Diving in Tenerife: complete guide to the best dive sites in the Canaries

Tenerife is one of the most accessible and richest diving destinations in Europe. Water temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius all year round, visibility regularly exceeding 20 metres, resident green turtles, rays, angel sharks and shipwrecks: the Canary Islands offer an exceptional playground for divers of every level. Here is everything you need to know about diving in Tenerife.

Why is Tenerife an ideal destination for scuba diving?

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, benefits from a rare advantage in Europe: stable diving conditions all year round. Unlike the Mediterranean where the season is limited from May to October, Tenerife is diveable 12 months out of 12. Water temperature ranges from 18 degrees in February to 24 degrees in September, which means you can dive in a 5 mm wetsuit for most of the year without ever needing a dry suit.

Visibility is another major asset. Far from the sediment-laden waters of the North Sea, the volcanic waters of Tenerife typically offer 20 to 30 metres of visibility, sometimes more. The island is volcanic in origin, which creates spectacular underwater formations: natural arches, lava tunnels, sheer drop-offs and rocky reefs colonised by dense marine life.

For divers based in Brussels or Belgium, Tenerife is remarkably accessible. A direct flight of 4 hours 30 minutes from Brussels-Zaventem or Charleroi, regular and affordable flights, and a time difference of just one hour. It is far simpler than classic tropical destinations, for a quality of diving that has nothing to envy them.

What are the best dive sites in Tenerife?

Tenerife has dozens of dive sites scattered around the island, but the south and southwest coast concentrates the best spots thanks to calmer conditions and warmer water. Here are the must-dive sites:

Radazul

Located on the east coast, Radazul is a shore-entry dive site accessible to all levels. The bottom drops gradually from 5 to 25 metres over volcanic substrate covered in algae and small reef formations. It is one of the best sites for spotting stingrays, octopuses, cuttlefish and schools of parrotfish. Entry is from a small harbour, making the water entry very comfortable.

Abades

A former ghost village on the southeast coast, Abades offers a protected bay with easy entry from the beach. The site descends to 20 metres and is home to varied marine life: moray eels, trumpetfish, nudibranchs and sometimes green turtles. It is an excellent site for discovery dives and training dives thanks to its calm and shallow waters.

Las Galletas and Palm-Mar

The Las Galletas and Palm-Mar area, in the south of the island, is famous for its encounters with green turtles (Chelonia mydas). These turtles are resident year-round and it is common to see them feeding on seagrass beds or resting on rocky bottoms. Depth ranges from 8 to 20 metres, making it accessible to Open Water divers. To learn more about turtle encounters, check our complete guide to diving with turtles.

Los Gigantes

On the west coast, the cliffs of Los Gigantes plunge into the ocean and create a spectacular underwater landscape. Dives are typically done from a boat and descend along the volcanic wall to 25-40 metres. This is a more committed site, recommended for Advanced divers or above. You can encounter eagle rays, barracudas, schools of jacks and sometimes angel sharks, an endangered species that finds refuge in the waters of the Canaries.

El Poris de Abona

El Poris is an authentic fishing village in the southeast of Tenerife. The shore-entry dive site offers interesting volcanic rock formations between 8 and 22 metres. Cavities and overhangs shelter moray eels, cleaner shrimps and spiny lobsters. It is a quiet site, rarely crowded, ideal for relaxed dives in small groups.

When should you dive in Tenerife? Seasons and conditions

This is the great strength of Tenerife compared to Mediterranean destinations: you can dive all year round. Here are the average conditions by season:

• Winter (December-March): water at 18-19 degrees, visibility 20-30m, 5 mm wetsuit recommended. Ideal period for angel sharks which are more active in winter. Fewer tourists, lower prices.
• Spring (April-June): water at 19-21 degrees, excellent visibility. Plankton begins to attract occasional manta rays. Very good period for PADI courses.
• Summer (July-September): water at 22-24 degrees, calm seas, ideal conditions. Visibility 15-25m (slight decrease due to summer plankton). Best period for beginners and dive packages.
• Autumn (October-November): water still at 22-23 degrees, tourism dropping off, excellent conditions. The best period according to many local divers.

Wind is the only limiting factor. The trade wind, the dominant northeast wind, can agitate the north and east coasts. This is why most dives take place on the south and west coast, sheltered by the Teide massif (3,718 m). In strong winds, the southern sites generally remain diveable.

What level do you need to dive in Tenerife?

Tenerife is accessible to all diving levels, from complete beginner to technical diver. Here is what each level can explore:

• No experience (Discover Scuba Diving): sites like Abades, Radazul or Las Galletas allow supervised dives between 5 and 12 metres in calm, warm waters. It is the ideal setting for a first contact with scuba diving.
• Open Water (18m max): the vast majority of Tenerife's dive sites are accessible with an Open Water certification. Turtles, rays, octopuses and volcanic formations are there from the very first metres.
• Advanced (30m max): the drop-offs of Los Gigantes, wreck dives and deeper sites offer additional experiences. Night diving in Tenerife is particularly recommended for Advanced divers.
• Rescue / Divemaster: Tenerife is a privileged professional training location. Stable conditions and site diversity allow you to work on all required skills in a comfortable setting.

If you are not yet certified, this is actually the ideal place to start. At Dive With Lau, we offer all PADI courses in Tenerife, from discovery dive to Divemaster.

What marine life can you see in Tenerife?

The geographical position of the Canaries, off the coast of West Africa and bathed by the Canary Current (a branch of the Gulf Stream), creates a unique ecosystem at the crossroads of Atlantic, Mediterranean and tropical influences. Here is what you can observe:

• Green turtles (Chelonia mydas): resident year-round around Las Galletas, Palm-Mar and other sites. Sightings are almost guaranteed.
• Angel sharks (Squatina squatina): a species classified as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN. The Canaries are one of the last global refuges for this flattened ray-like shark that camouflages itself in the sand. More frequent in winter.
• Stingrays and eagle rays: found on sandy bottoms between 10 and 25 metres. Eagle rays are rarer but spectacular.
• Common octopuses: abundant and often cooperative for underwater photographers. Most active in the late afternoon.
• Moray eels, conger eels and trumpetfish: permanent residents of the volcanic rock cavities.
• Pelagic schools: barracudas, jacks, amberjacks. More frequent on exposed sites on the west coast.
• Nudibranchs: several dozen species recorded. Macro photographers will not be disappointed.

How do you organise a dive trip to Tenerife from Brussels?

Organising a dive trip to Tenerife from Belgium is straightforward. Here are the practical points:

• Flights: Brussels-Zaventem or Charleroi to Tenerife South (TFS), direct flight in 4 hours 30 minutes. Several low-cost airlines offer return flights between 100 and 250 euros depending on the season.
• Accommodation: from an Airbnb studio at 40 euros per night to a seaside hotel. The south of Tenerife (Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Palm-Mar) is the most practical base for diving.
• Wetsuit: a 5 mm wetsuit is sufficient for most of the year. In winter, some divers prefer a 7 mm or a shorty underneath.
• Dive budget: for a detailed cost estimate, see our diving budget guide.
• Time difference: -1 hour compared to Belgium (Canary Islands time). No jet lag.

At Dive With Lau, we offer all-inclusive dive packages in Tenerife including accommodation, daily dives and PADI courses. Everything is organised so you only have to worry about your flight. Contact us for a personalised quote.

The bottom line

Tenerife ticks every box for an ideal dive destination: warm water all year round, excellent visibility, rich and varied marine life, sites suited to all levels, and unbeatable accessibility from Belgium. Whether you dream of your first dive, a PADI course or simply a relaxed dive trip, the Canaries are a sure bet.

Want to explore other destinations? Check out our comparison of the best dive destinations from Brussels or our guide to diving in Malaga.

And if you have questions about diving in Tenerife, get in touch with Lau. He knows the island and its waters inside out.