Aquarius Dive Center SL

Located in the south of Tenerife, Aquarius Dive Center SL has been operating for over 34 years. The centre provides access to the warm, clear waters of the Canary Islands through both daily shore dives and boat excursions.

As a PADI 5 Star IDC centre and a dedicated PADI TecRec facility, the shop caters to a wide spectrum of divers. Whether you are looking for your first breath underwater or training for complex technical decompression diving, the centre is equipped to handle both.

The centre operates as a PADI 5 Star IDC, meaning they are qualified to train both divers and professional-level candidates, including Divemasters and Instructor candidates. Their long-standing presence on the island has established them as a cornerstone of the local diving community.

They maintain a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, actively participating in marine conservation via the PADI AWARE Adopt the Blue programme. This focus extends to their local involvement, including a Scubapro-sponsored Wrecks Mapping Project to document and map the historic vessels around Tenerife.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full range of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving, moving through Open Water Diver, Adventure Diver, and Advanced Diver. The centre also offers specialised training such as PADI Deep Diver, Night Diver, and Wreck Diver.

For those moving into technical territory, the centre is a TecRec facility. They offer a comprehensive suite of technical courses including PADI Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50, Tec Combo, and Tec Sidemount. They also provide training for specialized skills like Sidemount Diver, DSMB Diver, and Underwater Navigator.

Daily departures from the centre include both shore-based and boat diving. The boat trips typically involve a short transit, such as the five-minute journey to the El Condesito wreck site. The mooring for these dives is located roughly 30 metres from the drop-off, allowing for efficient entries and exits.

The centre is a Scubapro dealer and demo centre, offering full equipment hire for those travelling without their own kit. They also provide essential equipment maintenance services on-site.

For gas management, the facility includes a refill station providing Air, Nitrox, and Trimix. This makes it a reliable hub for technical divers requiring specific gas blends for deep or decompression dives.

The volcanic reefs and walls are home to a variety of larger species, including Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), bream, and schools of fish. You can often spot rays, including butterfly rays and Atlantic stingrays (Hypanus americanus), gliding over the seabed, while moray eels (Muraenidae) are frequently found near the rocky edges.

In the deeper waters and around the wrecks, look out for larger pelagics and interesting residents like the lizardfish and trumpetfish (Aulostomidae). Schools of snapper (Lutjanus) and various wrasse (Labridae) add movement to the reef structures.

Macro life is abundant for those with a keen eye, including nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and various species of shrimp (Caridea). You may also encounter crabs (Brachyura), sea slugs, and colourful anemones (Actiniaria) tucked into the crevices.

During the winter period, angel sharks (Squatina) are known to be present in the area. The reefs are also populated by various corals and sponges (Porifera) that provide the essential structure for the local ecosystem.

Diving in South Tenerife is possible all year round. The centre organises daily morning departures to take advantage of the best local conditions.