Tenerife First Time Scuba Dive – Turtle Habitat, Small Groups

The first stage is paperwork and a safety briefing. Expect about 10 minutes of classroom instruction, followed by repeated explanations before you board. That repetition is useful. Breathing through a regulator, clearing your mask, managing your ears, and communicating underwater can feel like a lot when you are standing in a wetsuit with unfamiliar equipment.

The staff fit you with a wetsuit and the full set of required gear. Bottled water and insurance are included, so the $90.70 price covers more than the time spent below the surface. You are paying for instruction, boat transport, equipment, a second water activity, and a return to the center.

That price is fair for a first try, especially if you would otherwise need to rent equipment and book a separate boat trip. It is less attractive if your only goal is a long session underwater. The included scuba time is limited to 25 or 30 minutes, and this is an introduction rather than a full certification course.

What the boat ride adds

The short trip from Puerto Colon to the site gives you a change of pace. You leave the marina, travel by fast boat, and prepare for the water away from the crowded edge of the harbor. The ride itself can be fun and brisk, so secure loose items and expect some spray.

There is also a good chance to look for wildlife before you enter the water. Dolphins, flying fish, and even turtles have been seen from the boat, though these sightings are never promised. The boat ride is part of the appeal, but it also means sea conditions matter. Choppy water can make the outing less comfortable and may affect visibility.

The crew chooses the site based on conditions. One reported location was near a steep coastal cliff with good visibility, rock formations, fish, crabs, and stingrays. That gives you more than a lesson in an empty patch of sea, but the amount of marine life can change from one day to the next.

Your first underwater session

The scuba portion takes place in water no deeper than 7 meters, or 23 feet. That limit is reassuring if you are nervous. You are not being sent far below the surface or asked to manage a complicated route. The goal is to help you become comfortable with breathing and movement in the sea.

Instructors often work with one or two people at a time. That ratio is one of the strongest reasons to book this activity instead of a cheaper, crowded introduction. You can get direct help with your breathing, position, and comfort level. Instructors named in the feedback include Romana, Toby, Martin, Francesco, Ruben, and others, but the available guide depends on the day and language needs.

Some first-timers feel uneasy at the start. One useful practical point is that the tanks may be put on in the water. Entering the sea with the equipment already fitted can feel startling, especially if you have never used a regulator. Take your time, breathe slowly, and follow the instructor’s signals. The staff are used to helping people who need a moment before moving down.

That close attention is especially helpful for families and nervous adults. One 12-year-old was handled separately by an instructor while the rest of the family continued with their own guides. Minors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, with an extra charge, so check the booking details before you commit to a family group.

The scuba session is short by design. You get enough time to understand the basic sensation and see the sea floor, but not enough for a full skills course. One person who enjoyed the trip still wished the underwater section lasted longer. I would treat that as a fair warning. If you already know you want serious scuba training, book a certification course instead.

Fish, rock formations, and the turtle question

The marine life is the bonus, not the entire reason to book. Depending on the site and the sea, you might see fish, crabs, stingrays, or other local creatures. Dolphins and flying fish may appear during the boat ride. Turtles have been spotted, too, which explains the name of the activity, but the operator clearly warns that sightings cannot be guaranteed.

That honesty matters. If seeing a turtle is the one thing that will make or break your day, this is a gamble. You could see no turtles and still have a good first scuba session. Ocean movement, visibility, and animal behavior are outside the crew’s control.

The underwater scenery can help fill the gap. Rock features near the cliff shore give the site shape, and good visibility can make even a short session feel worthwhile. I would keep your expectations flexible: think of turtles as a lucky extra, not a scheduled part of the itinerary.

Photos and videos are not included in the ticket price. The crew may take underwater pictures during the session, and you can view them after returning to the center before deciding if you want to buy them. If you care about taking home a record of your first attempt, ask about the cost before the boat leaves.

Snorkeling after the scuba session

After the guided scuba portion, you get about 30 minutes to snorkel with a mask and tube. This is a useful addition because you can continue looking at the water without the weight and breathing equipment.

The snorkeling time is not described as a second guided lesson. You should be comfortable using a mask and tube on your own, or practice before the trip if you are unsure. One participant specifically found this important. The scuba section has close instructor support, while the snorkeling portion gives you more independence.

That difference makes the activity suitable for mixed confidence levels, but it may not suit someone who is uncomfortable in open water. Tell the crew if you are anxious. Still, do not assume that the snorkeling half will have an instructor holding your hand throughout.

The combination works well for couples or friends. One person can enjoy the scuba session while the other gets more time to look around at the surface. Families can also split their attention, though age rules still apply to the scuba portion.

How the staff handle nerves and safety

The strongest feature here is the human support. The instructors are described as friendly, patient, and calm, with particular praise for checking on people throughout the session. That matters more than clever equipment or a flashy boat. A first underwater experience can turn sour quickly if you feel rushed.

The briefing is repeated at several points, and staff check that you understand what will happen. Guides may work in pairs of participants, allowing them to adjust their pace to different abilities and languages. Briefings are offered in the languages listed for the activity, while the underwater session may be assigned to any available English-speaking instructor.

The equipment is included and described as good quality. You do not need to organize a separate wetsuit rental or bring your own tank. Bring swimwear and anything you need for afterward, since the center has showers and changing facilities when you return.

You must be in suitable health for scuba. Pregnant women cannot take part. Anyone with a heart or lung condition, pneumothorax, or diabetes must present a doctor’s certificate on the day. Without the required document, there is no refund, so do not leave this check until the morning of the activity.

Children under 8 cannot take part. Children aged 8 or 9 are limited to a maximum depth of 4 meters. Identification is required for children under 16, and minors aged 8 to 14 need proof of age. These rules are worth checking before you pay, especially for a family booking.

Timing your Tenerife plans

The full activity takes about two and a half hours. That includes the briefing, equipment fitting, boat ride, scuba session, snorkeling, and return to the center. It is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to fit beside other Costa Adeje plans.

Leave at least 12 hours between this activity and a flight or mountain trip. That restriction is easy to overlook when planning a busy holiday. Do not book a morning flight after the activity, and avoid placing a demanding high-altitude outing immediately afterward.

The experience requires suitable weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The activity accepts service animals and is near public transport. The maximum group size is 20 people, although the actual underwater groups may be much smaller because instructors split participants into pairs or small units.

Who should book this activity?

I would choose this for a first-time scuba attempt, a couple wanting a shared challenge, or a family with older children who meet the age rules. It works particularly well if you want a taste of scuba without spending several days on certification.

It also suits you if direct support matters. Nervous participants get close attention, and the shallow maximum depth keeps the task manageable. The boat ride and snorkeling make the price easier to justify than a short pool-based lesson.

I would look elsewhere if you are already certified and want a long, deeper session. I would also think twice if you dislike boats, feel uncomfortable snorkeling alone, or are booking mainly to see turtles. No wildlife encounter can be scheduled.

Should you book the Puerto Colon scuba experience?

Yes, if you want a carefully managed first step into underwater exploration and value patient instruction over a long bottom time. The included equipment, boat trip, snorkeling, insurance, and small instructor groups give the $90.70 cost solid value for a first-timer.

Book with realistic expectations. You may see turtles, dolphins, stingrays, or plenty of fish, but you may also see fewer animals because of the sea conditions. You will get a 25 to 30-minute guided session, not a certification course. For most beginners, that is enough to find out if the underwater world is for you.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?