5 places to go scuba diving in Tenerife
Crystal clear waters, pleasant temperatures, good visibility… Tenerife is an ideal place for scuba diving. The island’s subtropical climate ensures good temperatures all year round, both in and out of the water. And the clarity of the water is perfect for dives down to 30 metres. A diver’s paradise with unique spots you should not miss. Want to know more?
Garachico
Garachico is one of the most famous diving locations on the island. The municipality stands on land created by the Trevejos volcanic eruption in 1706. On its coast there are remains of the old lava flows and over the last 300 years these have become a fertile breeding ground for the marine life that the most intrepid divers can enjoy.
Although this dive is suitable for all levels, you need to be careful. There are strong currents and a lot of boats pass through the area. To avoid this hazard, you can take a boat out to sea to start the dive.
About 200 metres from the quay, divers can find one of the wonders of the Canary Islands’ waters: El Tubo, a rocky cave formed by columns of volcanic rock with a sandy sea bed. It is relatively easy to go through the cave, whose depth ranges from 10 to 30 metres. During the dive, you may see Canary lobsters, trumpet fish and catalufas.
Abades
The marine reserve of the small fishing village of Abades is so important that fishing and motor boats are not allowed. As a result, a great variety of marine species can be found in this area.
They include green turtles, stingrays, stargazers and octopus but there is no doubt that the king in Abades is the angelshark: between November and February these waters are officially declared a breeding area for them.
With a maximum depth of 16 metres, diving in Abades is fully accessible for divers of all levels and many enthusiasts choose this area for their first dive.
Las Eras
Las Eras is a favourite among the most experienced divers. It is located by a small fishing village in the south of Tenerife. In addition to visiting walls, caves and underwater passageways, you can also see many fish, including cuttlefish, zebra sea bream, stingrays, angelshark, red porgy and moray eels.
It is important to emphasize that this site is not suitable for amateurs. Although you can leave the quay and see some fish without diving very deep, as you progress towards the reefs, there are several technically complex stretches.
Those who do reach the bottom, at a depth of about 36 metres, will be able to view a range of marine fauna, including such striking fish as angel sharks and skate. The bravest can go a little further away from the coast and start their dive from a boat, going down to depths of up to 50 metres.
Tabaiba
The seabed is often a true museum, and in this sense the coast of Tabaiba, in the municipality of El Rosario, is one of the most impressive places to dive.
30 metres down you can find El Peñón, a ship that sank in 2006 and is now an underwater museum piece. But that’s not all. El Peñón is a very important ecological asset, as its presence in the depths has helped with the regeneration of marine fauna.
Around the ship you can see trumpet fish, garden eels, octopus, moray eels, and many other sea creatures. The site is perfect for anyone who likes scuba diving. The currents are not strong and there is very good visibility.
Montaña Amarilla
Montaña Amarilla is also in the south, as are the Guayarmina Princess and Princess Inspire Tenerife hotels.
As its name suggests, Montaña Amarilla is a yellow-coloured rocky formation. It is a protected natural area that is practically untouched, making it a good place to see marine life in all its splendour.
One of the most striking aspects of diving in Montaña Amarilla is the distinctive character of the formations seen under the water and its sand, which are quite unlike others in the area. Three points of special interest are La Aguja, La Piedra Narayan and La Puerta, unmissable stops where you will swim past bull rays, torpedo rays, yellow sponges, octopus and cuttlefish, the most common species in the area.
Montaña Amarilla has a depth of 21 metres and is suitable for divers of all levels, as long as conditions are favourable. Remember that diving can be dangerous if the conditions are not right.
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