REVIEW · KAYAK & TURTLE SNORKEL
Tenerife First Time Scuba Dive – Turtle Habitat, Small Groups
Book on Viator →Operated by Travel Sub SLU · Bookable on Viator
Turtles are a maybe here. This Tenerife first scuba experience pairs a short classroom intro with a calm, guided underwater session and a 30-minute snorkeling safari—so you get two marine activities in one 2.5-hour block. I love that everything is handled for you: gear and a wetsuit are included, plus a PADI-certified instructor keeps the plan simple and safe. My favorite part is how quickly the team helps you feel in control (even if you’re nervous), but one drawback to note: seeing turtles isn’t guaranteed.
You’ll start at the TravelSub base near Puerto Colón, get paperwork done, then head out on a boat. After the guided underwater time (not deeper than 23 feet / 7 meters), the tour returns you to the same meeting point with facilities to shower and change—handy if you’re continuing your day around Costa Adeje.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Entering the TravelSub Base at Puerto Colón
- Safety Briefing and Gear Fit: Where Confidence Starts
- The Boat Ride: Getting Set for Puerto Colón Marine Life
- Your First Underwater Session: 25–30 Minutes at 7 Meters
- Snorkeling Safari Right After: 30 Minutes With Mask and Tube
- Turtle Expectations: The Realistic Way to Think About Sea Turtles
- Price and Value: Why $90.70 Can Make Sense
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
- Timing and Day Planning Around the 2.5-Hour Experience
- Should You Book This Intro Scuba + Snorkeling Session?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for this activity?
- How long does the experience take?
- What is included in the price?
- How deep will I go during the scuba part?
- Is turtle spotting guaranteed?
- Do I need to bring my own scuba equipment or wetsuit?
- Are photos and videos included?
- Who cannot participate?
- What happens if I need to cancel or the weather is poor?
Key highlights to know before you go
- Full kit included: wetsuit and all scuba gear, so you don’t spend vacation time renting stuff
- Small groups: maximum 20 travelers, and you’ll be in close contact with your instructor
- Beginner-friendly depth plan: the underwater session stays at 7 meters max
- Bonus snorkeling: 30 minutes with mask and tube in warm Canarian waters
- Wildlife is the goal, not the promise: turtles can happen, depending on conditions
- Photo option: underwater photos/videos aren’t included, but you can buy them afterward
Entering the TravelSub Base at Puerto Colón
Your day kicks off at the TravelSub base at Calle Colón, s/n (Escuela Náutica area), Costa Adeje. It’s the kind of setup that makes a first scuba experience easier because you’re not guessing what to do next. Expect paperwork and a safety rundown before you suit up.
This is also where the tour’s small-group feel starts. With a maximum of 20 travelers on the activity, it’s easier for staff to keep an eye on everyone, and that matters when people are new to regulating breathing, buoyancy, and basic gear checks.
If you’re coming with kids, there are age rules you should take seriously. Children under 16 need to show identification, and under 8 years old can’t do scuba. Between 8 and 9 years old, the max depth is 4 meters. If you’re traveling with teens, minors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult (with an extra charge).
You can also read our reviews of more scuba diving tours in Tenerife
Safety Briefing and Gear Fit: Where Confidence Starts
Before you ever get on the boat, you’ll go through the essentials: safety briefing plus paperwork. Then you’ll get equipped with a wetsuit and the full set of scuba gear. For a first timer, this is the real value of the tour. The staff handles the setup, checks fit, and helps you get comfortable quickly.
From what I’ve learned watching how this team teaches, they don’t treat nervousness as a problem to ignore. They walk you through what’s coming next, repeat the basics clearly, and keep things moving at a beginner pace. Several instructors are specifically praised for being patient and hands-on, with one-on-one or near one-on-one attention when needed.
Also note the teaching style matters. You’ll learn in stages: what your gear does, what to do when you feel unsure, and how to stay calm. One of the best tips I’d borrow for you: breathe steadily and trust the instructor’s timing. Even people who think they won’t manage sometimes do fine once they stop fighting the process.
The Boat Ride: Getting Set for Puerto Colón Marine Life
After briefing and gear-up, you board for a short boat ride to the dive/underwater spot. This part is more than transport. It’s a moving preview of what the water in the Canary Islands can deliver—plus it breaks the day into two distinct segments: snorkel/reef later, and underwater training first.
You’re also out on the water long enough to enjoy the trip itself. Some people report wildlife sightings from the boat, including dolphins, plus flying fish on the way. Even if you don’t see anything dramatic from the deck, the boat ride helps you transition mentally from land rules to ocean reality.
If seas are rough, it can affect what you see underwater and during snorkeling. That’s worth keeping in mind when you’re hoping for specific sightings like turtles.
Your First Underwater Session: 25–30 Minutes at 7 Meters
The underwater part is the heart of the experience, and it’s structured for beginners. You’ll do a guided session with a PADI-certified instructor, and the plan is to explore no deeper than 23 feet / 7 meters.
Time-wise, you’re looking at about 25–30 minutes underwater with the instructor. That’s a smart length for your first try because you get a full taste without turning it into an exhausting marathon. Short sessions also help instructors manage buoyancy and comfort while you’re learning.
You’ll typically be paired up with an instructor while underwater (often described as pairs like 2 persons per instructor). That ratio is why many first-timers feel safe. Multiple instructors are praised for constant checking and reassurance—people describe instructors like Romana, Toby, Francesco, Ruben, Alberto, and Martin using calm, clear guidance to settle nerves and help divers feel okay at each step.
One detail that’s especially beginner-friendly: tanks are set up in the water. That removes some of the complicated gear handling that can be stressful at the start.
Snorkeling Safari Right After: 30 Minutes With Mask and Tube
Once your underwater session is done, you’ll switch gears to snorkeling. You get about 30 minutes snorkeling with a mask and tube. This is a great follow-up because it lets you experience the surface version of the same marine habitat without the added training load of scuba.
Snorkeling is also where you can spot more fast-moving fish and get an easy, visual read on the sea conditions. If you’re the type who wants to understand what you’ll likely see underwater, this is a nice reality-check moment.
Marine life sightings can be great in the right conditions. People mention lots of fish, sometimes stingrays, and occasional turtle sightings. Flying fish can even appear from the boat earlier in the morning.
And here’s the key expectation-management point: turtles are not guaranteed. The tour specifically notes there’s no 100% promise for turtle encounters. That can be disappointing if turtles are your main target, but the upside is you’re still doing a legit marine experience built for learning and comfort.
Turtle Expectations: The Realistic Way to Think About Sea Turtles
If sea turtles are on your Tenerife bucket list, set your mindset like this: you’re going to search thoughtfully, not chase certainty. The ocean decides what shows up, and tour operators can only work with the conditions on the day.
So, how do you make this fair to yourself?
- Treat turtles as a bonus, not the only measure of success.
- Focus on learning the water routine well on the first attempt. If you enjoy the scuba part, you can always return for another session later.
- If the sea is moving more than expected, it can change visibility and animal behavior. That’s why the tour can’t promise turtles every time.
This approach also helps emotionally. Even people who didn’t see turtles still rate the experience very highly because the core win is learning how safe and manageable underwater breathing can feel when your instructor runs the show.
Price and Value: Why $90.70 Can Make Sense
At about $90.70 per person, this isn’t a “cheap and cheerful” add-on, but it also isn’t priced like a premium private charter. The value comes from what’s included.
You get:
- the boat trip
- a PADI instructor
- full scuba equipment
- a wetsuit
- bottled water
- full insurance
- the guided underwater time plus snorkeling time
You also save effort. Renting gear, figuring out fit, and doing last-minute prep can turn a great travel day into a stressful one. Here, you show up and get geared up.
What’s not included is photos and videos. The team may take underwater photos during your session, but you’ll need to purchase afterward if you want them. If you care about keeping souvenirs, budget a little extra just in case the photo set is something you’ll want.
Overall, this is one of those deals that works especially well for first-timers who want instruction more than they want gadgets.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
This experience is built for people who want their first scuba experience without overcomplicating things. It’s also commonly chosen for families because the format stays controlled and short.
Best fit:
- You’re a true beginner or just nervous about getting down
- You want a structured lesson with close instructor attention
- You’d like snorkeling afterward without arranging it separately
- You want the depth limit and the steady pacing that helps first-timers succeed
Pay attention if:
- You’re pregnant (scuba participation isn’t allowed)
- You have heart or lung conditions, pneumothorax, or diabetes. The tour requires a doctor’s certificate on the day of the activity, and they note no refunds if documentation isn’t presented.
- You’re under 8 (no scuba) or 8–9 (4-meter max)
- You’re flying soon. Plan for minimum 12 hours between the activity and flight or mountain travel.
If you travel with service animals, they’re allowed. If you’re using public transport, the meeting area is described as near public transportation, which helps on vacation days when parking can be a hassle.
Timing and Day Planning Around the 2.5-Hour Experience
The whole experience runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. That makes it easy to place between meals or before an afternoon of sightseeing in Costa Adeje and the wider Tenerife south coast.
There’s also a practical finish: when you wrap up, you return to the meeting point, where you can shower and change. That’s a big deal after being in salt water, especially if you don’t want to spend the rest of your day smelling like the ocean.
Language is another planning note. The tour is offered in English, and you’ll have briefings in the languages listed during booking. Instructors can also dive with available English-speaking staff if needed.
Finally: weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Should You Book This Intro Scuba + Snorkeling Session?
If you’re new to scuba and want a guided plan that keeps depth reasonable, time short, and attention high, I’d book it. The biggest reason is not the wildlife promise. It’s the teaching structure: safety briefing, gear included, boat ride, controlled underwater time at 7 meters, then snorkeling right afterward.
Go in with the right expectation on turtles. You might see one, you might not. But either way, you’re getting a well-run first underwater lesson plus a second marine activity that doesn’t require extra rentals or extra scheduling.
One more smart move: if you’re anxious, choose an early slot when possible and tell your instructor you’re nervous. The team is set up to help people feel calm step by step, and many first-timers specifically highlight how patient and attentive the instructors are.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
You’ll meet at PADI 5* Travel Sub Dive Center Tenerife, Calle Colón, s/n, Escuela Náutica, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the experience take?
The total duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes.
What is included in the price?
The price includes the boat trip, a PADI instructor, full equipment and a wetsuit, bottled water, underwater time of about 25–30 minutes with the instructor, snorkeling for about 30 minutes with a mask and tube, and full insurance.
How deep will I go during the scuba part?
You won’t go deeper than 23 feet (7 meters). Children between 8 and 9 years old can do a max depth of 4 meters.
Is turtle spotting guaranteed?
No. The tour notes that you cannot receive a 100% guarantee of seeing turtles.
Do I need to bring my own scuba equipment or wetsuit?
No. Full scuba equipment and a wetsuit are included.
Are photos and videos included?
No. Photos and videos are not included.
Who cannot participate?
Pregnant women cannot participate in scuba. Children under 8 years old cannot scuba dive. For medical conditions such as heart or lung issues, pneumothorax, or diabetes, you must present a doctor’s certificate on the day of the activity.
What happens if I need to cancel or the weather is poor?
The experience offers free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
