Diving in Tenerife

Diving in Tenerife: two centres, one coast each

The water here sits between 18 and 25 degrees across the year and the island drops away steeply close to shore, so a beginner's first dive and a certified diver's wall are often ten minutes apart. The dives above come from two PADI centres: one in the south, around Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, and one at Radazul on the east coast.

If you have never dived

A try dive needs no licence and no experience. In the south, the try dive goes from the shore or by boat, with twenty or forty minutes underwater depending on which you book, and all the equipment comes with it. At Radazul the same first dive goes to six metres with a PADI professional alongside you the whole time, and the centre films it: you leave with photographs and video. There is a longer version there with a second dive from the zodiac.

If you are already certified

Guided dives in the south are for Open Water and above, at Palm Mar and Los Cristianos, equipment included. Radazul is a PADI 5 Star centre with more than twenty-five sites and a wreck within reach of its own zodiac, and it sells dives in packs of four, six, eight or ten for anyone staying a week or more. Night dives run there too.

Courses

The PADI Open Water course in the south takes two to three days and four dives with an instructor, and it certifies you to eighteen metres anywhere in the world. Juniors from ten are certified to twelve. At Radazul the same course runs alongside Advanced Open Water, which adds five adventure dives and takes you to thirty metres, and a Wreck specialty.

Which coast to dive

The south is the easier logistics if you are staying in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas, and those centres offer a pick-up. Radazul suits anyone based around Santa Cruz, La Laguna or Candelaria, and it has its own parking, hot showers and gear wash on site. The east coast often stays calm on days when the south is breezy, which is why the two centres rarely have the same conditions.

Before you book

Every centre asks you to fill in a medical form before you get in the water. Diving is not suitable during pregnancy, children dive from eight with an adult, and anyone over 65 should check with the centre first. Answer that form honestly when you book, so nothing has to be settled on the quay. There is more on the water sports page, including the jet ski safaris and the rest of the water sports in Tenerife.

Booking

Try dives run every morning and fill up in summer. Courses need consecutive days, so book those before you arrive if your dates are tight. Every booking comes with our Best Price Guarantee. Not sure which centre fits your stay? Message us with your dates and your level.