Tenerife: Puerto Colon Discover Scuba Diving Trip

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is that you get a real taste of scuba without committing to a full certification course. After a 30-minute safety session, you ride a speedboat along Tenerife’s coast and spend about 40 minutes underwater, reaching as deep as 12 meters under a PADI professional’s direct supervision. Turtles are possible, but never guaranteed.

I like the simple progression from equipment practice to open-water exploration, and I like that the instructors make the first underwater session feel manageable rather than rushed. Max is praised for patient, tailored instruction, while Toby combines clear guidance with enough humor to keep first-timers relaxed. The main consideration is that this is not a casual swim: you need reasonable physical health, must manage without ordinary glasses, and cannot fly or travel to high altitude for at least 12 hours afterward.

Key points to know before booking

• Your first underwater session reaches up to 12 meters: You learn basic skills first, then explore under close professional supervision.
• The boat ride is part of the fun: Expect about 15 minutes each way from Puerto Colón to the coastal site.
• Marine life can include turtles and rays: You might also see fish, octopus, and stingrays, but wildlife sightings are not promised.
• Max and Toby are named instructors: Their calm briefings and patient help are especially useful if you feel nervous.
• The PADI DSD certificate is a useful next step: It records your introductory experience if you later continue with scuba training.
• The $113 price covers the main equipment and instruction: Photos and videos, plus a prescription mask, cost extra or are not provided.

A gentle first step into scuba

If breathing underwater has always sounded exciting but a full training course feels like too much, this three-hour activity makes a sensible introduction. You learn the basic safety rules, handle the equipment, and practice key skills before heading into open water.

You do not need previous scuba experience. You do need reasonable physical health and enough comfort in the water to follow instructions and swim around with equipment. The activity is designed for beginners, but it is still a serious water-based activity, not simply a boat trip with a quick look below the surface.

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving certificate gives the outing a little more value than a one-off swim. It is not the same as completing a full open-water certification, but it documents your introductory session and may help you decide if you want to continue with a proper course.

The minimum age for a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience is 10. The activity information also says it is not suitable for children under 8, so families should confirm the age requirements for every child before booking. Minors need adult supervision on the boat, and the supervising adult pays the activity cost.

Finding Travel Sub Dive Center at Puerto Colón

Your meeting point is the reception of Travel Sub Dive Center, inside the Escuela Náutica building. The building is in front of pier 5, within the private parking area at Puerto Colón.

This detail matters because Puerto Colón has several marine businesses and boat departures. Do not simply walk to the pier and wait for a guide. Go inside the building and find the reception desk. The activity finishes at the same place, so you can leave your towel and other nonessential items according to the center’s instructions.

The center offers instruction in English, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch. That wide language range is useful for a technical activity, since understanding hand signals, equipment instructions, and safety procedures matters more here than it would on an ordinary sightseeing cruise.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, scuba equipment, the boat, and getting in and out of the water can involve physical steps or transfers. If you use a wheelchair, contact the center before booking so the staff can explain exactly how access works for your needs.

The 30-minute safety briefing at Puerto Colón

The first major part of the outing takes place at the center. Allow about 30 minutes for the safety briefing and preparation.

You go over the basic equipment used for the session, including your mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device, gauges, and air tank. The instructor explains how to breathe through the regulator, how to move with the equipment, and which basic skills you will use throughout the session.

This is the part to take seriously. First-time scuba participants often need a few minutes to get used to the regulator and the feeling of breathing through equipment. A clear briefing helps you know what to do if your mask shifts, if you need assistance, or if you want to communicate underwater.

If you take part in an open-water session, you practice additional skills in shallow water before heading farther out. The goal is not to test you. It is to give you a controlled chance to get comfortable with the gear and basic procedures.

Several instructors receive specific praise for this stage. Max is described as patient and good at choosing equipment and adjusting the plan to a participant’s experience. Toby is praised for giving clear instructions and using stories and jokes to settle first-time nerves. The staff’s friendly approach is especially helpful if you are excited but uneasy.

Tell the instructor early if you feel uncomfortable. You are better off taking an extra moment to adjust your mask or breathing than trying to keep up while tense. The professional stays with you during the underwater portion, so clear communication from the start makes the session safer and more enjoyable.

The 15-minute speedboat ride

Once you are ready, you board the speedboat for a trip of about 15 minutes along the coast of Tenerife. This ride gives the outing a pleasant sightseeing element before the main activity begins.

A speedboat also keeps the transfer short. You are not spending most of the three-hour booking on a long journey to the site. The ride out and the return each take about 15 minutes, leaving roughly 40 minutes for the underwater session, along with preparation and briefing time.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The ocean sun can be strong, even when the boat ride feels breezy. Keep sunscreen use sensible around the water and follow the crew’s instructions about what can be taken aboard.

If you are not taking part in the underwater activity, the information says the tour can suit people who prefer to enjoy the ocean and Tenerife’s coastal views. That makes it more flexible than a strict scuba-only booking, though minors still need adult supervision on the boat at the activity’s cost.

The boat ride can also be a welcome pause between the technical briefing and the open-water session. You have time to take in the coast, settle your nerves, and prepare mentally for the change from land to sea.

Forty minutes exploring Tenerife’s coastal water

The main session lasts about 40 minutes. Under the direct supervision of a PADI professional, you practice moving around with the equipment and explore the underwater area near Tenerife.

The maximum stated depth is 12 meters. That is plenty for a first experience. You get a genuine sense of underwater space and marine life without signing up for a complete training program.

The water is described as clear and blue, which helps you see fish and other marine life. Possible sightings include turtles, rays, stingrays, and octopus. A turtle encounter can be the unforgettable moment of the day, but you should book this for the activity itself rather than for one particular animal. The center does not guarantee turtles.

Your guide stays close and helps you remain calm, balanced, and aware of the equipment. This direct supervision is the key difference between a beginner session and simply swimming with a mask. You are not expected to plan a route or manage the session alone.

Underwater, the pace may feel slower than you expect. That is a good thing. You need time to breathe steadily, look around, and respond to instructions. The most rewarding part is often not reaching the maximum depth, but becoming comfortable enough to notice the fish, rays, rock formations, or an octopus nearby.

One participant’s first-ever session included an octopus. Another first shore-based session featured a sea turtle. A separate outing included fish, octopus, and stingray sightings. These encounters show the range of marine life you might find, but they should not be treated as a promise for your particular day.

What the PADI DSD certificate means

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving certificate gives you a record of completing the introductory experience. It can be useful if you are considering a full scuba course later, since you will already have tried the equipment and learned the basic principles.

It does not replace a full open-water certification. You remain under the direct supervision of a PADI professional during this activity, and the session is structured as an introduction rather than independent scuba training.

That distinction helps you choose wisely. If you already know you want a full qualification, you may prefer to spend your time and money on a complete course. If you are unsure, this session lets you test the experience first.

I especially like the way this can turn a holiday curiosity into a clear decision. You may discover that underwater breathing feels natural and decide to continue. Or you may learn that the equipment, depth, or physical demands are not for you. Either result is useful.

What the $113 price covers

At $113 per person, the cost is reasonable for a three-hour beginner session that includes instruction, the speedboat transfer, and the essential scuba equipment. You are not paying only for access to the water. You are also paying for professional supervision and the safety briefing that makes the activity suitable for a first attempt.

The included equipment covers the mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device, dive gauges, and tank. That saves you from renting the basic kit separately or trying to bring specialist equipment from home.

Photos and videos are not included. This is worth noting if you want a record of your first underwater experience. Some participants have received photos and video after their session, but you should not assume that media is part of the price. Ask the center before departure if this matters to you.

A prescription diving mask is also not included. Ordinary glasses cannot be worn with the mask, so you need contact lenses or must remove your glasses. If you rely on glasses and cannot use contact lenses, confirm your options before booking.

The free cancellation policy adds practical value. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Weather and sea conditions can affect water activities, so flexible booking is helpful, although the supplied details do not specify the center’s procedure for weather cancellations.

Health, timing, and practical limits

Do not schedule this activity immediately before a flight. You should wait at least 12 hours after the session before flying or going to a high altitude. This rule can affect the final day of your holiday, especially if you plan to leave Tenerife soon after.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people with diabetes, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. If any health issue applies to you, ask the provider before paying rather than relying on a general assumption about fitness.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may also want a change of clothes for the trip back to the center, though this is not listed as a required item.

A three-hour booking is compact, but it is not rushed if you use the time well. The rough structure is:

• About 30 minutes for safety instruction and equipment preparation
• About 15 minutes by speedboat to the coastal site
• About 40 minutes in the water
• About 15 minutes back by speedboat
• Remaining time for fitting equipment, transitions, and returning to the center

Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. Allow enough time to find the Escuela Náutica building and reach reception without rushing.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing suits you if you want to try scuba without taking a full certification course. It is particularly good for first-timers who value close instruction and a relatively short commitment.

It also works well for a mixed group. Some people can take part in the underwater session while others enjoy the boat and views, although everyone should confirm the supervision and payment rules for minors.

You should choose another activity if you are pregnant, have one of the listed medical conditions, cannot manage without ordinary glasses, or need to fly within 12 hours. It is also not ideal if your main goal is guaranteed turtle watching. Marine life is part of the attraction, but nature sets the schedule.

If you are already a certified scuba diver, the session may feel too introductory. The value here is the instruction, reassurance, and first experience, not an advanced route or technical challenge.

Should you book the Puerto Colón session?

I would book this if you want a well-contained first taste of scuba in Tenerife and appreciate having a PADI professional nearby throughout the session. The 40-minute underwater visit, short speedboat ride, included equipment, and certificate make the $113 price easy to justify for many beginners.

Book with realistic expectations. Turtles, rays, and octopus are possible but not assured. Photos and videos are not included, and you need to plan around the 12-hour no-fly rule.

The strongest reason to choose this outing is the beginner-friendly instruction. Max and Toby are singled out for calm, clear help, and that matters more than flashy promises when you are learning to breathe underwater for the first time. If you want to test scuba before committing to a full course, this is a practical choice.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón scuba experience last?

The activity lasts about three hours. This includes the safety briefing, equipment preparation, speedboat transfers, and approximately 40 minutes in the water.

How deep will I go?

The activity reaches a maximum depth of 12 meters under the direct supervision of a PADI professional.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The session is designed as an introduction, and no previous scuba experience is required.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 10 years old for a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience. Minors need adult supervision on the boat, and the supervising adult pays the activity cost.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Turtles are not guaranteed. You might also see rays, fish, octopus, stingrays, and other marine life.

What equipment is included?

The basic equipment is included: mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device, dive gauges, and an air tank.

Can I wear glasses with the mask?

No. The mask cannot be used with ordinary glasses. You need to wear contact lenses or remove your glasses. A prescription diving mask is not included.

Can I fly after the activity?

You should not fly or go to a high altitude for at least 12 hours after the session.