REVIEW · TENERIFE
Beginner Scuba Dive with Scubapoint Tenerife in Turtle Area
Tenerife’s turtle area gives first-time swimmers a gentle way to meet the Atlantic below the surface. You begin on land with basic instruction, then board a boat and enter the water with a certified PADI instructor close by. The goal is not a long technical session. It is a controlled first taste of scuba, with time to practise and look for marine life.
I like the small groups of up to 10, since that gives the instructor a better chance to notice when you need help. I also like the patient approach reported by Alexia, whose instructor stayed with her while she worked on breathing, while her partner continued with another instructor. The main consideration is that breathing underwater can feel awkward at first, and people with health conditions may not be suitable for this activity.
Key points
- A true first-time session: No previous scuba experience is required.
- Two hours from Puerto Colon: The session includes land instruction, a boat trip, and time in the water.
- Full equipment supplied: You do not need to bring scuba gear.
- Patient, multilingual instruction: Support is available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.
- A small-group setting: The group is limited to 10 participants.
- A careful choice for families: Children must be at least 8, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone over 70.
What your first two hours look like

This is a trial session, not a certification course. That distinction matters. You are learning enough to use the equipment safely and enjoy a short underwater outing, rather than working through the full training needed for an independent scuba qualification.
Your meeting point is Puerto Colon, a useful starting place in Tenerife for the included boat trip. Bring beachwear and water. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is hardly surprising for an activity that requires calm attention and careful equipment use.
The session begins with a briefing on land. You learn how the equipment works, how to use it, and which safety steps matter underwater. The supplied information does not give a minute-by-minute schedule, so allow the full two hours rather than assuming you will spend all of it beneath the surface.
That land portion may feel like the least exciting part, but it is where you get your bearings. You can listen to the instructor, ask questions, and learn the basic skills before dealing with the sea. For a first attempt, this preparation is a real benefit rather than wasted time.
More Scuba Diving in Tenerife
- Tenerife: Your First Scuba Diving Experience in Turtle Area
★ 4.7 · 1,679 reviews - Tenerife: Beginner’s Dive at a Spot with Turtle Sightings
★ 4.7 · 627 reviews - Tenerife First Time Scuba Dive – Turtle Habitat, Small Groups
★ 4.5 · 456 reviews
Getting comfortable with the equipment

Scuba gear can seem like a lot when you first see it. The full equipment is included, and the monitor, or instructor, guides you through its use. You do not need to arrive with technical knowledge or your own kit.
The important challenge is breathing. Alexia had trouble finding a comfortable breathing rhythm while trying to go farther below the surface. Her instructor stayed beside her and helped until she managed it. That detail is useful because it shows what a good first session should allow: time to adjust, rather than pressure to perform.
Your first moments underwater may feel strange. The equipment changes how you breathe, and you need to pay attention to simple instructions while also taking in a new setting. If you find it difficult, tell the instructor plainly. The strongest part of this activity is the close guidance, not any need to prove that you can manage at once.
The same account also shows how the team can handle different comfort levels within one booking. Alexia’s partner continued at greater depth with another instructor instead of waiting at the surface. That arrangement will not necessarily apply in every group, but it indicates that instructors may be able to give individual support while other participants keep moving.
The boat trip from Puerto Colon

The boat ride is included, so you are not simply meeting at the shore and stepping into shallow water. You travel from Puerto Colon to the selected area, with the instructors directing the activity.
The exact boat route and ride length are not specified, so I would not book this expecting a sightseeing cruise. Think of the boat as part of the route to the underwater site. It also gives the session a proper sense of going out to sea, which adds something beyond a pool lesson.
The water around Tenerife is part of the Atlantic and is known here for marine life, including the turtle area named for this activity. You may see a range of underwater life, but no particular animals or guaranteed sightings are listed. Keep your expectations sensible: the value is in learning to move comfortably below the surface while exploring a natural site, not in receiving a fixed wildlife show.
Seeing Tenerife from below the surface

Once you are ready, the instructor guides you through the water and helps you practise the skills introduced on land. The session is described as safe and controlled, with an emphasis on comfort and supervision.
That makes this a good option if you are curious about scuba but unsure about signing up for a full course. You can find out how your body reacts to the equipment, how you handle breathing, and how you feel in open water before spending more time and money on certification.
The clear Atlantic water gives you the chance to look around rather than focus only on the mechanics. Still, a first session is not the time to expect complete freedom. You remain with the instructor and follow directions. That structure may feel restrictive to an experienced diver, but it is exactly what protects a beginner from becoming overwhelmed.
The phrase turtle area may attract people hoping to see turtles. It is best to treat them as a possibility, not a promise. The supplied details promise the chance to explore Tenerife’s marine life, not a guaranteed encounter with one species.
More turtle dives around Tenerife:
- Try Scuba Diving in a turtle area (boat)
★ 5.0 · 93 reviews - Discover Scuba Diving Experience in Turtle Habitat
★ 5.0 · 20 reviews - Scuba Diving in Turtle and Ray Area
★ 5.0 · 7 reviews - Diving course for beginners in turtle area Tenerife
★ 5.0 · 7 reviews
Why instructor support matters

The most praised feature of this activity is the way the instructors handle nerves. Alexia’s account is especially helpful because it describes a common first-time problem in plain terms: she struggled with breathing and going deeper, and the instructor stayed with her until she was ready.
That is more useful than a simple claim that the staff are friendly. It tells you how the session may work when things do not go smoothly. You can ask for help, slow down, and work through the problem with an instructor beside you.
Samantha’s 10-year-old daughter, who had special needs, was also well looked after during the session. Samantha and her daughter were put at ease and both enjoyed the outing. This does not mean every child or every support need will fit the activity, but it does suggest that families should discuss particular concerns with ScubaPoint before booking.
Instructors can assist in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. That language range is helpful when a safety explanation must be understood clearly, not simply guessed from gestures.
Small groups, family limits, and health concerns
The group limit is 10 participants. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to give the staff a better chance to keep track of beginners than a large outing would.
Children under 8 cannot take part. A 10-year-old did take part successfully, but the minimum age alone does not answer every question about a child’s swimming confidence, comfort, or support needs. If you are booking for a child, share relevant information with the provider first.
The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or people over 70. The information also asks you to disclose health conditions. Take that seriously. Scuba places demands on breathing, pressure, and physical comfort, so a medical concern should be discussed before you reserve a place.
Do not treat this as a casual add-on after drinking. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you need to be alert for the briefing and the water session.
Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, the price includes the full scuba equipment, an instructor or monitor, and the boat trip. It also covers the guidance needed to try scuba without first buying a complete set of gear or enrolling in a longer course.
I see the best value here for someone who is undecided about certification. A first session lets you test the basic experience before committing to a full training program. You pay for instruction, equipment, boat access, and a supervised introduction, not just a short swim.
The value is less clear if you already hold a qualification and want a long underwater outing. This is built for beginners, and the two-hour duration includes the land briefing and preparation. Experienced participants may find the pace too basic.
Price comparisons also depend on what you would otherwise pay for equipment rental and boat access in Tenerife. Since both are included, you have fewer extra costs to consider. The activity does not list photographs, meals, transport from your hotel, or certification, so do not assume those are part of the price.
What to bring to Puerto Colon

Keep your packing simple:
- Beachwear
- Water
Scuba equipment is supplied. You do not need to bring your own mask, air system, or other scuba gear, based on the stated inclusions. The practical clothing choice is whatever you can comfortably wear for a boat trip and water activity.
You should also arrive ready to listen. The briefing is part of the experience, and the instructor needs your attention before you enter the sea. If you have a health condition, raise it before the activity rather than waiting until the equipment is on.
How this compares with a full certification course

A trial session answers one question: do you like the feeling of scuba enough to consider learning more? It does not turn you into an independently qualified diver.
You receive basic instruction, practise new skills, and explore under direct supervision. A certification course would involve more extensive lessons, formal skill work, and additional sessions. If your aim is to scuba regularly, treat this outing as a first test, not the end of your training.
That limited purpose is also its strength. You do not need to know if scuba is right for you before booking. You can try the equipment and underwater breathing in a controlled setting, then decide what comes next.
Who should book this Tenerife scuba session?

I would recommend it to:
- First-time participants curious about scuba
- Couples with different confidence levels
- Families with children aged 8 or older, after checking suitability
- Visitors who want a supervised Atlantic activity
- Anyone considering a certification course but unsure about committing
- People who value multilingual instruction and a smaller group
I would not choose it if you want a long independent outing, already have substantial scuba experience, or are looking for guaranteed turtle sightings. It is also not appropriate for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone over 70.
The strongest match is a curious beginner who accepts that the first few minutes may feel unusual. If you can listen carefully, communicate when you are uncomfortable, and give yourself time to learn the breathing rhythm, the session offers a sensible introduction.
Booking flexibility and practical timing
The activity lasts two hours, and starting times depend on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve now, pay later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.
Those terms are useful when your Tenerife plans are still shifting. I would still leave enough space around the activity in your day. The stated duration is two hours, but you do not want to rush to or from Puerto Colon while carrying beachwear and water.
The meeting point is clear: Puerto Colon. The information does not include hotel pickup, so plan to reach the port yourself unless ScubaPoint tells you otherwise.
Should you book ScubaPoint’s beginner session?
Book it if you want a short, supervised introduction to scuba with equipment and a boat trip included. The patient help given to participants who struggle with breathing is the most encouraging detail, and the small group limit gives the session a more personal feel.
Think twice if you have a medical concern, expect a guaranteed turtle encounter, or want a complete certification course. For the right beginner, $88 is a fair price for testing the experience without buying gear or making a larger training commitment. Bring water, wear beachwear, meet at Puerto Colon, and give yourself permission to learn slowly.
FAQ
Do I need previous scuba experience?
No. The session is designed for people who have never tried scuba or want to test it before taking a full certification course.
How long does the activity last?
The stated duration is two hours. The session includes a land briefing, equipment instruction, a boat trip, and time in the water.
Where do I meet ScubaPoint?
You meet the team at Puerto Colon in Tenerife.
Is scuba equipment included?
Yes. Full scuba equipment is included, along with a monitor or instructor and the boat trip.
What languages are available?
Instruction is available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.
How many people are in the group?
The group is limited to 10 participants.
What should I bring?
Bring water and beachwear.
What is the minimum age?
Children must be at least 8 years old. The activity is not suitable for children under 8.
Who should not take part?
The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or people over 70. You should disclose any health conditions before taking part.
More Beginner Dives in Tenerife
- Tenerife: Beginner Scuba Dive Experience
★ 4.8 · 238 reviews - Tenerife: Abades Beach Beginner Diving Experience
★ 4.7 · 164 reviews - Scuba Diving Beginner’s Session in Costa Adeje
★ 5.0 · 163 reviews - Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Beginner’s Diving & Introduction
★ 5.0 · 136 reviews
Just added around Tenerife
- Tenerife: 2 Diving Sessions for Certified Divers★ 4.2 · 7 reviews
- Scuba Experience in Tenerife with Guide★ 5.0 · 30 reviews
- Try Scuba Diving in a turtle area (boat)★ 5.0 · 93 reviews
- Try Dive in Abades Bay with a private instructor★ 4.0 · 4 reviews
- Try Scuba Diving Puerto Colon★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
- First Dive Experience in Tenerife★ 4.5 · 69 reviews
- Scuba Night Dive on Tenerife★ 5.0 · 6 reviews
- Scuba Diving in Turtle and Ray Area★ 5.0 · 7 reviews
Diving with Turtles, compared.

Beginner Scuba Diving with Turtles and Videos, San Juan
Read our review →
Tenerife: Your First Scuba Diving Experience in Turtle Area
Read our review →
Tenerife: Beginner’s Dive at a Spot with Turtle Sightings
Read our review →
Tenerife First Time Scuba Dive – Turtle Habitat, Small Groups
Read our review →
Incredibly Fun Coral Reef Giant Sea Turtles 4hour Boat Scuba Tour
Read our review →
Small-Group Shark and Turtle Dive for Certified Divers
Read our review →
Turtle & Shark Scuba Dive in Lahaina: Certified
Read our review →Lists this dive appears in

