Hi there, fellow ocean lovers! If you are looking to dive into some of the best diving spots in Tenerife, you’re in the right place. We at Barbarian Diving have put together the ultimate list of must-dive locations on this paradise island. Whether you’re a total newbie or a hardcore dive explorer, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
The best diving sites in Tenerife
1. El Peñón Wreck. The sunken beast.
This bad boy is a must for wreck lovers. Sitting at 30 meters deep, El Peñón is an old tugboat built in Sevilla in 1958 and was destined for the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This 27-meter beauty was sunk in 2006, for the purpose of becoming an artificial reef and attracting marine life.
With a length of 26.96 meters and a width of 7.70 meters, this shipwreck serves as a nursery for different species of fish. Barracudas, trumpetfish, octopus, crabs, nudibranch and rays are among its inhabitants.
This dive site is perfect for advanced divers because of its depth, and for those divers looking to complete the SSI Advanced Adventure program.
2. Montaña Amarilla. The lava playground
This spot is a natural masterpiece with epic rock formations, arches, overhangs and massive pinnacles decorating the vast sandy bottom. Depth ranges from 12m to 22 meters, making it a fantastic dive site for all levels.
While enjoying the beautiful landscape we may encounter species like angelsharks, different species of stingrays, schools of barracuda, cuttlefish, octopus and sometimes a little turtle paying a visit.
3. Las Eras. Current land.
This is a dive site that can be challenging when there’s a strong current, but it’s among our favourites on the island — the perfect combination of stunning visibility, beautiful landscape and vibrant marine life.
Schooling fish all along the bottom, from barracudas to snappers. Occasional encounters with big stingrays, and smaller ones hiding from the current. One of the hidden gems in this spot is a nice swim-through that serves as a shelter for different marine animals.
4. Abades. Turtle town.
Abades is an easy shore dive that’s everyone’s favourite because there’s a high chance of seeing green turtles feeding on seagrass.
This diving spot leaves all divers with a big smile, no matter if they’re beginners or very experienced — the chance to see sea turtles peacefully grazing on the bottom is a real treat. And there’s more: it’s not rare to see angelsharks, different species of stingrays and cuttlefish too.
5. El Balito. The pirate cove.
Once an old banana port, this dive site is now a haven for underwater explorers. This diving playground suits both beginners and experienced divers, with depths ranging from 10 to 30 meters.
This is the perfect spot to improve your buoyancy skills, thanks to the many swim-throughs, arches and little caves you’ll find.
Rich in small species like crabs, octopus and cuttlefish, as well as bigger animals like rays and amberjacks, all set among beautiful rock formations.
6. Palmar Wall. Stingray field.
This diving gem is a vertical drop-off that plunges into the deep. Big boulders welcome you as you descend to a vast sandy bottom, where you may stumble onto an angelshark buried in the sand waiting for its prey.
This dive site is recommended for advanced divers, as all the action happens at 25 meters — here you’ll find butterfly rays, eagle rays and stingrays cruising around.
This one is only reachable by boat from the Los Cristianos pier, just a 10-minute ride to enjoy this fantastic place.
7. Palmar Cave. Moray eel cave.
This site is all about the vibes: dark rocky crevices, overhangs and one big, beautiful cave that gives the site its name. A big volcanic platform drops down to 28 meters, but before getting to the entrance, try to spot some moray eels in the cracks of the wall.
At this dive site anything could happen, from loggerhead turtles swimming around to curious dolphins visiting the surroundings, and the inevitable rays hovering around the pinnacles.
You can’t leave Tenerife without diving this spot.
8. Punta Prieta. The hidden site
The deep dive site Punta Prieta is best suited for more experienced divers. The average depth here is 20m, and the maximum depth is 38m. Divers can explore small caves and rocky formations and observe many morays, rays, sardines, frogfish, seahorses, and triggerfish. The sandy area of the site provides the opportunity to see multiple sorts of rays and angelsharks.
There are medium currents on normal days, which can be challenging for beginners. Underwater visibility varies from 10m to 30m. This site offers shore diving from a small beach in the town, and it’s a beautiful dive site for underwater photography and deep dives.
9. Playa San Juan. Stingray Town
This is a nice, shallow dive suitable for all levels. A very comfortable entry from the beach and a short swim to the breakwaters of the marina. Descending to a shallow sandy bottom, we may find seahorses very well camouflaged.
Visibility isn’t always the best at this dive site, but on the other hand, it’s possible to see a large number of stingrays on a good day.
10. Cueva de los Cerebros. Brain cave
The name comes from a rare kind of coral whose shape resembles a human brain, normally found only in deep water that’s inaccessible to divers. In this cave, however, nature created unique conditions perfect for this coral — making it the only place in the world where you can find brain coral in shallow water.
We dive from the shore; the site is located close to Playa Abama. Depth is up to 12 meters. The cave is around 70 meters long, and at the end there’s a grotto where you can breathe fresh air. This dive is for experienced divers only.
What’s the best time to dive in Tenerife?
Honestly? Any time is dive time in Tenerife! Thanks to the island’s warm climate and mild waters, diving is a year-round adventure. Water temperatures range between 18°C in winter and 25°C in summer, and visibility is usually stunning (think 20–30 meters on a good day). Spring and autumn are especially magical — fewer crowds, active marine life, and calm conditions. Whether you’re chasing rays in summer or spotting angel sharks in winter, Tenerife always delivers.
How can you go diving in Tenerife?
Getting underwater here is easier than ordering a barraquito. Whether it’s your first time ever or you’re chasing your next certification, Barbarian Diving has your back (and your tank).
New to diving? Start with a Try Dive – no experience needed, just bring your excitement.
Ready to take the plunge into full certification? The Open Water Course is your ticket to becoming a certified diver in just a few days.
You can check out all their awesome diving courses here. The Barbarian crew are fun, professional, and absolutely obsessed with showing you the magic of Tenerife’s underwater world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dive site in Tenerife for beginners?
Sites like Montaña Amarilla (12-22m) and Playa San Juan offer shallow, comfortable conditions suitable for all levels, while Abades is a popular easy shore dive known for its resident sea turtles.
Which Tenerife dive site is best for wreck diving?
El Peñón Wreck is the island’s standout wreck dive — a 27-metre former tugboat sunk in 2006 at 30 metres depth, now home to barracudas, trumpetfish, octopus and rays, and well suited to divers working toward an SSI Advanced Adventurer certification.
What is the best time of year to dive in Tenerife?
Tenerife offers year-round diving thanks to water temperatures of 18-25°C and visibility that regularly reaches 20-30 metres, so there’s no single best season to visit.
Do I need diving experience to explore Tenerife’s dive sites?
No — beginners can start with a Try Scuba Diving experience with no prior experience required, while many of the island’s more advanced sites (like Palmar Wall or Cueva de los Cerebros) are reserved for certified, experienced divers.
