Diving course for beginners in turtle area Tenerife

The best part of this Abades experience is the gentle start. You learn how to breathe with the equipment on the beach, practice in shallow water, then move out with an instructor toward Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life. I like the private format and the fact that you receive photos, videos, and a first-experience card at no extra cost. The main thing to consider is that turtles and rays are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed.

I also like the calm approach for nervous beginners. Andres, one of the instructors praised for his attentive manner, is part of a team that works in English, German, and Spanish. You do not need past experience, but you do need to follow the health rules and be comfortable with the language used for your safety briefing.

Key points before you book

• Abades protected park: Start from the beach beside Magilu restaurant, then practice in shallow water before heading farther out.
• A true beginner format: You receive instruction on breathing, equipment, and feeling safe before exploring.
• Wild Atlantic sea life: Look for colorful fish, with turtles and sting rays possible but never promised.
• Photos and videos included: You receive top-quality images and videos directly after the activity.
• Private three-hour session: The pace can be adjusted if you feel nervous or need more time.
• Important post-activity limits: Do not fly for 12 hours afterward, and wait nine hours before visiting Teide.

Starting at Abades beach beside Magilu

Your meeting point is easy to identify: go to Abades beach and look for the restaurant called Magilu. This is not a hotel pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the beach. The activity lasts three hours, and available start times depend on the date you choose.

The setting is the protected Abades area on Tenerife’s Atlantic coast. You begin from the beach rather than stepping straight onto a boat, which makes the first session feel more manageable. For a first underwater experience, that simple beach start matters. You can focus on the equipment and your breathing instead of handling a more complicated departure.

The group is private. That gives you and your companions more room to ask questions and move at a sensible pace. It also helps if you are unsure at first. You are not being hurried along with a large class, and the instructor can give you direct help when you need it.

There is no changing room or hot shower included. Bring swimwear and a towel, and plan around the basic beach facilities available at the site. Food and drinks are also not included, so arrange those separately before or after the session.

Learning to breathe underwater

The first part is a full course on your first underwater experience. The instructor explains how the equipment works and how to breathe with it before you enter the sea. This is useful preparation, not a quick safety speech squeezed into the schedule.

You use a neoprene suit, diving jacket, mask, and fins. The instructor helps you put on the equipment and checks that you are ready for the water. You then enter the shallow area for your first steps, allowing you to get used to the mask, fins, and breathing system while you can still stand or remain close to shore.

This gradual method is one of the strongest reasons to choose the activity as a beginner. Many people find the idea of breathing through equipment strange at first. Shallow-water practice gives you time to settle down before you move toward the open Atlantic.

The course is available from age 10. Children under 10 cannot take part, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or respiratory problems. Ear problems are also listed as a concern, so you should ask before booking if you have a medical condition that could affect pressure or breathing.

You must speak English, German, or Spanish well enough to understand the course. The operator makes this a safety requirement. That is reasonable, since the instructor needs to explain equipment use and respond to any concern clearly.

Moving from the shallows into the Atlantic

Once you feel comfortable, the instructor guides you into the sea to look at marine life around the protected park. The experience is not presented as an advanced technical course. It is a first taste of being underwater, with the instructor close by and the pace shaped around your comfort.

You may see colorful fish during the session. Turtles and sting rays also live in the area, but they are wild animals. That means no honest booking promise can guarantee a sighting. If seeing a turtle is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations flexible. The sea life itself is the attraction, not a scheduled animal encounter.

You are also asked not to touch marine life, animals, or plants. That protects the habitat and keeps the experience respectful. It also gives you the right mindset for the outing: watch carefully, keep your hands to yourself, and let the animals behave naturally.

The experience can suit a non-swimmer, but the operator describes this as possible and complicated. That is an important distinction. You should not book assuming that no swimming ability is required in a practical sense. If you are nervous in water, discuss it before the session and be honest with the instructor.

People who suffer from panic attacks are told that this may not be the best sport for them. The close, private instruction helps, but it cannot remove the basic feeling of wearing a mask and breathing underwater. You should choose this only if you feel able to try it calmly.

A private pace for nervous beginners

The strongest theme from the available feedback is attentive support. Andres is singled out for being a very good monitor who stayed focused on the group, while other comments praise the team for making the experience feel friendly and reassuring. One first-time participant received a clear explanation in English and described being guided carefully when help was needed.

That matters more here than fancy extras. Equipment and scenery are useful, but a beginner needs an instructor who notices discomfort early and explains things in plain language. The private group format should help you ask for another explanation or take extra time in the shallow water.

The language point deserves a little care. English, German, and Spanish are offered, but one participant found the instructor’s English limited after the initial explanation. Underwater communication is not based on conversation, but the pre-water briefing still needs to be clear. If you choose English, make sure you understand the instructions before entering the water.

The operator says there is no rush, even if you are afraid. I would still treat that as an invitation to speak up, not as a promise that every anxiety will disappear. Tell the instructor if the mask feels wrong, if breathing feels difficult, or if you need to return to shallow water.

What the $100 price really includes

At $100 per person, this is not simply a swim at the beach. The price includes the full equipment set, diving insurance, an experienced instructor affiliated with CMAS and the International Aquanautic Club, the course itself, a certification card for your first experience, and photos and videos.

The images are a useful part of the value. You receive them directly after the session, and the operator describes them as free and top quality. You do not have to choose between concentrating on the water and trying to hold a camera. The instructor or team can record the outing while you focus on breathing and marine life.

The card should be understood correctly. It is a card marking your first experience, not necessarily a full qualification for independent scuba use. If you want a formal certification course for future independent dives, ask the provider exactly what the card permits before booking.

For a private three-hour lesson with equipment, insurance, instruction, media, and a small personal group, the price is reasonable for someone who values support and convenience. It is less attractive if you only want a quick look at fish or already own equipment and have experience.

Food, drinks, a changing room, and a hot shower are not included. Those omissions do not ruin the experience, but they affect how you plan your beach time. Bring a towel, and do not expect a full watersports center with extensive facilities.

Photos, videos, and the first-experience card

At the end, you return to the beach and receive your photos, videos, and card. This gives the session a clear finish and leaves you with something more useful than a vague memory of trying new equipment.

The media is especially helpful if you are traveling with family or friends. You can concentrate on the lesson instead of worrying about taking pictures. It also gives you a record of the fish and underwater setting you encountered, though the exact sea life will depend on conditions that day.

Do not confuse the included media with a guarantee of turtle footage. Turtles and rays may not appear, and the operator is direct about that. The photos will reflect what was actually present, which is the fair way to handle a wild marine setting.

Health rules and what to do afterward

You must not take a flight for 12 hours after the activity. This is one of the most important planning details. Do not schedule the course shortly before your flight home, even if the three-hour length seems easy to fit into your last day.

You are also told to avoid extreme sports afterward and not to visit Teide for nine hours. Plan the underwater session as a stand-alone activity rather than squeezing it between strenuous outings.

Do not drink alcohol or use drugs before the activity. The same sensible rule applies to any water activity where clear judgment, breathing, and communication matter.

If you wear glasses, the instructions say you need contact lenses. Bring swimwear and a towel. Because there is no hot shower or changing room included, arrive prepared to manage the beachside practicalities yourself.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a good match for you if you are at least 10, curious about underwater breathing, and want a first session with close guidance. It suits a private pair, family group with eligible children, or friends who want photos and a simple beach-based format.

It is especially appealing if you feel a little nervous but not overwhelmed by the idea. The shallow-water practice and private instruction give you a better start than being placed immediately in deeper water with a large group.

It is not the right choice if you have heart, lung, or ear problems, are pregnant, suffer from panic attacks, or cannot understand English, German, or Spanish. It is also a poor fit if you need a hot shower, a changing room, guaranteed turtle sightings, or a full professional qualification.

The overall rating is five out of five from seven published ratings, with repeated praise for the team’s friendly support and beginner guidance. That pattern fits the structure of the activity: the main benefit is not luxury, but patient instruction and a low-pressure first attempt.

Should you book this Abades underwater course?

Book it if you want a private, supported introduction to underwater breathing and you like the idea of seeing Atlantic fish without committing to a longer qualification course. The included equipment, insurance, media, and first-experience card make the $100 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you are booking mainly for a guaranteed turtle encounter, need resort-style facilities, or have a flight within 12 hours. For everyone else, the best reason to choose it is the careful progression from beach briefing to shallow water to guided marine viewing. That sequence gives you time to get comfortable, which is exactly what a first experience should do.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

Meet at Abades beach, beside the restaurant called Magilu.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability for your chosen date.

How much does it cost?

The price is $100 per person.

Is previous experience required?

No. The course is designed for beginners and includes instruction before you enter the water.

What equipment is included?

The full equipment set includes a neoprene suit, diving jacket, mask, and fins.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are included at no extra charge, and you receive them after the activity.

Can I see turtles and sting rays?

You might see turtles and sting rays in the protected area, but they are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish. You must speak one of these languages for safety reasons.

Can I fly after the activity?

You should not take a flight for 12 hours after the activity. You should also avoid extreme sports afterward and wait nine hours before visiting Teide.