Diving in Tenerife: a scuba paradise in the Canary Islands
Tenerife is a genuine paradise for scuba divers. Thanks to its subtropical climate and crystal-clear waters — typically between 18°C in winter and 25°C in summer — the island offers excellent diving all year round. Volcanic seascapes, lava arches and underwater caves create dramatic scenery, often with visibility beyond 20 meters. Every dive is different: Tenerife’s underwater world is well preserved and packed with life.
Unique marine biodiversity
Tenerife’s marine ecosystem is extraordinarily rich — a true biodiversity hotspot in the Canary Islands. In protected areas like Teno-Rasca you’ll find resident dolphins and cetaceans, while sea turtles (both loggerhead — Caretta caretta — and green turtle — Chelonia mydas) frequent seagrass and rocky areas.
The island offers encounters with many species that make its dives so memorable:
- Sea turtles — Loggerheads and green turtles are commonly seen in sandy and rocky sites.
- Angel shark — a rare, flattened shark that is one of the most iconic and special sightings in Canary waters.
- Rays and guitarfish — several species (including bull ray and butterfly ray) often camouflaged in the sand.
- Fish and invertebrates — parrotfish, trumpetfish, barracuda, pufferfish, sea breams and amberjacks, octopus, cuttlefish, sponges and anemones that animate the volcanic formations.
- Cetaceans and large pelagics — besides dolphins, you can see tuna schools and, seasonally, some migrating whales.
This is an ecosystem to be explored with respect: boat traffic can stress and injure marine life, so responsible diving practices are essential.
Shore diving: sustainable, varied and accessible
One of Tenerife’s greatest advantages is that many top dive sites are accessible directly from shore, so you don’t always need a boat. Places like Abades are sheltered shore entries where turtles frequently graze among the algae. Other excellent shore sites include Las Eras, El Balito, El Porís de Abona, Montaña Amarilla and many more — each offering different habitats, from rocky reefs and lava formations to sandy bottoms.
Shore diving is also a more sustainable choice: avoiding boat engines reduces acoustic and chemical disturbance to marine wildlife. Because Tenerife lacks isolated offshore reefs, dive boats usually operate close to shore; by choosing shore entries you actively reduce collision risks to turtles, dolphins and resident whales. Unfortunately, incidents of marine animals being hit by boats still occur, so shore diving is a simple way to help protect these creatures.
Scubafriends Tenerife: experience, training and passion
For over 20 years, Scubafriends Tenerife has been guiding divers from around the world to the best sites in Tenerife and organizing dive trips and liveaboards internationally. We’re a PADI 5-Star Dive Center with certified instructors, modern and sanitized equipment, and a real focus on safety and quality.
Salvatore, our Course Director, personally leads the advanced training programs — including PADI Instructor courses — ensuring the highest standard of instruction. We dive in small, multilingual groups (Italian, Spanish, English) so each diver receives personalized attention. Guests choose us for our local expertise, friendly team and consistent five-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Book your Tenerife diving adventure
Don’t miss the chance to experience unforgettable dives with Scubafriends Tenerife. Visit www.scubafriendstenerife.com to find information about scuba courses in Tenerife, guided shore dives and custom dive packages. You can also contact us directly by WhatsApp at +34 603 209 500.
Whether it’s your first scuba experience or you’re a seasoned diver searching for new marine encounters, we’ll guide you to the best diving in Tenerife — safely, responsibly and with real passion for the sea.