The Best Dive Sites in Tenerife
A Complete Guide
Explore the best dive sites in Tenerife for shore diving. The island is widely considered one of Europe’s premier destinations for diving from the shore. Its volcanic origin has created a dramatic underwater landscape characterized by deep drop-offs, swim-throughs, and abundant marine life—all accessible without the need for a boat. Whether you are completing your first Open Water dives or looking to explore wrecks at 30+ meters, Tenerife offers reliable, year-round conditions. Use the guide below to discover our favorite sites, categorized by difficulty and depth.
Dive Sites for Beginners in Tenerife
These sites offer easy shore entries, calm conditions, and shallow profiles perfect for beginners. You don't need to exceed the 18-meter Open Water limit to see the best of Tenerife; in fact, our most vibrant marine life thrives in these sun-drenched, shallow zones. Whether you’re completing your certification, joining a refresher, or simply seeking a relaxed first dive, these sites offer a world of discovery right at your fingertips.
Abades (1st & 2nd Reef and Turtle route)
A sheltered, shallow sandy bay that is arguably the most reliable site on the island. It features vibrant seagrass fields and frequent turtle sightings.
Las Eras (Shallow Route)
Offers a gentle introduction to Tenerife’s volcanic terrain with shallow lava formations, small caverns, and big schools of trumpetfish.
El Porís (Shallow Route and Seagrass)
A sheltered volcanic coastline perfect for relaxed exploration. It is known for its octopus, barracuda, and diverse pelagic life in shallower zones.
Montaña Amarilla (1st and 2nd Reef)
Renowned for its unique, sloping volcanic seabed and colorful sponge-covered reefs. Explore the swim-troughs and a canyons of the rock formations on the way.
El Puertito
El Puertito is a perfectly sheltered, shallow bay that provides an ideal and calm environment for beginner divers. You will explore a mix of sandy and rocky bottoms teeming with a wide variety of typical Canary Island marine life.
El Balito (shallow area)
Set in a beautiful, remote, and scenic bay, this site invites you to explore a series of little caverns, exciting rock formations, and an unforgettable swim-through teeming with trumpet fish.
Dive Sites for Advanced Divers in Tenerife
These locations provide an excellent backdrop for experienced divers seeking more adventurous profiles, unique volcanic landscapes, and fascinating underwater wrecks. Venturing beyond the shallows allows you to explore the island's most dramatic features—from deep volcanic drop-offs to complex wreck navigation—offering a perspective of Tenerife that is truly unique.
Abades (Anchor and Deep Reef)
Explore the lessser-known area of Abades Bay. Beyond the well-known shallow area of the bay topography changes and becomes more dramatic. The route feauties a big anchor, a hidden a reef at 35 metres and the local marine life at its best with common ray, turtle, angel shark and barracuda sightings.
Las Eras (Deep Route)
For divers seeking a more adventurous profile, the deep route at Las Eras reveals the site’s true, dramatic character. Descend along steep volcanic walls that offer a completely different perspective than the shallows. You will meet bigger schools of fish and barracuda on the way.
El Porís (Deep Route)
Venturing further out from the entry point, the deep route at El Porís exposes the raw, rugged side of the coastline. This section transitions from the protected area into deeper drop-offs. It is an ideal environment for experienced divers who enjoy open-water landscapes, with frequent sightings of large barracuda
Tabaiba (The El Peñon Wreck)
The island’s premier wreck dive. The El Peñon sunken ship rests between 25–35 meters, offering an exciting navigation challenge and the chance to see larger schools of fish.
Radazul
A popular site that drops quickly into deep water. While accessible from the shore, the steep volcanic seabed allows for profiles exceeding 40 meters, making it a favorite site for fans of deep diving.
La Caleta
A flexible site where the volcanic terrain drops off into deeper offshore zones, often featuring moray eels and rays in the deeper crevices. stunning volcanic landscape with a series of caverns.
Montaña Amarilla (The Archway)
A bit further from the shore, the dive site features a deeper reef with a spectacular archway and rock formations. You are likely to encounter rays and barracudas on this route.
Punta Prieta
A dramatic, deep-water site characterized by steep underwater relief and a cavern at approximately 35 meters. Ideal for experienced divers comfortable with depth caverns.
El Balito (Caverns and Deep Arch)
This exhilarating advanced route is defined by a dramatic deep arch and a network of intricate caverns perfect for experienced divers to explore. Surrounded by a stunning, remote coastal landscape, it offers a challenging and adventurous underwater terrain.
Why Choose Guided Shore Dives in Tenerife?
While many of these locations are accessible to independent divers, the Atlantic can be unpredictable. Joining us for a guided dive ensures:
- Safety & Logistics: We navigate the entries, exits, and changing currents for you.
- Marine Life Spotting: Our guides know exactly where the angel sharks, rays, and turtles are hiding.
- Site Optimization: We select the best site of the day based on current sea states and visibility, ensuring you always get the best experience
More photos
Don't forget to check out our Instagram for a collection of underwater photos and videos from these Beginner and Advanced Dive Sites in Tenerife:
What our Divers Say
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To ensure the best possible experience, we determine our daily dive site location by balancing current sea conditions with the skill levels and preferences of our guests. If you have any questions, please contact us on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dive Sites in Tenerife
Are there easy dive sites in Tenerife?
Yes, Tenerife is an excellent destination for less experienced divers. Many of the island's most popular dive sites feature depths of 18 meters or less, providing calm, accessible, and comfortable conditions for beginners to explore the underwater world without needing to go deep.
Where can I see the most marine life in Tenerife?
Surprisingly, you don't need to go deep to see the best of the Atlantic. Many of the most vibrant marine ecosystems—including rocky reefs and sandy patches—are located in the shallower areas. These zones receive the most sunlight, which encourages the growth of algae and sponges that attract a huge variety of colorful fish, rays, and invertebrates.
Which dive sites are best for Open Water divers?
Open Water divers have a wide range of options across the island, particularly in the south and southwest. These sites are generally characterized by manageable depths, minimal currents, and easy entry points, allowing you to focus on your buoyancy and the scenery. Are favorites are: Abades, Las Eras, Montaña Amarilla
Where can I see sea turtles while diving in Tenerife?
Sites like Abades are often cited as prime locations for turtle sightings. Resident turtles of the bay can be seen all-year round. As turtles are wild creatures, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our guides will do their best to spot them during your dive.
Can I see sea turtles at El Puertito?
While El Puertito was once famous for its resident turtle population, they are no longer spotted there. Increased human activity and boat traffic in the bay caused them to move on to quieter areas. We recommend focusing on other sites with sea grass areas—such as Abades—if you are hoping to spot turtles.
What is the best time of year to see Angel Sharks?
Angel Sharks are most commonly spotted during the winter months when the water temperature is cooler, making it the perfect time for divers who are interested in finding this unique, bottom-dwelling species.
What are the best dive sites to spot Angel Sharks in Tenerife?
Angel Sharks are seasonal visitors to the sandy bottoms around Tenerife. Diving at sites with extended sandy areas like Abades or Montaña Amarilla can increase your chances of spotting one.