a practical way to try scuba without having to arrange equipment or instruction separately.

FAQ

How long does the activity take?

The full activity lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on the number of people in the group. The underwater portion is listed as about one hour.

How deep will I go?

The maximum depth is 12 metres. You begin with practice in a shallow, calm area and go deeper only after building confidence.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No previous scuba experience is required. The instructor teaches the basic concepts, equipment use, breathing and underwater communication before you practise.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Scuba equipment, insurance, a certified instructor and 2 or 3 photos per person are included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet the Ocean Friends team at Marina del Sur in Puerto de las Galletas, dock 5. Arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

Can I fly or visit Mount Teide after the activity?

No. You should not fly or go to a high place such as Mount Teide for 24 hours after the activity.