Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife: First Try Dive Guide for Beginners
If you have never tried scuba diving before, Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe to do your Discover Scuba Diving or try dive experience. Warm water, calm conditions and easy shore entries make Tenerife perfect for a safe first underwater experience for total beginners.
In this beginner-friendly guide you will learn exactly how Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife works, what happens step by step, typical prices, best dive sites to see turtles and rays, and practical tips to feel relaxed and confident on your first dive.
Why Choose Tenerife for Your First Scuba Dive?
- Warm water all year round (around 19–25°C) so you are never freezing on your first dive.
- Generally calm conditions and easy shore entries that help beginners feel comfortable in the water.
- Good visibility, usually 15–25 meters, which makes it easier to relax and enjoy the experience.
- Interesting volcanic rock formations and reefs that are easy to explore at shallow depths.
- High chances to see turtles, rays, octopus and many colorful fish even on a short try dive.
What Is Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife?
Discover Scuba Diving (also called a try dive) is a one-day scuba diving experience for beginners in Tenerife. You dive under the direct supervision of a professional instructor without needing any certification and without committing to a full course.
During the experience you learn a few basic scuba skills in shallow water and then do a real ocean dive to a shallow depth, usually between 6 and 12 meters, where you can safely enjoy Tenerife's marine life and see how you feel underwater.
Who Is Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife For?
- Complete beginners who have never tried scuba diving before.
- Holiday makers who want a one-day scuba diving experience in Tenerife without a full course.
- People considering the PADI Open Water course and want to test how it feels first.
- Non-certified friends or partners who want to join divers for a safe, shallow dive.
Quick Facts: Discover Scuba Diving Tenerife
| Location | South and East Tenerife – Costa Adeje, Las Galletas, Abades and nearby areas |
| Water temperature | 19°C – 25°C depending on the season |
| Visibility | Usually 15 – 25 meters |
| Depth for beginners | 6 – 12 meters (maximum depth for Discover Scuba Diving) |
| Total duration | Around 2–3 hours including briefing and dive |
| Typical price | Around €60 – €100 per person, depending on the dive center and extras |
How Your First Discover Scuba Dive in Tenerife Works
- Briefing on land: Your instructor explains how the equipment works, basic hand signals, equalisation and simple safety rules in a clear, relaxed way.
- Shallow water practice: You enter shallow water from the shore or a boat and try breathing through the regulator, clearing your mask and getting used to the feeling of being underwater.
- The real dive: Once you feel comfortable, you and your instructor descend slowly to a safe depth (usually 6–12m) and explore the reef, rocks and marine life around Tenerife at your own pace.
- After the dive: Many dive centers in Tenerife will show you photos or videos of the experience and explain your options if you want to continue to the Open Water Diver course.
Best Dive Sites in Tenerife for Your First Discover Scuba Diving Experience
El Puertito (Turtles)
El Puertito is one of the most famous beginner dive sites in Tenerife. It has a calm, sandy bottom and very high chances of spotting sea turtles on a shallow dive, which makes it ideal for Discover Scuba Diving and first try dives.
Abades (Protected bay)
Abades is a calm reef with easy beach access and a protected bay, which makes it perfect for beginners, Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water training dives. You can often see octopus, moray eels and large schools of fish in shallow water here.
Montaña Amarilla (Volcanic landscape)
Montaña Amarilla offers unique volcanic formations, lava rocks and shallow swim-throughs that look impressive even on a first dive. Visibility is usually very good and the site is suitable for beginners when conditions are calm.
Marine Life You Can See on a Try Dive in Tenerife
Even on a short Discover Scuba Diving experience in Tenerife you can see a surprising amount of marine life at beginner depths. Common sightings include:
- Sea turtles in areas like El Puertito.
- Different types of stingrays resting on the sandy bottom.
- Octopus hiding in small holes and rocky cracks.
- Moray eels, trumpet fish and colorful reef fish.
- Occasional cuttlefish, nudibranchs and other small critters.
Tips for Your First Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife
- Choose a dive center with small groups so the instructor can stay close to you at all times.
- Tell your instructor if you feel nervous; they are used to working with complete beginners.
- Breathe slowly and continuously and focus on long, relaxed exhalations.
- Equalise your ears early and often during the descent to avoid discomfort.
- Avoid drinking alcohol the night before and stay hydrated before your dive.
Related Tenerife Diving Guides
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FAQs About Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife
Do I need to know how to swim?
You should feel basically comfortable in the water, but you do not need to be an expert swimmer to do Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife. You will wear a mask, fins and a buoyant jacket and you are always next to your instructor.
Is Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife safe?
Yes, Discover Scuba Diving is designed as a safe introduction for beginners. You are always supervised by a certified instructor who controls the depth, time and pace of the dive and keeps a close eye on you.
How deep do you go on a try dive?
For beginners, the maximum depth is usually between 6 and 12 meters, which is enough to see plenty of marine life while still keeping the dive easy and comfortable.
Can I use my Discover Scuba Diving towards a certification?
Many dive centers in Tenerife can credit parts of your Discover Scuba Diving experience towards the PADI Open Water Diver course if you decide to continue your training within a short period of time.
Ready to book this experience?
Browse courses from dive centers and book directly on Be Underwater.