Scubafriends

Scubafriends is a PADI 5 Star IDC centre situated in the SalYTien Commercial Centre in Las Americas, Adeje. It serves as a professional hub for divers looking to explore the volcanic coastline of Tenerife, offering a structured environment for both recreational and technical diving.

The centre is officially authorised by the Government of the Canary Islands and operates with a focus on eco-sustainable practices. This approach ensures that while you explore the local reefs and underwater topography, the integrity of the marine ecosystem is respected and protected.

The centre is led by a resident PADI Course Director who provides a high level of expertise, particularly for those pursuing technical specialties. The instruction is personalised, moving away from mass tourism to focus on the specific needs of the individual diver.

To maintain safety and quality of instruction, the centre operates with small groups, typically limiting divers to five or six people per guide. This ratio allows for closer supervision during both guided explorations and formal training programmes.

The team is international and multilingual, with the ability to communicate in English, Italian, Spanish, and German, making it easy to navigate course theory and dive briefings.

The training catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver courses, progressing through Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver levels.

For those looking to turn diving into a profession, the centre offers Divemaster and Instructor Development Course (IDC) programmes. The technical side of the curriculum is particularly robust, featuring PADI Tec Rec training including Tec Deep Diver, Tec 50, and Trimix 66.

The centre provides a range of equipment for hire, including regulators, wetsuits, and fins. For those interested in night diving, torches are available to ensure you can explore the reef after sunset.

Safety is a priority on-site, with oxygen availability provided for emergency use. The centre is easily accessible, with underground parking located just ten metres from the facility.

The waters around Tenerife host a diverse array of large pelagics and reef species. You can encounter dolphins (Delphinidae), pilot whales, and sea turtles (Cheloniidae) during your dives. Schools of fish, including barracuda schools and various snapper (Lutjanus) and grouper (Epinephelus) species, are common sights around the reef structures.

On the sandy bottoms and rocky outcrops, you are likely to spot rays, including stingrays, eagle rays (Aetobatus), and Atlantic stingrays. The area is also known for sightings of the endangered Angelshark (Squatina) and various species of sharks, such as the Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).

Macro life and smaller inhabitants add significant interest to the local reefs. Divers can find octopus (Octopus vulgaris), moray eels, and various crustaceans such as the Canary Islands lobster (Homaridae). Look closely among the corals and sponges for nudibranchs, seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and scorpionfish to find the more delicate elements of the ecosystem.

Diving in Tenerife is possible throughout the year, offering a consistent window for exploration regardless of the season. The local marine environment is subject to the typical Atlantic conditions of the Canary Islands.