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SHORE DIVE · SOUTH TENERIFE

Montaña Amarilla, South Tenerife

Montaña Amarilla, also known as Yellow Mountain, is one of the most popular shore dives on Tenerife's south coast. Dramatic volcanic arches, swim-throughs and rock pinnacles rise from the sandy seabed near Costa del Silencio, sheltering everything from octopus and moray eels to angel sharks and passing turtles.

DIVE SITE OVERVIEW
REGION
South Tenerife
ACCESS
Shore dive
RECOMMENDED LEVEL
Open Water (all levels)
MOORING / START DEPTH
Shore entry, approx. 5 m
TYPICAL DEPTH
12-18 m
MAXIMUM DEPTH
25 m
VISIBILITY
15-25 m
WATER TEMPERATURE
18-24°C

Why We Love Montaña Amarilla

Montaña Amarilla is one of the best examples of Tenerife's volcanic underwater landscape. The rock formations feel almost architectural, and swimming through La Puerta or around La Aguja gives the dive a real sense of exploration, even at a modest depth.

It is also one of the more reliable places on the south coast to find genuine surprises: a resting angel shark tucked against the sand, a turtle gliding past the reserve's seagrass edges, or a cuttlefish drifting between the boulders.

Montaña Amarilla — Yellow Mountain — sits on the Costa del Silencio near Las Galletas, in South Tenerife. Above the surface it is a low volcanic headland; below it, the site unfolds like a gallery of volcanic sculpture, with arches, overhangs and pinnacles carved by ancient lava flows.

The site lies within a protected marine reserve, and its underwater landmarks have earned their own names among local divers: La Piedra Narayan (the Stone of Narayan), La Puerta (the Door) and La Aguja (the Needle) are among the formations divers pass through and around during the dive.

Because the arches range from broad, light-filled passages to narrower, more adventurous tunnels, Montaña Amarilla works equally well as a first proper reef dive or as a playground for experienced divers looking for swim-throughs.

UNDERWATER LANDSCAPE

The reef is built from large volcanic spires and boulders that break out of the sand at depths of roughly 12-18 metres, deepening to around 25 metres on the outer edges. Between them, arches and tunnels connect one section of reef to the next.

Three formations stand out and are used as natural waypoints on the dive: La Piedra Narayan, a distinctive standing rock; La Puerta, a broad archway divers swim straight through; and La Aguja, a narrow pinnacle rising from the sand.

The mix of wide, sunlit arches and tighter passages means the site rewards both relaxed sightseeing and more focused exploration, without ever feeling repetitive.

MARINE LIFE

Marine life you might see

Atlantic Angel Shark
WINTER · NOV-MAR

Montaña Amarilla is one of the sites where the critically endangered angel shark is occasionally found resting camouflaged on the sand, most often during the cooler months.

Common Stingray
YEAR-ROUND

Stingrays are regularly seen resting on sandy patches between the rock formations, sometimes only partially visible under a thin layer of sand.

Octopus
YEAR-ROUND

The volcanic crevices and overhangs provide countless hiding spots for octopus, one of the most consistent sightings at this site.

Moray Eel
YEAR-ROUND

Several moray eels make their home among the rocks, often visible peering out from crevices along the arches and swim-throughs.

Cuttlefish
YEAR-ROUND

Cuttlefish drift quietly across the sand and reef edges, changing colour and texture as they move — always a highlight for photographers.

Green Sea Turtle
OCCASIONAL

Turtles are not guaranteed, but the protected reserve around Montaña Amarilla makes it one of the better south-coast sites for a chance encounter.

Barracuda
YEAR-ROUND

Schools of barracuda occasionally pass along the outer reef edge, particularly when visibility is at its best.

CONDITIONS & SUITABILITY
Visibility
Usually 15-25 metres.
Current
Usually weak; a gentle site for most conditions.
Temperature
Approx. 18°C in winter to 24°C in late summer.
Best season
Year-round; winter improves the odds of an angel shark sighting.
Exposure protection
Most divers are comfortable in 5 mm; 7 mm in winter for colder divers.
PERFECT FOR

Open Water divers, Discover Scuba Diving and Try Dive guests, underwater photographers, and anyone hoping to see angel sharks, turtles or octopus in a relaxed, shore-accessed setting.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR

None specifically — Montaña Amarilla suits all certified levels, though the narrowest tunnels are best left to divers comfortable in tighter overhead spaces.

💡
BARBARIAN INSTRUCTOR TIP

Take your time around La Puerta and La Aguja — these are the two spots where we most often find octopus and moray eels tucked into the rock. On the sandy patches between formations, look closely: stingrays and, in winter, angel sharks often lie half-buried and easy to miss.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Advanced Open Water certification?
No. Montaña Amarilla is a shore dive suitable for Open Water divers and above, including Discover Scuba Diving and Try Dive guests under instructor supervision.
Is Montaña Amarilla a shore dive or boat dive?
It is a shore dive, entered directly from Costa del Silencio.
What does the name "Yellow Mountain" refer to?
It refers to the yellow-toned volcanic headland above the dive site, a well-known local landmark in Costa del Silencio.
What marine life can I expect?
Common sightings include octopus, moray eels, stingrays, cuttlefish and barracuda, with turtles and winter angel sharks as a possible bonus.
Are the swim-throughs difficult?
No. Most arches, including La Puerta, are broad and well-lit. A few narrower tunnels exist for divers who want a more adventurous route.
Are sightings guaranteed?
No. Marine life is wild and never guaranteed, but Montaña Amarilla is one of the more consistent sites in South Tenerife for reef species.

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