Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive

A submarine ride in southern Tenerife takes you to a place most holidaymakers never see: the Atlantic seabed. The yellow Sub Fun Cinco settles at about 30 meters below the surface, where scuba divers bring stingrays close to the windows and fish move through the volcanic waters.

I like the large individual viewing windows, since every one of the 44 seats has a clear look outside. I also like the practical setup: multilingual headphones, a certificate at the end, and free bus service from many resort areas. The main drawback is time. The underwater visit is roughly 50 minutes, and several people found it went by quickly.

Key points

• Stingrays at the seabed: Scuba divers encourage large rays to swim close to the submarine windows.
• A real submarine: Sub Fun Cinco carries 44 passengers in a spacious, ventilated cabin with 22 large windows.
• About 30 meters underwater: You see fish, volcanic seabed, and possible shipwrecks without needing scuba equipment.
• Useful audio commentary: Headphones provide explanations in 15 languages, with live guides speaking English, Spanish, and German.
• Easy resort transfers: Optional free bus pickup serves Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, and other southern resorts.
• Good for young children: Children from age two can join, making this a rare undersea experience for families.

What the 50-minute submarine trip is really like

This is not a short glass-bottom boat ride. You board an actual submarine, take your assigned seat, and watch the seabed through a large side window as the vessel leaves Amarilla Marina.

The cabin has 44 comfortable seats and 22 screen windows, so you are not packed into a dark tube with one small porthole. It is described as spacious and well ventilated, which matters if you dislike enclosed spaces. One passenger who expected to feel claustrophobic found the cabin comfortable, while another was concerned about seasickness but felt fine once the submarine went below the surface.

The main event is the descent to about 100 feet, or 30 meters. At that depth, the submarine settles on the ocean floor for part of the visit. Scuba divers then appear outside and help bring the marine life closer to the windows. This is the part that gives the trip its special character. You are not simply passing over the seabed. You are sitting still and watching rays and fish move around the submarine.

The route can include flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, starfish, schools of smaller fish, and stingrays. Shipwrecks have also been seen along the route. Marine life is never fully predictable, so no particular animal can be guaranteed, but stingrays are a major focus of the experience.

Amarilla Marina is the starting point

The submarine leaves from Amarilla Marina at the southern end of Tenerife, near Amarilla Golf. If you arrange your own transport, arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure for check-in. Free parking is available at the far end of the harbor, near the operator’s office, or along the port’s containment wall.

The marina setting gives you a pleasant waiting area before boarding. There is food available on site, although food and drinks are not permitted in the vehicle used for transfers. If you are using the free bus, be at your assigned stop five minutes before pickup and check your phone or email for the exact details.

The bus option is especially useful if you are staying in one of the southern resort areas. Pickup points cover Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, Los Gigantes, and several named hotels. The complete outing can take one to three hours once transport and waiting time are included, even though the submarine portion itself is about 50 minutes.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind when planning your day. This is not a quick activity you squeeze between lunch and the beach if you are relying on the bus. The transfer makes the trip easier, but it also adds time.

Boarding Sub Fun Cinco

Sub Fun Cinco is painted bright yellow and has the cheerful look people expect from a sightseeing submarine. The vessel has a smooth, steady ride once underwater, according to passengers who were concerned about motion.

Your seat is assigned, and each position has access to a large window. Some seats also have a small screen showing the view in front of the submarine. One useful tip is to pay attention during boarding if you care about the forward camera view. A passenger seated toward the rear found the closed-circuit screen less clear from that position, though the side window still provided the main view.

The cabin arrangement avoids the usual problem on boat tours, where one side gets the best view and everyone else has to lean over a rail. Here, each passenger has a window. That makes the activity much easier for families, and it means you do not need to fight for a place at the front.

The vessel is also a good choice if you are curious about the Atlantic but do not want to scuba dive. You do not need a diving qualification, swimming ability, or special equipment. You simply sit back and watch the underwater scene unfold.

Watching rays, fish, and the seabed

The most memorable section takes place when the submarine rests on the ocean floor. Scuba divers swim outside and attract the fish toward the windows. The large stingrays are the stars of the show, often passing close to the glass while the divers interact with them.

This can feel a little theatrical, and it is fair to know that the close encounters are encouraged by the divers rather than entirely random. Still, the effect is striking. You get a clear look at rays that would be difficult to observe from a moving boat, and the divers add movement and scale to the scene.

The trip can also reveal shipwrecks and changes in the color and texture of the seabed. The volcanic character of Tenerife continues below the water, and the audio commentary explains the local marine environment and why these ecosystems need protection.

The audio system is one of the more useful inclusions. Headphones are supplied at no extra cost, and commentary is available in Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Czech, and Russian. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, and German.

That range helps families and mixed-language groups. Children can listen in a familiar language rather than trying to follow a long explanation in English. The commentary covers sea creatures, the Atlantic environment, and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

A family activity with a few cautions

The minimum age is two, so this is one of the easier ways to give a very young child an undersea experience. The short format works well for children who may lose interest during a long boat trip, and the windows keep the action close and easy to follow.

I would still set expectations before boarding. The submarine is family-friendly, but it is not a quiet private excursion. Some passengers have found noisy children distracting during the commentary. If you are traveling with young children, choose a time when they are rested, and bring no food or drinks into the transfer vehicle.

The submarine itself appears to be comfortable for most people, and the underwater section is steadier than the surface ride. One passenger did report ear pressure after the descent, with discomfort lasting a few hours. That is not described as a common problem, but it is a sensible point to consider if you are sensitive to pressure changes.

The activity is also suitable for adults traveling without children. Couples have used it for birthdays and honeymoons, and the crew can sometimes arrange a small personal message, such as a birthday greeting shown near a passenger’s window. That kind of request should not be treated as guaranteed, but it shows the experience can have a celebratory feel.

What is included for $72

At $72 per person, this is not the cheapest family outing in Tenerife. You are paying for a specialized vessel, a 30-meter descent, a 50-minute undersea route, and an organized marine-life presentation rather than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The price becomes more attractive if you use the free bus transfer. A taxi to Amarilla Marina can add a noticeable cost, especially from the farther resorts. The included headphones, live guide, dive certificate, and organized seating also reduce the number of extras you need to arrange yourself.

Food and drinks are not included. You can find food at the marina, but plan to buy it separately before or after the activity. Photos are also an optional extra. One passenger paid €8 for a good souvenir photograph, so you can take home a keepsake without buying a package.

For a family of four, the total cost is significant. I would book it for the unusual access to the seabed, not simply because it is a boat trip. If you want a longer day on the water, more swimming, or a meal included, another excursion may offer better value.

Timing, transfers, and practical planning

The stated submarine visit lasts about 50 minutes, but the full activity can take from one to three hours depending on the pickup option and schedule. Dive times are guidelines, and popular departures may not always be available.

If you drive, arrive at Amarilla Marina 30 minutes before departure. If you use the bus, arrive at your stop five minutes before the scheduled pickup and watch for updated details by email or phone. Pickup schedules cover many hotels, but not every property has a stop directly outside its entrance.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Tenerife plans depend on weather or changing family schedules, though you should still check the exact conditions attached to your booking.

The tour runs in the Atlantic, so visibility and wildlife can vary. The supplied information does not promise a fixed number of rays, fish, or wrecks. Go for the chance to see local marine life from a submarine, with the stingray encounter as the likely highlight, rather than treating it as a guaranteed wildlife show.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend this for families with children aged two and up, couples looking for an unusual holiday memory, and anyone who wants to see 30 meters of ocean without scuba training.

It is also a good choice for people who dislike rough boat rides. The submarine may move on the surface before descending, but the ride becomes steadier underwater. The ventilated cabin is reassuring if enclosed spaces make you nervous, although you should still consider the pressure change and the fact that you will spend almost an hour inside the vessel.

This is less suitable if you want a long, quiet nature outing. The divers intentionally bring fish toward the windows, children may be noisy, and the 50-minute underwater portion can feel brief. It is best understood as a well-organized introduction to Atlantic marine life, not a full scientific expedition.

Should you book the submarine experience?

Book it if you want a safe and unusual family activity that gets you below the surface without learning to scuba dive. The large windows, assigned seats, multilingual audio, and free resort transfers make the experience easy to manage, while the rays and scuba divers provide the memorable moment.

Think twice if you dislike enclosed vehicles, are very sensitive to pressure changes, or want several hours on the water. For most visitors staying in southern Tenerife, though, the chance to sit on the seabed at about 30 meters and watch stingrays approach the glass is unusual enough to justify the $72 price.

FAQ

How long does the submarine experience last?

The underwater submarine portion lasts about 50 minutes. The full activity can take one to three hours when pickup, transfers, and waiting time are included.

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine descends to approximately 30 meters, or about 100 feet, and rests on the ocean floor during part of the visit.

What marine life might I see?

You might see flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, starfish, schools of fish, stingrays, and possible shipwrecks. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are children allowed on the submarine?

Yes. Participants must be at least two years old. The activity is designed for families, though young children should be supervised and kept considerate of other passengers.

What languages are available?

Live guides speak English, Spanish, and German. The audio guide is available in 15 languages, including Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, Chinese, Czech, and Russian.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Free bus transfer is available from many hotels and stops in Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, Los Gigantes, and nearby areas.

What should I do if I drive to the marina?

Arrive at Amarilla Marina 30 minutes before your scheduled time for check-in. Free parking is available near the operator’s office at the far end of the harbor and along the port’s containment wall.