Tenerife: Scuba Diving for Certified Divers in Tenerife

Tenerife’s south coast gives you a lot of underwater variety in a short outing: 20 possible sites, wrecks, caves, clear water, and marine life that can include turtles, rays, angel sharks, moray eels, octopuses, and Atlantic fish. I like the quick speedboat ride and the fact that the crew can choose a site based on sea conditions.

I also like the small group of up to 10 people, plus several departures each day. The main drawback is simple: this is for certified divers only, and participants over 55 need a medical certificate. Insurance and photos cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Five to 20 minutes by speedboat: You spend little time reaching the underwater site and more time in the water.
• Twenty possible sites: The crew chooses among wrecks, caves, and marine habitats according to the day’s conditions.
• About 45 minutes underwater: The 2.5-hour schedule includes briefing, boat travel, and the underwater session.
• Marine life can be varied: Look for turtles, rays, angel sharks, moray eels, octopuses, and Atlantic fish.
• Certified divers only: PADI, SSI, and other certification holders are welcome, but uncertified participants cannot join.
• Friendly, multilingual crew: Instruction is available in Spanish, English, Italian, French, Russian, and Dutch. Tobi, one of the crew members, is specifically praised for helping with mask fit.

Puerto Colón gives you an easy start

You meet at the reception of Travel Sub Dive Centre, inside the Escuela Náutica building in front of pier 5 at Puerto Colón. The building sits within the port’s private parking area, and the centre is about 100 meters from the ocean.

That short walk matters. You do not need to carry a full equipment kit across a resort district or along a long beach promenade. Go inside the building and find reception. From there, the staff handles the equipment setup and directs you toward the boat.

The port location also keeps the outing focused. This is not a full-day excursion with a long coach transfer, a large lunch stop, or hours of waiting around. The planned duration is 2.5 hours, making it a practical choice if you want time for another Tenerife activity afterward.

Arrive ready to get changed. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Water is provided, but you should still bring what you need for the time before and after the session.

A 30-minute briefing sets the tone

The Puerto Colón stop includes a 30-minute safety briefing. For certified divers, this is not just routine paperwork. It gives you time to review the plan, get familiar with the equipment, and understand how the crew will run the session.

The centre supplies a BCD, regulator, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, and either a 12 or 15-liter air tank. An instructor or dive master accompanies the outing. Your own certification still matters, but you are not expected to bring a complete equipment set.

The staff can communicate in six languages: Spanish, English, Italian, French, Russian, and Dutch. That is useful in a small group, especially during the safety talk and equipment checks. One crew member named Tobi received a specific nod for helping with glasses, a small detail that points to the kind of practical assistance you may need before entering the water.

The tone appears informal and friendly, but do not mistake that for a casual approach to safety. You are using a boat, compressed air, and unfamiliar conditions. Pay attention to the briefing, ask questions about the day’s site, and make sure your mask and other gear feel right before leaving the port.

The speedboat ride is short and useful

After the briefing, you board one of two speedboats. The boat ride can take from 5 to 20 minutes, with the itinerary allowing about 15 minutes for the outbound trip.

That range is one of the useful parts of this experience. The crew can reach several sites without making you spend a large part of the morning or afternoon in transit. A short ride also makes the outing easier to fit into a holiday schedule.

The tradeoff is that a speedboat gives you less shelter than a larger vessel. Conditions can affect the ride, and you may want to take sunscreen and a towel seriously. The site is chosen according to the day’s conditions, so you should expect some flexibility rather than a guaranteed named location.

That flexibility is valuable around Tenerife. A site that works well on one day may not be the right choice on another. The centre has access to 20 locations, giving the crew room to select a spot that suits the water conditions and the group.

Forty-five minutes among Tenerife’s Atlantic marine life

The underwater portion lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time for a proper recreational session, but it is not a full day of repeated descents. The complete schedule includes the briefing, two boat rides, equipment work, and the time underwater.

The water is described as clear, with visibility that can give you good views of the marine life and underwater features. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the possible list is appealing: turtles, rays, angel sharks, moray eels, octopuses, and many types of Atlantic fish.

I like the range here. You are not signing up only for a fish-watching session or only for a wreck visit. The site options include natural formations, caves, wrecks, and animal habitats. Your actual route depends on the day, so ask the crew what they plan to visit before boarding.

Wrecks and caves add variety to the session. They can make the underwater route feel more exploratory than a simple open-water swim, though your certification level and the crew’s instructions should guide what you enter or approach. The supplied information does not promise a particular wreck, cave, or animal encounter, so treat these as possible features rather than guaranteed stops.

The trip also promotes night sessions, when Atlantic giants may be seen. The standard experience described here is a daytime outing, so check the available departure time if a night session is your main reason for booking.

The return to Puerto Colón keeps the outing compact

After the underwater session, you return by speedboat, with about 15 minutes allowed for the ride back. The activity ends at the same Travel Sub reception where you started.

That simple return is helpful. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup from another beach or marina. You can collect your belongings, rinse off as needed, and continue with your day from Puerto Colón.

The entire experience is listed at 2.5 hours. The schedule is structured, but the exact start time depends on availability. Since the centre runs multiple trips each day, you may have more than one departure to choose from, though the available times should be checked before you commit to a plan.

What the $63 price really covers

At $63 per person, the price is reasonable for a short boat-based underwater session because it includes the equipment and the boat trip. You also get an instructor or dive master, a tank, and water, so the main activity costs are bundled together.

The equipment list is useful and specific:

• BCD
• Regulator
• Weights
• Fins
• Boots
• Wetsuit
• 12 or 15-liter air tank
• Boat ride
• Instructor or dive master
• Water

That makes the price easier to judge than a low headline rate that leaves the major gear out. If you already own your own kit, you should still check how the centre handles supplied equipment, since the package includes a full setup.

Insurance is not included. Photos are not included either. If you want a visual record of the session, ask about photo options before entering the water rather than assuming an underwater photographer comes along.

There is also a useful arrangement for parents: babysitting is included in case both parents want to take part together. The supplied details do not explain the babysitting setup, so confirm the age limits, supervision details, and booking process directly with the centre before relying on it.

Who will get the most from this outing

This experience suits certified recreational divers who want a compact session close to the south coast. It works well for someone who has already completed training and wants to see Tenerife’s marine life without giving up an entire day.

It is also a good fit if you like variety. The 20-site network can include wrecks, caves, and animal-rich locations, rather than locking you into one fixed underwater setting.

The small-group limit of 10 participants helps keep the outing more manageable than a large boat operation. It does not guarantee private instruction, but it gives the crew a more limited group to organize during equipment checks, boat travel, and the underwater session.

You should not book this as a first-time introduction to scuba. Divers without certification are not accepted. Pregnant women cannot take part, and anyone over 55 must provide a medical certificate.

The session may also suit parents who want to take part together, thanks to the included babysitting option. Confirm the details first, since the available information does not spell out how that care is arranged.

Practical advice for a smooth session

Wear swimwear before you arrive, and bring a towel and sunscreen. You will be near the water from the start, and the speedboat portion can mean direct exposure to sun and spray.

Give yourself enough time to find the Escuela Náutica building. The meeting point is at the Travel Sub reception, not simply at a general port gate. Look for the building in front of pier 5 within the Puerto Colón private parking area.

Bring proof of your certification if the centre requests it. The activity accepts PADI, SSI, and other certification holders, but it is not available to people without certification.

Use the briefing to ask three practical questions:

• Which site is planned for the day?
• Is the session expected to include a wreck or cave?
• What marine life is most likely under current conditions?

The crew may need to adjust the location. That is a good reason to stay flexible. A planned site can change, but the ability to choose from 20 locations is meant to help match the session to the sea conditions.

If you need insurance for scuba activities, arrange it separately. The activity price does not include insurance, and the supplied details do not indicate that personal travel insurance is provided.

What the crew adds to the experience

The human side matters in an equipment-heavy activity. The centre uses instructors and dive masters, and the service is available in six languages. That makes the process easier for an international group.

The available feedback points especially to the reception staff and instructors as friendly, funny, and helpful. One person specifically highlighted the reception lady and instructor for making the occasion memorable. Another singled out Tobi for assisting with glasses.

Those details are small, but they are relevant. Good equipment is only part of a comfortable underwater session. You also need staff who can help you settle in, solve a mask problem, and keep the atmosphere relaxed without losing track of safety.

The centre supplies two speedboats and runs multiple trips each day. That suggests an operation built around regular departures rather than a one-off charter, which can be useful if your schedule changes during a Tenerife holiday.

Book it or skip it?

Book this outing if you already hold a recognized scuba certification and want a short, fairly priced boat session with access to several underwater sites. The best reasons are the quick ride from Puerto Colón, the 20-site choice, the equipment included in the $63 price, and the chance to see animals such as turtles, rays, moray eels, octopuses, and angel sharks.

Skip it if you are looking for a beginner lesson, a guaranteed wreck, a guaranteed animal sighting, or a full day of repeated underwater sessions. You should also budget for separate insurance and photos.

For certified divers staying in Tenerife’s south, this is a practical way to get underwater without overcommitting your day. Check the departure time, bring your certification details, and ask which site the crew expects to use. Those three steps will help you decide if the conditions and schedule suit you.

FAQ

Is this experience suitable for beginners?

No. You must already hold a scuba certification. PADI, SSI, and other certification holders are accepted.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours. The schedule includes a 30-minute safety briefing, about 15 minutes by speedboat to the site, around 45 minutes underwater, and about 15 minutes for the return boat ride.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at the reception of Travel Sub Dive Centre inside the Escuela Náutica building. It is in front of pier 5 within the private parking area at Puerto Colón.

What equipment is included?

The package includes a BCD, regulator, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, a 12 or 15-liter air tank, and water.

Is insurance included?

No. Insurance is not included in the activity price.

Are photos included?

No. Photos are not included.

Can people over 55 participate?

Yes, but participants over 55 must provide a medical certificate.

What languages are available?

The instructor and staff can provide service in Spanish, English, Italian, French, Russian, and Dutch.