Scuba Diving in Turtle and Ray Area

Tenerife’s underwater world is the real show. This small-group scuba session in Abades Bay keeps things personal, with no more than two people per instructor, and brings you close to sting rays, turtles, angel sharks, and reef fish. I like the careful 30-minute briefing and the calm, step-by-step approach for first-timers. I also like that the bay is close to the academy, so much of your 2.5-hour outing is spent in the water rather than on a long transfer.

The strongest feature is the wildlife. You might see butterfly rays, trumpet fish, squid, snails, eels, or a small angel shark, though no wild animal sighting can be promised. The main drawback is the strict timing after your session: you cannot fly for 12 hours, and the booking is normally non-refundable if you cancel.

Key points to know before booking

• Very small groups: A maximum of two people take part, allowing the instructor to keep a close eye on every beginner.
• Abades Bay wildlife: Sting rays, butterfly rays, turtles, angel sharks, trumpet fish, squid, snails, and colorful reef fish have all been seen here.
• A gentle first session: Expect about 30 minutes of instruction and safety exercises before exploring the bay.
• Personal instruction: Levi, Csaba, and the wider team are praised for patience, warmth, and careful guidance.
• Short, practical format: The full outing lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with equipment, instruction, preparation, and time in the water.
• Plan around flying: Leave at least 12 hours between your underwater session and any flight.

Abades Bay makes a good first underwater outing

Abades is a useful setting for a first scuba experience because the bay and dive center are close together. You are not spending the day on a boat or waiting for a distant reef. The basic pattern is simple: arrive at the meeting point, learn the essentials, put on your equipment, complete a few safety exercises, then explore the bay with an instructor.

That simple setup matters. If you are nervous, fewer moving parts make the day easier. You can focus on breathing, body position, and listening to your instructor instead of worrying about a long boat ride or a crowded group.

The marine life gives the session a clear purpose. Abades Bay is home to sting rays, butterfly rays, turtles, angel sharks, and many reef fish. Additional sightings reported by the academy’s clients include trumpet fish, squid, snails, eels, and several rays. These are wild animals, so you should treat the list as a possibility, not a guarantee. Still, the range of creatures makes this more than a basic swimming lesson.

The 30-minute briefing sets the tone

The first part covers the basics of scuba equipment and what to expect underwater. You will then get kitted up before entering the water with your instructor.

For a newcomer, the briefing is not filler. It is when you learn how the equipment works and how to respond if something feels unfamiliar. The instructors also use this time to explain the sequence of the session, which can help settle first-time nerves.

You then complete several exercises to check that you are safe and comfortable. This is an important feature of the experience. The session does not simply hand you equipment and send you into the bay. You get a short trial period to practise and show that you can manage the basics.

I would pay close attention here, even if you have tried scuba before. A calm start usually leads to a better time underwater. If you are unsure about anything, this is the best moment to speak up.

Small groups make the experience feel personal

The maximum group size is two people. That is unusually intimate for a short introductory session and one of the clearest reasons to consider the price.

With such a small group, the instructor can watch your movements closely and adjust the pace to suit you. A confident participant is less likely to feel held back, while a nervous beginner has more room to pause and ask for help. This setup also suits families or couples who want to experience the bay together.

The instructors receive strong praise for being patient, friendly, and reassuring. Levi and Csaba are named as especially supportive members of the team. Other instructors have also been described as professional and kind, with a knack for helping new participants relax.

That human side matters more than fancy equipment or a long list of fish. Your first scuba session is partly about wildlife, but it is also about trust. You need to feel that the person beside you will notice if you are uncomfortable and explain things without making you feel rushed.

Entering the water after the safety exercises

Once the briefing and checks are finished, you enter the water with your instructor. The exact time spent exploring is not stated, since the two-and-a-half-hour estimate includes preparation and instruction, but the format is designed to get you into Abades Bay without delay.

The first moments underwater are likely to be the most demanding. You are getting used to breathing through the regulator, managing your equipment, and moving in an unfamiliar way. The instructors’ patient approach is useful here, especially for children and adults who have never tried scuba before.

The experience has been suitable for first-time participants, including children aged 11 and 14 in one family. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a full medical or age policy beyond that example. If you have a health concern, check with the operator before booking.

Once you settle in, the attention shifts to the bay. You might see schools of small fish moving around the reef, rays resting or gliding across the bottom, or a turtle passing through the area. Some sessions have also included trumpet fish and a small angel shark. An angel shark is an especially memorable sight because it can be easy to miss against the seabed.

What makes the wildlife worth the cost

At $106.94 per person, this is not the cheapest casual activity in Tenerife. But the price includes a structured introduction, equipment, an instructor, safety practice, and a close look at one of the island’s marine areas.

The maximum of two participants is the key value point. Many low-cost group outings save money by placing a large crowd with one instructor. Here, the small ratio means you are paying for attention as well as time in the water.

The bay also gives the outing a strong chance of variety. Sightings have included rays, turtles, reef fish, snails, squid, eels, trumpet fish, and an angel shark. You should not book it as a guaranteed turtle encounter, but the variety makes the experience appealing even if your favorite animal does not appear.

I would consider the price fair for a first scuba session if personal instruction is important to you. Experienced certified scuba participants may want to ask whether this specific activity matches their level, since the format is built around basics and supervised exploration rather than an advanced technical outing.

A calm choice for families and beginners

This session suits people who want a first taste of scuba without committing to a full course. It also works well for families with older children, couples, and anyone who prefers a quiet, closely supervised setting.

The age example in the supplied information shows children aged 11 and 14 taking part successfully. That does not replace checking the current rules for your own children, but it indicates that the experience can suit young participants who are comfortable in the water and able to follow instructions.

The activity may also suit older adults. One participant approaching 60 completed demanding training with the same academy and described the team as supportive at every step. That story concerns a longer professional program, not this short session, but it does show the instructors are used to working with people from different age groups and backgrounds.

If you already hold scuba qualifications, you may find the basic instruction familiar. Still, the wildlife and the small group could make it worthwhile, especially if you want a relaxed outing in Abades Bay rather than a full-day program.

Meeting point, pickup, and timing

The listed meeting point is C. 16 de Mayo, B8, 38588 Abades, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at this same meeting point.

Pickup is offered. The vehicle is described as a green minivan with license plate 1327 MWS. If you use the pickup option, confirm the exact arrangement before setting out, since the published information does not give a pickup timetable or a full list of collection locations.

The stated operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, for the period September 30 through November 30, 2026. The session itself takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Build in extra time around it for changing, arrival, and any pickup arrangements.

The activity is offered in English, and you receive confirmation when you book. A mobile ticket is available, so you do not need to rely on a paper voucher.

Weather, cancellation, and the flight rule

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is reassuring, but the ordinary cancellation policy is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment.

For that reason, I would avoid booking it on the last possible day of your holiday. Give yourself some flexibility in case the sea or weather prevents the session from going ahead.

The no-fly rule needs equal attention. You cannot fly for 12 hours after the scuba session. Do not schedule this activity close to your departure time, even if the session itself ends early. A morning outing may fit an evening flight, but you should leave a proper safety margin and follow the operator’s instructions.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The maximum group size is two participants, which is one of the most useful practical details in the entire offering.

Who should book this Abades scuba session?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A first scuba experience with close instructor support
• A short activity rather than a full-day commitment
• A chance to see rays, turtles, reef fish, and other marine life
• A personal session with no more than two participants
• An English-language experience in a calm bay setting
• An activity suitable for families with older children, subject to confirming current requirements

I would think twice if you need a fully flexible booking, have a flight within 12 hours, or want advanced scuba work. The no-change policy is strict, and the session focuses on basics rather than specialist training.

The academy also runs more serious programs, including rescue work, night sessions, deep-water training, and divemaster preparation. Those are separate experiences, so do not assume this short outing includes them. The benefit here is simplicity: you get a guided introduction and a chance to explore the bay without signing up for a larger course.

My booking advice

I like this experience because it keeps the focus where it belongs: patient instruction, a small group, and time among Tenerife’s marine life. The instructors’ warm manner is a major part of the value, especially when you are learning to breathe and move underwater for the first time.

Book it if you can protect the time before and after the session, accept that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and value personal attention over the lowest possible price. If those points fit your plans, Abades Bay offers a friendly and practical introduction to scuba, with a real chance of seeing rays, colorful fish, and perhaps the turtle or angel shark you hoped for.

FAQ

Where does the scuba session begin?

It begins at C. 16 de Mayo, B8, 38588 Abades, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered in a green minivan with license plate 1327 MWS.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people are in each group?

The activity has a maximum of two participants.

Can I fly after the session?

No. You cannot fly for 12 hours after your scuba session.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.