Tenerife: Puerto Colon Certified Scuba Dive by Speed Boat

Puerto Colón is a handy launch point for a short speedboat ride to Tenerife’s southern coast, where you can explore one of up to 20 underwater sites with a certified instructor. The whole outing lasts two hours, so it fits neatly into a beach day or a busy holiday schedule.

I like two things here: the small group of no more than nine keeps the setting more personal, and the full equipment package means you do not need to haul your own gear across Tenerife. The main thing to consider is sea conditions. One recent booking described the water as unsafe and poorly managed, while other feedback praised the instructors, including Leon, so conditions and staff performance may shape your day.

Key points to know before you book

• Up to 20 southern Tenerife sites: The exact location depends on conditions and the plan for the day.
• A quick 5 to 25 minute boat ride: You spend more time in the water and less time commuting offshore.
• Small groups capped at nine: This gives the instructor a manageable group to guide.
• Full equipment is included: Wetsuit, boots, fins, mask, BCD, regulator, weights, and related gear are supplied.
• Certified divers only: You must bring proof of certification, and insurance is required in Spain.
• Leon receives especially warm praise: His calm, friendly teaching helped make one first underwater outing memorable.

Starting at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón

You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife, in front of dock 3 and next to Cafe Black Pearl. The entrance to the diving center is at the back, a detail worth noting because the waterfront location can make the doorway less obvious than expected.

The first stage is paperwork and preparation. You will fill out the required forms, get fitted with a wetsuit, boots, fins, mask, BCD, regulator, and weight belt, then set up your equipment at the center. This is not wasted time. A proper equipment check gives you a chance to make sure the mask fits, the regulator works, and the rest of the kit feels manageable before you leave shore.

I like that the setup happens at the center rather than being rushed on the boat. If something does not fit, you can deal with it before heading out. Bring swimwear and a towel, and bring your diving certification. All essential scuba equipment is included, but photos and videos cost extra if you want a record of the trip.

The activity is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. That language range is useful when you are discussing safety procedures and equipment, not just making small talk.

The 30-minute briefing that sets the tone

The safety briefing is scheduled for about 30 minutes at Puerto Colón. You will hear about the planned site, go over the conditions, and receive guidance on what will happen once the boat arrives.

This is also when you should ask questions. If you are rusty with your certification skills, say so. You will be expected to handle standard scuba equipment and take part in a guided underwater outing, not learn the basic course from scratch.

The experience is not suitable for people without certification or for pregnant women. Spain also requires diving insurance. If you do not already have suitable cover, the center has policies available for purchase, so check this before arriving rather than treating it as an afterthought.

The strongest feedback centers on the instructors. Leon was singled out as a very good teacher who made a first outing unforgettable, while another booking praised the staff as professional and worth recommending. That is encouraging, but the experience is still dependent on the instructor assigned to your group and the conditions on the day.

A speedboat ride of 5 to 25 minutes

Once the group is ready, you head out by speedboat. The ride can take as little as five minutes or as long as 25 minutes, depending on the selected site.

That range matters. A short run gets you into the water quickly and leaves more of the two-hour schedule for the main activity. A longer ride gives you more time to see the southern coast from the water, but it also means that travel takes up a larger share of your session.

The boat is more than simple transport. It gives you a fast view of the coast and avoids a long shore entry with heavy gear. You will not know the exact site in advance because the choice depends on the day’s plan and conditions. The operator works with as many as 20 locations around southern Tenerife, which gives the team some flexibility.

At the site, the boat may anchor. It may also remain mobile if the plan calls for a drift outing. Your guide will explain the procedure, and you will put on your mask, fins, and weight belt before being helped into the rest of your equipment.

Entering the water by backward roll

The entry is a backward roll from the boat. Once you are ready, your guide assists you into position, and you meet the guide at the front of the boat before starting the underwater portion.

For certified participants, this is a familiar boat-entry method. Still, it is worth listening closely to the briefing, especially if you have not used a backward roll recently or are carrying equipment in unfamiliar sizes.

The guide’s role is important here. You are not simply dropped at a site and left to manage the outing alone. The instructor guides the group underwater and helps with equipment before entry. That support is one reason this suits certified people who want an organized outing without arranging a private boat and guide.

The group limit of nine is a practical advantage. Nine is not the same as a private session, but it is far more contained than a large boat packed with participants. You can expect the pace to be shaped by the group, so a private guide would still be better for someone seeking a highly personal plan. That option is not included here.

One hour below the surface

The main marine-life viewing and scuba portion lasts about one hour. The exact underwater route depends on the selected site, conditions, and whether the outing uses an anchored or drift format.

I like the balance of this schedule. You get a meaningful amount of time in the water without committing most of a day. The shorter format also works well for people combining the activity with time in Costa Adeje, Puerto Colón, or other southern Tenerife plans.

The appeal is the setting rather than a fixed checklist of animals. The information provided does not promise specific species, reefs, wrecks, or underwater features, so you should not book expecting one named attraction. You are booking guided access to the underwater world around the south coast, with the site chosen from a wider local selection.

That flexibility can be helpful. Conditions change, and a site that works well on one morning may not be the right choice later. At the same time, it means the experience is less predictable than an outing built around one famous location.

Safety should remain your priority. One very poor account described the activity as unsafe, chaotic, and conducted in conditions that should have been avoided. Other feedback praised the staff and described a positive teaching experience. I would treat that contrast as a reason to ask about sea conditions before you leave the center and to speak up if you feel uncertain about the plan.

Returning to Puerto Colón and cleaning the kit

After the underwater session, the group returns by speedboat. The return ride is listed as about 15 minutes, though the total boat time can vary with the site.

Back at the center, you wash the equipment and take part in a debrief. This gives you a chance to discuss what you saw, how the outing felt, and any points that caught your attention. The center can also stamp your logbook, which is a nice practical touch if you keep records of your certified outings.

The wash-down and debrief add a little structure to the end of the session. You are not simply handed your belongings and sent away. You return the equipment properly, talk through the experience, and leave with a clearer record of the outing.

Photos and videos are available to buy afterward. They are not part of the $59 price, so decide in advance if you are happy to remember the session without media or want to budget extra for images.

Is $59 good value for two hours?

At $59 per person, the price is reasonable for a guided boat outing that includes full scuba equipment, the boat ride, a certified instructor, and insurance. You avoid separate costs for a wetsuit, BCD, regulator, fins, mask, boots, and other basic kit.

The value is strongest if you are already certified but do not travel with equipment. Renting all that gear independently, finding a boat, and arranging a qualified guide would be more work, even before considering insurance.

The price is less attractive if you already own all your equipment and only want a very short boat ride. It is also not an all-day marine excursion. The two-hour length includes paperwork, the 30-minute briefing, equipment preparation, boat travel, and the return process, so the underwater portion is about one hour rather than two full hours.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Check the available start times when booking, since the session needs to fit around your other plans.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Colón outing?

This activity suits you best if you:

• Hold a valid scuba certification and want a guided outing rather than a full course.
• Prefer a small group to a large boat operation.
• Want to explore the southern coast without spending a full day at sea.
• Need to rent all your basic equipment.
• Like having an instructor nearby and a set plan from the center.
• Are comfortable with a site chosen according to conditions.

It is less suitable if you are not certified, want a beginner lesson, or need a completely private experience. It is also not a good fit during pregnancy, and you must have diving insurance in Spain.

The mixed feedback means I would take a few minutes to confirm the day’s plan. Ask which site is being considered, whether the outing is anchored or drift-based, and how the sea looks before you suit up. These are sensible questions for any boat-based scuba activity, especially when the site can change.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, and your certification. The center supplies the essential scuba equipment, so you do not need to pack a full kit unless you prefer to use your own.

Arrive ready for paperwork, fitting, and an equipment check before the boat departs. Because the briefing takes about 30 minutes, do not assume you can arrive at the last moment and step straight onto the boat.

If your certification is old or you have not been underwater recently, review your basic procedures before the trip. The instructor can guide you during the outing, but this is not designed for someone starting from zero.

I would also leave room in your schedule after the activity. The stated duration is two hours, and the timing depends partly on the site and boat movement. A relaxed buffer makes the day easier, especially if you have a meal, transfer, or another booked activity afterward.

My recommendation: book it if the format fits

I would book this for a certified person who wants a compact southern Tenerife outing, especially someone who values a small group and needs a complete rental package. The speedboat access, one hour in the water, and choice of many local sites give the activity a useful mix of convenience and variety.

I would be more cautious if your main concern is perfectly calm conditions or a guaranteed site. The exact location can change, and the conflicting safety feedback makes it worth asking direct questions before departure.

The best reason to choose it is the practical package: $59 covers the boat, gear, instructor, and insurance, with no long transfer from Puerto Colón. The best reason to skip it is if you are not certified, want a full-day trip, or prefer a private guide with a fixed underwater plan.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

Meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 next to Cafe Black Pearl. The entrance to the diving center is at the back.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about two hours. This includes the briefing, equipment preparation, boat rides, underwater activity, and return process.

How long is the speedboat ride?

The ride to the site can take between five and 25 minutes, depending on the location. The return ride is listed as about 15 minutes.

Do I need scuba certification?

Yes. This activity is for certified divers, and you must bring your diving certification. It is not suitable for people without certification.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. The price includes the essential equipment, including a wetsuit, boots, fins, mask, BCD, regulator, and weights.

Is insurance included?

Full insurance is included in the activity package, but diving insurance is mandatory in Spain. If you do not have the required policy, the center has insurance available for purchase.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. The group is limited to nine participants.