Apnea Academy West Europe

Apnea Academy West Europe is an international diving and freediving hub situated in the La Caleta de Adeje area of Tenerife. Established in 2016, the centre operates as part of the Umberto Pelizzari group, bringing a high level of expertise to the Canary Islands.

The centre is designed to cater to a wide variety of underwater disciplines. While they maintain a strong focus on the technical nuances of apnea, they also provide comprehensive scuba diving programmes and marine excursions for those looking to explore the local volcanic coastline.

The centre is affiliated with PSS and operates with an international mindset. Instruction is delivered in English, Spanish, and Italian, making it an accessible base for divers from across Europe.

The team provides training across several disciplines, including scuba diving, freediving through the Apnea Academy International programmes, and specialised courses in spearfishing and underwater photography. Their approach integrates marine biology into their excursions, often utilising marine biology guides to enhance the snorkeling experience.

The training catalogue covers the full spectrum of diver development. You can start with your Open Water Diver certification and progress through to Divemaster levels.

Specialised training is a core component of the academy, with dedicated Apnea Academy International courses available. For those looking to hone specific skills, the centre also offers spearfishing courses and underwater photography training.

For those opting for snorkeling excursions, certain packages include essential kit such as wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins. The centre is well-equipped to support a variety of water sports beyond diving, including kayaking and paddle surfing.

The volcanic structures and reef flats are home to a variety of larger marine species. You can regularly encounter rays (Batoidea), turtles, and whales, alongside various species of manta rays.

In the rocky areas and among the seafloor formations, look for groupers (Epinephelinae) and moray eels (Muraenidae). You will also find various species of octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and several types of crabs, including spider crabs.

The macro life and smaller inhabitants add significant detail to the dives. Keep an eye out for seahorses (Hippocampus), nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), and various species of shrimp, such as cleaner shrimp (Lysmata), amongst the colourful anemones and sponges (Porifera).

The area is accessible for diving year-round. The volcanic nature of the coastline creates varied underwater topography, from shallow plateaus to more complex rock formations.