Tenerife: Puerto Colon Certified Scuba Dive by Speed Boat

The best part of this two-hour Puerto Colón outing is the change of pace: first you skim along Tenerife’s southern coast by speedboat, then you leave the surface behind for an hour of guided underwater exploring. With up to 20 possible sites, the crew can choose according to conditions and the day’s plan.

I like the small group of no more than nine people, which should make it easier to get help with your equipment and stay near your instructor. I also like that the $59 price includes the boat, full scuba gear, a certified guide, and insurance. The main concern is sea conditions. One recent experience praised the professional instructors, while another described the conditions as unsafe and poorly handled, so ask about the day’s plan before leaving the center.

Key points at a glance

• Puerto Colón departure: Find Zero Gravity Tenerife in front of dock 3, beside Cafe Black Pearl, with the entrance at the back.
• Up to 20 underwater sites: Your location depends on conditions and the day’s choice of site.
• Five to 25 minutes by speedboat: The ride is part of the outing, not just transport.
• About one hour underwater: A certified instructor guides the activity from the boat.
• Small groups: The maximum is nine participants, with English, Spanish, French, and Italian available.
• Certification and insurance required: Bring proof of certification, and confirm your insurance before arrival.

From Puerto Colón to Tenerife’s southern coast

You begin at Zero Gravity Tenerife, located in Puerto Colón. Look for the center in front of dock 3, next to Cafe Black Pearl. The entrance is at the back, so allow a few extra minutes to find it rather than arriving at the last second with your towel tucked under one arm.

The first step is paperwork and a safety briefing. The listed schedule gives this part about 30 minutes, which is useful time rather than dead time. You’ll complete the required forms, discuss the plan, and hear about the site before getting on the boat.

The center then fits you with a wetsuit, boots, fins, mask, BCD, regulator, and weights. You set up the equipment at the center and check that everything works. I like this arrangement because it gives you a chance to ask questions on land, where it is easier to hear the answers and sort out a loose strap or unfamiliar piece of gear.

The activity is for certified scuba participants only. You should bring your certification, swimwear, and a towel. Essential equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask or regulator unless you prefer to use personal gear, though the supplied details do not specify whether personal equipment is permitted.

The speedboat ride adds real scenery

Once the group is ready, you board the speedboat at Puerto Colón. The ride to the selected site can take anywhere from five to 25 minutes, while the sample schedule allows about 15 minutes each way. That range matters. A nearby site gives you more time with the underwater portion, while a farther site gives you a longer ride along the coast.

I like having the boat ride built into the experience instead of being driven to a separate center and sent underwater from a quiet shore. You get an open-water view of southern Tenerife, and the short journey makes the whole activity feel like a small coastal expedition without taking up half a day.

The exact site is not fixed. The operator has access to as many as 20 sites around the south of Tenerife, and the choice depends on the plan and conditions. That variety is helpful for repeat visitors and for a crew trying to match the location to the day. It also means you should not book this expecting one named reef, wreck, or guaranteed animal encounter. The information provided does not promise a particular species or underwater feature.

At the site, the boat may anchor. It may also remain unanchored for a drift outing. Your instructor will explain which approach applies and what to expect before you enter the water. If you are uneasy about a moving boat or changing conditions, this is the right moment to ask for a clear explanation.

Getting ready for the water

Before entering, you put on your mask, fins, and weight belt. The guide helps you with the full equipment, which is especially useful when you are wearing a wetsuit and BCD on a compact boat.

Entry is by a backward roll from the boat. Once in the water, you meet the guide at the front of the boat before starting the underwater portion. This procedure is standard for a boat-based scuba activity, but it is worth knowing in advance if you have only entered from a beach or swimming pool.

The center checks the gear before departure, yet you should still pay attention during the final preparation. Make sure your mask feels comfortable, your regulator is easy to use, and your weights are secure. You are not being difficult by asking for a small adjustment. A calm start makes the first few minutes far more pleasant.

The instructor’s job is not only to lead you around. The guide also manages the group, helps with equipment, and responds to conditions. Recent praise singled out the instructors as professional, and Leon was specifically praised for making a first session unforgettable. At the same time, one recent account raised a serious concern about unsafe conditions and poor organization. That contrast makes a quick pre-entry conversation important. Ask where the group will go, how the conditions look, and what happens if the site is not suitable.

About an hour beneath the surface

The underwater portion lasts about one hour in the sample plan. You will be guided through the selected site, with time to observe marine life and the underwater setting around southern Tenerife.

The supplied details do not promise particular animals, visibility, depth, or a special feature at each location. That is actually useful to know before you book. You are paying for guided access to a choice of sites, not a guaranteed wildlife show. Marine conditions can change, and the final experience will depend on the site selected and the day’s conditions.

I would approach this as a guided coastal scuba outing rather than a full-day expedition. The one-hour underwater period is long enough to feel worthwhile, but short enough to fit into a busy Tenerife schedule. You might pair it with an afternoon at the resort, a meal at Puerto Colón, or another activity that does not require a full day of travel.

The small group limit should help. With no more than nine participants, the guide can keep the group together more easily than on a large boat. Still, nine people is not a private session. If you want one-to-one instruction or a very slow pace, ask the center what group size is expected on your date.

Languages are English, Spanish, French, and Italian. That choice is practical, especially when safety instructions need to be understood clearly. You should book in a language in which you can follow equipment instructions and emergency guidance without hesitation.

Returning to Puerto Colón and finishing the session

After the underwater portion, everyone brings the equipment back aboard. The boat returns to the center, with the return journey taking about five to 25 minutes depending on the site.

Back at Zero Gravity Tenerife, you wash the equipment and talk through the session. The staff can discuss what you saw, how the experience felt, and what was interesting. The center can also sign your logbook with its stamp, a small but useful touch if you keep records of your certified outings.

Photos and videos are not included in the $59 price. They are available to purchase after the activity. If you want images, treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the package. The supplied information does not state how many images are offered or what they cost, so ask at the center if that matters to you.

The final debrief also gives you a chance to raise any concerns. If the water felt rough, the group became separated, or the equipment did not feel right, speak up before leaving. A quick conversation is more useful than trying to remember details later.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 per person, this is a reasonable price for a short, equipment-included outing. The package covers the speedboat, full scuba equipment, a certified instructor, and full insurance. Those inclusions matter because equipment rental and insurance can quickly make a low headline price less useful.

The value is strongest if you already hold a certification and want a compact way to get underwater during a stay in Tenerife. You avoid arranging separate gear rental, boat transport, and an instructor. The two-hour format also works well if you are staying near Puerto Colón and do not want to sacrifice an entire day.

There are a few limits. Photos and videos cost extra, diving insurance is mandatory in Spain, and the provided information says policies can be purchased if you do not already have insurance. Confirm the insurance arrangement before you arrive, because it is not a detail to leave until the boat is ready.

You also need to accept some uncertainty about the site. The operator has up to 20 locations, but you do not choose from a fixed list in the information provided. A lower price makes sense for a flexible, short outing, but it is not the best choice if you need a specific wreck, animal, depth, or guaranteed visibility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Tenerife plans are still moving around. Check the available start times before booking, since the total duration is two hours but the exact departure schedule is not fixed here.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Colón outing?

This experience suits certified divers who want a simple introduction to Tenerife’s southern coast from the water. It is especially handy for you if you are staying near Puerto Colón, prefer a small group, and want equipment included.

It also suits someone who values guidance over independent exploration. You will complete the equipment setup with the center, receive a site briefing, enter with help from the guide, and finish with a debrief. That structure is reassuring when you know your certification but have not been underwater recently.

The activity is not suitable for anyone without certification or for pregnant women. The operator does not describe it as a beginner or try-out session, so do not assume that a first-time participant can join without a scuba qualification.

I would also think carefully if you are uncomfortable with boat movement, backward-roll entry, or changing site plans. The boat journey can be short, but the group may visit a site up to 25 minutes away. Ask direct questions about conditions and the planned location before committing.

Practical ways to prepare

Arrive ready to work through the paperwork and fitting process. Bring your swimwear, towel, and certification, and wear something easy to change out of after the session.

Keep your schedule flexible around the two-hour block. The published plan includes roughly 30 minutes for the safety briefing, 15 minutes by boat, about one hour underwater, and 15 minutes back. The actual boat time can vary from five to 25 minutes each way.

Do not judge the activity only by the underwater hour. The preparation is part of the safety system, and the boat ride gives you coastal views. At the same time, do not let the speedboat setting distract you from the key question: are the conditions suitable on your date?

If you want photographs, ask about the optional package before entering the water. If you keep a logbook, pack it or bring the details needed for the center to add its stamp after the session.

Should you book it?

I would book this outing if you are certified, staying near Puerto Colón, and want a reasonably priced coastal session with gear, insurance, a speedboat, and a certified instructor included. The small group and multilingual staff are useful advantages, and the praise for instructors, including Leon, gives the experience a personal touch.

I would pause before booking if you need guaranteed calm conditions or a named underwater attraction. One strongly negative account described unsafe conditions, while other recent experiences praised the instructors, so conditions and organization deserve a direct check on the day.

For the best match, ask Zero Gravity Tenerife which site is planned, how the sea looks, and what insurance is included before departure. If the answers are clear and the conditions are suitable, this is a good-value, compact way to explore Tenerife from below the surface.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is two hours. The sample schedule includes a 30-minute safety briefing, about 15 minutes by speedboat, one hour underwater, and about 15 minutes returning by boat. Actual boat times can range from five to 25 minutes.

Is scuba equipment included?

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

Do I need certification?

Yes. You must be a certified diver and should bring your diving certification. The activity is not suitable for divers without certification.

Is insurance included?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later, subject to availability.