Try diving for the first time in turtle area

Tenerife’s underwater world is the star here, especially for a first-time scuba session in calm water. Natalie and Andrés keep the pace gentle, explain each movement clearly, and work only with your private group rather than mixing you with strangers. The setting may shift with wind and sea conditions, but that flexibility helps protect both safety and comfort.

I like two things right away: underwater photos and videos are included, and the instructors speak English, German, and Spanish. The main thing to plan around is the 12-hour no-flying rule after the session, plus the need to swim and have no current problems with your lungs, heart, or ears.

Key points at a glance

• A private first scuba session: You stay with your own group and instructors instead of joining a large mixed outing.
• A calm start on land: The session begins with dry practice before you handle the equipment in the sea.
• Marine life at beginner pace: Look for fish, starfish, reefs, turtles, and perhaps a shy octopus.
• Natalie and Andrés lead the session: Their teaching style is patient, clear, and personal.
• Photos and videos are included: You receive a visual record of your first underwater experience by email or transfer.
• Weather can change the site: The exact location may move with wind and water conditions to keep the session suitable.

Your first underwater session in Tenerife

This is a gentle introduction to scuba rather than a full certification course. Over about two and a half hours, you learn the basic movements, get used to breathing through the equipment, and explore the sea with an instructor close by.

The session takes place at one of Tenerife’s attractive underwater locations, with the exact site chosen according to the day’s wind and water conditions. That matters more than a fixed promise of one beach. Calm water makes it easier to relax, clear your head, and focus on simple tasks instead of fighting waves.

You may see colorful fish, starfish, reefs, turtles, and octopus. Marine life is never fully guaranteed, of course, but the area is known for the chance to spot several kinds of sea life. The turtle reference in the name gives this outing a clear appeal, but you should book it for the overall underwater experience rather than for one guaranteed animal encounter.

Meeting at Café Magilu

You meet at Café Magilu, which has coffee and an outdoor playground. That is a useful detail for families, since the meeting point is not just a bare roadside location.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops. Towels and bath clothes are not supplied, and you will want dry clothing ready for the trip home.

The session lasts 2.5 hours, but allow extra time around it for getting changed and reaching your next activity. Do not place a flight within 12 hours afterward. The same restriction applies to mountain climbing and driving to Teide, according to the provided instructions, so this is best planned on a day without tight onward plans.

Learning the basics before entering the water

The first part happens on land. You take part in dry exercises that cover the key movements you will use underwater. This is where a first-timer can ask questions, get familiar with the equipment, and reduce the sense of surprise once the sea comes into play.

The instruction is provided by a CMAS instructor. Natalie and Andrés are both named as the guides, and the strongest praise for this experience centers on their friendly, patient teaching. Paula described feeling safe as soon as she entered the water, while Laly specifically valued the simple and clear explanations.

That teaching style is important. New scuba users often have two jobs at once: managing breathing and listening to instructions. Clear practice on shore gives you a chance to learn without water in your face or equipment pulling at you.

You are provided with the main gear, neoprene, and fins. Diving insurance and the course are also included. The supplied information does not give the exact brand or type of equipment, so anyone with specific gear needs should ask before booking.

Entering the sea at a relaxed pace

After the land practice, you enter the water and get comfortable with the basic movements. You do not have to rush into a long underwater route. The plan is to move down together at an easy pace and try the first skills while the instructor watches closely.

That gradual start is the best part for a nervous beginner. You can concentrate on breathing, body position, and simple hand signals before looking around for marine life. If you need a moment to settle, the private format gives the instructor more room to keep the pace suited to your group.

The experience is described as suitable for beginners from about age 10, although another section says children under 8 are not suitable. Because those age details do not match perfectly, families should confirm the minimum age before booking. All participants must be able to swim, and non-swimmers are not accepted.

The session is not suitable for pregnant women, people with epilepsy, heart problems, a cold, recent surgery, or problems affecting the lungs, heart, or ears. Glasses must be removed underwater. Contact lenses are allowed, but they can be lost.

Looking for fish, turtles, and octopus

Once you are comfortable, the instructor takes you to see the underwater scenery. The appeal is not only the chance to see turtles. Fish, starfish, reefs, and octopus give you several things to look for while you learn to move and breathe below the surface.

For a first session, the reef itself can be just as interesting as the larger animals. You may notice how fish move around the rocks, how starfish sit on the sea floor, or how an octopus keeps to a sheltered spot. The pace gives you time to look rather than simply pass through.

The exact route and location can change with weather, wind, and water conditions. I see that as a sensible tradeoff. You may not visit the precise spot you had in mind, but the instructor can choose a better setting for the day instead of forcing a fixed plan.

The provider describes the experience as safe and suitable for nearly every age from 10 onward, but no water activity is without normal risks. The included diving insurance is reassuring, and the instructors remain with your group. You should still be honest about medical conditions and follow every instruction.

A private group makes a real difference

This is not a large group outing. You book for your private group, and the activity is not mixed with unrelated participants. That can make a major difference when someone in your party is nervous or needs more time with the equipment.

A private format can also suit couples, families, and friends who want to share a first experience. You will not have to match the pace of strangers or feel rushed because another group is ready to move on.

The tradeoff is that the price is listed at $100 per person. That is more than a basic group introduction might cost, but the fee includes equipment, neoprene, fins, insurance, instruction, photos, and videos. For someone who values personal attention and a record of the day, the package offers fair value.

The photos and videos are made during the session and sent afterward by email or transfer. This is a useful extra for a first underwater experience, when you may be too busy managing your breathing to take in every detail yourself.

What Natalie and Andrés do well

The strongest feature is the personal teaching. Paula described the treatment as close and friendly, while Ines praised the family-like atmosphere and personal attention. Those comments fit the structure of the session: a small private group, a relaxed pace, and instructors who can focus on you.

Natalie and Andrés also speak English, German, and Spanish. That gives you a better chance of receiving safety instructions in a language you understand well. For an activity involving breathing equipment and underwater signals, clear communication is not a minor detail.

The written feedback also points to patience. Laly appreciated the simple explanations, and Lisa described the pair as kind and good at teaching. If you have never tried scuba before, that matters more than flashy promises about depth or speed. You want instructors who notice when you need to slow down.

No maximum group size is stated, so you should ask how many people can be included in your private booking. The key point is that you are not placed with an unrelated public group.

Planning the day around the 12-hour rule

The no-flying rule is the biggest scheduling issue. You cannot fly within 12 hours of completing the session, so do not book this on the last day before an early flight.

You should also avoid planning mountain climbing or a drive to Teide during that 12-hour period. Since the instructions specifically call out Teide, place this activity on a day when you can keep the rest of your plans simple.

The session includes no hotel transport, towels, or bath clothes. Bring your own swimwear, towel, and flip-flops, and check the meeting instructions before leaving. Café Magilu has coffee and an outdoor play area, which may help if your party arrives early or includes children who are not taking part.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule depends on weather or changing plans. The site can change because of conditions, but the activity itself may still need to be rescheduled if the sea is not suitable.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for a first-time scuba user who can swim and wants a calm, guided introduction rather than a formal certification program. Couples and friends should appreciate the private format, while families can make use of the playground at the meeting point.

It is also a good choice if you want photos and videos without arranging a separate photographer. The instructors handle that during the session, then send the files afterward.

I would be cautious if you dislike wearing a mask, cannot remove glasses underwater, or feel uncomfortable in the sea. Contact lenses are recommended for those who need vision correction, but they can be lost. You should also skip the activity if you have a cold or any listed medical condition.

The experience may not suit someone seeking a long or advanced underwater route. It is built around learning basic movements and enjoying a first look below the surface. That is its strength, but also its limit.

Should you book this Tenerife scuba experience?

Book it if you want a private, beginner-friendly introduction with patient instruction, included equipment, and photos to keep. Natalie and Andrés receive especially strong praise for their clear explanations and reassuring manner, and the private setup gives you more control over the pace.

Think twice if your schedule includes a flight, Teide drive, or mountain activity within 12 hours. Also confirm the age rule if you are booking for children, since the supplied details refer to both age 8 and age 10.

At $100 per person, the value is best for anyone who cares about personal guidance and a complete package. You are paying for the instructor, gear, neoprene, fins, insurance, instruction, and recorded memories, not just time in the water. If Tenerife’s fish, reefs, starfish, and possible turtles sound more appealing than a crowded boat outing, this is a sensible first step.

FAQ

How long does the scuba experience last?

The activity lasts 2.5 hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $100 per person.

Where do I meet the instructors?

You meet at Café Magilu, which has a coffee area and an outdoor playground.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops. Towels and bath clothes are not provided.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish.

Can I fly after the activity?

No. You must wait at least 12 hours after completing the scuba session before flying.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Underwater photos and videos are included and are sent afterward by email or transfer.