REVIEW · TENERIFE
Try Scuba Diving in a turtle area (boat)
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Small waves, big underwater first moments. This try-scuba outing in Tenerife’s south focuses on calm water, close coaching, and a good chance to see real sea life around a turtle area. You’ll start near Costa Adeje and spend about 2 hours 30 minutes on the water with equipment and insurance handled.
I especially love how personal the instruction is. The setup is designed so each person has an instructor watching closely, which makes learning practical skills feel a lot less scary. I also love the wildlife snorkeling safari side of the trip, with the chance to see schools of fish plus animals like cuttlefish, octopus, and rays.
One thing to consider: sightings aren’t guaranteed, including turtles. The water, wildlife activity, and conditions all shape what you actually see on your day, even with the best team and equipment.
In This Review
- Key Highlights I’d Prioritize
- Costa Adeje Try Scuba: Why This One Is Built for First-Timers
- Where You Start in Costa Adeje (and Why It Matters)
- What Happens Before You Go in the Water
- The Quiet Shallow Water Plan in Tenerife’s South
- From Boat to First Breathing: How the Instructor Support Works
- Snorkeling Safari Time: What Animals You Can Expect to See
- A quick note on boat vs. shore starts
- Price and Value: Is $84.66 a Good Deal?
- Weather, Timing, and the Tenerife Reality Check
- Who Should Book This (and Who Might Pause)
- Should You Book This Try Scuba Session in Tenerife?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for the activity?
- How long does the try scuba experience last?
- What does the price of $84.66 per person include?
- Are food and drinks included?
- What is the minimum age to join?
- What should I wear?
- Do I need to share health information before the activity?
- Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Key Highlights I’d Prioritize

- Small group capped at 10: easier attention and a calmer start for first-timers
- One instructor per person: lots of support while you learn control and breathing
- Quiet, shallow south Tenerife water: built for safe, beginner-friendly try sessions
- Boat-based snorkeling safari vibe: higher odds of interesting wildlife than staying right at the shore
- Equipment and insurance included: less planning, fewer extra payments
- English offered and guides may be multi-lingual: good for mixed groups
Costa Adeje Try Scuba: Why This One Is Built for First-Timers
If you’ve ever watched scuba videos and thought it looked equal parts magic and chaos, you’re exactly the target. This is a beginner-focused try-scuba experience in Tenerife’s south, set up around a quiet, shallow site where you can learn the basics without fighting rough conditions.
The best part for your comfort is the instructor approach. Instead of a “good luck out there” situation, you’re accompanied throughout by a personal instructor with an emphasis on maximum safety. In real-life terms, that means you’ll get step-by-step guidance, you’ll be corrected quickly, and you won’t be left floating with questions.
Another reason I like this format: it blends your first scuba experience with a snorkeling safari feel. You’re not just learning gear and breathing. You’re also out where sea life is actually around, so the session feels like time well spent—not just a training block.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Where You Start in Costa Adeje (and Why It Matters)

You meet at Av. de Colón, 130, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That simple “back where you started” flow matters more than it sounds, especially if you’re pairing this with beach time, lunch, or a later plan.
It’s also noted as near public transportation. So if you don’t want to hassle with a taxi or you’re doing the classic Tenerife hopping-from-place-to-place routine, you’re not stuck.
Practical move: wear swimwear. The dress code is swimwear, so you can skip the wrestling match of changing mid-trip. If you’re coming from a hotel, bring a small bag for dry clothes and a towel.
What Happens Before You Go in the Water

Expect a short but serious prep moment. Before you’re on the water, you’ll complete a health questionnaire, and the operator notes that some pre-existing medical conditions (examples given include asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, blood pressure problems, and lung problems) may prevent you from diving. If any of those apply to you—or you’re unsure—check with your doctor first.
You’ll also get your equipment. Equipment is included in the price, so you shouldn’t have to rent gear elsewhere. Insurance is also included, which is one of those boring details that quietly makes the whole day feel smoother.
One more practical detail: guides may be multi-lingual, and English is offered. In other words, even if your group has a mix of languages, you should still get the key instructions clearly.
The Quiet Shallow Water Plan in Tenerife’s South

This experience is set in the south of Tenerife at a quiet, shallow place used for try sessions and snorkeling safaris. That choice is not random. Shallow water gives you:
- less stress while you learn basic control
- a faster ability to stand or recover if anything feels off
- generally easier conditions for staying calm while you focus on breathing and buoyancy
The trip is also built around spotting native wildlife in their natural underwater habitat. You can see schools of fish, cuttlefish, octopus, crabs, rays, and sometimes turtles. In a beginner outing, that “sometimes” is important. You’re there to learn and explore, but nature doesn’t put on a scripted show.
And yes, you may see turtles on some days. Other days, you may not. If seeing turtles is the main reason you booked, don’t treat it like a guaranteed item on a shopping list. Treat it like a bonus if conditions and wildlife cooperation align.
From Boat to First Breathing: How the Instructor Support Works

The day is paced for learning. You’ll start with the key scuba skills you need for a first underwater breathing session, and the staff stays close.
What I think is the standout here is the level of individual attention shown in the feedback. People specifically praised instructors who explained the experience clearly and then kept watching during the actual water time. One guest mentioned feeling both safe and supported, with enough rules to stay grounded and enough freedom to explore.
I also saw the names Christina and Carmen come up in feedback. Christina was singled out for helping a 10-year-old feel confident, even using a fun trick to teach swimming like a mermaid. Carmen was praised for explaining skills to a child who’d never done it before, and for being friendly and accommodating.
There’s also a small-group advantage in motion. One review noted the team shifted timing to avoid wind conditions during a scheduled window. Weather and sea conditions can change fast in Tenerife, and having a team that adjusts rather than just pushing through can make a real difference to how comfortable you feel.
Snorkeling Safari Time: What Animals You Can Expect to See

After your initial try-scuba segment, you’re in the mode of spotting wildlife—schools of fish and larger animals when they’re around.
Here’s what the trip description explicitly says you might see:
- cuttlefish
- octopus
- crabs
- rays
- sometimes turtles
And the reviews add useful color. One guest reported a manta ray, plus a range of fish species like sepia and flounder-like sightings (listed as lenguados). Another guest noted plenty of beautiful fish but no turtles that day—and still recommended the experience.
A small reality check: the best wildlife sightings depend on conditions. If visibility is limited or the animals are deeper or moving, you won’t force them closer. What you can control is your mindset. Show up ready to learn and enjoy the underwater world, not only chase a single species.
A quick note on boat vs. shore starts
The experience is designed around organized try sessions and snorkeling safaris in the south. One piece of feedback raised a concern about staying too close to shore and seeing fewer fish than expected. The operator response explained that try sessions are normally done from a boat (inside the port area) for logistics, and shore starts are only done on special request because they’re more complicated.
So if you’re hoping for the best chance at wildlife, it’s reasonable to ask when you book whether your session will start from the boat. That way you align expectations with how the day is typically run.
Price and Value: Is $84.66 a Good Deal?

At $84.66 per person, this isn’t a throwaway add-on. But it also isn’t built like a “pay for everything separately” experience.
Here’s what’s included:
- all taxes, fees, and handling charges
- a professional guide
- insurance
- equipment
Not included:
- parking fee
- food and drinks
- souvenir photos (available to purchase)
So you’re mostly paying for the guided training, the boat-and-water program, and the gear setup. For many first-time travelers, that’s where the value lands. You avoid time and hassle shopping for rentals and you’re not stuck figuring out insurance or equipment on your own.
The trip duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes, which is fairly efficient for your “learn + see wildlife” goal. Also, it’s capped at 10 travelers, so you’re not paying beginner rates to get lost in a crowd.
My practical take: if you want a guided first scuba session with strong safety support and you’ll actually use the equipment and instruction, the price looks fair. If you’re only interested in snorkeling, you might compare options that don’t include the try-scuba learning component.
Weather, Timing, and the Tenerife Reality Check

This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or you’ll get a full refund.
Also pay attention to your schedule around flying and altitude. The operator advises:
- no diving within 12 hours of flying
- no going up the Teide or high altitudes within 12 hours after diving
You’ll have to complete a health questionnaire. And you should have a moderate physical fitness level.
That’s all “rules” sounding stuff, but it’s really practical. You’re making a safety-sensitive plan in a place where people often want to add hikes, cable cars, and day trips. If you’re doing a Teide visit the same day, you’ll want to rearrange.
Who Should Book This (and Who Might Pause)
This is a strong match if you:
- are doing your first scuba try session and want hands-on coaching
- like small groups and want close attention
- want a chance at underwater wildlife sightings in Tenerife’s south
- have family members who need extra reassurance and clear explanations (including kids)
The minimum age is 10, and children up to 15 must be accompanied by an adult. So it can work for family travel, as long as an adult is in the mix and everyone meets the physical/health expectations.
Who might pause:
- If you have medical conditions that could affect scuba safety (as described in the health questionnaire examples), talk to a doctor first.
- If your main goal is guaranteed turtles every time, temper that expectation. The plan says turtles are possible, not promised.
- If you’re sensitive to water conditions, keep in mind the experience depends on weather and sea state.
Should You Book This Try Scuba Session in Tenerife?
Yes—if you want a first scuba experience with real support and you’re excited about seeing marine life in a natural habitat. The one instructor per person model is the kind of detail that changes everything for first-timers. You’re learning, but you’re also experiencing.
I’d book it especially if you’re staying in or around Costa Adeje and you want a compact, high-guidance water outing. The price looks reasonable once you factor in equipment and insurance.
I’d ask one question before committing: will your session start from the boat as it typically does? That addresses the biggest outlier concern from feedback about not seeing as much wildlife.
If you can handle the natural uncertainty of wildlife sightings and you’re okay with weather-dependent scheduling, this is a solid choice.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for the activity?
You’ll meet at Av. de Colón, 130, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the try scuba experience last?
The duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).
What does the price of $84.66 per person include?
The price includes all taxes, fees, and handling charges, a professional guide, insurance, and equipment.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
What is the minimum age to join?
The minimum age is 10 years old. Children up to 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
What should I wear?
Dress code is swimwear.
Do I need to share health information before the activity?
Yes. All participants complete a health questionnaire prior to diving, and some medical conditions (such as asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, blood pressure problems, and lung problems) may prevent you from diving. You should consult your doctor if you have pre-existing conditions.
Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Yes, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























