Diving course for beginners in turtle area Tenerife

The best part of this beginner course is the setting: Abades national protected park, where your first underwater session may include colorful fish, sting rays, and wild sea turtles. You start in shallow water, learn to manage the equipment, then move out only when you feel ready.

I like the private-group format, since a nervous beginner gets more attention than in a large class. I also like the free photos and videos, delivered in top quality after the session, along with a certification card to mark your first course.

The main consideration is that sea turtles are wild, not scheduled performers. You might see them, but you might not. Non-swimmers can take part, though the course is more complicated for them, and anyone prone to panic attacks may find the setting too demanding.

Key points to know before booking

• Practice starts in shallow water: You get time to feel comfortable with the mask, fins, neoprene suit, and buoyancy equipment before heading farther out.
• A private lesson: Your instructor can move at your pace, which matters if breathing through equipment feels strange at first.
• Wild sea life: Colorful fish are expected, while turtles and sting rays depend on luck and conditions.
• Photos and videos included: You receive complimentary images and clips after the session, not just a memory in your head.
• Three languages available: Instruction is offered in English, German, and Spanish.
• Plan around the course: No flights for 12 hours afterward, no extreme sports afterward, and no visit to Teide for nine hours.

Starting at Abades beach in Tenerife

You meet at Abades beach, beside the Magilu restaurant. The beach setting makes the meeting point fairly easy to identify, but you should bring your swimwear and towel because there is no changing room or hot shower included.

This is not a full resort-style setup. You should arrive ready to change into the equipment and accept that the facilities are basic. Food and drinks are also not included, so plan those separately before or after the three-hour session.

The meeting point is in a national protected area, which is important to the character of the experience. You are not simply practicing in an indoor pool before being sent elsewhere. The course begins beside the Atlantic, with the marine setting part of the lesson from the start.

That said, the natural location brings natural limits. Conditions can affect visibility and animal sightings, and the course is not built around guaranteeing a turtle encounter. The promise is a first underwater experience in a protected marine area, not a wildlife show.

The first lesson: breathing and equipment

The opening part is a full beginner course. Your instructor explains how the activity works, how to breathe underwater, and how to use the equipment safely. This is the section to take seriously, even if you are eager to get into the sea.

You are fitted with a neoprene suit, diving jacket, mask, and fins. The equipment may feel unfamiliar on land, but the point of the lesson is to help you understand what each item does before you begin moving through the water.

Breathing underwater can feel odd for a first-timer. The instructors are used to helping people who are unsure, and the private format allows more room for questions and repeated explanations. Andres is one instructor associated with the experience, and English, German, and Spanish are available.

One practical language point matters here. If you do not speak one of those three languages, you cannot take the course, because clear safety instructions are required. That is a sensible restriction, not a minor booking detail.

Shallow water practice before the open sea

You begin in shallow water. This is where you make your first steps with the equipment and learn to feel safe and comfortable before moving into the wider Atlantic.

I consider this the most useful part for nervous beginners. You are not expected to master everything while immediately dealing with depth, movement, and marine life. The instructor can watch how you respond, help with the equipment, and keep the pace calm.

The course is described as suitable for people without previous experience. Non-swimmers may take part, but the activity becomes more complicated for them. If you are not comfortable in water, be honest with the instructor before starting rather than hoping the problem will disappear once the equipment is on.

People who suffer panic attacks should also think carefully before booking. An underwater activity requires you to remain calm enough to follow breathing and safety instructions. The instructors offer support and do not rush you, but personal comfort in the water still matters.

Moving out to Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life

Once you are ready, the instructor guides you toward the area where you can observe marine life. The point is not speed or distance. It is learning to float, breathe, and look around without touching the environment.

You can expect colorful fish in the protected area. With luck, you may also see large sea turtles and sting rays. These animals are wild, so no one can promise a sighting on a particular day. That uncertainty is part of the experience, and it is worth keeping your expectations realistic.

The rule is simple: look, do not touch. You must not touch marine life, animals, or plants. This protects the wildlife and keeps your hands away from anything that might be delicate, defensive, or unsafe.

I like that the activity focuses on observing rather than collecting a checklist of animals. Your first course is really about learning how to function underwater. The fish and larger animals add excitement, but the basic achievement is being able to float in the Atlantic and manage your breathing.

The exact underwater route and amount of time spent in each area are not specified. Your instructor controls the session according to safety, comfort, and conditions. That is another reason the private group matters: the experience can respond to the person in the equipment, not just to a fixed timetable.

Photos, videos, and the certification card

Photos and videos are included at no extra charge. You receive them after returning to the beach, in top quality according to the activity details.

This adds real value at a price of $100 per person. Beginner underwater sessions can be difficult to remember clearly because you are concentrating on breathing and equipment. Images give you a record of the setting and the moment you first managed the activity.

The certification card is also provided after the session. It should be understood as a card marking your first diving experience, not automatically as a full professional qualification or an unrestricted license for future underwater activities. The information provided does not describe it as a multi-day certification course.

Still, it is a nice physical reminder, especially if this is your first time using underwater equipment. You return to the beach with the card, your photos and videos, and a clear sense of what you learned.

What the $100 price really covers

At $100 per person, the cost is not just for time in the sea. The package includes the full equipment, diving insurance, an experienced instructor connected with CMAS and the International Aquanautic Club, the certification card, and the photos and videos.

That makes the price easier to justify for a first-timer. You do not need to rent a suit, mask, fins, or jacket separately, and you are not paying extra for the image package. Insurance is another useful inclusion for an activity where proper supervision matters.

The private-group format is the strongest value point. A large class might cost less, but it can be harder to get help when your mask feels wrong or breathing does not come naturally. Here, the instructor can focus on your comfort and progress.

There are limits. Food, drinks, changing facilities, and a hot shower are not included. If you want a polished beach-club experience with a locker and post-course facilities, this is not that product. It is a focused lesson with basic beach logistics.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the session and the option to reserve now and pay later reduce some booking risk. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

Health rules and planning after the session

The course is available from age 10. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart, respiratory, or ear problems. The supplied information also says people with certain medical conditions should wear contact lenses, though it does not identify every condition by name.

If you have any health concern, ask a qualified medical professional before booking. Do not treat the instructor’s general suitability rules as a personal medical clearance.

The post-course timing rules deserve attention. You must not take a flight for 12 hours after the activity. You should also avoid extreme sports afterward and wait nine hours before visiting Teide.

These restrictions can shape your itinerary. Do not schedule the course shortly before an evening flight, a strenuous adventure, or a Teide visit. The safest plan is to place this activity on a relaxed day with no major physical plans afterward.

How the course feels for first-timers

The strongest theme in the experience is support. The instructor is there to guide you through the first breathing exercises, help you use the equipment, and stay with you as you move from shallow water toward the marine area.

The five-star comments repeatedly praise the friendly, attentive approach. One participant specifically highlighted Andres as a very attentive monitor. Another described the instructor as making the group feel like family. Those details point to a warm teaching style rather than a rushed commercial lesson.

Language ability can vary by instructor, however. One first-time participant received a clear explanation in English and felt well supported, but also noted that the instructor’s English was limited. Underwater communication is more limited than on land, so agree on basic signals and make sure you understand the safety briefing before entering the water.

The session is promoted as private and without rush. That is especially useful if you need a little time to settle your breathing. It does not mean every fear disappears, but it gives you a better chance to work through ordinary beginner nerves.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to a first-time participant aged 10 or older who is reasonably comfortable in water, has no listed health restrictions, and wants a short introduction rather than a longer qualification program.

It suits you if you like the idea of seeing Atlantic marine life but do not want to arrange equipment, insurance, an instructor, and underwater photos separately. It is also a good fit if you appreciate a small, personal lesson.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle sighting. Turtles are wild animals and may not appear. You should also choose another activity if you experience panic attacks in water, cannot follow instruction in English, German, or Spanish, or plan to fly within 12 hours.

The course can work for families with older children, provided each participant meets the age and health rules. Non-swimmers are not automatically excluded, but the activity will be harder for them, so this is better suited to someone who can remain calm and follow guidance in shallow water.

Final call: a gentle first step underwater

Book this course if you want a closely guided introduction to underwater activity at Abades, with equipment, insurance, a certification card, and photos included in the $100 price.

The experience is strongest for beginners who value personal support over fancy facilities. You get a proper lesson, shallow-water practice, a chance to see Atlantic sea life, and a private setting where the instructor can respond to your comfort level.

Skip it if you need guaranteed turtles, a hot shower, a formal multi-day qualification, or a schedule that ends immediately before a flight. For the right beginner, though, this is a practical way to try the underwater world without committing to a longer course.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

Meet at Abades beach beside the Magilu restaurant in Tenerife.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts three hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $100 per person.

Is previous experience required?

No. The course is designed for beginners and includes an explanation of the first underwater experience.

What equipment is included?

The full equipment includes a neoprene suit, diving jacket, mask, and fins. Diving insurance is also included.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos of the session are provided free after the activity.

What languages does the instructor speak?

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

Can children take part?

The activity is available for children aged 10 and older. Children under 10 cannot take part.

Can I fly after the course?

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.