Tenerife: Beginner’s Dive at a Spot with Turtle Sightings

Tenerife’s southern coast looks different from below the surface: volcanic seabed, schools of fish and the chance of spotting an octopus, ray or sea turtle. This two-hour beginner’s scuba outing keeps the group small, limits the depth to 10 metres and pairs each instructor with two clients.

I like the patient, one-to-two instruction and the short speedboat ride, which gives you a look at the coast without making the outing feel like a long boat excursion. The main caveat: turtles are possible, not promised, and weather can change the plan.

At a glance

• One instructor for every two clients: A reassuring setup if you are nervous or new to scuba.
• A short coastal boat trip: Expect about 15 minutes each way from Puerto Colón.
• A beginner-friendly depth: The guided underwater portion goes no deeper than 10 metres.
• Sea life is a possibility, not a guarantee: Fish, octopus, cuttlefish, moray eels, rays and turtles may be seen.
• Snorkeling may be available: You may get time at the surface while others take their turn underwater.

From Puerto Colón to the water

The meeting point is Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 and beside Café Black Pearl. The entrance is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria. Check the location carefully before setting off: the activity also uses the name Scuba Point, which can make the exact door less obvious.

At the center, you’ll be fitted with a wetsuit, fins and mask. A life jacket is available if needed. Bring your swimwear, and arrive ready to change into the equipment. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately if you want a snack before or after.

The safety briefing takes about 30 minutes. Your instructor explains how the equipment works, what to expect in the water and how to communicate during the session. That time is useful, not filler. As a beginner, you need to understand the basic steps before you enter the sea, and the small group gives the instructor room to answer questions.

You do not need prior scuba experience or a certification for this introductory outing. The instructor guides you through the process and stays with you underwater. One instructor is assigned to every two clients, a particularly useful ratio for first-timers who need a little extra time to settle in.

A short ride along Tenerife’s south coast

Once everyone is fitted and briefed, you board a speedboat for roughly 15 minutes to reach the site. The ride offers a fresh view of the coast from the water, but it is short enough that the trip is mainly about getting you to the activity, not sightseeing by boat.

The group anchors in a secluded natural bay when conditions allow. The itinerary is weather-dependent, and poor conditions can lead to a change of site or cancellation. A spring booking, for example, had to move from the planned turtle area to a shore-based location because of the weather. The alternative still offered fish and a starfish, but it is wise to treat the named site and wildlife as possibilities rather than fixed promises.

There is no guarantee of a sea turtle sighting. The title may set your hopes on turtles, but this is a general beginner’s scuba experience with a chance of seeing one. The sea decides what appears, and that is part of the bargain. Fish and other marine life are the more sensible expectation.

A careful first introduction underwater

At the site, participants take turns putting on the tank and breathing equipment, then enter the water with their instructor. The guided session is scheduled for about 45 minutes. You descend gradually and stay within a maximum depth of 10 metres, a limit chosen to keep this introductory activity within a manageable range.

The underwater route is not a free-roaming expedition. You follow your instructor around the site, where volcanic seabed and marine life provide the focus. Look out for octopus and cuttlefish tucked among rocks, moray eels, rays and schools of fish. The instructor can help you notice animals you might miss on your own, including small, well-camouflaged creatures.

That guidance matters as much for confidence as for spotting wildlife. Some beginners feel apprehensive when they first enter the water or adjust to breathing through the equipment. Instructors such as Carlos, Rihan, Marcelo and Fran have been singled out for calm explanations and one-to-one reassurance. The names may vary by date, but the consistent strength of the operation is patient support.

You should still expect the first moments to feel unfamiliar. One participant described needing time to calm their breathing after entering cold water, while another was initially frightened of going under. In both cases, staying close to the instructor helped. You can tell the team if you are nervous before the session begins; the point of the small ratio is to let the guide respond to each person, not rush everyone through at the same pace.

The outing also works for a parent and older child, or for a certified scuba enthusiast accompanying a beginner. Children under 8 are not accepted, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant people or those with respiratory issues, diabetes or heart problems. If you have a health concern, do not assume that the beginner format removes the need to check whether the activity is appropriate for you.

Snorkeling and the return boat ride

After your underwater session, you may have a chance to snorkel while others take their turn. This makes the outing more flexible for pairs or small groups with different comfort levels, though snorkeling time is an opportunity rather than a guaranteed, separate session.

The boat returns to Puerto Colón in about 15 minutes. The total activity lasts roughly two hours, including the briefing, transfers and time at the site. The schedule is compact, but it is not two hours of continuous time underwater. If you are planning other activities for the day, allow room for the full outing and the return to the center.

A practical detail is easy to overlook: after scuba, you must not go above 300 metres in elevation, and you should not fly. That rules out heading up Mount Teide immediately afterward. Schedule this activity on a day when you can remain at lower elevations and avoid air travel.

What $82 buys you

At $82 per person, the price includes the boat ride, full scuba equipment, a certified instructor and insurance. For a first-time participant, that package removes the need to rent gear elsewhere or arrange transport to the site. The one-instructor-for-two-clients ratio is an important part of the value: you are paying for close supervision, not just access to the water.

The price does not include food, drinks or photos and videos. Images are available to purchase, so decide in advance whether you want a record of the experience. They can be a nice extra, especially when you are too busy managing the equipment to take in every detail, but they are optional and add to the total cost.

This is a short activity rather than a full training course. You should book it to try scuba under supervision and see whether you enjoy being underwater, not as a substitute for certification or a longer course. If the experience sparks a new hobby, you can look into formal training afterward.

The value is strongest if you are new, curious and want an organized first session with an instructor close by. It may feel less compelling if you are already an experienced scuba enthusiast seeking a long, challenging route or a guaranteed encounter with a particular animal.

Who should book this Tenerife outing?

I’d recommend it to first-timers who want a supported introduction without committing to a course. The repeated emphasis on clear briefings, close instructor attention and help with nerves makes it a sensible option for someone who is excited but uncertain. Families with children aged 8 and older may also find it a memorable shared activity, provided each participant meets the health requirements and is comfortable in the water.

It also suits couples or friends with different experience levels. A certified scuba enthusiast can join a beginner, and snorkeling may be possible while other participants take their turn. Just keep expectations realistic: the main event is a guided underwater session, not a guaranteed turtle encounter or an extended boat trip.

The tour is available in Spanish, French, Italian and English, and groups are limited to nine participants. Starting times vary by availability. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund. Weather can still affect the outing, so leave some flexibility in your schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a well-supported first scuba experience, value close instructor attention and can be happy with whatever marine life turns up. The short boat ride, included equipment and small-group format make the $82 price reasonable for a guided introduction.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle sighting, you need a long underwater session, or you plan to visit Teide or fly soon afterward. Treat the wildlife as a bonus, follow the safety limits and let the instructor set a comfortable pace.

FAQ

Do I need scuba experience or a certificate?

No prior experience is required. The activity is designed for beginners, and a certified instructor guides you.

How deep does the underwater session go?

The maximum depth is 10 metres.

How long is the activity?

The total activity lasts about two hours. The itinerary includes a 30-minute safety briefing, a 15-minute boat ride each way and about 45 minutes at the site.

What marine life might I see?

You may see fish, octopus, cuttlefish, moray eels, sting rays and sea turtles. Specific wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

You may have an opportunity to snorkel while others take their turn underwater. The activity does not promise a separate snorkeling session for everyone.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. Scuba equipment is included, and food and drinks are not.

Can I go to Teide or fly after the activity?

No. After scuba, you must not go above 300 metres in elevation or fly. The activity information specifically gives Mount Teide and airplanes as examples.