RECREATIONAL DIVE (certified divers only) : Explore Canarian Sealife

Tenerife’s best underwater moments come from the sea itself: octopus, eel, starfish, fish, and plant life appear around more than 15 possible sites. Two separate sessions let you spend real time below the surface instead of rushing through one short swim, and the site is matched to your certification and the day’s weather. I like the small groups, capped at six, and the freedom from a fixed underwater time limit. The main catch is that you must already hold a scuba certificate and carry your own personal scuba insurance.

I also like that the plan is flexible rather than tied to one reef in all conditions. The team can choose a suitable site for your level, with a short boat ride to some locations, and one recent outing included a second session straight after the first. Weather can change the plan, so leave room in your schedule rather than treating this as an unmovable appointment.

Key points at a glance

• More than 15 possible sites: The location can be selected according to your certification and the sea conditions.
• Two underwater sessions: You visit two different sites, giving you more time in the water and more variety.
• No fixed underwater time limit: Your session is not sold as a rushed, timed swim.
• Small groups of up to six: The format allows for closer attention than a large boat outing.
• Marine life at Las Galletas: You might see octopus, eel, starfish, fish, and underwater plants.
• Equipment and photos included: Scuba gear, photographs, coffee, and tea are part of the price, while personal scuba insurance is not.

Starting in Las Galletas with a small local team

You meet at LJ Diving Tenerife, at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores 16 in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s southern coast. The activity lasts about three hours and returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate end point or work out where to collect your equipment afterward.

The center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The exact meeting time comes through your booking confirmation, which is sent within 48 hours and depends on availability. Since the excursion needs suitable weather, I would avoid booking it on the final morning of your Tenerife stay.

Public transport is nearby, but the supplied details do not specify a particular bus route or transfer service. Plan your own arrival to Las Galletas and allow enough time to find the center without rushing. A calm start matters here. You will need to discuss your certification level, get fitted with equipment, and listen to the safety guidance before entering the water.

The activity is described as private, with only your group participating, while the group size is limited to six people. That combination is worth clarifying when you book. It means you are not being placed in a large mixed crowd, but the total size may depend on who is booking together and how the operator has arranged the session.

Choosing a site from more than 15 options

The strongest part of this experience is the site selection. Rather than sending every customer to the same spot, LJ Diving Tenerife chooses from more than 15 sites according to your qualification and the conditions on the day.

That matters because a certified beginner and a highly experienced diver should not be treated as if they have the same needs. Depth, comfort, current, and general conditions all affect how relaxed you feel underwater. The supplied information does not name each site or promise particular depths, so you should not book expecting one exact reef, wreck, or animal encounter.

Instead, think of the outing as a guided introduction to the area’s underwater range. The team aims to place you at the most suitable site for your experience. If the sea changes, the plan can change too. That may disappoint anyone hoping for a specific location, but it is a sensible trade for comfort and safety.

The operator accepts certifications from every organization and caters to levels from beginner to highly experienced. This does not mean the activity is suitable for a person with no certification. It is for certified scuba participants only, and you should be ready to show or discuss your qualification before the session.

What the first underwater session is like

After preparation at the center, you head to the first selected site. Some locations are reached by a short boat trip, which adds a pleasant stretch of open water without taking over the day. The exact route is not fixed, so the boat ride and site will depend on the conditions and your group’s ability.

The guide leads the session and points out the best parts of the site. You might find octopus tucked into rocky spaces, eel, starfish, fish, and underwater plant life. The description of the experience does not promise any particular animal, and marine life is never guaranteed, but the variety of sightings recorded here gives you a useful idea of what may be around.

The lack of a set underwater time limit is helpful. You are not pushed through a short, standardized circuit simply because the clock says the group must surface. Your actual time underwater will still depend on normal safety factors, including your air supply, certification, conditions, and the guide’s judgment. No fixed time limit should not be read as unlimited underwater time.

This format works especially well if you dislike hurried group outings. A small party makes it easier for the guide to keep an eye on everyone and respond to different comfort levels. It also gives you a better chance of pausing to look at a creature instead of being swept along by a large line of participants.

Moving on to a second site

The second session is where this outing earns much of its value. You get another location rather than repeating the same short route, and the change can bring different depths, rock formations, plants, and animal life.

One recent booking included a second session immediately after the first. The supplied details do not promise that the two sessions will always be back to back, but the tour is designed around successive sessions at two sites. Ask about the timing when you confirm, especially if you want the two outings close together.

A second site also gives you a little insurance against an ordinary first stop. If one location is quiet on the day, the next may offer a different setting. That is not a guarantee of better sightings, but it makes the overall three-hour plan less dependent on one patch of sea.

You should arrive with a moderate level of physical fitness. The supplied information does not list a long walk, strenuous hike, or difficult shore entry, so I would not assume a demanding land-based route. Still, scuba equipment takes effort to carry and use, and getting in and out of the water requires basic mobility and confidence.

Marine life around Tenerife’s southern coast

The appeal here is not a staged animal show. You are visiting natural underwater sites, guided toward places where the team expects good conditions and interesting sea life.

The known sightings include octopus, eel, starfish, fish, and plants. Octopus can be easy to miss, so a guide who knows the sites may help you notice details you would swim past on your own. Eel and starfish add variety, while the plants and rock life give the scene more to look at between larger animals.

Keep your expectations sensible. The tour does not guarantee a particular species, water visibility, or a specific animal count. Conditions vary, and the site may be selected for safety and suitability rather than for the most dramatic possible wildlife encounter.

For photographers, the included photos are a useful extra. The details do not explain how many images you receive, who takes them, or when they are delivered. Treat them as a welcome record of the outing, not as a full professional photo package. If you care about getting a particular shot, ask the operator what the photo service includes before booking.

What the $114.93 price covers

At $114.93 per person, the price is easiest to judge as a package rather than as a simple three-hour activity. You receive guided access to two sites, scuba equipment, photographs, coffee or tea, and the attention of a small group.

Equipment rental can make a major difference to the final cost of a scuba outing. Since use of the scuba equipment is included, you do not need to add a separate standard gear rental charge based on the information provided. The two site visits also give the price more weight than a single short session.

The small group is another part of the value. A maximum of six gives the guide fewer people to monitor and makes it easier to keep the outing at an appropriate pace. That can matter more than a few extra minutes on the clock, especially if you are a newer certified participant or have not been underwater for some time.

Personal scuba insurance is not included. This is the clearest extra cost or responsibility to plan for. The supplied details do not state the price, coverage rules, or whether a particular insurance provider is accepted, so confirm those points before you arrive.

Who will get the most from this outing

This is a good fit if you are already certified, want guided local sites, and prefer a small group to a busy boat operation. It also suits experienced participants who want two different locations without committing to a full-day program.

Newly certified scuba users may appreciate the site matching and close attention. The operator accepts certification from all organizations, and the choice of location is based on your ability and conditions. Still, certification alone does not remove the need for comfort in the water. If you are nervous or out of practice, tell the center in advance.

Experienced participants should like the flexible site choice and absence of a preset underwater time. The tour does not promise technical depths, wrecks, or specialist conditions, so it may feel too basic if you are seeking a highly specific advanced experience.

This is not for someone who wants a casual snorkeling trip or a first-ever introduction to scuba. You need certification, moderate fitness, and personal scuba insurance. The activity also depends on good weather, so anyone with a tightly packed schedule should keep a backup plan.

Practical planning before you book

Use the daily opening hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., as a general guide rather than assuming every time is available. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

Wear or bring what you normally need for a scuba outing, but do not assume that every personal item is supplied. The included equipment covers scuba gear, while personal insurance remains your responsibility. The information does not specify towels, transport, meals, or hotel pickup, so plan on meeting at the Las Galletas center under your own arrangements.

The tour is available in English. If your group includes people who are not comfortable with English underwater and during safety instructions, discuss that before booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The operator can also cancel if weather makes the activity unsafe, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

The final call: book it if you want two guided sites

I would book this experience if you are a certified diver who values small groups, two different sites, and flexible site selection over a guaranteed named location. The combination of equipment, photos, coffee or tea, and no fixed underwater time makes $114.93 reasonable for a three-hour guided outing.

I would pause if you need personal scuba insurance included, want a specific wreck or reef, or cannot allow room for a weather change. For everyone else, this is a focused way to see Tenerife’s marine life without spending a full day on a large boat. Bring realistic expectations, confirm the insurance details, and leave enough time in your itinerary for the sea to make the final call.

FAQ

Where does the scuba activity start?

It starts at LJ Diving Tenerife, Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores 16, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Las Galletas.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The experience includes successive scuba sessions at two different sites.

Is there a fixed time limit underwater?

No fixed underwater time limit is placed on the sessions. Actual time still depends on safety conditions and the guided plan.

Do I need a scuba certification?

Yes. This experience is for certified scuba participants only.

Are all certification organizations accepted?

Yes. The operator accepts certification from every organization and accommodates levels from beginner to highly experienced.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included in the price.

Is personal scuba insurance included?

No. Personal scuba diving insurance is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You are offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.