Tenerife Scuba Diving for Certified Divers

Abades Bay gives you a fine base for seeing Tenerife below the surface, with clear, protected water and easy access to volcanic rock, wrecks, swim-throughs, and schools of fish. I like the choice of more than 20 sites, and I like that groups are limited to six people, which allows for longer underwater time at a pace suited to your level. The main catch is that several key pieces of equipment, including a wetsuit, mask, fins, regulator, BCD, and computer, cost extra or must be brought along.

I also like the relaxed beach setup. You can snorkel between sessions, eat at nearby Spanish or international restaurants, or simply sit by the bay while your gear is prepared. Daniel, Cindy, and Katherina are named as instructors who take time with explanations and offer patient guidance. Just keep in mind that the advertised price of $106 covers two underwater sessions, tanks, weights, instruction, and transfers, but not the full equipment package.

Key points to know before booking

• Protected Abades Bay: The shallow water is suitable for relaxed snorkeling between underwater sessions, with possible sightings of octopus, turtles, seahorses, and schools of fish.
• More than 20 underwater sites: Choose from wrecks, reefs, swim-throughs, volcanic rock, turtle areas, cavern routes, night outings, scooter outings, and deeper sites where conditions and certification allow.
• Small groups of up to six: Groups are arranged by level, with long sessions that average about one hour underwater.
• Two sessions included: The standard outing includes two, with the option of one or three sessions depending on the plan and availability.
• Hotel pickup from the south-west: Transfers are offered from Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa del Silencio, Candelaria, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, and Abades.
• Equipment is only partly included: Tanks and weights are provided, while most personal and technical equipment requires rental or your own kit.

Why Abades is a smart starting point

The Abades area has a practical advantage: you get both easy shore access and a useful spread of nearby underwater locations. Some sites begin right from the beach, while others are within about 20 minutes by minivan. That cuts down on long road transfers and lets you spend more of the six-hour outing in the water or resting between sessions.

The bay itself is protected, which matters for a certified diver who wants a calm start or a low-stress return to the water. You can splash around in shallow water, check your mask and fins, or snorkel while the center organizes equipment. This is not just a meeting point. It gives non-diving companions something to do and makes the day feel less rigid.

Tenerife’s underwater scenery comes from its volcanic origin. Instead of expecting tropical coral reefs, you’ll see dark rock formations, ledges, holes, and passages covered with black corals, red gorgons, anemones, and algae. The contrast between the black volcanic stone and the fish makes for a distinctive setting, even when the main attraction is simply the rock itself.

The water is described as crystal clear, though visibility in the sea can always vary with conditions. The possible sightings include rays, angelsharks, turtles, seahorses, and octopus. No wildlife encounter is guaranteed, so book this for the mix of volcanic scenery and marine life, not for one particular animal.

What your six hours look like

The day begins with pickup or arrival at Abades. Transport is available from several points along Tenerife’s south and south-west coast, including Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa del Silencio, Candelaria, and Acantilados de Los Gigantes. If you are staying elsewhere, the supplied details do not promise a transfer, so confirm the meeting point before paying.

At Playa Abades, allow about 30 minutes for the safety briefing. This is an important part of the outing, not paperwork to rush through. You’ll get the plan for the day, review procedures, and sort out group arrangements before entering the water. Daniel, Cindy, and Katherina are associated with the instruction team, and the available teaching languages include Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

The first underwater session lasts about one hour. The exact location depends on your level and the chosen plan. You might remain near Abades, or travel by minivan to another site on the south-eastern or southern part of Tenerife. The attraction here is variety: you could spend the hour studying volcanic formations, looking into a wreck, moving through a swim-through, or watching fish over a reef.

A one-hour surface interval follows. You can use it properly, with lunch, a cold drink, a walk along the coast, or quiet time on the beach. Nearby restaurants serve traditional Spanish food as well as international dishes. You can also snorkel from the shore, which makes the break useful rather than simply a wait beside the van.

The second session lasts another hour. This is where the small-group format helps. With no more than six participants and groups sorted by level, you are less likely to spend the whole session waiting for a slower or faster group. The description promises long underwater sessions, with average bottom time of around one hour, although your exact time will still depend on air use, conditions, certification, and the instructor’s plan.

The standard package includes two sessions. The center also says one or three sessions can be arranged, with at least a one-hour surface interval between them. If you want three, ask in advance about the schedule, extra cost, and equipment needs. Three sessions will make for a fuller day, while two leave more room for lunch and a relaxed afternoon by the bay.

The underwater scenery and possible sightings

Tenerife is a good choice if you prefer volcanic scenery to a single famous reef. The rock formations create natural walls, openings, shelves, and swim-throughs. Black corals and red gorgons add texture, while colorful anemones and algae provide smaller details to search for during a slow fin through the site.

Wrecks add another kind of interest. They give you a fixed structure to explore and a place where fish may gather. The available information does not identify the individual wrecks or promise penetration, so you should ask the guide what kind of wreck route is planned and whether it involves only an exterior visit or a swim-through.

The possible site list is unusually broad for a short island outing. Scooter routes, cavern routes, turtle areas, night sessions, and deeper sites are all mentioned. These options are not automatically included in the $106 price, and the correct site depends on certification, experience, conditions, and the day’s schedule. Treat them as possible formats rather than guaranteed features.

Wildlife is part of the appeal. Schools of colorful fish may appear close to shore, while octopus, turtles, seahorses, rays, and angelsharks are among the animals you might spot. Angelsharks are especially interesting because they often rest on the seabed and can be easy to miss unless you move slowly and keep your eyes low.

Free underwater pictures are available, which adds value if the arrangement applies to your session. Ask how the pictures are delivered and whether every participant receives images. A camera rental is not included, so bring your own approved setup only if you are comfortable handling it without losing attention on your buoyancy and surroundings.

Why the small group matters

A maximum of six participants is one of the strongest features here. Small groups make it easier for an instructor to watch buoyancy, answer questions, and adjust the pace. They also help you spend more time looking at the site instead of lining up behind a large group.

The groups are organized by level. That matters even if you are certified, because certification alone does not tell the instructor how recently you have been underwater or what kind of site suits you. If you are returning after a long break, say so clearly during booking. The supplied information does not promise a refresher course, but a frank conversation helps the center plan responsibly.

The instruction team receives particularly strong praise for patience and detailed explanations. Daniel, Cindy, and Katherina are named directly, and the feedback highlights their enthusiasm and careful teaching. That is useful for anyone who values calm preparation over a rushed start.

The six-person limit does not mean the day is private. You still share the outing with other certified participants, and the final site choice is not fully yours. If you want a custom route or one-to-one instruction, ask the center before booking.

Equipment: the real cost to calculate

The $106 price is attractive for a six-hour outing with two sessions, a guide, tanks, weights, site transfers, and hotel transport from the south-west coast. It is not an all-in equipment price, though. You need to budget for the items that are specifically excluded.

Not included:

• Wetsuit
• Mask and snorkel
• Boots and fins
• BCD
• Regulator
• Dive computer
• Underwater scooter
• Underwater light
• Camera rental

You can rent equipment on site or bring your own. The supplied details do not give rental prices, so ask for the complete total before booking. If you are flying with a full kit, compare baggage costs and rental fees. For many people, renting bulky items may be easier, while bringing a familiar mask and computer can make the day more comfortable.

Tanks and weights are included, but that does not mean you can arrive without checking the setup. Confirm which rental items are available in your size, especially the wetsuit, boots, BCD, and regulator. This is one of the few practical weaknesses of the offer: the headline price may look like a complete package until you add the gear.

Getting there and spending the surface interval

Hotel transport is included for the south-west coast pickup areas. The listed locations cover major resort zones, but pickup coordination may take some back and forth. One booking review specifically notes that hotel pickup eventually worked well after some arranging, so give the center your exact accommodation details and allow room for communication.

If you are staying in Abades, the day should be simpler. The beach is the center of the action, and some underwater sites can be reached directly from shore. If you are being collected from farther away, the transfer adds convenience but also makes the six-hour duration include road time.

A non-diving companion can join for a €15 transportation fee if pickup is needed. At Abades, that person can swim in the protected bay, snorkel from the beach, walk along the coast, relax on the sand, or have a drink on a sea-view terrace in the square. This is a useful option for families or couples with mixed interests.

The one-hour surface interval is long enough for a real break. I would use it for food and hydration rather than treating it as dead time. With restaurants close by and the beach at hand, you can choose between a quick meal and a slower pause before returning to the water.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This outing suits certified divers who want variety without spending a full day on a boat. It is especially good for someone staying on Tenerife’s south or south-west coast, since the included pickup saves you from arranging a separate taxi or rental car.

It also works well for a diver who enjoys searching rather than simply racing from one attraction to the next. Volcanic formations, small marine life, wreck details, and possible turtles reward patience. The long sessions and small groups support that slower approach.

It may be less suitable if you expect every piece of equipment to be included, want a guaranteed turtle or wreck encounter, or prefer a private instructor. It may also frustrate a beginner, since this is specifically for certified divers. The description lists sites for all levels, but certification is still required.

Non-divers can come along, but they should be happy with a beach-based day. There is no promise of a separate organized activity for them, only access to Abades, the water, the coast, and nearby refreshments.

Price, flexibility, and the booking decision

At $106 per person, the value is strongest if you need transport and already own some equipment. Two one-hour sessions, a guide, tanks, weights, and site transfers make the cost reasonable for a full half-day-plus outing. The small group adds practical value because you are paying for more attention and less waiting.

The value drops if you need to rent nearly the entire kit. Since wetsuits, masks, fins, boots, BCDs, regulators, and computers are excluded, get a rental quote before you commit. Also ask about any extra charge for a third session, special equipment, scooters, lights, or particular site types.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms are useful when your Tenerife plans depend on weather, health, or changing transport arrangements. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

The overall rating is 4.2 from three reviews, with two five-star comments. The strongest praise centers on patient, detailed instruction and pickup organization that worked out well after some coordination. I would take that as encouragement to book with confidence, but also as a reminder to confirm transport and equipment early.

Should you book the Tenerife underwater outing?

Book it if you are certified, staying near the listed pickup areas, and want volcanic scenery with flexible site choices rather than a single fixed attraction. The protected bay, six-person groups, long sessions, multilingual instruction, and possible free photographs give the day plenty of substance.

Skip it, or ask more questions first, if you need a full equipment package, a private guide, or a guaranteed sighting. For the best value, bring the personal gear you trust, confirm rental costs, share your recent experience level, and check exactly which site format is planned. That preparation should leave you free to enjoy Abades, from its shallow snorkeling water to the darker volcanic world below.

FAQ

Is this activity for certified divers only?

Yes. The experience is specifically for certified divers, even though the sites cover different ability levels.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The standard package includes two sessions. The center also says one or three sessions may be possible, with at least a one-hour surface interval between them.

How long does each session last?

Each planned session lasts about one hour, and the description gives an average bottom time of one hour.

What equipment is included?

Tanks and weights are included. A guide, transfers to the sites, and transport from listed south-west Tenerife pickup areas are also included.

Can I rent equipment?

Yes. Equipment rental is available on site. You can also bring your own equipment.

Is a wetsuit included?

No. The wetsuit is specifically listed as not included.

Are masks, fins, and regulators included?

No. The mask, snorkel, boots, fins, BCD, regulator, and dive computer are not included.

Where can pickup be arranged?

Pickup locations include Costa Adeje, Candelaria, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, and Abades.

Can a non-diving companion come along?

Yes. Non-diving friends and family can join. If pickup is needed, the transportation fee is €15 per person.

What languages are available?

Instruction and support are available in Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.