REVIEW · TENERIFE
Dive Baptism 1 Dive In Tenerife 3,5h
Try the Atlantic from below. This beginner-friendly scuba baptism near El Médano gives you a careful introduction, full equipment, and a 45-minute underwater session at 8 to 10 metres. I especially like the patient, one-to-one instruction and the chance to see Tenerife’s marine life close to shore. The main drawback is that the whole experience is fairly short, so confident beginners may soon want a longer session.
I also like that transport to the water and back to El Médano is included. Instructors such as Ismael, Chris, Dani, and Liam have been praised for calm explanations and frequent checks in the water. You should still remember that sea conditions and wildlife are never guaranteed, and this is an introductory outing rather than a scuba certification course.
Key points to know before booking
- 45 minutes underwater: The main session reaches between 8 and 10 metres, always with an instructor.
- A real beginner’s introduction: You learn how the equipment works, practise basic rules, and go at a measured pace.
- Transport included: The team takes you from the El Médano center to the water and returns you afterward.
- Marine life close to shore: Fish, octopuses, crabs, angel sharks, turtles, and rock formations have all been seen, though sightings vary.
- Small and personal: The activity is described as private for your party, while the supplied details also list a maximum of one traveler, so confirm the group arrangement when booking.
- Minimum age 12: Children must be able to swim and must be accompanied by an adult.
Starting at Medanodive in El Médano

Your morning begins at 8:30 at the Medanodive center in Plaza Galicia, local 8, in El Médano. Look for the location after Boomerang Bar, opposite the post office. This is a useful meeting point if you are staying in town, since it is described as a short walk from El Médano beach and close to public transport.
The return point is the same center. That makes the morning simple: you do not need to arrange a taxi to a remote beach or work out how to get back after carrying wet equipment.
The advertised duration is approximately three hours, while the experience title gives three and a half hours. I would allow the longer amount of time so you are not rushing afterward. The morning start also leaves much of the day free, but you may prefer not to schedule anything demanding immediately afterward.
The company sends booking confirmation at the time of purchase. It has also used WhatsApp to confirm meeting details and answer questions before the session. That sort of contact is useful for a first-time participant who wants to check what to bring or clarify the meeting point.
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The briefing before you enter the water
The first part is a practical talk about the equipment. You learn what each piece does and how to use it before you put everything on. The instructor also explains the basic underwater rules and takes you through the session step by step.
This preparation matters more than it might sound. Scuba equipment can feel awkward when you first handle it, and the breathing method takes some getting used to. One participant needed repeated reminders to keep their mouth closed underwater, while another needed time simply to place their face in the water and practise breathing. That is normal beginner territory, not a sign that you are failing.
The instructors have been praised for explaining things clearly and repeating instructions without making nervous beginners feel foolish. Ismael is noted for a relaxed manner, while Chris and Dani are described as friendly and reassuring. The names of individual instructors can change, but the practical point is clear: tell your instructor if you feel unsure, and ask for the explanation again.
You will also learn the hand signals used below the surface. Since spoken conversation is impossible once you are underwater, these signals are important. Make sure you understand how to indicate that you are comfortable, need help, or want to stop before you begin.
Getting suited up and reaching the water

After the briefing, you put on the suit and complete equipment. The operator then provides transport to the site and returns you to El Médano afterward. The supplied details do not name a fixed underwater location, so the precise entry point may depend on conditions and the day’s plan.
This arrangement saves you from carrying a full set of equipment through town or along a beach. It also means you should arrive ready for a morning around the water, with practical clothing and anything you need for afterward. The available information does not specify changing facilities, towels, or showers, so do not assume those are included.
The first water contact is handled gradually. If you are nervous, the instructor may begin with simple breathing practice before asking you to go farther. One particularly useful account describes starting by placing the face in the water, checking comfort, and only then continuing.
That measured approach is a major reason this suits beginners. You are not expected to leap straight into the full session. The instructor remains with you and can help with small equipment adjustments as you settle in.
Forty-five minutes beneath Tenerife
The main underwater session lasts 45 minutes and reaches a depth of between 8 and 10 metres. You remain with the instructor throughout, with regular checks on your comfort and clear signals about what to do next.
For a first attempt, 45 minutes is a useful amount of time. It gives you a chance to get past the first few minutes of nervous breathing and start noticing what is around you. At the same time, it is not a full training day, and you should not expect the same distance, depth, or independence as a certified scuba outing.
The underwater scenery described in the supplied information includes fish, rock formations, octopuses, crabs, and angel sharks. Sea turtles have also been seen, including one close encounter within the first few minutes of a session. A group once saw dolphins in the bay before entering the water.
Those sightings are exciting, but they are wild animals, not scheduled attractions. You may see plenty of life, or you may have a quieter session focused on rocks and smaller fish. I would book this for the chance to explore Tenerife from a new angle, not with a promise of a turtle or shark.
The shallow maximum depth is also helpful for newcomers. You are exploring a genuine underwater environment, but you are not being taken to an intimidating depth. The instructor’s presence gives the session structure while still allowing you some freedom to look around.
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The instructors make the difference
Good instruction is the heart of this activity. You are learning to manage breathing, movement, equipment, and hand signals at the same time. A calm instructor can make the difference between an enjoyable first attempt and an uncomfortable one.
Ismael has been praised for giving thorough explanations and keeping a relaxed tone. Chris and Liam are described as friendly and patient, and Dani is noted as a good-humoured guide who made a beginner’s session enjoyable. These details matter because a first scuba experience can feel vulnerable, especially if you are travelling alone or are uneasy in open water.
The strongest pattern is the frequent checking in. Instructors are described as watching participants closely, helping with small adjustments, and giving clear instructions while allowing room to look around. That is the right balance for an introduction: enough support to feel safe, but not so much direction that you spend the whole session staring at the instructor.
English is offered, and the team has also been described as speaking Spanish. If you have a medical concern, anxiety about breathing, or simply need instructions repeated, say so at the start. This is not the time to hide uncertainty.
Marine life, photographs, and realistic expectations
The setting can produce memorable wildlife encounters. Fish may appear close to the beach, and the rocky underwater area can reveal creatures that are easy to miss from the surface. Octopuses are a particular possibility, along with crabs and other small marine life.
A turtle encounter is possible, but it is luck rather than part of the guaranteed schedule. The same is true of dolphins and angel sharks. Responsible expectations make the experience better: enjoy whatever appears, give animals room, and value the act of looking as much as the checklist of species.
Underwater photos and video may be available for an additional €10, according to the supplied information. One participant found this worthwhile. Another account describes the company taking underwater photos and sending them by email at no extra charge, so the arrangement may vary by session or booking. If images matter to you, ask the center to confirm the current price and delivery details before entering the water.
I would consider the photo option if this is a once-in-a-lifetime first attempt. You will be busy concentrating on breathing and movement, so having someone else record the moment can be useful. Just treat it as an optional extra, not part of the stated package.
What the $114.28 price really covers
At $114.28 per person, the price is not simply payment for 45 minutes underwater. It includes the introductory briefing, complete equipment, an instructor, transport to the water, and the return to the El Médano center.
That package has solid value if you are starting from zero. Buying or hiring equipment separately would be inconvenient, and a first-time participant benefits from having one operator organize the practical details. The personal instruction is the most valuable part of the cost.
The value is less obvious if you already hold a scuba qualification or have substantial experience. In that case, a 45-minute session at 8 to 10 metres may feel limited. You might prefer to ask Medanodive about a longer session or a certified outing, though this particular product is designed for beginners.
The activity is listed as private for your party, which can make the price more appealing if you want personal attention. However, the additional information also says the maximum is one traveler. Because those details do not fully match, confirm whether your booking is private for one person or for a small party before paying.
Who should book this Tenerife experience?
I would recommend it to an adult or teenager aged 12 or older who can swim and wants to try scuba without committing to a full course. It is especially suitable if you feel nervous in the sea, since the instruction begins slowly and the guide remains with you.
It can also suit solo visitors. The friendly center atmosphere and personal contact before the session may help if you are arriving alone. Several instructors are described as approachable, and the briefing gives you a clear routine to follow.
Families should note the age rule. Children must be accompanied by an adult and able to swim. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not give medical restrictions or a detailed health questionnaire, so contact the operator if you have a condition that could affect scuba activity.
This is not the best choice if you want a full qualification, a long underwater route, or a guaranteed encounter with a particular animal. It is a first taste, with enough time to see how your body and mind respond to breathing below the surface.
Timing, cancellation, and small practical points
The start time is 8:30 in the morning at the El Médano center. The operator provides confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancelling or changing the booking less than 24 hours ahead is not accepted for a refund.
Service animals are allowed, and the center is near public transport. The activity is offered in English. Since no exclusions are listed, the stated package includes the baptism, equipment, instructor, and transport without a separate item being marked as excluded.
The listing says the activity has a maximum of one traveler, so this is worth checking if you are booking for more than one person. The description also calls it a private experience for your party. A quick message to Medanodive can remove that uncertainty before your day is fixed.
Should you book the underwater baptism?
Book it if you want a carefully guided first taste of scuba in Tenerife, especially if you are curious but a little nervous. The 45-minute session, full equipment, transport, and close instructor support make the $114.28 price reasonable for a first attempt.
I would choose it for the instruction rather than for a guaranteed turtle, dolphin, or shark sighting. Ask about the exact group size and current photo charge, arrive at Plaza Galicia before 8:30, and keep the rest of your morning flexible. If you finish wishing the session had lasted longer, that is probably a good sign that scuba has found you.
FAQ
Where does the experience begin?
It begins at the Medanodive center, Plaza Galicia local 8, in El Médano, Tenerife. The meeting point is after Boomerang Bar and opposite the post office.
What time should I arrive?
The stated start time is 8:30 am. Arrive at the Medanodive center for the scheduled start.
How long does the activity last?
The tour summary gives an approximate duration of three hours, while the experience title says three and a half hours. The underwater session itself lasts 45 minutes.
How deep will I go?
The first underwater session reaches between 8 and 10 metres. You remain with the instructor throughout.
Is equipment provided?
Yes. Complete equipment is included, along with the instructor and transport to the water and back to Medanodive in El Médano.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12. Children must be able to swim and must be accompanied by an adult.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refundable.
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