Los Cristianos: Try Dive for beginners

Los Cristianos gives you a gentle first look at scuba, with an instructor beside you as you learn to breathe, move, and communicate underwater. The session reaches about 5 meters, so this is a controlled introduction rather than an advanced sea trip.

I like the four-person maximum, which gives the instructor room to focus on each beginner. I also like that equipment, insurance, water, coffee, beer, and SSI certification are included, so the $94 price covers more than just time in the sea.

The main consideration is simple: breathing through a regulator can feel strange at first. One participant needed time to settle, while another found the experience so calming that the anxiety faded in the water. This is a good first step, but it may not suit you if you dislike close guidance or feel uneasy in open water.

Key points at a glance

• A genuine first scuba session: No previous experience is required, and you learn basic breathing, movement, and hand signals before going underwater.
• Small groups of up to four: You get more personal attention than on a large beach activity.
• A shallow 5-meter introduction: The depth keeps the session focused on comfort and basic skills.
• Patient instruction matters: Martin has helped nervous beginners, including people who struggled at first with breathing underwater.
• Marine life can be a bonus: Stingrays, fish, a seahorse, and an octopus have been seen during sessions.
• Three hours from start to finish: The time includes instruction, preparation, underwater activity, and return to the Los Cristianos center.

Your first underwater minutes in Los Cristianos

This session is built for the person who has always wondered what scuba feels like but has never tried it. You do not need a certificate or previous experience. Your instructor handles the technical side while you learn the basics at a manageable pace.

The center, Ocean Dreams Tenerife, is both the meeting point and the place you return to at the end. The activity lasts three hours, which gives you time to understand the equipment instead of being rushed straight into the water.

The first task is getting familiar with scuba gear and the basic rules. You learn how to breathe through the regulator, how to adjust your position, and how to communicate underwater with hand signals. That last part matters more than it may sound. Once you are below the surface, you cannot rely on ordinary conversation, so simple signals help you tell the instructor how you feel.

You also learn how to stay calm and let the equipment do its job. For many beginners, the hardest part is not the depth. It is the first few breaths through the mouthpiece. Martin has been particularly effective with nervous participants, giving them time to adjust rather than pushing them ahead before they feel ready.

Why a four-person group changes the session

A maximum of four participants is one of the strongest practical features here. Beginners often need different amounts of time. One person may be comfortable with the regulator immediately, while another may need several attempts before breathing feels natural.

With a small group, the instructor can watch your position, answer questions, and help you make small corrections. That attention is useful if you are worried about pressure in your ears, staying level in the water, or remembering the signals.

It also makes the session feel less like a crowd activity. You are not simply following a large line of people and hoping to keep up. The instructor is with you throughout the underwater part, and the group size gives the session a calmer rhythm.

The tradeoff is that spaces are limited. If you want to go at a particular time, check availability before building your day around it. Starting times depend on the schedule.

The 5-meter underwater introduction

The maximum depth is about 5 meters. That is deep enough to give you the sensation of being fully below the surface, but the session remains a beginner lesson rather than a long or demanding underwater route.

At this depth, you can focus on the basics: breathing steadily, keeping your body relaxed, watching your instructor, and noticing the marine life around you. You are not expected to manage a complex route or perform advanced skills.

The feeling of floating is a major part of the appeal. Once you stop fighting the water and settle into a regular breathing pattern, the underwater world can feel quiet and oddly restful. The experience is not just about seeing fish. It is also about learning how your body responds in a new setting.

You should not book this expecting a full certification course or a full-day expedition. The SSI certification included here relates to the introductory activity. If you later want to continue with more formal scuba training, you will need to ask Ocean Dreams Tenerife what further steps are required.

What you may see below the surface

Marine life is not guaranteed, but the sightings reported from these sessions make the underwater part more than a practice lesson. Fish have been seen, along with stingrays, an octopus, and a seahorse.

The stingray sightings sound particularly memorable. One session included a friendly ray close to the group, while another included several rays along with fish and an octopus. A seahorse was also spotted during a first underwater outing, which is a fine reward for getting comfortable with the equipment.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. Nature does not follow a schedule, and no specific animal is promised. The real value is learning to observe. Once you are focused on breathing and moving properly, you may begin noticing small creatures and behavior you would miss while swimming on the surface.

Photos are not included. If you want a record of the session, ask the center about photo options before or during booking. Do not assume an underwater photo package is part of the $94 price.

The real challenge: breathing underwater

For most first-timers, the key moment comes when you put your face in the water and take the first breath through the regulator. It can feel unnatural because you are used to breathing through your nose, and the mouthpiece changes how your jaw and lips feel.

That first reaction does not mean you are bad at scuba. One beginner panicked briefly, but the instructor offered reassurance and allowed plenty of time to continue. The important lesson is to tell your instructor if you feel uncomfortable. You should not try to hide fear or rush to keep up with someone else.

Another participant described the anxiety disappearing after reaching the water. That is not something I can promise, but the small group and constant instructor support give you a good chance to work through the initial nerves.

If you are a weak swimmer, clarify your comfort level with the center before booking. One person who could not swim and had little experience with water activities was helped with breathing, ear pressure, and body position. The activity is designed for beginners, but you still need to be comfortable taking part in a sea-based activity.

What the three-hour schedule means for you

The three-hour duration covers the full session at Ocean Dreams Tenerife. You meet at the diving center, receive an explanation of the equipment and safety basics, prepare for the water, and take part in the guided underwater activity in Los Cristianos.

The schedule gives you time to learn rather than simply try the equipment for a few rushed minutes. It also leaves room for the instructor to help you adjust if the first attempt feels awkward.

Some participants have chosen to do a second underwater session because the first was mostly about getting used to the equipment and breathing. That option is worth discussing with the instructor if it is available on the day. The first session can be spent learning the rhythm, while a later session may let you pay more attention to fish and the seabed.

Do not plan another time-sensitive activity immediately afterward. You may finish within the three-hour window, but the exact pace depends on the group and on how long beginners need to become comfortable.

Price, inclusions, and what you still pay for

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon in Los Cristianos. It is fair value if you want a proper first scuba lesson with equipment, an instructor, insurance, and SSI certification included.

You are not paying only for access to the water. You are paying for the guidance that makes the activity possible for a first-timer. Equipment rental alone would not teach you how to breathe, communicate, or respond calmly underwater.

Water, coffee, and beer are also included. The beer is not for before the activity, of course. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you should arrive ready to take part safely.

Photos cost extra. That is the main stated addition to the price. If underwater pictures matter to you, factor that into your budget rather than assuming the session includes them.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms are useful if your plans around Tenerife are still shifting.

Who will get the most from this activity

This suits adults and children aged 10 and over who want a first taste of scuba in a small group. It is especially useful if you are curious but unsure, since the instructor can introduce the equipment slowly and remain with you underwater.

It also suits solo bookers. You do not need to bring a partner, and the limited group size keeps the session personal. One solo participant had a very positive first experience after feeling nervous beforehand.

Families with older children may find it a memorable shared activity. A 12-year-old took part with a parent and saw fish and a stingray. Children need to meet the minimum age, and parents should consider how comfortable they are with breathing through a regulator.

This is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. The supplied information does not provide further medical guidance, so speak with the provider if you have a health concern that could affect your ability to take part.

Languages and the instructor’s role

Instruction is available in Spanish, English, Czech, German, Russian, and Croatian. That range is helpful because clear instructions matter more here than polished sightseeing commentary.

Martin is the instructor name most closely connected with the experience. His role is especially important during the first minutes, when you are learning to breathe, control your position, and use hand signals at the same time.

A good instructor does not simply point out marine life. The job is to watch your comfort, respond to anxiety, and help you make small corrections. That is why the four-person limit has real value. You have a better chance of receiving direct help when you need it.

Practical preparation before you arrive

Bring swimwear. The equipment is provided, including the gear needed for the underwater session, so you do not need to arrange your own scuba set.

Do not use alcohol or drugs before the activity. They are specifically prohibited, and safe judgment is essential when you are learning to breathe underwater.

Expect to spend time listening. The safety briefing and technique lesson are not filler. They explain how to communicate, how to respond to the instructor, and how to stay composed if the first breaths feel odd.

If you feel nervous, say so early. You are not being graded, and you do not gain anything by pretending to be comfortable. The session works best when the instructor knows exactly what you need.

Should you book the Los Cristianos try scuba session?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised first look at scuba, value a four-person group, and like the idea of seeing possible stingrays, fish, a seahorse, or an octopus at about 5 meters. The instructor support, included equipment, insurance, and certification make the $94 price easier to justify.

Think twice if you want a long underwater tour, guaranteed wildlife, or a fully developed scuba qualification. This is an introduction, and the first part may be devoted mostly to getting used to breathing and the equipment.

For a nervous beginner, I would choose this over a large group outing. Tell the instructor what worries you, take the first breaths slowly, and consider asking about a second session if the first one leaves you wanting more.

FAQ

Is previous scuba experience required?

No. The activity is designed for beginners, and no previous experience is required.

How deep will I go?

The guided session reaches a depth of about 5 meters.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours.

Where do I meet the instructor?

You meet at the Ocean Dreams Tenerife diving center in Los Cristianos.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are limited to four participants.

What languages are available?

Instructors speak Spanish, English, Czech, German, Russian, and Croatian.

What is included in the price?

The price includes diving equipment, an instructor, diving insurance, SSI certification, basic instruction in techniques and underwater communication, water, coffee, and beer.

Are photos included?

No. Photos are not included in the price.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.