Los Cristianos: Try Dive for beginners

The best part of this Los Cristianos experience is that you do not need prior scuba experience. You learn the basics on land, then enter the water with an instructor beside you and descend slowly to a maximum of 5 meters. Small groups of four keep the session personal, which matters when breathing through a regulator feels strange at first.

I like the calm introduction and the chance to see real marine life rather than simply practice in a pool. I also like that the price includes equipment, insurance, an SSI certification, and patient instruction. The main consideration is that the session may feel demanding if you are nervous in the water, and underwater photos cost extra.

Key points

• Maximum depth of 5 meters: A shallow first step for anyone new to scuba.
• Small groups: A maximum of four participants allows close attention from the instructor.
• Patient support: Instructor Martin helped nervous beginners adjust to breathing underwater and ear pressure.
• Marine life encounters: You might see fish, stingrays, an octopus, or even a seahorse.
• Three-hour format: Enough time for a briefing, equipment practice, and time in the sea without turning the day into a full expedition.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment, insurance, SSI certification, water, coffee, and beer are included, while photos are not.

A gentle first meeting with scuba in Los Cristianos

Los Cristianos is a practical place to try scuba for the first time. The experience begins at Ocean Dreams Tenerife, where you meet your instructor, learn how the equipment works, and go over basic underwater communication.

You are not expected to arrive with technical skills. The session is built around learning to breathe through the regulator, manage your position in the water, and use simple signals to communicate with the instructor.

The maximum depth is 5 meters. That is shallow by scuba standards, but it is also a sensible limit for a first session. You can focus on staying calm and noticing the seabed instead of worrying about a long descent.

The aim is not to complete a full qualification. It is a controlled introduction that lets you decide how scuba feels before committing to a longer course.

Three hours from briefing to seabed

The full activity lasts about three hours, beginning and ending at the diving center. That time includes the safety briefing, equipment preparation, instruction, and the sea session in Los Cristianos.

The first stage is important. Breathing underwater can feel unnatural, even for confident swimmers. One participant described feeling anxious at first, especially when trying to breathe through the regulator, but gradually relaxed with reassurance and practice.

You will also learn basic hand signals. Since talking is not possible underwater, these signals help you communicate simple messages such as okay, stop, or a need for assistance. This gives you a clear way to stay connected with your instructor.

Once you enter the water, the instructor remains with you. The pace is not designed to rush you down. If you need time to adjust, the early minutes can be used to get comfortable with the equipment and breathing.

That gradual approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose this session. Your first underwater minutes are often spent getting used to the sensation, not admiring fish. The experience works best when you accept that this is part of the process.

What you may see at 5 meters

The marine life is the reward for mastering the basic skills. At the shallow depth offered here, you may see fish and other small sea creatures around Los Cristianos.

Recorded encounters include stingrays, an octopus, and a seahorse. These sightings are not guaranteed, since sea life moves freely, but they show what can appear during a short underwater session.

One particularly useful piece of advice is to consider doing a second session if it is offered as part of your arrangement. The first descent may be mostly about breathing, posture, and staying relaxed. Once those tasks become familiar, you have more attention available for the animals around you.

A friendly stingray and a small octopus can turn a basic lesson into a memorable outing. Still, you should not book this as a wildlife guarantee. The reliable promise is the chance to explore the seabed with an instructor, not a fixed list of sightings.

Why the small group matters

The group limit is four participants. That is a useful feature for beginners because the instructor can pay close attention to each person’s comfort and technique.

Scuba requires more than simply putting on a mask and swimming. You need to manage the regulator, stay aware of your breathing, respond to signals, and adjust your body position. A smaller group gives you a better chance to ask questions and receive help.

This is especially helpful if you feel nervous. Martin is the instructor named in the strongest personal feedback, and his calm approach helped one participant continue after an initial panic. Another person who was frightened before entering the water found that the anxiety eased once the session began.

The guide team can provide instruction in Spanish, English, Czech, German, Russian, and Croatian. Confirm your preferred language when booking, since clear instruction matters more here than on a simple sightseeing trip.

The equipment and safety setup

The price includes the scuba equipment, diving insurance, and an instructor. You do not need to arrange those pieces separately.

The briefing covers the basic techniques needed for the session. That includes breathing, using the equipment, and communicating underwater. The instructor accompanies you in the sea, giving you a direct point of support throughout the activity.

The included insurance is another practical benefit. Beginners often worry about what happens if they cannot continue, need assistance, or feel uncomfortable in the water. The session is organized around instruction and supervision rather than leaving you to manage the equipment alone.

You should bring swimwear. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is a sensible safety rule for an activity involving breathing equipment and the sea.

The provider also includes water, coffee, and beer. Beer should be treated as a post-activity refreshment rather than something to have before entering the water. Photos are not included, so bring no assumption that an underwater record comes with the price.

What the first few minutes may feel like

The first challenge is often breathing. You may be comfortable in the water but still find mouth breathing through a regulator unfamiliar. The instructor will show you how to use the equipment and help you settle into the rhythm.

You will also need to manage ear pressure as you descend. This is a normal part of scuba, but it can feel uncomfortable if you try to go too quickly. The session is better suited to someone willing to move slowly and follow instructions than to someone looking for instant action.

Your body position matters, too. New participants may find it hard to keep their legs, arms, and equipment in a comfortable position. One participant who could not swim and had little previous water experience still received help with breathing, ear pressure, and posture underwater.

That account should encourage people who lack experience, but it should not be read as a guarantee that everyone will feel comfortable. If you already know that you dislike having your face underwater, this may be a real challenge.

The payoff comes when the breathing becomes routine. At that point, the feeling of floating can become peaceful. You are no longer concentrating on every piece of equipment and can start noticing the seabed and marine life.

Is $94 a fair price?

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Tenerife. It is also more than a simple boat ride or a guided swim. The value depends on how much support you want for a first scuba experience.

The price includes the equipment, instructor, insurance, and SSI certification. It also includes the basic instruction needed to try scuba safely, plus water, coffee, and beer. If you would otherwise need to rent equipment and pay for instruction separately, the package becomes easier to justify.

The small group adds value. A larger class might cost less, but beginners generally benefit from individual attention, particularly during the first attempt at breathing underwater.

The SSI certification is useful as a record of your introductory session, though you should not confuse it with a full open-water scuba qualification. The activity is an introduction, not a replacement for a longer certification course.

Photos are not included. If recording the experience matters to you, ask about the extra cost before booking. For many people, the personal memory and the chance to see a stingray, octopus, or seahorse will be enough. For others, the additional photo charge may affect the final value.

Who should book this experience

This session suits adults and children aged 10 or older who want a first taste of scuba in a supervised setting. It is particularly suitable if you are curious but not ready to commit to a full course.

It also works well for solo participants. One person attended alone and still received close attention from the instructor. The group size means you are not dependent on bringing a large party.

You should book if you value patient instruction, a shallow maximum depth, and a small group. It is also a good choice if seeing marine life is more appealing to you than spending the day on a boat.

Think carefully before booking if you are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, or are under 10. The activity is not suitable for those groups.

The information provided does not say that a specific swimming qualification is required. Even so, you should be honest about your comfort in water. A participant with very little swimming ability was supported by the instructor, but that does not mean the session will feel easy for every non-swimmer.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is the Ocean Dreams Tenerife diving center in Los Cristianos. You return there after the three-hour activity.

Wear swimwear and arrive ready to take part in both the briefing and the water session. Since the instructor needs to explain equipment and signals, do not treat the experience as a quick activity that begins the moment you walk in.

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. You can reserve the activity and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife plans. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

The group limit is four people. That makes early booking sensible if you want a particular date or need instruction in a specific language.

The honest drawbacks

The first issue is anxiety. At least one participant panicked while learning to breathe underwater. Patient instruction helped, but no instructor can remove the basic sensation of having your face below the surface.

The second issue is the short depth limit. Five meters is suitable for a first experience, but experienced scuba participants may find it too restricted. This is a lesson and introduction, not an advanced underwater outing.

The third issue is that photos are extra. If you want proof of your first marine encounter, budget for that separately.

Finally, wildlife sightings are unpredictable. Stingrays, fish, octopuses, and seahorses have been seen, but the provider cannot control what appears on the seabed that day.

Should you book the Los Cristianos try scuba session?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised first step, especially if you are nervous and would benefit from a small group. The strongest feature is the patient, personal instruction, with Martin receiving particular praise for helping beginners keep going after the initial shock of breathing underwater.

The $94 price is reasonable when you count the equipment, insurance, SSI certification, and three hours of instruction. Choose it for the experience of learning and exploring, not for a guaranteed wildlife show or professional underwater photos.

If you are comfortable taking things slowly, curious about marine life, and at least 10 years old, this is a sensible introduction to scuba in Tenerife. If you dislike being underwater or want a deeper, more advanced session, choose another activity.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The activity starts at the Ocean Dreams Tenerife diving center in Los Cristianos.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the safety briefing, equipment instruction, and sea session.

How deep will I go?

The session reaches a maximum depth of 5 meters.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The experience is designed for beginners, and no previous scuba experience is required.

What will I learn?

You will learn basic scuba techniques, how to use the equipment, how to breathe underwater, and how to communicate with hand signals.

Is an instructor with me in the water?

Yes. A diving instructor accompanies you during the sea session.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are limited to four participants.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in Spanish, English, Czech, German, Russian, and Croatian.

What is included in the price?

The price includes diving equipment, SSI certification, diving insurance, basic instruction, an instructor, water, coffee, and beer.

Are photos included?

No. Photos are not included in the activity price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. You can reserve your place and pay later.