Did you know that Tenerife is not only captivating for its volcanic landscapes and the imposing Mount Teide, but also for the hidden world beneath its waters? If you’re passionate about the sea, diving in Tenerife is one of the most spectacular experiences you can have in Europe.
Thanks to its volcanic origin and its privileged location in the Atlantic Ocean, the island offers a unique underwater landscape, full of caves, vertical walls, sunken ships and marine biodiversity that will leave you breathless.
Next, we’ll immerse you in the best diving areas of Tenerife and tell you everything you need to know to prepare for your next dive.
Why is diving in Tenerife so special?
Tenerife is a world-class diving destination 365 days a year. These are the main reasons why divers from all over the world choose the island:
- Exceptional visibility: The Canary Islands’ waters are famous for their clarity, frequently reaching visibility of more than 30 meters.
- Enviable temperature: The water ranges from 19°C in winter to 24°C in summer, allowing for comfortable diving in any season.
- Volcanic architecture: Solidified lava has created impressive artificial reefs, arches, tunnels, and underwater caves.
- Unique biodiversity: You can swim alongside green turtles, manta rays, stingrays, angel sharks, octopuses and, with luck, dolphins.
The best diving spots in Tenerife
The island is divided into three large diving areas, each with its own personality and levels of difficulty:
1. The South: Calm waters and marine life (Ideal for all levels)
It is the most popular area due to its stable weather conditions and the absence of strong currents.
- Los Chuchos (Las Galletas): The ideal spot if you want to see rays up close. Dozens of black and yellow rays approach divers in an unforgettable spectacle.
- El Condesito: A cargo ship sunk in 1971 at a depth of about 18 meters. Today it is home to a huge variety of marine life, perfect for beginners in wreck diving.
- Los Gigantes: At the foot of majestic cliffs, the landscape plunges abruptly into the Atlantic, with mysterious caves and tunnels. It is a meeting point for impressive species such as eagle rays and barracudas, with the added attraction that its waters are a common habitat for dolphins.
- Montaña Amarilla (Arona): In this corner of the Costa del Silencio, the volcanic rock, with its distinctive yellow hue, blends seamlessly with the ocean. Its underwater landscape is a labyrinth of rock arches and accessible caves, perfect for enjoying an uncomplicated dive. This environment teems with marine life, where it’s quite common to encounter trumpetfish and groupers.
2. The Southeast: The paradise of deep diving
- Radazul: An ideal location for both scuba diving and freediving. Its coastline drops sharply vertically, allowing deep dives just a few meters from the shore. Its pristine seabed and spectacular sponge wall are highly prized.
- Abades: a village famous for its bay with crystal-clear waters and relaxed atmosphere. Naturally sheltered from the wind, the sea in Abades is usually as calm as a swimming pool, offering spectacular visibility. It’s an ideal spot for beginners or for enjoying a gentle, comfortable dive without currents.
3. The North: Wild volcanic landscapes (Advanced level)
The north offers more technical dives due to the state of the sea, but its landscapes are, quite simply, monumental.
- The Cathedral (Puerto de la Cruz): An impressive volcanic structure resembling an underwater Gothic cathedral. This dive is reserved for experienced divers due to its depth (approximately 35-40 meters).
- Garachico: this historic enclave hides treasures under the sea that challenge the most technical and experienced divers, with deep bottoms, currents that demand skill and an impressive labyrinth of volcanic origin, with arches, narrow passages and small caves.
Practical tips for your underwater adventure
To make your diving experience in Tenerife perfect, keep these recommendations in mind:
- Certification and Insurance: Remember to bring your diving certification (PADI, SSI, CMAS…) and your valid mandatory medical insurance.
- Respect the environment: Tenerife’s marine wildlife is protected. Do not touch the animals (especially the turtles) or disturb the seabed.
- Plan the transport of your equipment: Diving equipment (wetsuit, regulator, vest, fins) is heavy, bulky and usually ends up wet after the dive.
Approved Diving Centers in Tenerife
Tenerife has an excellent network of approved and certified diving centers (many of them with the PADI 5 Star distinction) spread throughout the island.
Southern Zone (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Las Galletas and El Médano)
It is the area with the highest concentration of schools due to its calm sea conditions and frequent wildlife sightings.
- Zero Gravity Diving (Costa Adeje): Located in Puerto Colón, this center offers everything from introductory dives to advanced technical training, with a strong focus on safety and marine conservation.
- MOANA DIVING (Costa Adeje): Also located in the Puerto Colón marina, they offer daily guided boat dives to the best spots in the south of the island and rental of top-quality equipment.
- Ocean Friends · Marine Experiences (Las Galletas / Arona): They stand out for their eco-friendly and environmentally conscious excursions. They organize spectacular dives to see rays and turtles in their natural habitat.
- Big Fish Dive Center (Los Cristianos): A great school with a very active international team that organizes daily full-boat dives. They are known for their high safety standards and modern facilities geared towards recreational diving.
- Sa Caleta Tenerife (Los Cristianos): This is a family-friendly diving center officially authorized by the Canary Islands Government. They have excellent facilities, including a washing and drying area for equipment (a key feature), showers, and relaxation areas.
- La Tribu Dive (El Médano): If your clients are staying in the El Médano area, this center is famous for its friendly and personalized atmosphere. They organize trips for both beginners (introductory dives) and more technical guided dives along the southern coast.
Southeast/East Zone (Radazul and Fasnia)
An excellent area for those looking for deep dives or a slightly more local environment focused on technical diving.
- Macaronesian Divers (Radazul): One of the most prestigious diving schools on the island. Its location on the Radazul breakwater is perfect for training due to the gradual depth of its coastline just a few meters from the shore.
- Scubanana Dive Center (Radazul): Strategically located in the Radazul Marina, this center offers a modern approach and a strong commitment to ecology and sustainable diving. In addition to traditional guided dives and wreck dives (such as the Tabaiba wreck), they are leaders in specialty courses and advanced technical training (TEC).
- La Escafandra Diving Center (Las Eras – Fasnia): Located on one of the best beaches for diving off the southeast coast. It’s perfect for those who want to avoid boats and go directly into the water. It stands out for the rigorous safety standards of its instructors and the convenience of its beachfront location.
Northern Zone (Puerto de la Cruz and Los Realejos)
Aimed at profiles that seek wilder volcanic landscapes and shipwrecks, ideal when sea conditions in the north allow it.
- Atlantik Diving Center (Los Realejos / Puerto de la Cruz): With a long history in the north of Tenerife, they organize trips to the incredible lava tubes and underwater cathedrals of the area, as well as multilingual courses.
- Diving Teide Divers (Puerto de la Cruz): Strategically located in Puerto de la Cruz, this center boasts a team of experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of the northern coastline. They organize daily dives, introductory dives, and certified courses. These are ideal for exploring the famous “Cathedral” and other volcanic wonders along the northern coast.
- El Cardumen Diving Center (Puerto de la Cruz): A highly regarded center in the area, ideal for both beginners and certified divers seeking expert local guides. They offer personalized service and excellent advice on sea conditions in the north before each dive.
Many of these centers organize boat dives or transfers to secluded beaches. If you decide to book your dives with them but need comfortable transportation from your hotel or the airport with all your heavy equipment, Official Taxi Tenerife will take you to any of these centers in spacious, specially adapted vans.
More information
Canary Islands Federation of Underwater Activities: fedecas.es