REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife: Private Scuba Diving–Certified Instructor & Photos
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by LovOcean Diving · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Your own instructor changes everything. In Tenerife, this private scuba session brings a certified guide (often people like Romi and Victoria) and hotel pickup from the Los Cristianos area, so you’re not squeezed into a group routine. The whole format is built around your pace from start to finish.
I also really like that the underwater photos and videos are included, not sold as extras later. The one consideration: insurance for certified participants is required in Spain, and you may need to sort that ahead of time (with an optional onsite option if you’re short).
In This Review
- Key things to love about this Tenerife underwater session
- Los Cristianos pickup and the road to the water
- What you’re really paying for: a certified instructor who won’t leave you
- Before you enter the water: gear, briefing, and a calm start
- The underwater session: your pace, possible rays, and real guidance
- Included underwater photos and videos: why this is more valuable than it sounds
- Price and what it really includes in practice
- Insurance, flying rules, and the small things that affect your day
- Language support and how communication affects confidence
- Who should book this private Tenerife underwater session
- Should you book this private Tenerife scuba session?
- FAQ
- How long is the Tenerife private scuba session?
- Where does pickup happen?
- What if my accommodation is far from the meeting point?
- Is this a private group?
- Do you provide scuba equipment?
- Are underwater photos and videos included?
- Do I need insurance?
- What languages does the instructor speak?
- What should I bring?
- Can I fly after the session?
Key things to love about this Tenerife underwater session

- Private, personalized guidance so you can move at your pace instead of matching a group
- Certified instructor close by with step-by-step explanations before you enter the water
- Underwater photos and videos included so you don’t have to budget for your memories
- About two hours in the water with time built in for briefing and decompression-style planning
- Comfort-first approach—you’re guided, not rushed
- Los Cristianos pickup and van transfer makes this feel easy, not logistically heavy
Los Cristianos pickup and the road to the water

This experience runs on a simple flow: you meet in Los Cristianos, then you get transported to the underwater spot, and you head back to the same base area when you’re done. Plan on roughly 3 hours total, with about 2 hours in the water.
The van time is part of the experience, not a hassle. There’s about a 30-minute ride out and 30 minutes back, which helps you keep the day from turning into a long, stressful production.
Pickup is a big deal here. You’ll be collected directly from your hotel or accommodation address, but there’s one limit to note: if your place is more than 20 km from the meeting point, pickup/drop-off won’t be offered and you’ll need your own transport.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
What you’re really paying for: a certified instructor who won’t leave you

For me, the value isn’t just that an instructor is included. It’s that it’s your instructor, and the experience stays focused on you rather than a rotating cast of snorkelers and first-timers.
You get a full safety briefing and equipment explanation before you enter the water. Then your instructor stays with you in the water and guides you through every step, which is especially reassuring if you’re brand-new or you just don’t like feeling rushed.
You can also expect the session to be tailored. The description is clear: every underwater time is adapted to you, with no fixed script and no “one size fits all” pressure.
A few first-time friendly signals worth paying attention to:
- You’ll be guided step by step, so you’re not guessing what happens next
- Comfort comes first, so the instructor is there to help you feel relaxed
- The group format is private, so there’s less pressure to keep up
Before you enter the water: gear, briefing, and a calm start

Before anything goes underwater, you’ll do what you need to feel confident. That includes a safety briefing and the equipment explanation, plus time to get yourself ready in an unhurried way.
There’s also a photo stop included, plus marine life viewing around the Los Cristianos area. It’s a nice touch because it breaks up the day: you’re not just getting in the water immediately, and it gives you a chance to look around before the sensory shift of going underwater.
Bring what you can keep simple:
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Water
- Comfortable clothes for the ride and wait
And if you’re the type who worries about “what if I forgot something?”—this is a good moment to double-check. The tour covers full scuba equipment, so you don’t have to bring gear, but you do want to show up with the basics.
The underwater session: your pace, possible rays, and real guidance

Once you’re suited up and ready, you’ll head into the water with your instructor right there. The plan is built around calm, clear conditions, and it’s specifically chosen to feel manageable for learning and exploring.
You’ll get supported entry and in-water guidance the whole time. That matters because it removes the stress of trying to figure out buoyancy, movement, or hand signals on your own while also trying to enjoy the sea.
What you’re likely to see is described in plain terms:
- Marine life in calm, clear waters
- Possibly rays, if conditions are right
You’re not forced into a fast checklist of “must-see moments.” The tone is personal and adjustable—your comfort is prioritized, and your session shouldn’t feel like a performance.
Also note the effort level. This is structured as an instructional experience, which means you should expect to spend energy on breathing control and basic skills. If you’re anxious about that, you’ll still have a guide with you to keep things steady.
Included underwater photos and videos: why this is more valuable than it sounds

Getting underwater photos is one thing. Getting photos and videos included is another, especially when you’ve had experiences where memory-capture becomes an upsell.
Here, you’re getting both underwater photos and videos at no extra cost. That’s a rare kind of clarity in travel pricing, and it changes how you experience the day.
You don’t have to worry about:
- Whether you’ll like the outcome enough to justify a purchase later
- Negotiating for extra shots once you’re already in the water
- Losing time to complicated camera plans
Instead, you can focus on staying comfortable and enjoying the experience. Then you’ll have real visual proof of what you did—great for sharing, saving, or making a keepsake.
One extra note from past similar moments: guides like Romi and Victoria have helped first-timers create above-water “save the date” style photo moments too. So if you’re celebrating something, it can be worth mentioning that you’d like a quick above-water shot plan during the photo stop.
Price and what it really includes in practice

The price is listed at $110 per person for the private experience, which is fairly straightforward for what you’re getting. You’re paying for a certified instructor, private attention, and the whole equipment + capture package.
What you get included:
- Round-trip transport to and from your accommodation
- A certified scuba instructor
- Private and personalized guidance
- Safety briefing and equipment explanation
- Full scuba equipment
- Underwater photos and videos included
- In-water guidance the entire time
- Post-water debrief
What you don’t get:
- Food and drink
So the value math comes down to comfort and attention. If you’ve ever felt lost in a group session, a private instructor can be worth it even before you count the gear and transfers.
If you’re a certified participant, there’s also the insurance factor. The tour states insurance is required for certified participants in Spain, so your true total cost may depend on whether you already have the right coverage.
Insurance, flying rules, and the small things that affect your day

This is one of those tours where the rules matter for safety and planning.
For certified participants, you’ll need valid underwater-activity insurance because it’s mandatory in Spain. The good news is the tour also says insurance can be provided onsite for an additional fee if needed.
If you’re not certified, the tour notes that beginners don’t need insurance—coverage is included for the try-style setup.
Then there’s the travel timing rule: no flying for 24 hours after your underwater session. That one is important if you’re doing a tight itinerary with the airport the next day. Tenerife to elsewhere flights can be tempting, but this rule should stay non-negotiable.
Health-fit is also clearly stated:
- Not suitable for people with heart problems
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- Not suitable for children under 8
If any of those apply to you, skip this and look for a different format.
Language support and how communication affects confidence

The instructor can operate in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Polish. That matters more than it sounds because underwater skills are easier when instructions are clear and you can ask questions without hesitating.
A private format helps here too. In a group, you might only catch part of what’s said before you’re already adjusting gear. In this setup, the safety briefing and equipment explanation are centered on you.
You should still come with basic calm. Even if language isn’t perfect, the instructor’s step-by-step approach and staying close in the water are built to reduce confusion.
Who should book this private Tenerife underwater session

This is a strong choice if you want:
- Private attention instead of group pressure
- A session tailored to your pace and comfort
- Included underwater photos and videos
- Hotel pickup so the day is easy to manage
It’s especially good for first-timers who want confidence. One past experience with guides Romi and Victoria highlighted how much support can matter when it’s your first time and you want something special to remember.
You might skip it if:
- You already have to solve insurance last-minute as a certified participant (you can still do it, but it takes planning)
- You’re relying on food being included (it isn’t)
- You need quick access for someone under 8, or someone with health conditions listed as not suitable
Also remember the time structure. It’s 3 hours total, and while most people focus on the underwater portion, you’ll still feel the briefing + transport rhythm. Plan light afterward.
Should you book this private Tenerife scuba session?
Book it if your top priorities are privacy, comfort-first instruction, and included underwater media. For the money, it’s not just the water time—it’s the way the day is handled end-to-end with pickup, full equipment, and a guide who stays close.
Don’t book it if flying within 24 hours is your plan, if you can’t meet the insurance requirement for certified participants, or if any of the stated health/age limits apply.
If you’re deciding, here’s the practical rule: if the idea of waiting, matching a group, or paying extra for photos makes you uneasy, this private format is designed to fix exactly that.
FAQ
How long is the Tenerife private scuba session?
It lasts 3 hours total, including transport time, briefing, and about 2 hours in the water.
Where does pickup happen?
Pickup is available from your hotel or accommodation address. The meeting point is in Los Cristianos.
What if my accommodation is far from the meeting point?
If your accommodation is more than 20 km from the meeting point, pickup/drop-off won’t be available and you’ll need to arrange your own transport.
Is this a private group?
Yes. It’s a private group with your own certified instructor.
Do you provide scuba equipment?
Yes. Full scuba equipment is included.
Are underwater photos and videos included?
Yes. Underwater photos and videos are included at no extra cost.
Do I need insurance?
For certified participants, valid underwater-activity insurance is mandatory in Spain. For beginners, insurance isn’t needed because it’s included for try setups. Insurance may also be available onsite for an additional fee if needed.
What languages does the instructor speak?
The instructor speaks English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Polish.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and comfortable clothes.
Can I fly after the session?
No. Flying is not allowed for 24 hours after your underwater session.

























