| Board's rating | Site | Where | Max depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low difficulty | Cueva Cerebros | Playa San Juan, Guía de Isora | 15 m | Boat |
| Low difficulty | Ensenada de Radazul | Radazul, El Rosario | 20 m | Along the coast |
| Low difficulty | Baja Pris | El Pris, Tacoronte | 20 m | Along the coast |
| Low difficulty | Pecio El Condesito (wreck) | El Palm-Mar, Arona | 20 m | Boat |
| Low difficulty | Barranco Seco | Los Gigantes | 25 m | Boat |
| Low difficulty | Los Chuchos | Las Galletas, Arona | 25 m | Boat |
| Low difficulty | Montaña Amarilla | Ten Bel, Arona | 25 m | Boat or coast |
| Low difficulty | Abades | Arico | 25 m | Along the coast |
Source: Tenerife tourist board, scuba diving page, read 7 November 2026. Difficulty is the board's own rating; "low" means little or no current.
The conditions
The board says diving is possible all year round, with water at a constant 19 to 26 degrees Celsius and visibility of 10 to 30 metres. It lists 23 named sites in its directory and five wrecks, and states more than 60 sites in total. The marine life it mentions includes sea turtles and manta rays, and photos on the page show octopus, cuttlefish, sponges and anemones.
Sites are spread around the island, not concentrated in one resort. The board lists sites off Los Gigantes (Atlántida and Barranco Seco), Puerto de la Cruz (Baja del Limón and Las Catedrales), Garachico (Las Anclas and a volcanic tube), the Arona coast (Los Chuchos, Montaña Amarilla, Las Morenas cave) and the Radazul area of El Rosario, where several caves and a reef are listed.
Levels and what you need
You do not need a licence to dive with an authorised school: the board says the school provides one. A "diving baptism", a trial dive, must be run by an accredited centre or club with qualified divemasters. If you like it, a course leads to a certificate.
If you already hold a certificate, the board expects the dive to match your qualifications and experience. A few sites need a specific level: for the Meridian wreck at El Palm-Mar the board lists Fedas two-star/CMAS, PADI Advanced Open Water, SSI AOWD or ACUC AOWD. The Los Gemelos wreck at Puerto Colón lists FEDAS one-star/CMAS, PADI Open Water Advanced, ACUC AOW, SSI AOW or BSAC Sports Diver.
To dive without a school you need the right qualification, a certificate and insurance. The board's wording is that you need valid insurance or a federation licence that covers hyperbaric chamber treatment, water and underwater rescue (including by helicopter), and civil liability.
Deeper and harder sites
The board rates some sites high difficulty, with strong current or depth:
- Baja Los Realejos (Los Realejos), 45 m, strong current, boat only.
- La Rapadura (Santa Úrsula), 45 m, boat.
- Cueva de Radazul (El Rosario), 50 m, along the coast.
- Cruz de Radazul (El Rosario), 40 m, strong current.
- Caletón de La Matanza (La Matanza), 35 m, boat.
Intermediate sites include Atlántida (Los Gigantes, 25 m, moderate current, boat) and Las Catedrales (Puerto de la Cruz, 40 m, boat). If you are planning a first dive in the north-west, ask the school which of these is used on the day.
Safety rules from the tourist board
- Always dive with a partner.
- Use only properly authorised diving schools.
- Check the weather carefully before diving.
- Dive within your own skill level and the conditions of the day.
- For advice, contact FEDECAS, the Canary Islands' federation of underwater activities.
Choosing where to base yourself
The low-difficulty sites listed above are on several coasts. For the south, Arona (Los Cristianos, Las Galletas, El Palm-Mar) and the Costa Adeje area sit near the Arona and Adeje boat sites; for the north-west, Los Gigantes has Barranco Seco and Atlántida. Our pages on Los Gigantes, Los Cristianos and where to stay in Los Gigantes cover those areas. If you prefer to stay on the surface, a boat trip from Los Gigantes shows the same cliffs.
For other ways onto the water, see the catamaran cruise and paragliding in Tenerife.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking a dive at a site above your level: the board states that a dive should match your qualifications and experience.
- Diving with an operator that is not an authorised school.
- Arriving without a certificate when you plan to dive independently.
- Treating a low-difficulty site as shallow: the ones listed above reach 15 to 25 m.
FAQ
Can beginners dive in Tenerife?
Yes. A baptism, or trial dive, is run by accredited centres or clubs with qualified divemasters. No licence is needed with an authorised school.
When is the best time to dive in Tenerife?
The board says diving is possible all year, with water between 19 and 26 degrees Celsius and visibility of 10 to 30 metres.
Do I need my own insurance?
If you dive on your own, yes: the board asks for insurance or a federation licence that covers hyperbaric treatment, rescue and civil liability. With a school, check what the school provides.
Which areas have easy sites?
The board rates low difficulty sites at Playa San Juan, Radazul, Tacoronte, Los Gigantes, Las Galletas, Ten Bel, Arico and El Palm-Mar.
Are there wrecks?
Yes. The board lists five, including El Condesito and El Meridian at El Palm-Mar and Los Gemelos at Puerto Colón.
The Tenerife Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
