Tenerife: Puerto Colon Certified Scuba Dive by Speed Boat

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is the change of pace: you leave the marina by speedboat, then trade Tenerife’s busy shoreline for an underwater hour at one of up to 20 possible sites. It is a compact way to see the coast from two angles, with a certified instructor beside you.

I like the small group of no more than nine, which gives the guide room to help with equipment and keep the briefing clear. I also like that the $59 price includes the boat, full scuba gear, an instructor, and insurance, so you do not need to rent the basics separately.

The main thing to consider is that conditions can change. One recent account described the sea as unsafe and poorly managed, while other feedback praised the instructors, including Leon. Ask about the day’s conditions before committing to the water.

Key points to know before you book

• Up to 20 southern Tenerife sites: The exact location depends on conditions and the day’s plan.
• About one hour underwater: The two-hour outing also includes paperwork, preparation, boat travel, and the return process.
• Speedboat access: The ride to the site takes roughly 5 to 25 minutes, depending on location.
• Small group format: The maximum group size is nine participants.
• Full equipment included: You receive a wetsuit, fins, boots, mask, BCD, regulator, and related gear.
• Certification required: This is for certified scuba participants, not first-time discover scuba guests.

Leaving Puerto Colón by speedboat

You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 and next to Cafe Black Pearl. The entrance to the center is at the back, so give yourself enough time to find the doorway rather than searching along the main waterfront.

The first part is practical. You complete the required paperwork, receive a safety briefing, and get fitted with your equipment. The staff provide a wetsuit, fins, boots, mask, buoyancy control device, regulator, and other essential gear.

You then set up the kit at the center and check that everything works before leaving. I like this step because it puts the equipment check on land, where you can ask questions without the distraction of waves, engine noise, or a tight boat deck.

The safety briefing lasts about 30 minutes. That is a substantial part of a two-hour activity, but it is not wasted time. You need to understand the site plan, entry method, signals, and how the group will stay together. The briefing also gives you a chance to tell the instructor about any concerns before you board.

The speedboat ride generally lasts from 5 to 25 minutes. A nearby site means more time for the underwater session. A farther site gives you a longer ride along the southern coast, but less flexibility if the sea is rough or the schedule runs tight.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. You see the coast from the water and reach sites that are less convenient from shore. Keep your swimwear on under your clothes, bring a towel, and expect a straightforward marina-to-sea transition rather than a long sightseeing cruise.

Choosing a site along Tenerife’s south coast

The center can use up to 20 sites around southern Tenerife. The information provided does not name each site or promise a particular reef, wreck, animal, or depth. That is useful to understand before booking, because the location is selected according to the day’s plan and sea conditions.

At some sites, the boat anchors. At others, you may make a drift session, meaning the boat does not remain fixed while you move with the current under the guide’s direction. These are different experiences, and the staff explain the plan before you enter the water.

You receive a site briefing before departure. Listen closely here. You will want to know how the group enters, where you meet the guide, how the boat is positioned, and what happens at the end of the underwater portion.

The choice of several sites is a strength, since the operator has room to select an appropriate location instead of forcing every group into one fixed spot. It also means you should not book this expecting one exact underwater scene. The flexibility is useful, but the experience is less predictable than a tour built around a single named attraction.

What happens once you enter the water

When the boat reaches the site, you put on your mask, fins, and weight belt. The instructor helps you with the rest of the equipment, then you enter with a backward roll from the boat and meet the guide at the front.

That entry method is standard for boat-based scuba outings, but it can feel brisk if you have not used it recently. You should be comfortable with your certification skills and with entering from a boat. If you need extra time, speak up before the group is ready to enter.

The guide leads the underwater portion and points out marine life along the way. The supplied information does not promise particular species, so treat the marine-life viewing as an open-ended part of the outing. You may find the most value in the chance to observe Tenerife’s underwater environment with a guide, rather than in chasing one guaranteed animal.

The underwater portion lasts about one hour. That is enough time to make the trip worthwhile, though the total time in the water is not the same as the two-hour booking length. Paperwork, the equipment check, the safety talk, loading, and the return to the center all take part of the schedule.

The group limit of nine is helpful here. A small group should make it easier for the instructor to watch the participants, answer questions, and help with equipment. It does not turn the outing into a private session, and the exact amount of personal attention depends on how many people attend and how the site operates that day.

Returning to shore and washing the equipment

After the underwater session, the group brings the equipment back onto the boat and returns to Puerto Colón. Back at the center, you wash the equipment and talk through what you saw, how the session felt, and what interested you.

This debrief is a nice touch for certified participants. It gives you a chance to ask about the site and clarify anything that was unclear underwater. The center can also stamp your logbook, which is useful if you keep a record of your scuba outings.

Photos and videos are not included. They are available to purchase after the activity. If you want an underwater record, treat that as an extra cost rather than part of the $59 package.

What the $59 price really covers

At $59 per person, this is a fair price for a short boat-based scuba outing because the essential pieces are bundled together. You receive the boat ride, full scuba equipment, a certified instructor, and full insurance as part of the activity.

The value is strongest if you need to rent all your gear. A wetsuit, fins, boots, mask, BCD, regulator, and weights can add up quickly when booked separately. Here, the equipment fitting and pre-session checks are built into the visit.

The price is less compelling if you already have personal equipment and are looking for a long underwater session. You are paying for the boat access, instruction, equipment support, and site planning as well as the time underwater.

There is one insurance detail worth checking. Scuba insurance is mandatory in Spain, and the center says policies are available for purchase if you do not already have coverage. The activity also lists full insurance as included. Before arrival, confirm exactly what the included policy covers and whether you need to buy a separate policy based on your circumstances.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your schedule is still changing. You can reserve a place without paying immediately, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The activity lasts two hours, with start times based on availability.

The instructors and languages

Guidance is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. That is useful during the equipment check and safety briefing, where small misunderstandings matter more than they do on a simple boat trip.

Leon is specifically associated with the instruction team in the available feedback. If working with him matters to you, ask the center if he is scheduled for your date rather than assuming he will lead every departure.

The strongest positive comments focus on professional instruction and a memorable first session with Leon. That matches the main reason to choose this outing: you are not simply renting a boat and equipment, you are entering the water with a certified guide.

Still, one serious warning should not be brushed aside. A recent participant described the session as unsafe, chaotic, and affected by conditions that should have prevented it. That is a direct reason to ask about the sea, visibility, and site choice before entering the water. If the conditions feel wrong, raise the issue and make sure you understand your options.

Who will get the most from this outing

This experience suits certified scuba participants who want a short coastal session during a Tenerife holiday. It works well if you are staying near Puerto Colón and prefer a small group rather than a large boat with many people.

It also suits you if you enjoy variety. The operator can use several sites, and the boat ride adds a coastal view before the underwater portion. You get a complete outing without giving up most of your day.

It is less suitable for a first-ever scuba experience. A diving certification is required, and the activity specifically excludes divers without certification. Pregnant women cannot participate.

You should also be comfortable with the physical routine of boat scuba: carrying or wearing equipment, preparing at the center, entering by backward roll, and following the guide’s instructions underwater. If you have not been in the water recently, use the briefing to discuss that openly.

Practical preparation for Puerto Colón

Bring swimwear and a towel. All essential scuba equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask, fins, wetsuit, BCD, or regulator unless you prefer to use personal gear.

Bring your diving certification as well. The activity is not designed for uncertified participants, and the certification requirement is part of the booking conditions.

Arrive at Zero Gravity Tenerife by locating dock 3 and Cafe Black Pearl first. The center entrance is behind the main waterfront position, so the meeting point can be easy to miss if you only look for a sign facing the harbor.

Keep the schedule flexible around the activity. The boat trip may be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 25 minutes, and the chosen site can affect how the outing unfolds. Do not plan a tight appointment immediately afterward.

Ask three simple questions before boarding:

• Which site are we using today?
• Is the boat anchoring or will this be a drift session?
• What are the current sea conditions and visibility?

These questions do not replace the formal briefing, but they help you understand the plan before you are wearing the full kit.

Should you book this Puerto Colón scuba outing?

Book it if you are certified, want a reasonably priced boat-based scuba session, and value a small group with multilingual instruction. The mix of speedboat travel, site choice, included gear, and about one hour underwater gives you a solid half-day-style experience in a compact two-hour format.

I would be more cautious if sea conditions look poor or if you need a guaranteed site, specific marine animal, or long underwater session. The recent safety complaint makes it especially important to ask about conditions and speak up if the operation feels rushed.

For a certified visitor staying near Puerto Colón, this is a practical choice at $59, provided the day’s water conditions are suitable and you confirm the insurance details before entering the sea.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

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

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts two hours. This includes the briefing, preparation, boat travel, about one hour of marine-life viewing and scuba activity, and the return to the center.

How long is the speedboat ride?

The boat ride to the site can take between 5 and 25 minutes, depending on the location selected. The return boat ride is listed as about 15 minutes in the standard schedule.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. The activity includes a wetsuit, fins, boots, mask, BCD, regulator, and other essential scuba equipment.

Do I need a certification?

Yes. You must have a diving certification. The activity is not suitable for divers without certification.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.