Los Cristianos: Try Dive for beginners

The first thing to know is that this is not a sightseeing boat trip. You spend time learning to breathe through a regulator, adjusting your body in the water, and getting comfortable below the surface before looking for marine life. That makes it a useful first step for anyone curious about scuba but not ready for a full course.

I like the small groups of up to four, since a beginner needs calm, close instruction. I also like that equipment, insurance, an SSI certification, and the basic lesson are included. The main consideration is that you still need to feel comfortable in the sea, and the activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Maximum depth of 5 meters: A shallow introduction keeps the first underwater session controlled and manageable.
• Small group, close support: With no more than four participants, the instructor can watch your breathing, position, and comfort.
• Martin has a calm teaching style: Nervous beginners have been helped through the first moments of breathing underwater.
• Marine life can be a bonus: Fish, stingrays, octopus, and even a seahorse have been spotted during sessions.
• Three hours gives you time to settle in: The schedule allows for explanation, equipment practice, and time below the surface.
• $94 includes the essentials: Equipment, insurance, instruction, water, coffee, beer, and SSI certification are covered, but photographs cost extra.

Getting started at Ocean Dreams Tenerife

You begin at the Ocean Dreams Tenerife diving center in Los Cristianos. The meeting point is simple, but you should arrive ready in swimwear and prepared to spend much of the next three hours around the water.

The session starts with an introduction to the equipment and the basic ideas behind scuba. You learn how the gear works, how to breathe through the mouthpiece, and how to communicate underwater with hand signals. These are not minor details. Once you are below the surface, you cannot chat normally, so a clear signal system helps you tell the instructor if you are comfortable, need to stop, or want assistance.

The instructor also explains how to manage the first moments in the water. For many beginners, the hardest part is not the sea itself. It is the odd sensation of breathing through a regulator and trying to relax while wearing unfamiliar equipment.

That is why the teaching pace matters. Martin has helped people who felt very nervous before entering the water, including one participant who panicked when first trying to breathe underwater. The useful lesson here is simple: you do not need to rush. If you need a little time to settle your breathing, say so and let the instructor guide you through it.

Learning the language of the sea

Your first practical skills are basic, but they give the session its value. You practice breathing, body position, and underwater communication before focusing on animals or scenery.

The hand signals are especially important. You learn to communicate without speaking, which makes the instructor’s presence essential. With a maximum of four participants, the group remains small enough for close attention rather than a one-size-fits-all lesson.

The equipment can feel bulky at first. That is normal. Your job is not to master every part of it independently in one afternoon. You need to understand the basic purpose of the gear and follow the instructor’s directions.

The session also introduces the feeling of floating. Once your breathing becomes steady and your body settles, the water can feel strangely quiet. This calm is one of the best parts of a first underwater outing, but it usually arrives only after a few minutes of adjustment.

If you have little experience with water activities, tell the instructor early. One participant with almost no underwater experience received patient help with mouth breathing, ear pressure, and body position. That does not mean every person will find it easy, but it does show why honest communication with your instructor matters.

Entering the water in Los Cristianos

The actual underwater portion takes place in Los Cristianos, where you can explore the seabed under direct supervision. The maximum depth given for this beginner session is 5 meters, or roughly 16 feet.

That shallow depth is reassuring. You are not being sent far below the surface on your first attempt. Instead, the instructor can keep the session focused on comfort, breathing, and safe movement while you begin to notice the underwater environment.

Ear pressure can be unfamiliar as you descend. The instructor teaches you how to manage it and helps you adjust your position if needed. You should never force yourself through discomfort. Signal clearly and allow the instructor to stop or adjust the descent.

The first part below the surface may feel more like practice than sightseeing. That is not a flaw. A beginner who spends the opening minutes checking breathing, clearing pressure, and getting used to the equipment is building the foundation for a much better time later.

Once you relax, you can start looking around. Marine life is not guaranteed, but the sightings described for this location include fish, stingrays, a small octopus, and a seahorse. One group found a seahorse during its first descent, which would make a memorable introduction to the local seabed.

Why a second descent can be worthwhile

The three-hour format gives the session room to develop, and some participants have chosen to make a second descent. If that option is available during your session, it may be worth considering.

The reason is practical. Your first time underwater is often spent learning how to breathe and move. By a second attempt, you may feel less distracted by the regulator, mask, and pressure in your ears. That leaves more attention for fish and other marine life.

A second descent is not automatically better for everyone. If your first session leaves you tired, anxious, or uncomfortable, you should not feel pressured to continue. The activity is meant to introduce you to scuba in a controlled way, not test your toughness.

For confident beginners, though, the extra time can change the experience. The first part becomes practice, while the later part feels more like an actual underwater outing. This is one reason I would ask the center before arrival whether a second descent is included in the planned schedule or available as part of the session.

The marine life you might see

Los Cristianos gives you a chance to look for underwater life rather than simply practice in a pool. The animals mentioned for these sessions include various fish, stingrays, octopus, and seahorses.

A friendly stingray has been seen close to participants, and one group encountered a cheeky octopus. These encounters are never something the center can promise, so book this for the experience of learning to scuba, not as a guaranteed wildlife tour.

The best approach is to move slowly and listen to the instructor. Beginners often spend so much effort managing their equipment that they miss what is right in front of them. Once your breathing is steady, you can take in the small details of the seabed and watch for movement.

You should also remember that the animals are wild. The pleasure comes from observing them in their own environment, not from touching or chasing them. The instructor’s guidance helps keep the encounter calm and respectful.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Tenerife. It is also more than a casual snorkel, because the fee covers specialist equipment, instruction, diving insurance, and an SSI certification.

That package makes the price easier to justify if you have been considering scuba for a while. You are paying for supervision and an introduction to proper technique, not simply access to the water. The small group also matters because close attention is especially valuable when you are learning to breathe underwater.

Water, coffee, and beer are included as well. Since alcohol and drugs are not allowed during the activity, treat the beer as something for later, not part of your preparation. You should arrive hydrated and alert.

Photos are not included. If you want a record of your first underwater session, ask about the photo option before starting and check the extra cost. Otherwise, plan to enjoy the moment without an automatic picture package.

The SSI certification adds another useful element. It does not turn this short session into a full professional qualification, but it gives you a formal record of your introduction to basic scuba skills.

Who will get the most from this activity

This session suits adults and children aged 10 or older who are curious about scuba and want a guided first attempt rather than an independent course. It also works well for a solo participant, since the group is small and the instructor remains close.

You do not need previous scuba experience. You should, however, be ready to follow instructions, wear swimwear, and spend time in the sea with equipment around your face and body.

The activity may be a good match if you feel nervous but still want to try. Martin’s patient approach has helped participants who initially struggled with mouth breathing or felt anxious before entering the water. The important point is to tell the instructor about your concerns rather than hiding them.

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. The supplied information does not state a separate swimming requirement, so if you cannot swim or have limited water experience, contact Ocean Dreams Tenerife before booking and explain your situation clearly.

The practical rhythm of the three hours

The schedule begins at the center, moves into instruction and equipment preparation, then continues in Los Cristianos for marine life viewing and underwater practice. You return to the same center at the end.

Because starting times vary, you need to check availability when booking. The activity lasts three hours, so do not place it too close to another fixed appointment.

The small group limit of four is one of the strongest practical features. A crowded lesson can make a nervous beginner feel lost. Here, the instructor has a better chance to notice if your mask, breathing, or body position needs attention.

Bring swimwear and little else. The center provides the listed equipment and refreshments. Photos are extra, and you should not bring alcohol or drugs to the activity.

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

Languages and instructor support

Instruction is available in Spanish, English, Czech, German, Russian, and Croatian. That range is useful because technical lessons are easier when you fully understand the safety instructions.

The instructor does more than point out fish. You need help with breathing, hand signals, ear pressure, and body position, especially during your first few minutes below the surface.

Martin is the guide name connected with several particularly personal beginner sessions. He has helped nervous participants move past their first panic and has supported parents and children through the equipment and underwater practice. Guide availability can change, so do not assume Martin will lead every departure.

Is this a good first step toward scuba?

Yes, if you want a short, supervised introduction before committing to a full course. The shallow 5-meter limit, small groups, included gear, and direct instruction keep the first attempt focused and manageable.

It is also a good choice if you care more about feeling comfortable than collecting a long list of sights. The marine life can be memorable, but the real achievement is learning to stay calm, breathe, and communicate underwater.

I would hesitate only if you dislike the idea of a regulator in your mouth, have mobility concerns, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For everyone else, $94 is a fair price for a carefully supported first session, especially with insurance and certification included.

Book this experience if you want to test scuba in Los Cristianos without taking a full course. Ask about the possibility of a second descent, mention any swimming or anxiety concerns in advance, and treat the marine life as a welcome bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Is previous scuba experience required?

No. The activity is designed for beginners, and no previous scuba experience is necessary.

How deep will I go?

The session includes a descent to a maximum depth of 5 meters.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours, including instruction and underwater practice in Los Cristianos.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are limited to four participants.

Who provides the instruction?

Ocean Dreams Tenerife provides the activity and an instructor accompanies you throughout the underwater session. Instruction is available in Spanish, English, Czech, German, Russian, and Croatian.

What is included in the price?

The $94 price includes diving equipment, diving insurance, an SSI certification, basic instruction in underwater techniques and communication, an instructor, water, coffee, and beer.

Are photographs included?

No. Photos are not included in the price.

What should I bring and who cannot participate?

Bring swimwear. The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.