Tenerife: Puerto Colon Certified Scuba Dive by Speed Boat

The sea trip starts before the scuba gear goes on. This two-hour Puerto Colón experience combines a brisk speedboat ride along Tenerife’s southern coast with a guided underwater session at one of up to 20 local sites. I like the compact format, especially if you want to spend time beneath the surface without giving up an entire day.

I also like that the price includes the full equipment set, an instructor, the boat, and insurance. The main caution is safety: one recent booking described the conditions as unsafe and chaotic, while other feedback praised the instructors, including Leon. Sea conditions can shape the experience, so I would ask about the day’s conditions before entering the water.

Key points at a glance

• Up to 20 underwater sites: The crew can choose from a wide range of locations around southern Tenerife, depending on conditions and the plan for the day.
• A 5 to 25 minute boat ride: The trip to the chosen site is short, but you still get a proper speedboat outing along the coast.
• Certified instruction: A guide handles the briefing, assists with equipment, and stays with you underwater.
• Small groups of up to nine: This keeps the activity more personal than a large boat outing, though the exact underwater group arrangement is not specified.
• Two hours from start to finish: You receive about an hour for marine life viewing and scuba activity, with the rest used for preparation, transport, and return.
• Bring proof of certification: This is for certified scuba participants only, and Spanish law requires diving insurance.

Meeting at Puerto Colón beside Dock 3

You begin at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón. The center is in front of Dock 3, next to Cafe Black Pearl, but the entrance is at the back of the building. That last detail matters because harbors can be a maze of signs, boats, and cafés. Give yourself enough time to find the rear entrance rather than arriving at the last minute.

At the center, you complete the necessary paperwork and receive a briefing. You are then fitted with a wetsuit, fins, boots, mask, buoyancy control device, regulator, and weight belt.

The staff has you set up the equipment at the center and check that everything works. I consider this one of the most useful parts of the session. You get a chance to ask questions while still on land, rather than trying to sort out a loose strap or unfamiliar regulator beside the boat.

The instructor languages are English, Spanish, French, and Italian. The group limit is nine people, which should make the shore preparation easier to manage than a large commercial outing. Still, nine people is not a private lesson, so ask in advance how many certified participants will be in your underwater group if personal attention is your main concern.

The 30-minute safety briefing

The safety briefing takes about 30 minutes, a significant part of a two-hour activity. That may sound long when you are eager to reach the water, but it gives the instructor time to cover the site, equipment, entry, and basic procedures.

You are briefed on the chosen underwater area before leaving the center. Since the location can change among as many as 20 sites, the briefing is important. The route, conditions, and entry style can differ from one place to another.

You also receive help with the equipment before reaching the boat. That is useful if you have not used the particular buoyancy control device or regulator setup before. The practical aim is simple: get comfortable with the gear while there is time to fix problems.

You should bring swimwear and a towel. Your diving certification is also required. The activity is not suitable for anyone without certification, and it is not suitable during pregnancy.

Speedboat views along the southern coast

Once the briefing and equipment checks are finished, you board the speedboat. The ride to the selected site takes between five and 25 minutes, depending on the location. The planned schedule lists a 15-minute ride, but the actual timing can vary.

The boat ride adds real value here. This is not simply a pool-style equipment session followed by a quick swim from shore. You see the southern coast from the water and get a sense of how much coastline is covered by the local site network.

The short transfer also keeps the day moving. You spend enough time on the water to enjoy the outing, but not so long that the boat trip takes over the activity. If you are prone to seasickness, the speedboat portion is worth considering, particularly if conditions are lively.

The boat may anchor at the site. If the plan is a drift session, it will not anchor. That difference can affect how the entry feels and how closely you need to follow the guide. Listen carefully to the instructions before you enter.

Entering the water by backward roll

At the site, you put on your mask, fins, and weight belt. The guide helps you put on the remaining equipment, then you enter with a backward roll from the boat.

You meet the guide at the front of the boat once you are in the water. This is a standard boat entry, but it can feel awkward if you have not done one recently. Keep your attention on the instructor, follow the entry directions, and avoid rushing.

The setup is designed to give you support right through the most equipment-heavy part of the outing. You are not expected to handle every step alone. That is particularly helpful when you are carrying a full kit and moving around a small boat.

The activity is for certified participants, not first-time learners. Even so, a certified instructor remains with you and guides the underwater portion. Recent feedback gives special praise to the professionalism of the instructors, with Leon receiving a warm mention for making one participant’s first session with him unforgettable.

About one hour among Tenerife’s marine life

The underwater portion lasts about one hour, including marine life viewing and scuba activity. The exact animals and scenery are not specified, so I would keep expectations open rather than arrive with a fixed checklist.

The attraction is the chance to explore southern Tenerife’s underwater world with a guide who knows the available local sites. The crew can select from up to 20 locations, which gives them flexibility when conditions or the day’s plan call for a different choice.

That flexibility is helpful, but it also means the exact character of your session is not guaranteed in advance. One site may offer a different underwater setting from another. Ask the crew what has been selected and why, especially if you care about a particular kind of marine life or terrain.

Your instructor is there to guide you beneath the surface. You are not simply dropped into the water and left to manage the route alone. For a certified participant who wants local supervision, that support is a strong part of the package.

The recent feedback is mixed on conditions. One person described the outing as unsafe and said the conditions should have been avoided. Other feedback praised the staff as professional and friendly. I would treat this as a reminder to ask how weather, visibility, current, and sea state will affect the plan. If the crew changes the site or postpones entry for safety, that is preferable to forcing a poor session.

Returning equipment and talking through the session

After the underwater hour, you return the equipment to the boat and travel back to the center. At the center, you wash the equipment and debrief with the staff.

The debrief is a small but worthwhile touch. You can discuss what you saw, how the session felt, and anything that interested you. Staff can also sign your logbook with the center’s stamp, which is useful if you keep a formal record of your certified scuba activities.

The return routine also gives you time to raise any equipment or comfort issues while they are still fresh. If a mask leaked or the weight belt felt wrong, say so during the debrief. That information can help with future sessions.

Photos and videos are not included. They are available to purchase after the activity. If you want visual proof of your time underwater, budget for that separately and ask about the options before you set out.

What the $59 price really includes

At $59 per person, this is a fair package for a short certified scuba outing if you need the equipment. The price covers the boat, full scuba equipment, a certified instructor, and full insurance. Buying those parts separately could quickly make a short session more expensive.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a focused half-day activity rather than a full boating program. You pay for roughly two hours, with about an hour below the surface and the rest spent on preparation, transport, and cleaning equipment.

The price is less attractive if you already have your own boat arrangement and equipment, or if you want a long underwater session. This is a compact introduction to the southern coast’s local sites, not an all-day expedition.

Insurance deserves special attention. Diving insurance is mandatory in Spain. The center has policies available for purchase if you do not already have suitable coverage, so do not assume that ordinary holiday insurance will meet the requirement. Confirm your coverage before arrival.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this activity to certified participants who want a short, guided session with a boat component. It suits someone staying in southern Tenerife who likes the idea of combining coastal scenery with time below the surface.

It also works well if you prefer a small commercial group rather than a large boat packed with people. The maximum group size is nine, and the multilingual staff can work in English, Spanish, French, or Italian.

This is less suitable if you want a beginner lesson. Certification is required, and the center does not present this as a learn-to-scuba experience. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.

You should also think carefully about your tolerance for changing conditions. The staff can choose among many sites, which is useful, but your exact location and underwater experience depend on the day’s plan. If you need a guaranteed site or a fixed marine life list, this format may feel too flexible.

Practical advice before you book

Bring your swimwear and towel, and carry proof of your diving certification. Since the meeting point is inside Puerto Colón and the entrance is at the rear of the center, arrive with time to find Zero Gravity Tenerife.

Ask two direct questions before setting out: Which site is planned, and how are today’s sea conditions? You should also confirm that your insurance is accepted or arrange the required policy through the center.

The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting. Check the available start times because the activity lasts two hours, but the exact departure time depends on availability.

I would not book this solely for the promise of seeing a particular animal. The information supports a guided marine life session, but it does not promise specific species. Book it for the combination of a speedboat trip, professional supervision, and access to several possible sites.

Should you book the Puerto Colón scuba session?

Book it if you are already certified, want full equipment included, and like the idea of a short speedboat ride before an hour underwater. The strongest points are the small maximum group, multilingual instructors, included insurance, and the choice of up to 20 sites.

Before paying, confirm the insurance details and ask about the sea conditions. That step matters because the feedback is not unanimous: the instructors received strong praise, but one account raised serious concerns about safety and poor conditions.

For a certified participant with flexible expectations, this offers solid value at $59. For a beginner, a pregnant participant, or anyone seeking a long, fixed-site underwater program, choose a different activity.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

Meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón. The center is in front of Dock 3, next to Cafe Black Pearl, and the entrance is at the back.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts two hours. The schedule includes a safety briefing, speedboat transfers, and about one hour for marine life viewing and scuba activity.

How long is the speedboat ride?

The ride to the selected site takes between five and 25 minutes. A 15-minute transfer is listed in the planned schedule.

How many underwater sites are available?

The operator can use up to 20 sites around the south of Tenerife. The selected location depends on the plan and conditions.

Is scuba certification required?

Yes. You must bring your diving certification, and the activity is not suitable for people without certification.

Is insurance included?

Full insurance is included in the activity price. Diving insurance is mandatory in Spain, and policies are available for purchase if you do not have your own coverage.

What equipment is provided?

The price includes a wetsuit, fins, boots, mask, buoyancy control device, regulator, weight belt, and other essential scuba equipment.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photos and videos can be purchased after the activity, but they are not included in the listed price.