2 Dives, Certified Divers – Tenerife

Tenerife’s southeast coast gives you two chances in one morning to see far more than the usual beach view. Medanodive offers a choice of more than 16 sites, with possible wrecks, caves, rocky reefs, and marine life ranging from octopus and cuttlefish to rays, moray eels, and barracudas.

I like the small groups, capped at six people, and the fact that full equipment rental is included. I also like the practical underwater photo session, which gives you something to take home besides a damp swimsuit.

The main catch is that insurance is not included. You can buy a one-day policy at the center for 6.5, and you should confirm the currency and current price before setting out. Site choice also depends on weather and sea conditions, so a particular wreck or cave is never guaranteed.

Key points at a glance

• More than 16 possible sites: Choose from varied locations along Tenerife’s southeast coast, with different depths and possible wreck or cave visits.
• Two sessions in one morning: The five-hour format lets you see two locations rather than using the whole morning on one site.
• Small groups of up to six: This allows closer supervision and more room for individual planning.
• Equipment included: You travel light, with a complete equipment setup supplied by Medanodive.
• Marine life and photos: Look for octopus, cuttlefish, rays, moray eels, barracudas, and smaller reef fish, while the guide takes underwater pictures.
• Insurance costs extra: Arrange cover in advance or ask the center about the one-day policy priced at 6.5.

Starting early in El Médano at 8:30 am

You meet at Plaza de Galicia in El Médano at 8:30 am. The listed meeting point is also where the activity ends, and pickup is offered, so check the exact pickup arrangement when you book rather than assuming transport will come to your accommodation.

The early start makes sense. Two underwater sessions, equipment preparation, entry and exit time, and a return to town all fit into roughly five hours. You will want breakfast before meeting the team, along with a swimsuit, towel, and anything else you normally bring for a morning near the sea.

Medanodive has a small-scale setup, and the people named in the information include Chris, Isma, Mariona, Pepe, Daniel, Anna, and Ismael. You may not meet all of them, but the operation is clearly built around personal guidance rather than a large boatload of customers.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in or around El Médano. For anyone relying on pickup, get clear instructions before the morning begins. That small bit of planning matters more than it might seem when you are carrying wet gear.

Choosing from more than 16 coastal sites

The strongest part of this experience is the range of possible sites. You are not locked into one fixed underwater route. Depending on conditions and your group, you may be offered different depths, rocky formations, a wreck, or a cave.

That flexibility is useful for mixed abilities. A newly certified person may prefer a calmer, simpler site, while a more experienced scuba enthusiast may want greater depth or a more unusual feature. The staff also plan around weather and sea conditions, rather than forcing the same location every day.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed wreck, cave, ray sighting, or barracuda encounter. The catalog gives you options, not promises. That is the sensible way to plan sea activities, and it means the best site on your particular morning may be different from the one you had pictured.

Several people who returned to Medanodive over the years described the site planning as individual and condition-based. One experienced photographer particularly valued the choice of locations with almost no current. That matters if you use a camera, have higher air consumption, or simply prefer calm water.

What the first session is like

Your first session should be the point where the guide checks your comfort, equipment, and experience level. If you have not used your certification recently, tell the center before arrival. A refresher can be arranged as one of the two sessions, followed by a guided outing.

That is a sensible option for newly qualified scuba users. You get time to review safety skills before concentrating on fish, rock formations, or photography. An experienced instructor can also judge whether the second location should be more ambitious or simply another relaxed coastal route.

Previous customers worked with instructors including Daniel, Ismael, and Isma, and described the instruction as careful and professional. The most useful detail here is not a particular instructor name. It is the willingness to adjust the plan to your recent experience, comfort, and air use.

The session length is not fixed in the information. One pair reported a first shore outing of about an hour and a second of about 30 minutes. Treat that as an example, not a timetable. Your bottom time will depend on the site, conditions, certification, air supply, and group plan.

The second session adds variety

The reason to choose two sessions instead of one is variety. Even if both entries are from shore, you can see different rock formations, depths, and species. One outing may focus on a reef and marine life, while the other could offer a chance at a wreck, cave, or another coastal feature if conditions allow.

Tenerife’s underwater life is the main attraction rather than a single famous landmark. Keep your eyes open for octopus and cuttlefish tucked into the rocks, moray eels in cracks, rays moving across the bottom, and barracudas farther out. You may also see smaller fish such as boxfish, parrotfish, and leopard fish.

A glimpse is more likely than a guaranteed close encounter. Marine life has its own schedule, and visibility, light, current, and your guide’s chosen route all affect what appears. The pleasure comes from looking carefully, not racing from one attraction to the next.

The second session may be shorter than the first, particularly if the group has already spent a good amount of time underwater. That is not necessarily a weakness. It can give you a useful second look without turning the morning into an exhausting full-day commitment.

Small groups make the morning easier

The maximum group size is six. That is a real advantage for an activity where equipment checks, communication, and comfort matter. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide has a better chance of noticing if you need help with buoyancy, air use, or pace.

The strongest praise for Medanodive centers on its personal attention. Experienced scuba users described groups of only a few people and a relaxed approach. Another person with many sessions in different countries appreciated the small underwater groups and the chance to plan around photographic needs.

You should still be realistic. A six-person maximum does not mean you will always be in a group of two or three. It also does not guarantee a private instructor. If you want a particular guide or a very small group, ask before booking.

The approach seems particularly suitable for newly certified people who want supervision without being treated as cargo. It also works for confident scuba users who value local site knowledge, careful planning, and a friendly pace over a large commercial operation.

Equipment is included, but insurance is not

The price is $143.37 per person and includes two sessions plus complete equipment. That makes the cost easier to justify if you are traveling without your own regulator, suit, buoyancy gear, tank, or other bulky equipment.

Traveling light is one of the practical wins here. You do not need to pay for a separate equipment package or haul a full kit across Tenerife. The equipment has also been described as recent and well maintained, with extra warmth available through two neoprene suits in one account.

Equipment fit still matters. Tell the center about your size, experience, air consumption, and any comfort concerns when you book. One experienced photographer appreciated access to a 15-liter tank because of higher air use, but that detail is not listed as a standard inclusion, so you should request it rather than assume it will be available.

Insurance is separate. The stated one-day price is 6.5 at the center, though the currency is not specified in the information provided. Check the current amount and exactly what the policy covers before you enter the water.

Underwater photos give the morning a useful finish

The guide takes underwater photos during the experience. This is a pleasant extra, especially if you do not want to manage a camera while checking your air, buoyancy, and surroundings.

Photos are also a practical reason to choose a guided operation. You can concentrate on the reef and marine life instead of trying to frame every shot yourself. If you bring your own camera, tell the guide so the route and pace can take that into account.

Do not expect a full professional photo shoot or a guaranteed number of finished images. The information promises an underwater photo session, not a specific gallery size, editing service, or delivery time. Ask how and when the photos will be provided if that matters to you.

For a first or early scuba experience, the photos can be especially useful. They help you remember the setting and show friends what the morning looked like below the surface, where ordinary beach photos tell only half the story.

Who will get the most from this experience

This outing is best for certified scuba users who want two guided sessions without arranging equipment, tanks, and locations independently. Newly qualified people can benefit from the staff’s refresher option and the small-group format.

It also suits returning scuba users who have not been in the water recently. A refresher followed by a guided session is more sensible than pretending you are fully current. Tell the center honestly how long it has been since your last outing.

Experienced users may appreciate the site choice, local knowledge, calm-water planning, and the option to discuss camera needs. The operation has also worked with people who have many years of experience, so you should not outgrow it simply because you already have a substantial logbook.

The minimum age is 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult and able to swim. Everyone should have a moderate level of physical fitness, and service animals are allowed.

Price, timing, and practical value

At $143.37 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Tenerife. It becomes more reasonable when you count two guided sessions, complete equipment, site planning, and underwater photos.

You are paying for convenience as much as for time in the water. A self-organized morning would require equipment access, a suitable site, local conditions, and someone to guide the route. Here, those pieces are handled together.

The five-hour length is also useful for a holiday schedule. You start at 8:30 am, finish back at the meeting point, and still have much of the day available. The early start may not suit late sleepers, but it avoids using an entire day for a relatively focused activity.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If the chosen date is unavailable, the center will try to arrange another day, and if that cannot be done, you receive a full refund.

Should you book Medanodive?

Book this if you are certified, want two well-organized morning sessions, and value small groups, equipment included, and flexible site planning. It is a particularly good fit for newly certified scuba users, people returning after a break, and photographers who prefer calm conditions.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed wreck, cave, exact species, private guiding, or insurance included in the headline price. Those are not promises here.

For most certified visitors staying near El Médano, the combination of more than 16 possible sites, local guides such as Isma, Ismael, Daniel, and Chris, and a maximum of six people makes this a strong practical choice. Confirm pickup, insurance, equipment needs, and the likely site before booking, then let the sea conditions guide the final plan.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The listed meeting point is Plaza de Galicia, 38612 El Médano, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point in El Médano.

Are two scuba sessions included?

Yes. The price includes two scuba sessions and complete equipment.

Is scuba insurance included?

No. Insurance is not included. A one-day policy can be obtained at the center for 6.5, with the currency and current price to be confirmed.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult and able to swim.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is six people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.