Diving course for beginners in turtle area Tenerife

Your first breaths beneath the surface happen in the protected Abades area, where colorful fish may be joined by wild turtles and sting rays. I like the private format and the calm, step-by-step start in shallow water. You do not need previous experience, and the instructors can work with nervous beginners.

I also like that the $100 price includes the full equipment set, insurance, photos, videos, and a certification card. The main drawback is simple: turtles are wild, so nobody can promise a sighting. There is also no changing room or hot shower at the meeting point.

Key points at a glance

• Three-hour first course: Begin with an explanation on the beach, practice in shallow water, then continue with a guided underwater session.
• Abades protected area: The setting offers a chance to see colorful fish, sea turtles, and sting rays in their natural surroundings.
• Private instruction: The session is arranged for a private group, useful if you want personal help or feel uneasy in the water.
• Everything important is included: Equipment, insurance, instructor support, photos, videos, and a certification card are part of the price.
• Suitable from age 10: You do not need previous experience, but you must meet the health and safety requirements.
• Practical limits matter: No flights for 12 hours afterward, no extreme sports after the course, and no visit to Teide for nine hours.

Starting at Abades beach beside Magilu

You meet at Abades beach, beside the Magilu restaurant. That detail matters because the meeting point is not described as a large dive center with lockers, changing rooms, or showers. Bring your swimwear and towel, and arrive ready for a beach-based activity.

Abades is within a national protected park, giving the session a more natural setting than a pool lesson. You are heading straight into the Atlantic rather than spending the whole morning in a training tank. The tradeoff is that conditions at the beach can feel less controlled than an indoor facility.

The course lasts three hours, which gives the instructor time to explain the equipment, help you get comfortable, and guide you through the water without turning the outing into a rushed photo stop. Starting times vary, so check availability before booking.

The group is private. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience if you are a complete beginner. You can ask questions, pause when needed, and receive direct help instead of trying to keep up with a large class.

Learning to breathe underwater

The first part is a full introduction to your first underwater experience. You learn how the equipment works and how to breathe with it before entering the sea. For a first-timer, this preparation is not filler. It is the part that helps turn a strange sensation into something manageable.

The equipment includes a neoprene suit, buoyancy jacket, mask, and fins. The provider also supplies the rest of the full equipment set and insurance. You do not need to arrive with your own gear, though you should bring swimwear and a towel.

Next, you enter shallow water. This is where you can get used to the mask, fins, suit, and breathing system while your feet are closer to the bottom. The instructor guides you through the first steps and helps you feel safe before moving farther into the sea.

I like this gradual approach. A first underwater session can be exciting, but it can also feel awkward. A mask may not feel natural at first, and breathing through equipment takes attention. Beginning in shallow water gives you a chance to settle down before looking for marine life.

Non-swimmers may be able to take part, but the course description calls this complicated. That is an important warning, not a minor footnote. You should be comfortable discussing your ability with the instructor before booking, especially because the activity takes place in the ocean.

Exploring Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life

Once you are comfortable with the equipment, the instructor guides you through the sea near Abades. The area is described as a natural park with colorful fish, and you may also see sea turtles and sting rays.

The fish are the most realistic part of the wildlife promise. Turtles and rays are possible, but not guaranteed. They are wild animals, and their movements cannot be arranged around a three-hour appointment. Book this for the chance to see them, not for a guaranteed turtle encounter.

That honesty improves the experience. You are learning to observe marine life rather than expecting an animal show. You must not touch animals, plants, or other marine life. Alcohol and drugs are also not allowed.

Floating in the ocean is part of the appeal, even apart from wildlife. The course gives you time to notice how the equipment supports you and how small movements with your fins affect your position. For a beginner, that feeling of calm control can be just as memorable as spotting a turtle.

The instructors speak English, German, and Spanish. You must be able to follow the course in one of those languages because clear communication is a safety matter. If you do not speak any of these languages, this activity is not suitable.

What the instructor support is like

The experience is designed around close guidance. The provider has experienced instructors connected with CMAS and the International Aquanautic Club. The course is not presented as a formal advanced qualification, but you do receive a card marking your first underwater experience.

Andres is named as one of the instructors. If he leads your session, you can expect a particularly attentive approach based on the feedback associated with his instruction. Other comments also point to strong beginner support and a friendly team.

One useful detail is that an attendee found the English explanation clear enough to begin, while communication underwater was naturally more limited. That is normal for this kind of activity, where hand signals and close supervision matter. Still, if you are nervous or have questions, ask them before entering the water.

The private format helps here. You are not simply handed equipment and sent off with a crowd. The stated aim is to work without pressure, even if you are afraid. That does not remove every challenge, but it gives the instructor room to respond to your pace.

Panic attacks are listed as a reason this may not be the best sport for you. Take that seriously. Being nervous about a new activity is different from having panic attacks in water. If you have a serious concern, discuss it before reserving.

Photos, videos, and the certification card

Photos and videos are included at no extra cost. You receive them after the session, directly at the beach, and the provider describes them as top quality. This is useful because you will be busy managing your equipment and will not want to handle a camera during your first underwater experience.

The pictures also give you a record of a moment that can be difficult to describe afterward. You may remember the first time you breathed below the surface, but a photo can show family and friends what the outing looked like.

The certification card is another included item. It identifies your first underwater experience, but you should not treat it as a full professional qualification unless the instructor explains otherwise. The information provided describes it as a license or certification card for this introductory outing.

Because both the media and card are included, you avoid two common add-on costs. Confirm how the files are delivered on the day, since the available information says you receive them directly after the course but does not specify a download method.

Is $100 good value?

At $100 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a short, private introduction rather than simply hiring equipment. The package includes the equipment, insurance, instructor, photos, videos, and certification card. Those inclusions make the cost easier to justify.

You are also paying for the instructor’s time in the shallow water, not just the period spent looking at fish. The early explanation and equipment practice are central to the experience. For a first-timer, that guidance is more valuable than a longer outing with little instruction.

The value depends on your expectations. If your main goal is a guaranteed turtle sighting, the price may feel high because turtles cannot be promised. If you want to learn basic skills, experience the Atlantic with an instructor, and come home with photos, the package is stronger.

There is no food or drink included. There is also no changing room or hot shower, so do not expect a polished resort-style setup. You should plan to manage the beach logistics yourself and bring a towel for afterward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

Health rules and the day-after limits

The course is available from age 10. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or respiratory problems. Ear problems are also mentioned among the health restrictions, so do not assume that a general level of fitness is enough.

If you wear glasses, the instructions say you need contact lenses. Bring your swimwear and towel, and avoid alcohol and drugs before the activity.

Plan the rest of your Tenerife schedule carefully. You must not take a flight for 12 hours after the course. You should also avoid extreme sports afterward and wait nine hours before visiting Teide.

These rules can affect your itinerary more than you might expect. Do not place this course immediately before an evening flight, and do not build a same-day plan around a high-energy activity. If Teide is a major part of your trip, check the timing before you confirm the reservation.

The restrictions are sensible for an underwater activity, but the booking platform does not provide a medical assessment. If you have any doubt about your health, ask a qualified medical professional and tell the instructor before entering the water.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a good fit for a first-timer who wants personal instruction and does not mind a straightforward beach setup. You will get the most from it if you are curious about marine life, able to follow instructions, and comfortable taking things slowly.

It also suits couples, families with children aged 10 or older, and small private groups who want to share a first underwater experience. The certification card and photos make the session feel like a proper holiday activity rather than an informal swim.

It may not suit a non-swimmer looking for an effortless introduction. The provider says non-swimmers are possible but complicated, so you should be realistic about your comfort in the ocean.

It is also a poor match if you need guaranteed wildlife, a hot shower afterward, or a formal advanced qualification. This is an introductory course with nature-based sightseeing, not a promise of close contact with animals.

My call on the Abades course

Book it if you want a carefully guided first underwater session in a natural setting, with a private group and useful extras already included. The shallow-water start, supportive instruction, and direct access to photos and videos make it a practical choice for beginners.

Skip it if you have relevant heart, lung, ear, or pregnancy concerns, suffer panic attacks in water, or cannot follow English, German, or Spanish. Also skip it if the lack of a changing room and hot shower would bother you.

The best mindset is simple: expect to learn, float, and look for marine life. Treat turtles and sting rays as lucky sightings, not promises. With that approach, the Abades course offers a friendly first taste of Tenerife’s Atlantic waters without requiring previous experience.

FAQ

How long does the underwater course last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the explanation, equipment preparation, shallow-water practice, and guided time in the sea.

How much does the course cost?

The price is $100 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Abades beach beside the Magilu restaurant.

Do I need previous experience?

No. The course is designed for beginners and includes an explanation of the equipment and first steps in shallow water.

What equipment is included?

The provider includes the full underwater equipment set, including a neoprene suit, buoyancy jacket, mask, and fins.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are included at no extra cost and are provided after the activity.

Can I see turtles?

You might see sea turtles and sting rays, but they are wild animals and cannot be guaranteed.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish. You must speak one of these languages for safety reasons.

Can I fly after the course?

No. You should not take a flight for 12 hours after the activity. You should also avoid extreme sports afterward and wait nine hours before visiting Teide.