Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive

At Amarilla Marina, a yellow submarine carries you down to about 30 meters, where stingrays glide past the windows and the vessel settles on the seabed. It is a rare way to see Atlantic sea life without scuba gear, and the close encounter with rays and the scuba team is the moment most likely to stay with you.

I like two things in particular: the large windows give you a direct view of the underwater world, and the multilingual audio guide makes the trip more than a succession of fish sightings. There is also a free bus service from several resort areas, a useful extra if you would rather not arrange transport to the marina.

One consideration: the underwater trip lasts about 50 minutes, so it may feel short for the price if you expect a long outing. The full experience can take one to three hours once transfers and waiting time are included, and some children may find the cabin noisy.

At a glance

• Sub Fun Cinco descends about 30 meters off southern Tenerife.
• Look for rays, barracuda, octopus, parrot fish and flute fish, as well as shipwrecks.
• The submarine settles on the seabed, where a scuba team helps bring marine life closer to the windows.
• Audio commentary is available in 15 languages, with headphones supplied.
• Free bus transfers serve resort areas from Playa de las Americas to Los Gigantes.
• The trip is suitable for children aged two and up, but food and drinks are not allowed in the transfer vehicle.

From Amarilla Marina to the Atlantic

The trip begins at Amarilla Marina, on Tenerife’s southern coast. If you are making your own way there, arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start for check-in. Free parking is available near the operator’s office at the end of the harbour or along the port’s containment wall.

With the optional transfer, pickup details are sent ahead of time. Be at your assigned stop five minutes before the scheduled pickup. The bus serves several popular areas, including Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes. It is a practical way to avoid arranging a taxi, though the transfer adds time. The coach portion is listed as about 1.5 hours, and the overall outing can last from one to three hours depending on the option and schedule.

At the harbour, you board the yellow Sub Fun Cinco. The boat has 44 seats and 22 large windows, with headphones provided for the audio guide. The cabin is described as spacious and airy, a reassuring detail if the thought of an enclosed vessel makes you uneasy. One useful distinction: the trip begins on the water, so there can be some movement before the submarine goes below the surface. Once submerged, the vessel is reported to feel steadier.

The descent to 30 meters

The submarine travels to a depth of about 100 feet, or 30 meters. That puts you well below the surface, in a part of the Atlantic that is difficult to experience without specialist equipment. You remain seated behind the windows, watching the seabed and the life moving through it.

The listed underwater portion is about 50 minutes, while the marina visit and cruise are scheduled for around an hour. Treat those times as guides rather than promises: departure slots can vary with demand. The total outing may be longer, particularly if you use the coach transfer.

This is not the same as swimming among fish or exploring a reef at your own pace. You are looking through glass from a moving vessel, and the view depends on what is in the area that day. Still, the submarine offers a rare combination of depth and comfort: no swimming ability or scuba training is required, and you can watch the Atlantic from a dry seat.

Rays, shipwrecks and the seabed

The most memorable part for many people is when Sub Fun Cinco settles on the ocean floor. A scuba team joins the submarine and encourages fish to come closer to the windows. Stingrays are a particular highlight, with the team sometimes interacting with them right outside the glass. You may also spot barracuda, parrot fish, flute fish, octopus, starfish and other fish. Shipwrecks are another feature of the route.

The close-up encounter can make the underwater world easier to see than it would be from a boat above the surface. It also adds a show-like quality to the experience: the rays approach the windows while the submarine stays on the seabed. That is a memorable setup, but it is worth knowing that the fish are being drawn closer by the scuba team, rather than simply appearing at random.

Marine life is not a guaranteed checklist. The selection and visibility can vary, and the outing is relatively brief. If you hope to study a particular animal or habitat at length, this is not a substitute for an extended snorkel or scuba trip. If you want a comfortable first look at Atlantic life, though, the windows bring you close without asking you to get wet.

An audio guide for the whole family

Headphones are included, and recorded commentary is available in 15 languages: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, Chinese, Czech and Russian. Live guides speak English, Spanish and German. The audio covers the sea creatures and the local ecosystem, adding context to what you see outside.

The language options are a real practical advantage for families. Children can listen in a language they understand, and adults do not have to translate every explanation as the boat moves. A certificate is included at the end, a simple souvenir that can make the outing feel like a special occasion for younger passengers.

Children must be at least two years old. The submarine’s size and assigned seating make the activity manageable for families, but it is still a shared cabin. If a child gets restless or talks loudly, other passengers will hear it. Bring quiet activities for any waiting time, and set expectations before boarding.

How much time and money to plan for

The stated price is $72 per person. For that, you get the submarine trip, guide, headphones, an underwater certificate and, if you choose the relevant option, bus transfer. The main value lies in the unusual access: a 30-meter descent in a real submarine, views through large windows, and the chance to see rays at close range. You are paying for an experience that is hard to replicate on an ordinary boat outing.

The price may feel steep if you judge it only by the roughly 50 minutes spent underwater. It makes more sense as a distinctive holiday activity, especially for a family or anyone who cannot or does not want to snorkel or scuba. The bus transfer adds practical value if you are staying in one of the covered resort areas. Food and drinks are not included, and you cannot bring them in the transfer vehicle.

A photo is not listed as included. One passenger reported buying a submarine photo for €8, but that price may change. If a picture matters to you, check the current cost before you decide.

Comfort, nerves and small practical details

The submarine is described as spacious and well ventilated, and its seats are arranged beside large windows. The ride can feel smooth once the vessel is underwater. If you are worried about feeling trapped, those details may help, though a submarine cabin is still an enclosed space. There is no need to assume it will suit everyone.

A little ear pressure is possible. One passenger reported discomfort that eased a few hours later, so consider your own sensitivity before booking. The information provided does not specify medical restrictions or a procedure for pressure discomfort, so ask the operator directly if you have concerns.

The audio guide uses headphones, which helps you follow the commentary without relying on a live explanation in your language. Still, the cabin is shared, and the experience can be less peaceful if children or other passengers are noisy. If quiet observation matters to you, keep that in mind when choosing a family activity.

Is this the right Tenerife outing for you?

I would choose this trip if you want a memorable look at marine life without swimming, or if you are travelling with children old enough to sit through a short, shared activity. The rays, the seabed stop, the shipwrecks and the audio commentary give the outing more substance than a simple ride beneath the surface.

It is less compelling if you want a long underwater session, guaranteed sightings of a particular species, or a quiet and solitary encounter with nature. The experience is compact, guided and shared. For a one-off glimpse of the Atlantic from below, though, the format is unusual, the transfer can save hassle, and the chance to watch stingrays through the windows is a strong reason to book.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Check the pickup details sent to you, or arrive at Amarilla Marina 30 minutes early if driving.

FAQ

How long is the submarine trip?

The underwater trip is about 50 minutes. The full outing can take one to three hours, depending on the selected option and transfer arrangements.

How deep does the submarine go?

Sub Fun Cinco descends to approximately 100 feet, or 30 meters.

What marine life might I see?

You may see stingrays, barracuda, parrot fish, flute fish, octopus and other fish. Shipwrecks are also part of the underwater scenery.

Does the submarine stop on the seabed?

Yes. The submarine settles on the ocean floor during the trip, and a scuba team may help bring fish closer to the windows.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks English, Spanish and German. Recorded audio commentary is available in 15 languages, and headphones are provided.

Are bus transfers included?

A free bus transfer is available from several resort areas in southern Tenerife. Pickup is optional, and the pickup details are sent ahead of time.

Where do I meet if I arrange my own transport?

Meet at the local partner’s submarine at Amarilla Marina, 38639 Tenerife. Arrive 30 minutes before the activity for check-in.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least two years old. Children under two are not suitable for the activity.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and food and drinks are not allowed in the transfer vehicle.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.