Reviewed · TENERIFE DIVING COURSES
Dive Baptism 1 Dive In Tenerife 3,5h
The most exciting part of this Tenerife experience comes just offshore: after a short lesson, you can spend 45 minutes underwater at depths of 8 to 10 meters, looking for fish, octopus, crabs, rock formations, and, with luck, sea turtles or angel sharks. You do not need previous scuba experience, and an instructor stays with you throughout.
I like two things right away. First, the complete equipment and transport to the water are included, so you do not need to organize much. Second, the session is private for your party, which gives the instructor room to adjust the pace to your comfort. The main consideration is that the listing describes the outing as about three hours, while the title says three and a half, so leave a little extra time in your morning.
In This Review
- Key points at a glance
- Starting at Medanodive in El Médano
- Learning the equipment before entering the water
- Getting suited up and traveling to the water
- The first 45 minutes underwater
- Why the instructor makes the difference
- What the price includes at $114.28
- Who should book this Tenerife experience
- Timing, cancellation, and small practical details
- Should you book this first scuba session?
- FAQ
- Where does the experience begin?
- What time should I arrive?
- How do I find the dive centre?
- How long does the activity last?
- How long is the underwater session?
- How deep will I go?
- Is equipment provided?
- Is an instructor with me during the session?
- Is transport included?
- What is the minimum age?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key points at a glance
- A real first scuba session: You receive an equipment briefing, safety guidance, and a 45-minute underwater outing.
- A controlled depth: The planned depth is 8 to 10 meters, with the instructor beside you.
- Personal attention: The experience is private for your party, and the listed capacity is one participant.
- Full kit included: Suit, breathing equipment, and the rest of the required gear are supplied.
- Transport is covered: Medanodive takes you to the water and returns you to the centre in El Médano.
- A strong record of approval: The supplied rating is 5 out of 5 from 13 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it.
Starting at Medanodive in El Médano
Your morning begins at 8:30 am at the Medanodive centre, Plaza Galicia local 8, in El Médano. The shop is in the square after Boomerang Bar and opposite the post office, Correos. This is a useful meeting point because you can find it on foot from the nearby beach area, though the directions are worth saving before you leave your hotel.
The early start works well for a water activity. You get the main session done before much of the day is gone, leaving time for lunch, the beach, or another Tenerife plan. It also means you should arrive ready rather than treating 8:30 as a loose suggestion.
The booking information describes this as a private experience for your party, with a maximum of one participant listed. That wording is a little unusual, so if two or more people want to take part, confirm the arrangement with Medanodive before booking. The private format is valuable for a beginner because you are not trying to keep pace with a larger class.
Communication is one of the practical strengths here. The centre has used WhatsApp to confirm meeting details and answer questions before the session. That matters when you are nervous, unsure what to bring, or simply want to check the exact meeting point.
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Learning the equipment before entering the water

The first part is an explanation, not a rushed equipment handout. The instructor goes through the parts of the kit you will use and explains how they work. You also receive the basic safety rules and a step-by-step account of what will happen once you reach the water.
That preparation is especially important if you have only snorkeled before. Breathing through a regulator feels different from breathing at the surface, and some beginners need time to get used to it. One participant needed repeated reminders to keep their mouth closed underwater, while another needed extra time simply to practice putting their face in the water. The instructors adjusted without turning those early nerves into a problem.
You will also learn the basic hand signals used underwater. Since you cannot have a normal conversation below the surface, these signals are the main way to tell the instructor that you are comfortable, need help, or want to change something.
The instructor’s job here is not just to explain rules. It is to make sure you understand what you are doing before you continue. Ismael was singled out for explaining each stage clearly and keeping a calm pace. Chris, Dani, David, and Liam were also praised for friendly, patient support in different sessions. The staff roster may vary on your date, but the centre clearly relies on close supervision and clear instruction.
Getting suited up and traveling to the water
After the talk, you put on the suit and full equipment. All required equipment is included in the price, which keeps this simple for a first attempt. You do not need to arrive with a personal mask, tank, or regulator.
The centre then provides transport to the dive site and back to Medano, as the listing calls El Médano. This is more convenient than carrying a full kit through town or trying to work out local transport to an unfamiliar shoreline. The exact site is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular bay or named reef.
One practical point: scuba equipment is bulky. Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothes and bring anything you normally want after a water activity, such as a towel and dry clothing. The formal information confirms that the equipment and transport are included, but it does not list towels, food, drinks, or personal items.
The experience is offered in English. The centre also operates in Spanish, and the instructors named in the supplied accounts were able to explain the process clearly to English-speaking participants.
The first 45 minutes underwater

The planned underwater session lasts 45 minutes and reaches between 8 and 10 meters. That is a serious first introduction, but it is still within a clearly stated, limited depth. You remain with the instructor at all times, and the pace is adjusted to your comfort and ability.
Expect the beginning to be gradual. You may first practice breathing and settle your face in the water before moving farther down. That is not wasted time. If your breathing is calm and regular, the rest of the session becomes much easier.
The underwater scenery can include several kinds of fish, rock formations, octopus, and crabs. One participant saw a sea turtle within the first few minutes and another encountered angel sharks. A family of dolphins was also seen in the bay on one morning, but these are wild animals, so none of those sightings can be promised.
That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also worth keeping expectations sensible. This is not a wildlife guarantee or a specialist animal-spotting trip. You are booking a guided first scuba session in Tenerife, with the chance to see local marine life while learning the basics.
The instructor remains close, checks your wellbeing, and helps with small adjustments. You are given enough freedom to look around, but you are not left to manage the equipment or route alone. For anyone nervous about the sea, that balance is likely the most important part of the experience.
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Why the instructor makes the difference
A first scuba outing succeeds or fails on comfort. Equipment can be excellent, and the water can be full of fish, but neither helps if you feel rushed or embarrassed when you need another explanation.
The strongest praise for this experience focuses on the instructors’ patience. Ismael was described as having a relaxed manner and a gentle pace. Chris and Dani were praised for being friendly and encouraging, while David and Liam were thanked for making beginners feel safe. These comments point to a useful quality: the staff seem prepared for the small challenges that come with a first session.
You should still speak up. If the mask feels wrong, the regulator is uncomfortable, or you need to pause, tell the instructor immediately using the agreed signal or by returning to the surface as directed. The experience is designed for beginners, not for pretending that you already know what you are doing.
The private format adds value here. With only your party, you are less likely to feel that you are holding up a group. The listed maximum of one participant suggests especially close attention, although people booking together should verify how the centre handles multiple participants.
What the price includes at $114.28
At $114.28 per person, this is not a cheap beach activity, but it covers more than a quick equipment rental. The price includes the baptism session, complete equipment, an instructor, and transport to the water and back to the El Médano centre.
For a first-time participant, that package reduces several costs and complications. You do not need to purchase or rent separate gear, find a qualified instructor, or arrange transport to the site. You are paying for supervision as much as for the 45 minutes underwater.
The value is strongest if you are genuinely curious about scuba but do not want to commit to a multi-day certification course. You get a controlled introduction and can decide afterward if you want to continue. One participant began looking into an open-water course after returning home, which is exactly the kind of decision this session can help you make.
There may be an optional photo and video service. One person paid an extra €10 for underwater images and video, while another account described images being sent free of charge. Since these details do not match, ask Medanodive what is available and what it costs on your date. Do not assume underwater photographs are included in the $114.28 price.
Who should book this Tenerife experience
This suits adults and children aged 12 or older who can swim and want a first taste of scuba. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transport.
The centre says most participants can take part, but the supplied information does not give detailed medical restrictions or explain the process for specific health conditions. If you have a medical concern, ask the provider before booking rather than relying on a general assumption.
I would especially recommend it to you if:
- You have snorkeled before and want to go below the surface.
- You feel curious about scuba but are not ready for a full certification course.
- You want an instructor who can slow down when you need it.
- You prefer a small or private arrangement over a large class.
- You want transport included rather than managing the trip yourself.
It may be less suitable if you want a long underwater session, a guaranteed turtle sighting, or a named dive site. The experience is built around learning and comfort, not around covering a large area or collecting a long list of species.
Timing, cancellation, and small practical details
Allow roughly three to three and a half hours from the 8:30 am meeting time until you return to Medanodive. The formal duration says approximately three hours, while the product title says 3.5 hours. Equipment preparation, instruction, transport, and the 45-minute session account for the difference.
Confirmation is provided when you book. If your selected day is unavailable, Medanodive says it will try to arrange another date. If that cannot be done, you receive a full refund.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so keep the cut-off in mind when planning around weather, flights, or other excursions.
The centre returns you to Medanodive after the session. That makes it easy to continue your day in El Médano, but you should not assume a hotel pickup unless you have arranged it directly. The supplied pickup detail names the dive centre, not individual hotels.
Should you book this first scuba session?
Book it if you want a well-supervised introduction rather than a quick swim with a tank. The combination of full equipment, transport, clear preparation, a 45-minute session, and close instructor support gives the price a fair value for a first attempt.
The best reason to choose it is the calm, personal approach. Beginners have been given time to practice breathing, repeat instructions, and settle their nerves before going farther. That can matter more than the exact fish you see.
Skip it if you are looking for a guaranteed turtle encounter, a longer certified scuba course, or a clearly specified underwater location. If you do book, confirm the exact duration, participant capacity, and photo arrangements in advance. For a curious swimmer aged 12 or older, this is a sensible way to find out if Tenerife’s underwater world is for you.
FAQ
Where does the experience begin?
It begins at the Medanodive dive centre in El Médano, at Plaza Galicia local 8, Tenerife.
What time should I arrive?
The stated start time is 8:30 am.
How do I find the dive centre?
In Plaza Galicia, go after Boomerang Bar and look opposite Correos, the post office.
How long does the activity last?
The tour information says approximately three hours, while the title states three and a half hours. Allow extra time for the full morning.
How long is the underwater session?
The first underwater session lasts 45 minutes.
How deep will I go?
The planned depth is between 8 and 10 meters.
Is equipment provided?
Yes. Complete equipment is included.
Is an instructor with me during the session?
Yes. An instructor accompanies you and assists throughout the underwater session.
Is transport included?
Yes. Transport to the underwater site and back to Medanodive in El Médano is included.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult and be able to swim.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.
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