Why is Tenerife a prime spot for scuba diving? With its clear waters, vibrant marine life, and varied dive sites, scuba diving in Tenerife offers an unforgettable diving experience. In this article, we’ll explore the best dive spots, what marine life to expect, and essential tips for a safe and enjoyable dive, along with the availability of well-equipped dive centers in Tenerife.

Key Takeaways

• Tenerife offers exceptionally clear waters, rich marine life, and diverse dive sites suitable for both novice and experienced divers, making it an ideal destination for underwater exploration.

• Popular dive sites like El Condesito Wreck, Los Chuchos, and La Catedral feature unique underwater landscapes, such as sunken ships, stingray gatherings, and cathedral-like structures, providing varied and fascinating diving experiences.

• Tenerife’s dive centres are well-equipped with modern facilities, certified PADI professionals, and specialized courses, ensuring a safe and enjoyable diving experience for all skill levels. The dive centres offer convenient access to diving equipment and a wide range of courses, including opportunities for technical dives up to advanced depths.

1 Discover the Underwater World of Tenerife

The volcanic origins of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, have sculpted an underwater realm of caves, canyons, and tunnels, each with its own story to tell. Here, amidst the vibrant coral reefs and unique formations, divers of all levels find themselves enchanted by the island’s diverse seascape.

With exceptional clarity reaching up to 30 meters, the waters of Tenerife invite you to gaze far into the ocean’s depths. Whether you are a seasoned explorer or a newbie to scuba, the warm waters, abundant with sea turtles, stingrays, and a symphony of colorful fish, offer an unparalleled diving experience. Diving centers provide access to these underwater experiences, ensuring a professional, friendly, and enjoyable atmosphere.

Popular Dive Sites in Tenerife

Tenerife’s southern coast is a treasure trove of dive sites, catering to both novice and experienced divers with depths ranging from a mere 6 meters to the thrilling depths of over 60 meters. Each site boasts unique characteristics, from sunken wrecks to natural underwater sculptures, making Tenerife an epicenter of underwater exploration. Dive centres facilitate access to these popular dive sites, ensuring convenience and safety for all divers.

We will now explore some of the best dive sites that contribute to Tenerife’s status as a top-tier diving destination.

El Condesito Wreck

The El Condesito Wreck tells the tale of a cargo ship’s final journey, now resting at 30 meters beneath the waves. As one of Tenerife’s notable wrecks, it provides an eerie yet fascinating canvas for marine life such as barracudas, groupers, and the intelligent octopus.

A dive at this location reveals how the ocean can repurpose and transform a sunken ship into a haven for marine life and sea life during boat dives.

Los Chuchos

In the waters of Las Galletas lies Los Chuchos, affectionately dubbed ‘Stingray City’. Here, divers find themselves in the company of graceful stingrays, amidst overhangs and caves that include a sunken wooden fishing boat as an added point of interest.

Marine creatures such as morays and barracudas flourish in this engaging environment, which is equally enjoyable for divers.

La Cathedral

La Catedral, a mere boat ride from Puerto de la Cruz, offers an awe-inspiring dive with its underwater cathedral-like structures. Divers can explore the 20-metre-high cave, complete with vaults and arches, while terraces adorned with coral gardens await below. As light streams through the crevices above, creating an ethereal atmosphere, marine photographers delight in the chance to capture species adapted to the darkness, such as glass fish and lobsters.

Home to moray eels among others, La Cathedral offers a breathtaking and exciting dive due to its biodiversity.

Montaña Amarilla

The vibrantly colored underwater landscapes of Montaña Amarilla are a testament to Tenerife’s volcanic activity. As divers navigate through the kaleidoscopic scenery, they are enveloped in hues that paint a vivid backdrop to their underwater adventure.

Las Eras

Diving at Las Eras offers a visual feast, with:

• Narrow passageways

• Illuminated rock formations

• Underwater statues

• A 15-meter swim-through that often houses resting stingrays

This site is also home to an array of species including black stingrays and trumpet fish.

Las Eras, with its depth ranging between 5 and 30 meters and availability of both air and nitrox, is suitable for divers of all skill levels. It is particularly scenic for photography enthusiasts.

El Puertito

El Puertito, affectionately known as “turtle bay,” is a sanctuary where divers are guaranteed sightings of friendly sea turtles. Nestled in the south of Tenerife near Costa Adeje, this site offers an idyllic setting for those seeking a peaceful encounter with these serene ocean dwellers.

Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes is an underwater marvel, where divers can explore the grandeur of massive cliffs and caverns that plunge into the depths below. This site offers a dramatic backdrop that is as immense as it is breathtaking.

Punta de la Rasca

Punta de la Rasca, marked by its iconic lighthouse, is known for encounters with larger marine species, adding a touch of grandiosity to the diving experience. Located in the south of Tenerife, this site is a beacon for divers seeking something truly spectacular.

Palm-Mar Wall

Palm-Mar Wall is a dive that defies the ordinary, with dramatic drop-offs that serve as a canvas for the diverse marine life that inhabits them. An experience here is akin to exploring the edge of an underwater world.

Alijibe de la Laja

Alijibe de la Laja offers divers pristine conditions and a vibrant tapestry of underwater life that is often less frequented, but no less spectacular.

Scuba diving Tenerife offers an unforgettable experience as diving in Tenerife is a dive into the heart of the island’s aquatic splendor.

Los Cristianos

At Los Cristianos, divers can immerse themselves in a world teeming with barracuda, octopus, and rays, all navigating the intricate underwater rock formations that create a labyrinth of swim-throughs and hiding spots.

Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje’s dive sites, with their volcanic-created caves, tunnels, and arches, offer an experience that is both mysterious and alluring. Here, divers can explore sites like The Cave of Palmar and El Puertito, each with its unique character and charm.

Tabaiba Wreck

For those seeking an adrenaline-filled dive, the Tabaiba Wreck provides an adventurous exploration of a sunken ship, stirring the imagination and the senses.

Guided Dives and Snorkeling Trips

Embark on guided fun dives and padi courses that cater to divers of all skill levels, from the surreal volcanic landscapes to the thriving marine life that makes Tenerife’s underwater world so captivating. With certified PADI professionals leading small groups, you can rest assured that your diving adventure will be both safe and unforgettable, whether you’re gliding over coral gardens or venturing into the shadows of a shipwreck.

And with prices starting as low as 33€, there’s no excuse not to dive into the deep blue and discover why Tenerife’s guided dives come highly recommended.

Technical Diving Opportunities

For the dive enthusiast seeking to push boundaries, Tenerife’s technical diving opportunities beckon. Utilizing specialized gas mixtures and decompression procedures, technical dives allow you to venture beyond the usual 40 meters, offering the chance to explore deeper and for longer periods. Whether you’re diving on air, nitrox, or trimix, Tenerife’s advanced courses like PADI TEC40, TEC45, and TEC50 equip divers with the knowledge and skills needed for these exhilarating dives.

Facilities and Equipment

Tenerife’s dive centres offer:

• Modern facilities

• High-quality gear

• Comfortable changing rooms with hot showers

• Private lockers

• Spacious terraces

• State-of-the-art classrooms

• A complete set of diving equipment

These dive centres provide a full range of services to enhance your diving holiday and ensure that every dive is a pleasure.

Tips for First-Time Divers

For beginners, here are a few tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable dive:

• Maintain fitness, health, and water comfort

• Listen to your instructor and follow their guidance on equipment use and safety rules

• Build trust and maintain effective communication with your instructor

A wetsuit is recommended, especially during the cooler months, and remember, you don’t need prior diving experience to join a beginner tour – just the ability to swim. Perfect for novice divers and those looking to become a padi open water diver!

Marine Life You Can Expect to See

Tenerife’s waters host a diverse and interesting array of marine life. Some of the species you can encounter include:

• Green turtles

• Angel sharks

• Sea horses

• Tunas

• Canarian Parrot Fish

Every dive guarantees a new encounter with these fascinating creatures.

Watch in awe as cuttlefish display their color-changing prowess and dusky groupers reveal their unique life cycle, all within the stunning backdrop of Tenerife’s underwater world.

Why Choose Tenerife for Scuba Diving?

Opting for Tenerife as your scuba diving destination allows you to experience an island with perfect conditions throughout the year. The average water temperature is 22 degrees Celsius with visibility up to 30 meters, enabling divers to appreciate the ocean’s splendor with negligible disruption from currents.

Professional dive centers across the island cater to all levels, providing top-notch equipment, expert scuba diving training, and guided dives to ensure a safe and memorable diving experience. Enrolling in a diving course is an excellent way to enhance your skills and explore the underwater world. Many of these dive centers also offer a variety of diving courses, including the padi divemaster course, to suit different skill levels and interests.

Summary

In Tenerife, every dive is a journey into an enchanting underwater world, rich in marine life and filled with breathtaking landscapes sculpted by the island’s volcanic history. From the novice diver to the technical diving pro, Tenerife offers a spectrum of diving experiences, supported by professional dive centers, high-quality facilities, and a warm community of diving enthusiasts. As you surface from the depths of Tenerife’s waters, you carry with you memories of encounters with graceful sea creatures and the thrill of exploration, making it a destination that truly stands out in the diving world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to go diving in Tenerife?

The best time of year to go diving in Tenerife is from June to November, when the water temperatures are warmest, providing excellent diving conditions.

Do I need to be an experienced diver to enjoy diving in Tenerife?

No, you don’t need to be an experienced diver to enjoy diving in Tenerife. There are dive sites suitable for all levels, and many dive centers offer courses and guided dives for novice divers.

Can I rent diving equipment in Tenerife, or should I bring my own?

Yes, you can rent diving equipment from dive centers in Tenerife, which offer a full range of high-quality gear to ensure your safety and comfort.

Are there opportunities for technical diving in Tenerife?

Yes, Tenerife offers opportunities for technical diving, with dive centers providing advanced courses and specialized gas mixtures for those interested in exploring beyond recreational limits.

Is Tenerife a good destination for marine photography?

Yes, Tenerife is a great destination for marine photography due to its clear waters, rich marine life, and unique underwater terrain, especially at sites like La Cathedral.