Diving course for beginners in turtle area Tenerife

The best part of this three-hour beginner course is its gentle start: you learn the basics on land, test your mask and fins in shallow water, then move at your own pace into Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life. I like the private-group format and the fact that insurance, equipment, photos, videos, and a certification card are included. The main consideration is that turtles are wild, so sightings are never promised.

I also like the patient approach described by the instructors, especially for people who feel nervous. Andres was singled out for close support, and one first-timer found the English briefing clear and the help in the water reassuring. Non-swimmers can take part, but it is complicated, and anyone with heart, lung, or ear problems should not book.

Key points to know before you book

• Begin in shallow water: You first get comfortable with the neoprene suit, jacket, mask, and fins before heading farther out.
• Meet at Abades beach: Look for the Magilu restaurant, where the instructor will meet you.
• Sea turtles are possible, not guaranteed: The protected area is home to turtles and sting rays, along with colorful fish.
• Private instruction matters: The course is designed without rushing, which helps if breathing underwater feels strange at first.
• Photos and videos cost nothing extra: You receive them after the session, along with a certification card.
• Plan around the course: No flights for 12 hours afterward, no extreme sports, and no visit to Teide for nine hours.

Starting at Abades beach

This course takes place at Abades, in a national protected park on Tenerife’s coast. The meeting point is easy to identify: go to Abades beach and look for the Magilu restaurant. That is where you meet the instructor before getting ready.

The setting matters because you do not begin with a long boat trip or a complicated transfer. You reach the beach, receive your instruction, and enter the sea from shore. For a first underwater session, that keeps the day simple and leaves more time for learning.

The activity lasts about three hours. That includes the land briefing, equipment fitting, shallow-water practice, and guided time in the Atlantic. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

The group is private, which is one of the strongest reasons to consider this course. You are not expected to keep up with a large class or pretend that everything feels easy. The instructors specifically invite nervous beginners to take their time. That can make a real difference when you are learning to breathe through a regulator and manage several pieces of equipment at once.

Learning the basics before entering the sea

The course begins with a full explanation of your first underwater session. You learn how the equipment works and what to expect before stepping into the water. This is not a formal long-term qualification course, but it gives you a supervised first taste and a certification card afterward.

The equipment includes a neoprene suit, buoyancy jacket, mask, and fins. You receive the full set as part of the $100 price, along with diving insurance and an instructor connected with CMAS and the International Aquanautic Club.

The briefing is especially important for beginners because underwater communication is limited. Your instructor needs to explain how to stay calm, how to use the gear, and how to signal if something does not feel right. Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish. If you speak none of these languages, the course is not considered safe to operate.

One practical point: people who wear glasses need contact lenses for the session. Regular glasses do not work with the mask, and this requirement is easy to overlook when packing.

First steps in shallow water

After the briefing, you put on your gear and enter shallow water. This is where you get used to the sensation of the neoprene suit, the mask, the fins, and breathing underwater.

I like this order. You are not thrown straight into deeper water before you know how everything feels. The shallow-water stage gives you a chance to find your balance, check your breathing, and settle into the rhythm of moving with fins.

The instructor guides you through those first steps and stays close as you become more comfortable. One first-time participant specifically praised the support received during this stage, while another described the instructor as attentive and welcoming. That fits the course’s main strength: it is designed around reassurance rather than speed.

Still, you should be honest with yourself about water confidence. Non-swimmers may take part, but the activity becomes more difficult for them. People who suffer from panic attacks are also told that this may not be the right sport. That is not a minor warning. The mask, regulator, and feeling of being surrounded by water can be stressful if you already struggle in enclosed or unfamiliar conditions.

Meeting Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life

Once you are comfortable with the gear, the guided underwater portion begins. The protected waters around Abades are home to colorful fish, sea turtles, and sting rays. You may see some of these animals during your session, but the turtles and rays are wild and cannot be guaranteed.

That uncertainty is part of the experience. This is not an aquarium visit where an animal appears on schedule. You are entering a natural area, so visibility and animal movement affect what you see. If turtles are your only reason for booking, you may be disappointed. If your goal is to learn basic underwater skills and observe whatever is present, the course offers better value.

The instructors also set clear rules for protecting the sea life. You must not touch animals, marine plants, or other marine life. That keeps the encounter respectful and protects both you and the creatures you came to see.

You can expect to float in the Atlantic and look for fish moving through the water. The course combines simple instruction with the pleasure of being weightless for a while. For many beginners, that feeling is as memorable as spotting a turtle.

What the instructor support is like

The available languages are English, German, and Spanish. Andres was praised by name for being attentive, and another first-timer said the guidance was helpful even though the instructor’s English was limited at times. Underwater, spoken language matters less, but the land briefing still needs to be clear.

The private format gives the instructor room to notice how you are coping. If you need more time in shallow water, the stated approach is to help without rushing. That is useful for a first session because confidence often grows in small steps rather than one dramatic moment.

I would still ask questions before entering the water. Make sure you understand the hand signals, how to communicate discomfort, and what to do if your mask or breathing equipment feels wrong. The provided course information emphasizes safety, and good communication is part of that safety.

The instructors have extensive experience with beginners and specifically say that nervous participants should not worry. That does not remove every challenge, but it does mean the course is intended for people who have never tried this before.

What the $100 price includes

At $100 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a short, private introduction rather than a full certification program. The package includes:

• Full underwater equipment
• Diving insurance
• An experienced CMAS and International Aquanautic Club instructor
• A certification card
• Photos and videos in top quality

The free photos and videos add real value. You do not have to choose between paying for the session and paying extra for proof of it afterward. You receive the images and videos directly after returning to the beach.

The certification card is also a nice memento. It confirms your first experience, but you should not confuse it with a full professional diving qualification. The information describes it as a card for your first underwater session, not an advanced license that lets you join any future trip.

Food and drinks are not included. You also should not expect a changing room or hot shower at the beach. Bring swimwear and a towel, and plan to change with the facilities available to you. If you need a hot rinse after salt water, arrange that at your accommodation rather than assuming it will be provided here.

Health rules and timing after the session

The course is available from age 10. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart, respiratory, or ear problems. These restrictions are important because pressure, breathing equipment, and physical effort can make existing conditions more serious.

You should also plan the rest of your Tenerife day carefully. Do not take a flight for 12 hours after the session. Avoid extreme sports afterward, and do not visit Teide for nine hours after the course.

These rules can affect an otherwise tight itinerary. If you are flying out later the same day, this activity will not fit. If you have booked a strenuous activity or a Teide visit, place the underwater session on a different day or check the timing carefully.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is both a stated rule and basic good sense for any activity involving breathing equipment and the sea.

The value of a private beginner session

The strongest feature here is not a promise of rare wildlife. It is the way the course is set up for a first attempt.

A large group can make a nervous beginner feel like a problem. A private group gives you more space to ask questions, slow down, and learn the equipment without an audience. The three-hour schedule also provides enough time for the course to include explanation, practice, and exploration rather than rushing straight into the water.

The experience is not a substitute for a full training qualification. If you want to learn advanced skills or earn a widely recognized certification, you need a longer course. But if you want to find out how underwater breathing feels, this format makes sense.

The high rating across seven assessments is consistent with the qualities that matter most here: friendly instruction, strong support for first-timers, and an enjoyable first session. The most specific praise goes to the human side of the activity, with Andres described as attentive and another instructor making a participant feel comfortable from the start.

How to prepare for Abades

Bring swimwear and a towel. Since there is no hot shower or changing room included, wear clothing that is easy to put on after the session and avoid bringing valuables you do not need.

If you wear glasses, arrange contact lenses. If you are uncertain about a heart, lung, or ear condition, do not rely on a quick assumption that it will be fine. The course has clear health limits, and you should resolve any concern before booking.

Allow room in your schedule after the activity. You cannot fly for 12 hours, take part in extreme sports, or visit Teide for nine hours. Those limits are easy to manage if you plan the course early in your holiday, rather than trying to fit it between major excursions.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still changing.

Who should book this course

I would recommend it to adults and children aged 10 or older who are curious about underwater activity but do not want to commit to a longer qualification program. It also suits people who value close supervision, a private setting, and included photos.

It is a good match if you can follow instructions, remain calm in shallow water, and accept that wildlife sightings vary. The chance of seeing turtles is appealing, but the course should make sense even if you see only fish and other sea life.

I would not choose it if you are a non-swimmer who feels very uneasy in the sea, have panic attacks, need a changing room and hot shower, or have a flight soon afterward. It is also not suitable for anyone with the listed medical conditions or for pregnant women.

Should you book the Abades underwater course?

Book it if your priority is a carefully supported first underwater experience with a private group, full equipment, insurance, and free photos and videos. The $100 cost is fair for what is included, especially when you add the instructor’s time and the certification card.

Do not book it solely for a guaranteed turtle encounter. These are wild animals, and luck controls the sighting. Choose it for the calm instruction, the shallow-water introduction, the chance to float among Atlantic sea life, and the opportunity to discover if underwater activity suits you.

FAQ

Where does the course meet?

Meet at Abades beach, beside the Magilu restaurant.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish. If you do not speak one of these languages, the course is not possible for safety reasons.

What equipment is included?

The course includes a neoprene suit, diving jacket, mask, fins, and the rest of the full equipment required for the activity.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are included at no extra cost and are provided after the session.

Can children take part?

The minimum age is 10 years old.

Can I fly after the activity?

No. You should not take a flight for 12 hours after the session. You should also avoid extreme sports and wait nine hours before visiting Teide.