Explore Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands and is an incredibly unique place to dive. Tenerife’s volcanic origins are showcased in the underwater landscape, with rocky reefs, lava tunnels, drop-offs, canyons and caves. Whether you decide to dive along the south or north coastline, there is always a choice of both shore and boat entry, with several easy dive sites for beginners as well as the deep and thrilling sites for those with more experience. While scuba diving in Tenerife, it is likely to encounter several rays, from eagle rays to the common stingray, benthic angel shark, as well as groups of sea turtles taking refuge on protected reefs. Four species of whale and dolphin are also resident to the Canaries, so year-round it’s possible to spot one.
The cities of Las Galletas and Costa Adeje concentrate the majority of Tenerife diving activity, with the surrounding resort towns of Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, - situated in Arona - and Callao Salvaje exploring the southern coastline. Dive centres are more common than dive resorts here. It is possible to dive Tenerife’s northern coastline via Los Gigantes and from Puerto de la Cruz. There are several dive centres in Los Gigantes and a single dive resort in Puerto de la Cruz ready to accompany divers to the spectacular volcanic rock formations of the north. Depending on the dive centre, many offer dive courses from Discover Scuba to Divemaster as well as there being a few trained Instructor Development centres on the island.
Places to Explore
Los Cristianos
Once a small fishing village, today Los Cristianos is one of the main tourist areas in the south of Tenerife. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife is the Canary Islands largest island with clear water abundant with marine life from whales to seahorses. Scuba diving in Los Cristianos will find divers descending onto impressive wrecks, rocky reefs and statues in tribute to the world’s most famous ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau.
Playa de las Americas
Near Tenerife’s southwestern tip, the resort town of Playa de las Americas is located. There are six stunning beaches with several accessible by divers who want to explore Tenerife’s impressive volcanic rock formations, from caves and arches to rocky reefs. Over the decades, the Canary Islands largest island has seen plenty of shipwrecks, with some now resting in the seabed surrounding Playa de las Americas. There are plenty of dive centres and dive resorts in Playa de las Americas, many of which offer dive courses at calm dive sites.
Costa Adeje
The cities of Costa Adeje and Las Galletas concentrate the majority of the Tenerife’s scuba diving activity. On the southern coast of Spain’s largest Canary Island, Costa Adeje offers a large number of dive sites where divers can descend onto sunken ships, walls, caves, and impressive volcanic rock formations. The marine life is also abundant with everything from nudibranch to angel sharks.
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Diving in Tenerife
In southern Tenerife, the calm waters in bays and coves are ideal for dive courses or a first-ever dive experience. El Puertito, Abades Beach, and Las Vistas beach are ideal locations. There are also several wrecks in the area, from The Condesito wreck sitting at a maximum depth of 20-metres and The Meridian, which sits 30-metres deep and is reserved for more experienced divers. Once you’ve descended onto The Meridian, the cabins and interior spaces can be easily entered into and explored. Heading out by boat, deep dives feature pinnacles, caves, and drop-offs while caves and arches can also be found shallower, at Yellow Mountain and El Bufadero.
The dive sites in the north of Tenerife are between 10-40 metres, where tech-divers can even descend as far as 60-metres at some drop-offs. For beginners, there are shallow rocky reefs such as Las Eras which can be entered from the shore. An aeroplane wreck of the Douglas DC-3 can be found on the sand at 33-metres while cavern divers will enjoy dive sites such as Tunnel, Bollullo, and Portillo.
The best Months to Dive in Tenerife
Located 115km from the coast of Morocco, Africa, and in close proximity to the equator, the Canary Islands have a sunny climate and a pleasant temperature throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 17°C in January to 24°C in August - meaning that even in summer the weather isn’t uncomfortably hot but you’ll definitely catch some sun.
The underwater visibility in Tenerife is generally 30-metres and the water temperature oscillates between 18°C in winter and 24°C in summer. The best time for scuba diving in Tenerife is from April until October while the water temperature is at its most comfortable. Although, dive centres are open throughout the year and great scuba diving can be had throughout - just remember to don a thicker wetsuit if you are planning to dive in the winter!
The Canary Islands resident whales and dolphins can be seen throughout the year while for a chance of spotting a manta ray, September is the prime month. Found at rocky reefs, seahorse can be seen in the summer months from May through to August.
Statistics
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Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions
Centers Map
DEEP FIN
Rambla Dionisio Gonzalez 14, Local A, 38631 Las Galletas, IC - ESP
LA TRIBU DIVE
Av. Principes de Espana 3, local 6, 38612 El Medano, IC - ESP
MEDANODIVE
Plaza Galicia Local 8, 38612 El Medano, IC - ESP
DIVE SPOT
c. Maria del Carmen Garcia 17, 38631 Arona - Tenerife, IC - ESP
TEIDE DIVERS
Calle Corbeta - Edf Los Organos Local 1, 38400 Puerta de la Cruz, IC - ESP
Atlantis Freediving
Local 4A, Edif Jardin Del Mar, 38190 Tenerife, IC - ESP
DIVING ANGEL TENERIFE
Calle Poblado Marinero 2, 38683 Santiago del Teide, IC - ESP
DIVE LOVERS TENERIFE
AVENIDA JOSE ANTONIO TAVIO 4, 38630 COSTA DEL SILENCIO, IC - ESP
Blue Bottom Diving
Avda. España S/N. C/C Terranova Local 201-202, 38660 Adeje, IC - ESP
BARBARIAN DIVING
Avenida Juan Carlos I, 24, 38650 LOS CRISTIANOS, IC - ESP
ApneaCanarias, Freediving Center
Local nave, Puerto Deportivo Radazul, 38109 El Rosario-Tenerife, IC - ESP
DIVE CENTER OCEAN FRIENDS
calle la ballena 17 local izquierdo, 38618 Granadilla de Abona, IC - ESP
GooDiving - Diving Center Tenerife
Avda Galvàn Bello, Urb. Terrazas de La Paz 113 Golf del Sur, 38639 San Miguel de Abona, IC - ESP
Diving Canarias
Avda. Colón nº 6, 38109 Radazul - Tenerife, IC - ESP
SCUBADIVEPRO TENERIFE
Avenida Maritima 25, local 6 (Edificio Jardín del Mar), 38190 Tabaiba, IC - ESP
DIVING CLUB ADEJE
CALLE VALENCIA SN, 38660 ADEJE, IC - ESP
TENERIFE DIVING ACADEMY
Avenida La Marina B8, 38588 Abades, IC - ESP
MACARONESIAN DIVERS
Avenida Colon n°6, planta baja, puertas 2 y 4, 38109 El Rosario, IC - ESP
BLACKSTONE DIVE CENTER
Calle Aljibe 11/ Local 8, 38678 Adeje, IC - ESP
BOREALSUB
Deportes Ernesto, Plaza La Luz, 38470 Los Silos - Tenerife, IC - ESP