Tenerife Scuba Diving for Certified Divers

Tenerife’s underwater world gets interesting fast: from protected Abades Beach, you can reach volcanic rock formations, wrecks, swim-throughs, and schools of bright fish in clear water. I like the small groups of up to six and the long one-hour underwater sessions, which give you more time to look around instead of rushing from one sight to the next.

I also like the practical setup. Hotel transport is included from much of the south and southwest coast, and you can spend the surface break snorkeling, eating lunch, or resting on the beach. The main catch is that much of the personal equipment, including the wetsuit, mask, fins, regulator, BCD, and computer, is not included, so check what you need to bring or rent before you book.

Key points at a glance

• Abades Beach is the base: A protected bay offers easy beach access, casual snorkeling, and a pleasant place for non-divers to wait.
• More than 20 underwater sites: Options include wrecks, reefs, swim-throughs, cavern routes, turtle areas, scooter outings, night sessions, and deeper sites.
• Long sessions in small groups: Underwater time averages about one hour, with groups limited to six participants per level.
• Volcanic scenery is the star: Black coral, red gorgonians, anemones, algae, and lava rock create the backdrop.
• Wildlife can be varied: Keep watch for octopus, turtles, seahorses, rays, angelsharks, and schools of colorful fish.
• Plan your equipment carefully: Tanks and weights are included, but most personal and technical equipment is extra.

Why Abades Beach makes a good starting point

Abades sits on Tenerife’s southeastern coast, away from the busier resort feel of the main beaches. The bay is protected, which matters when you want a calmer entry point and a place where you can relax between underwater sessions.

You begin with a safety briefing of about 30 minutes. That is useful time, not filler. It gives the guide a chance to cover the plan, check the group, and organize the equipment before you enter the water.

Some underwater sites are reached directly from the beach. Others are within about a 20-minute minivan ride. That short transfer keeps the day focused on time in the water rather than a long road trip around the island.

I like this arrangement because Abades works for mixed groups. A non-scuba companion can swim, snorkel, walk along the coast, sit on the beach, or have a cold drink on a terrace overlooking the bay. A companion who needs pickup pays a 15 euro transportation fee.

Two long sessions, with room for a third

The standard outing includes two underwater sessions, each lasting about an hour. Between them, you get at least one hour at the surface. That break gives your body time to recover and gives you a useful choice: have lunch, rest in the sun, snorkel, or simply enjoy the shore.

The schedule is not built around a quick dip and a rushed exit. An hour underwater lets you move slowly through the site, check cracks in the rock, look beneath ledges, and wait for animals to appear. Small creatures are easy to miss when a group has to hurry.

You may also be able to arrange a third session in the same day. The available formats include scooter, wreck, night, cavern, turtle, and deeper underwater outings. The exact plan depends on the site, your level, and what is arranged with the center, so you should confirm the details before setting off.

The standard price is $106 per person. For two guided sessions, tanks, weights, transfers to the underwater sites, and transport from many south and southwest coast hotels, that can be fair value. The price is less attractive if you need to rent nearly every piece of personal equipment, so add those costs before comparing it with another center.

What you may see below Tenerife

The underwater scenery here is shaped by Tenerife’s volcanic origin. Instead of a flat sandy bottom, you may swim around dark rock formations, openings, channels, and swim-throughs. These structures give fish places to shelter and create different routes for a guide to choose from.

Black coral, red gorgonians, colorful anemones, and algae add texture to the rock. The colors can be subtle in natural light, so clear water and a slow pace make a real difference.

Wrecks provide another type of interest. They give you a defined object to explore, with edges, openings, and surfaces that attract marine life. You should listen closely to the guide’s instructions around any wreck or enclosed section, especially if the plan includes a cavern route or swim-through.

The wildlife list is broad but should be treated as a possibility, not a promise. You might spot octopus tucked into rock, turtles moving through the bay, seahorses in sheltered areas, rays across the bottom, or angelsharks resting on the seabed. Schools of small colorful fish are especially likely around the shallow shore, where you can also snorkel without joining another underwater session.

Free underwater pictures are available. That is a useful extra, since taking your own camera may distract you from the group or require equipment you do not want to carry. A camera rental is not included, so ask how the included pictures are handled on the day.

The small-group advantage

The group limit is six participants. That is one of the strongest features for anyone who dislikes being packed into a large group. A smaller group makes it easier for the guide to keep people together, adjust the pace, and point out details that would be easy to miss.

Groups are organized by level. That matters because a certified participant looking for a relaxed reef outing may want a different pace from someone hoping for a wreck, cavern, scooter, or deeper route.

Daniel, Cindy, and Katherina are among the instructors connected with this experience. A verified booking described Daniel, Cindy, and Katherina as patient and detailed when explaining scuba knowledge. That is a useful sign for anyone who wants clear guidance, not just a quick equipment handout.

The instructors can work in Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. That language range is helpful when safety information needs to be understood without guesswork.

Getting there from Tenerife’s resort coast

Pickup is available from several locations, including Costa Adeje, Candelaria, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, and Abades. The included hotel or apartment transport is specifically for the south-western coast area, so confirm your exact address before booking.

The total outing lasts about six hours. Pickup timing can affect how much of the day remains for other plans, so leave plenty of room around this activity. The route to Abades also means you are not spending the day confined to the main resort strip.

One booking had some initial back and forth over hotel pickup, but the arrangement was eventually completed successfully. I would take that as a practical reminder to provide a precise hotel name, address, and contact number when you reserve. Confirm the pickup details if you have a flight, another tour, or a dinner reservation later that day.

The return options include Abades, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa del Silencio, Candelaria, and Acantilados de Los Gigantes.

Equipment: the detail that can change the price

Tanks and weights are included. The rest of the equipment list needs careful attention.

Not included are:

• Wetsuit
• Mask and snorkel
• Boots and fins
• BCD
• Regulator
• Dive computer
• Underwater scooter
• Underwater light
• Camera rental

Equipment rental is available on site. Still, you should ask for the current rental prices and confirm whether your preferred equipment is reserved for you. Certified participants who own their own kit can bring it, which may make the $106 price more appealing.

The missing wetsuit is worth noting in particular. Even in warm Tenerife weather, you should not assume the water will feel comfortable for a long session. The activity information specifically leaves the wetsuit out, so arrange one rather than arriving unprepared.

A computer, light, or scooter is only needed for certain routes. You may not need every item listed, but the equipment choice should match the type of site you want. A simple reef outing requires less than a cavern or night route.

The surface break is part of the experience

Abades is not just a transport point between sessions. You can snorkel from the beach as much as you like, and the shallow bay offers a simple way to keep enjoying the water without using a tank.

Look for fish just below the surface, then check the rocky edges for the chance of an octopus, turtle, or seahorse. Snorkeling will not replace the sites reached by minivan or the longer guided sessions, but it makes the one-hour surface interval feel less like dead time.

Food is not included, yet you are not stuck with a packed lunch. Nearby restaurants serve traditional Spanish dishes and international food. The sea-view terraces around the square give companions a comfortable place to wait, and they give you a chance to eat before the second session.

This is also where the experience works well for families or groups with mixed interests. A certified participant can spend the day underwater, while a non-diver can enjoy the coast without having to sit in a vehicle.

Who will get the most from this outing

This experience suits certified participants who want variety rather than one fixed site. With more than 20 possible locations across the southern and eastern half of Tenerife, you have a good range of volcanic formations, wrecks, reefs, and swim-throughs to consider.

It is also a good match for people who value time in the water. The average one-hour bottom time is longer than a rushed introductory session, and the small group keeps the format more personal.

You should think twice if you want every piece of equipment included in the advertised price, or if you need a highly specific route guaranteed in advance. The available site depends on level and conditions, and the price does not cover the main personal equipment many certified participants use.

The activity is not intended as a first-time scuba lesson. The booking is for certified participants, so bring proof of certification if requested by the center.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you are certified, staying on Tenerife’s southern or southwestern coast, and want two proper underwater sessions with a small group. The mix of wrecks, volcanic rock, reefs, and possible wildlife gives the day more variety than a single beach outing.

Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup point, the equipment you need to rent, and the type of sites suitable for your level. If those details work for you, $106 is a reasonable price for the included transport, guide, tanks, weights, and two long sessions.

Skip it if you want a fully equipped package with no extra rental costs, or if your schedule cannot handle a six-hour outing. For everyone else, Abades offers a relaxed base, useful snorkeling, and a solid chance to see Tenerife from a very different angle.

FAQ

Is this experience for certified scuba participants?

Yes. It is designed for certified participants exploring Tenerife’s underwater sites.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is six hours.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The standard package includes two sessions. It is also possible to arrange one, two, or three sessions in a day.

How long does each session last?

The average underwater time is about one hour.

How much surface time is there between sessions?

There is at least a one-hour surface interval between sessions.

What is included in the price?

The price includes two sessions, a guide, tanks, weights, transfers to the underwater sites, and transport to and from your hotel or apartment on the south-west coast of Tenerife.

Is equipment rental included?

No. Equipment rental is available on site, but the wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots, fins, BCD, regulator, computer, scooter, light, and camera rental are not included.

Where can pickup be arranged?

Pickup options include Costa Adeje, Candelaria, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, and Abades.

Can non-scuba companions come along?

Yes. They can use the beach, snorkel, swim, walk along the coast, or relax at a sea-view terrace in Abades. If they need pickup, the transportation fee is 15 euros.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.