TRY SCUBA DIVING with a Dedicated Instructor

Your first underwater descent in Tenerife comes with a dedicated instructor, not a crowded class and a rushed schedule. At LJ Diving Tenerife in Las Galletas, you begin with a careful briefing, use supplied equipment, then travel by boat to the site with someone focused on your group.

I like the personal attention and the practical package: insurance, equipment, boat transport, photographs, drinks, and a hot shower are all included. The instructors Julie, Ludo, and Martin also make a point of keeping children occupied while adults take their turn, according to the experience details. The main consideration is timing. Three hours is a useful introduction, but poor weather can force a date change, and the price is higher than a basic group lesson.

Key points at a glance

• Private instruction: Your group receives a dedicated instructor, with no unrelated participants added.
• A gentle first step: You start at the 140-square-meter center with a briefing before entering the water.
• Boat access included: The short boat outing takes you from Las Galletas to the underwater site.
• All essential gear supplied: You do not need to bring your own equipment, and insurance is included.
• Photos are part of the package: Your instructor photographs the underwater experience for you.
• Comfort after the session: Drinks and a hot shower are included at the center.

Starting at LJ Diving Tenerife in Las Galletas

The meeting point is LJ Diving Tenerife, at Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s Santa Cruz side. The center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., which gives you some flexibility when fitting this activity around a beach day or other plans.

You return to the same place at the end. That matters because you do not have to coordinate a separate pickup or find your way back from an unfamiliar harbor. The center is also near public transportation, useful if you are staying without a rental car.

The 140-square-meter space gives you room to prepare before heading out and to settle down afterward. It is a practical detail, not just a nice extra. Beginners often need a little time to sort out what they are wearing, listen to instructions, and ask basic questions without feeling hurried.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability, so I would avoid leaving this until the last minute if your Tenerife schedule is tight. It is booked, on average, about 15 days ahead.

The briefing makes the first attempt less intimidating

The session starts with an explanation at the center. This is where you learn how the equipment works, what to expect underwater, and how to communicate with your instructor. For a first attempt, this preparation is the heart of the activity.

You are not expected to arrive as an experienced swimmer or certified participant. The experience is designed for beginners, and most people can take part. Still, you should treat the briefing seriously. Ask questions before leaving shore, especially if you feel uncertain about breathing, clearing your ears, or moving with the equipment.

The private format helps here. Your instructor can adjust the pace to your comfort rather than trying to keep a large group together. The supplied material describes the session as being without stress or hurry, and that is exactly what you want on a first underwater outing.

Julie, Ludo, and Martin are the named instructors connected with the experience. Their role is not simply to hand over equipment. They accompany you throughout the underwater portion and keep watch as you work through a new physical challenge.

Full equipment and insurance keep the planning simple

The price includes full gear rental, so you do not need to pack or hire the essential equipment separately. That is a major advantage for someone trying this activity once while on holiday. You can make the booking without owning specialist gear or knowing which pieces are required.

Insurance is included as well. The details do not specify the policy limits or conditions, so I would still read the booking terms carefully if you have a medical concern or want to understand exactly what is covered. The inclusion does remove one common worry from the basic cost calculation.

The equipment may feel unfamiliar at first. That is normal. Give yourself time to adjust at the center, and do not be embarrassed to ask for help with fit or comfort. A private instructor is most useful when you speak up early.

The practical value is stronger than the headline price suggests. At $145.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Tenerife. But the amount includes the guide, gear, insurance, boat trip, photos, drinks, and hot shower. If you would otherwise pay separate fees for equipment and boat transport, the package becomes easier to justify.

The boat trip adds a sense of occasion

Once the briefing is complete, you travel by boat to the underwater site. The boat ride separates this from a simple pool lesson or shore-based introduction. It gives the outing a clear sense of progression: prepare on land, head out by water, and then make your first descent under supervision.

The exact site and boat journey length are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular reef, animal sighting, or named landmark. Tenerife’s conditions can vary, and the provider requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the activity can be moved to another date or fully refunded.

That weather rule is sensible, but it creates a planning issue. If you have only one free morning left on the island, this may not be the safest activity to place at the very end of your holiday. Booking earlier gives you more room to reschedule.

The boat is included in the price, with no separate transport charge mentioned. You return to the Las Galletas center afterward, completing the activity at the same location where you began.

Underwater time is personal, not rushed

The central part of the experience is your first underwater session with the instructor beside you. You are not simply sent off with equipment and told to follow a group. The instructor stays with you and helps you work through the experience at a manageable pace.

That personal format is especially valuable if you feel nervous. The first moments can involve getting used to breathing through the equipment, moving calmly, and responding to simple hand signals. A private guide can pause and explain rather than pushing you to keep up with strangers.

The supplied details do not give a specific underwater depth, route, marine-life guarantee, or exact time below the surface. That lack of fixed detail is worth understanding. The focus is on learning and comfort, not on promising a particular wildlife encounter.

Photos are included, with the instructor taking pictures during the session. This is useful because you can concentrate on the experience rather than trying to handle a camera yourself. It also gives you something tangible to take home from a first attempt that may otherwise be difficult to describe.

The activity’s tone is best understood as a personal challenge with professional support. You are trying something new, but you are not expected to perform like a qualified diver. That makes it a good fit for adults who want a controlled introduction and families where some members are participating while others watch.

A thoughtful option for families and mixed groups

One particularly useful detail is that the instructors kept children engaged while adults took part. That does not mean a full children’s program is included, so families should not assume childcare. It does show that the staff understands how mixed groups work, especially when not everyone is entering the water.

A private booking is helpful for couples, parents, and small groups with different comfort levels. One person may be eager to begin, while another needs more time with the equipment. A dedicated instructor gives the group more room to handle those differences.

The activity may suit you if you want:

• A first experience without committing to a certification course
• A small, private setting
• A boat outing as part of the day
• Equipment rental handled for you
• Photos to remember the occasion
• A short activity that fits into a wider Tenerife itinerary

It may not suit you if you want a long underwater session, a specific marine-life encounter, or a formal qualification. None of those are promised. This is an introduction, not a training course.

What the $145.12 price really covers

At $145.12 per person, the cost sits in the premium range for a three-hour activity. The reason is the private structure. You are paying for an instructor assigned to your group, rather than sharing the guide’s attention across a large class.

The package also includes items that can quietly add to the cost elsewhere: full equipment rental, insurance, boat transport, photographs, drinks, and a hot shower. When you count those inclusions, the price looks more reasonable for someone who wants a complete, convenient outing.

The value is strongest if you are a first-timer. Certified participants who already own equipment may find the package less compelling, since the main benefit is the careful introduction and personal support. For a beginner, however, avoiding separate equipment arrangements and getting photos included can make the higher price worthwhile.

The booking is for a private activity, with only your group participating. That is the clearest reason to choose this over a cheaper shared lesson. You receive more attention and a calmer setting, but you also pay for that privacy.

Drinks, a hot shower, and a proper finish

After returning to the center, you can use the hot shower and have drinks. These details may seem small, but they improve the end of an active morning. You can change, warm up, and talk through the experience without immediately rushing to your next stop.

A hot shower is particularly welcome after time on a boat or in the water. The drinks provide a simple recovery break, though the information does not specify what beverages are served.

The photographs also give the session a clean ending. Instead of leaving with only a memory, you receive images taken by the instructor. I would still confirm how and when the photos are delivered if that matters to you, since the available details do not explain the format.

The activity ends back at LJ Diving Tenerife. That straightforward finish makes it easy to continue around Las Galletas or return to your accommodation.

Weather, cancellation, and useful planning advice

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time.

Weather is the main outside factor. If conditions make the activity unsafe, the provider offers another date or a full refund. I would avoid placing this experience on your final possible day if changing plans would cause trouble.

Bring a flexible attitude and leave enough time around the three-hour estimate. The duration is approximate, and a briefing, equipment preparation, boat travel, and post-session shower all form part of the outing. Arriving at the Las Galletas center ready to listen will make the morning easier.

Because confirmation is subject to availability and can take up to 48 hours, book before your holiday is fully packed. The average booking lead time of 15 days is a useful guide, especially during busy periods.

My verdict: book it if you want a supported first attempt

I would recommend this experience if you want your first underwater outing to feel personal, organized, and low-pressure. The dedicated instructor, complete equipment package, boat transport, insurance, photographs, and hot shower make the $145.12 cost easier to defend.

Julie, Ludo, and Martin bring a family-friendly touch, and the private format is a real advantage for nervous beginners or groups with mixed interests. You should skip it if you are looking for certification, a long session, or a guaranteed encounter with particular sea life.

For a first attempt in Tenerife, this is a practical choice. Book it early, keep your schedule flexible for weather, and use the briefing to ask every question you need.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at LJ Diving Tenerife, Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz-Flores, 16, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, LJ Diving Tenerife.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. It begins with a briefing at the center and is designed as a first underwater experience with an instructor.

Is equipment rental included?

Yes. Full gear rental is included in the price.

Is the boat trip included?

Yes. The package includes the boat trip to the underwater site.

Are photographs included?

Yes. The instructor takes photos during the underwater session.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.