Abades water turns first-timers fearless. I love how this experience pairs a calm protected bay with close, practical coaching for beginners. You’ll also get a second chance to enjoy the sea right after with snorkeling in the same area. One thing to plan for: it’s not a long session, so you’ll want to make the most of the short time underwater.

What makes it work is the personal attention. With a small group capped at 2 people per instructor, the teaching feels like it’s built around you, not a crowd. In the past, guides like Cindy and Ron have been praised for patience and step-by-step instruction, and that matters when you’re learning to breathe with a tank. If you have medical limitations or you’re not comfortable with the basics of scuba equipment, you’ll likely be happier choosing a different activity.

Key takeaways

• Protected bay setup for beginners: calm conditions near Abades help you focus on skills.
• Small group coaching: up to 2 participants per instructor for real personal support.
• Shallow maximum depth: training goes down to a max of 10 meters.
• Underwater highlights: look for schools of colorful fish, and you may spot turtles or octopus.
• Snorkeling included: a second water session lets you keep exploring with lighter gear.
• Pickup from much of the south: seven pickup/drop-off options reduce hassle.

Abades Beach: Why This First-Timer Scuba and Snorkel Setup Works

Tenerife’s south coast can feel like a conveyor belt of beach time. Abades is different because you’re not fighting big waves or trying to learn skills far from shore. The whole plan is built around a protected bay where visibility can be clear and the water stays friendly for people who have never worn a mask and tank before.

I like that you’re not asked to “wing it.” You get guided training first, then you get to enjoy the fun part—being weightless and watching marine life up close. If you’re the type who worries you’ll feel awkward underwater, this format is a relief. The goal isn’t performance. The goal is comfort.

The other reason Abades makes sense is timing. You’re doing scuba at a controlled depth, then switching to snorkeling afterward. That gives you two different ways to enjoy the ocean without stretching the day into something exhausting.

Getting There From the South: Pickup and Drop-Off Simplicity

This is designed for people staying around Tenerife’s busier south—so you don’t have to figure out parking, buses, or local logistics. You’ll get pickup from one of seven locations: Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Costa del Silencio, Abades, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Candeleda, and Playa de las Américas.

At the end, you’ll be dropped off at one of seven matching locations in the south. Practically, that means you can choose a hotel area based on where you sleep, not based on where the water is.

One small consideration: even with pickup, your day still runs about 3 hours, and the schedule is tight enough that you shouldn’t plan a long sit-down meal immediately before. If you’re the kind of person who likes buffer time, build in a little extra.

Equipment and Briefing at Playa Abades: Set Up for Comfort First

Before you get in the water, you’ll go through a real gear-and-safety moment at Playa Abades. You’ll put on scuba equipment including a wetsuit, mask, fins, and a tank. That step matters because a good fit makes everything easier—especially your first time learning how to clear your mask and stay calm while breathing underwater.

Then comes the safety briefing, which runs about 30 minutes. Expect it to be practical: what you’ll do in the water, how the session works, and how to move safely as a beginner. This is also where the instructor checks that everyone understands the basics.

This part can feel slow if you’re just itching to see fish, but it’s worth it. When you’re relaxed on day one, you’ll enjoy the rest of the program more. And since the groups stay small, you’re more likely to have your questions answered without feeling rushed.

The Shallow Tank Session: Up to 10 Meters and Real Beginner Confidence

Your scuba portion runs about 40 minutes, and the max depth is 10 meters. That shallow ceiling is a big deal. It helps you learn control and buoyancy at a level where you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed, and it keeps the experience centered on comfort and observation.

After you suit up, you’ll travel from the meeting spot to the water, get ready with the instructor, and then descend. The experience is simple but unforgettable: breathing underwater changes your rhythm. You also get that strange feeling of being weightless, which is one of the best parts of scuba for first-timers.

What you might see is one of the reasons people choose Abades in particular. You can expect the session around a house reef area, with marine life close to the route. There are often schools of colorful fish, and there’s real potential for sightings like:

• sleeping octopus
• turtles (some reports include turtles getting close while feeding)
• the chance of a seahorse, depending on conditions

Sightings aren’t guaranteed every time, of course. But the structure helps: you’re not searching miles offshore. You’re watching what lives near the reef and learning how to spot it.

Snorkeling Afterward: Keep the Fun Going Without the Tank Work

After the scuba portion, you get a bit of breathing room on the beach. Then you’ll switch to snorkeling for about 30 minutes. This is a smart sequence for beginners because it reduces the workload while you keep the visual payoff.

Snorkeling is also where you can put the day’s skills into a calmer context. You’ll already be used to the mask and water in your face, and you can focus on fish behavior and reef details without the same pace and gear checks as scuba.

From a practical standpoint, this second session makes the day feel longer in a good way. Even if your scuba time is brief, the snorkeling part helps you leave with more than a single moment underwater.

Beach Time and What to Eat: Simple Lunch Beats Overthinking

You’ll have about 30 minutes of free time on Playa Abades. Use it to dry off, hydrate, and reset. If you’re the type who takes a while to warm up after being in the water, this is your window.

Lunch isn’t included, but you can easily find a typical Spanish meal or even a hamburger on nearby terraces around the town square area. Bring a bit of cash in addition to a credit card, since the day’s small expenses pop up when you least expect them.

This is also the moment to check whether you want to buy any optional underwater photos if they’re offered. Underwater pictures aren’t included, so plan on paying extra if you want that souvenir.

Instructors and the Two-Person Limit: Where the Value Shows

The standout feature here is not the equipment. It’s the teaching style and the max 2 participants per instructor setup.

When the group stays tiny, the instructor can watch your breathing, your fin movement, and your comfort level. That’s how you go from nervous to confident faster. It also explains why past participants often mention that guides were patient and did a step-by-step explanation. Names that have come up include Cindy and Ron, with additional staff names like Richie and Dany also mentioned as part of the care team.

For you, the benefit is simple: you’re less likely to feel like you’re getting “tourist scuba” that skips the basics. Instead, you’re learning in real time, and the instructor can adjust the pace so you don’t fall behind.

Price and What You Actually Get From the $100

At around $100 per person for about 3 hours, this is priced like a full-service beginner water activity, not a DIY experiment. What helps the value:

• Dive gear is included (wetsuit, mask, fins, tank)
• Insurance is included
• An instructor is included
• Pickup and drop-off from the south is included
• Drinking water is included

Those items matter because they remove the biggest hassle factors. You don’t have to source equipment. You don’t have to arrange transport. You don’t have to wonder who’s responsible if something goes wrong.

What costs extra or isn’t included:

• lunch (you’ll eat on your own)
• underwater pictures (optional if offered)
• there’s also an extra charge mentioned for people who wish to stay on a boat, but that doesn’t apply to everyone since this experience is beach-based

For your budgeting, my advice is straightforward: plan on lunch + any photo souvenir. If you bring cash, you’ll stay flexible.

Who Should Choose This, and Who Should Skip It

This experience is marketed for beginners, and it follows that promise: no previous experience is needed. But it’s still scuba, and it still comes with health rules.

It is not suitable for:

• children under 8
• pregnant women
• people with heart problems
• people with respiratory issues
• people with epilepsy
• people with diabetes
• people with pre-existing medical conditions
• people with high blood pressure
• people with recent surgeries
• wheelchair users

You’ll also need to fill out a medical form at the dive center before diving. If you take any medication or you have any medical condition, you’ll need official medical clearance.

If you’re a generally healthy adult (or a child 8+), this is a great fit if you want a first scuba experience that stays controlled and supportive. If you’re the kind of person who likes structure, you’ll appreciate the safety briefing and the strict shallow depth.

If, on the other hand, you hate the idea of equipment on your face and learning coordination in moving water, choose snorkeling-only. That’s less gear-fussy and still lets you enjoy the reef life.

Should You Book This Abades Beginner Tank Experience?

I’d book it if you want:

• a first-time scuba setup focused on comfort and learning
• small-group attention (2 people per instructor)
• a protected bay location near the shore
• the bonus of snorkeling afterward so your day feels full

I would think twice if:

• you’re outside the health limits listed above
• you’re expecting a long, deep expedition (this stays shallow and short)
• you only care about guaranteed big-ticket marine sightings (the bay is friendly for fish, but nature isn’t a factory line)

If your priority is learning safely, seeing plenty of fish life up close, and leaving with confidence for what comes next, Abades is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife Abades beginner scuba and snorkeling experience?

It lasts about 3 hours.

What is the maximum depth you reach?

The maximum depth is 10 meters.

Is it suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 8 years old.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No previous experience is needed.

What is included in the price?

Dive gear, insurance, online registration, an instructor, pickup and drop-off service from the south of Tenerife, and drinking water are included.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a towel, beachwear, a credit card, and cash.