SSI basic diver In Tenerife – 2 Dives

Try scuba without committing to a full certification. This five-hour SSI Basic Diver course in Tenerife gives you two supervised underwater sessions, full equipment, insurance, and a professional instructor at a useful starting price of $160.75 per person. I like the small maximum group of six and the calm, step-by-step approach, especially for anyone who feels nervous about breathing underwater. The course also counts toward later SSI training, so your first experience can become part of a longer plan.

I also like the personal care described by the instructors. Chris has been praised for patience with first-timers and for helping a nervous participant regain confidence. The main point to consider is that this is still an introductory course, not a full open-water qualification. You reach a maximum depth of 12 meters on the second session, but you will not finish with the freedom of a certified scuba diver.

Key points to know before booking

• Two sea sessions in one morning: The first builds comfort and basic skills, while the second reaches up to 12 meters.
• Small groups of up to six: You should receive more direct attention than in a large class.
• Equipment and insurance included: You do not need to arrange your own mask, tank, or other standard gear.
• Patient instructors matter here: Chris, Mariona, Steph, and Ismael are named in the feedback, with praise for calm teaching and clear preparation.
• Useful for future SSI training: Part of this course can be credited toward Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver training.
• Early start in El Médano: Meet at Av. Magallanes, 5, at 8:00 am, then return to the same point.

What this five-hour SSI course actually gives you

The SSI Basic Diver course is designed for people who want more than a quick introduction but are not yet ready to commit to full certification. You learn basic underwater skills, complete two sessions, and get a clear sense of how scuba feels in the sea.

That middle ground is the course’s main strength. A short one-time tryout can end just as you begin to feel comfortable. Here, you get a first session to settle in, then a second session to use those skills with more freedom. I find that progression useful because breathing through a regulator often feels odd at first, even for confident swimmers.

The course lasts around five hours in total. The scheduled start is 8:00 am at Av. Magallanes, 5, in El Médano. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you should plan your morning around the full session rather than expecting a quick one-hour sample.

You do not need to bring scuba equipment. The fee includes the course, two underwater sessions, an instructor, equipment, and insurance. The package has no listed exclusions, which makes the $160.75 price easier to assess. You are paying not only for time in the water, but also for instruction, gear, supervision, and basic cover.

The first session: getting comfortable underwater

The first underwater session is about trust and control. You meet the team, learn how the equipment works, and practice breathing underwater under the instructor’s close supervision.

The exercises are described as basic and easy. That is good news for a beginner. You are not expected to perform advanced skills right away. Instead, the instructor helps you become familiar with the feeling of using a regulator, staying calm, and moving while supported by scuba equipment.

This is also the part where patience matters most. One person who took a first scuba experience with the team said Chris helped when fear set in. That detail is worth taking seriously. Many first-timers do not struggle with fitness or swimming. They struggle with the unfamiliar feeling of breathing in a new way. A calm instructor can make the difference between forcing yourself through the session and actually enjoying it.

You remain under the instructor’s supervision throughout. The first session is not meant to test how brave you are. It is meant to give you enough comfort and security to continue.

The group limit of six should help here. A smaller group gives the instructor a better chance to notice when you need another explanation or a slower pace. It also means your first session is less likely to feel like a crowd moving through a checklist.

The second session: up to 12 meters around the reef

Once you have practiced the basics, the second session gives you more time to enjoy the underwater setting. The maximum depth is 12 meters, where you can experience weightlessness and explore the reef and its surroundings.

That depth is enough to make the second session feel different from a shallow practice. You can focus less on the equipment and more on the sensation of moving through the water. The point is not speed or distance. It is learning how controlled movement, breathing, and buoyancy work together.

The course description does not promise a particular marine animal, visibility level, or named reef site. That is useful to remember when setting expectations. You will explore the seabed and reef area, but exact conditions can vary. The experience is best chosen for the chance to learn and observe underwater, not for a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

One account describes two sessions in the bay at Abades with instructor Ismael. Another praises the team for choosing good sites and providing photos afterward. The available information does not promise photos with every booking, so treat that as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed part of the package.

The second session is where the course can become genuinely enjoyable for someone who began uncertain. You have already practiced the basic skills, and you can now use them in a wider setting. Still, the maximum depth remains 12 meters, and the instructor stays with you. This is supervised training, not independent scuba travel.

The instructors and the feel of a small group

The human side of this course receives the strongest praise. Chris is described as relaxed, friendly, patient, and informative. Steph is praised for giving detailed and sympathetic Basic Diver instruction. Ismael led two sessions in Abades, and the wider team, including Mariona, was described as friendly and supportive from advance contact through the day itself.

That consistency matters. Good equipment is important, but a beginner also needs clear instructions and a guide who does not make nerves feel embarrassing. The feedback points to an operation that takes communication seriously, including help before arrival through WhatsApp.

The maximum group size is six people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to allow personal attention. If all six places are filled, you will still share the instructor. Even so, the group size is more reassuring than a large class for a first underwater experience.

The course is suitable for people who can swim and for children aged 12 or older when accompanied by an adult. Children must be able to swim. The information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It also notes that the meeting point is near public transportation.

Price and value at $160.75

At $160.75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Tenerife. The value depends on what you want from the experience.

If you only want to try breathing underwater for a few minutes, a shorter introductory session could cost less. This course makes more sense if you want two separate sessions, a proper lesson, full equipment, insurance, and a possible credit toward future SSI training.

The included insurance removes one practical worry. So does the equipment package. You do not need to rent the major items separately or arrive with your own scuba kit. The instructor is included too, which is essential for a beginner and especially valuable for anyone who feels unsure in open water.

The future-training credit adds another layer of value. If you later continue toward SSI Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver certification, part of this course can be discounted as part of that training. That does not mean you finish certified. It means the morning may count toward the next step rather than becoming a one-off experience with no further use.

I would consider the price fair for a five-hour, small-group course with two sessions, but only if you want a real introduction to scuba. If your schedule is tight or you are undecided about getting in the water at all, the time commitment may feel large.

How to prepare for the 8:00 am meeting

The meeting point is Av. Magallanes, 5, 38612 El Médano, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Start time is 8:00 am, and the activity returns there when finished.

Arrive ready for a full morning. The course includes preparation, instruction, equipment setup, and two sessions, so the five-hour estimate is more useful than planning around the time spent underwater alone.

You should also think honestly about your comfort in water. The course is made for beginners, but children must be able to swim, and scuba requires you to stay calm while following instructions. If you are nervous, that is not automatically a reason to avoid it. It is a reason to tell the instructor clearly at the start.

Confirmation is sent at booking. If the selected day is unavailable, the operator will try to arrange another date. If that cannot be done, you receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund.

What this course does not include

The biggest limitation is the certification level. The experience provides basic training and two supervised sessions, but it does not make you an independent certified scuba diver.

That distinction matters if you are planning a future holiday around scuba. You will need additional training for Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver certification. The good news is that this course is intended to lead into those SSI options, and part of the work can be discounted later.

You should also avoid booking this solely for a promised wildlife encounter. The course includes reef exploration, but no specific species, visibility, or photographic package is guaranteed in the supplied details. The best reason to book is the chance to learn the basics in a controlled setting.

Another consideration is the early start. An 8:00 am meeting works well if you want to keep the rest of the day free, but it may not suit anyone who prefers a slow holiday morning. The activity takes about five hours, and you return to the starting point afterward.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this course to an adult or teenager aged 12 and over who can swim and wants a serious first step into scuba. It suits you especially well if you want two sessions rather than a brief sample, or if you may continue with SSI training later.

It is also a good match for families or pairs who want to learn together, provided younger participants are accompanied by an adult. The small group and close instructor supervision should help people who are curious but nervous.

You may want a different option if you already hold a certification, want a very deep session, or care mainly about a particular marine animal. The 12-meter limit and beginner focus are deliberate. They keep the course accessible, but they also limit what experienced scuba participants may find exciting.

Should you book the Medanodive Basic Diver course?

Book it if you want a careful, structured first experience with two chances to become comfortable underwater. The strongest reasons are the small group limit, included equipment and insurance, patient instruction, and the chance to apply the course toward later SSI training.

I would be particularly comfortable recommending it to someone who feels nervous about the first session. Chris’s calm support, along with the positive comments about Steph, Ismael, Mariona, and the wider Medanodive team, suggests that beginners receive real attention rather than being rushed through.

Skip it if you want a full qualification in one morning or if you are looking for an advanced underwater trip. For everyone else, $160.75 is a reasonable price for a five-hour introduction that can become the first part of a larger SSI plan.

FAQ

Where does the SSI Basic Diver course meet?

It begins at Av. Magallanes, 5, 38612 El Médano, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the course start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The course lasts approximately five hours.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two underwater sessions are included. The first focuses on basic breathing and simple exercises. The second allows exploration to a maximum depth of 12 meters.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the course, two underwater sessions, an instructor, scuba equipment, and insurance. No exclusions are listed.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to swim.

Can this course help with later certification?

Yes. The course is valid for following SSI courses. If you continue toward Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver certification, part of the course can be discounted as part of that training.