Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive

The Atlantic looks different from below. This unusual submarine excursion from Amarilla Marina takes you to about 30 meters beneath southern Tenerife, where large windows frame fish, rays, barracuda, octopus, and even sunken vessels. I like the guaranteed window seating and the calm, well-organized operation. I also like that you can enjoy the ocean floor without swimming or scuba equipment. The main drawback is that the underwater part feels short, especially once you settle in.

I would choose this for a family day out, a first underwater experience, or a break from Tenerife’s beaches and hotel pools. The vessel is spacious and ventilated, so you are unlikely to feel boxed in. Still, ear pressure can affect some people during descent, and noisy children may make it harder to hear the commentary.

Key details before you book

• You sit on the ocean floor at about 30 meters: The submarine pauses on the seabed while divers bring marine life closer to the windows.
• Every seat has a viewing window: The 44-seat vessel has 22 large screen windows, so you are not fighting for a good position.
• Sting rays are the star of the show: Divers interact with rays near the submarine, creating the most memorable part of the trip.
• The trip is suitable for young children: Children from age two can participate, and the audio system includes 15 languages.
• Hotel pickup saves a lot of effort: Free bus service runs from many resorts in southern and western Tenerife.
• The $72 price is fair for a niche experience: You are paying for a real submarine, staff, transport options, and a certificate, not simply a short boat ride.

Arriving at Amarilla Marina

The excursion begins at Amarilla Marina, near Amarilla Golf on Tenerife’s southern coast. If you use the included bus, you should be at your assigned stop five minutes before collection. Pickup points cover many resort areas, including Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, and Los Gigantes.

The transfer is useful because Amarilla Marina is not the most obvious place to reach from a hotel without planning. The listed coach portion can take around 1.5 hours, depending on your pickup location and the number of stops. That makes the free transport valuable, but it also means the total outing can stretch well beyond the 50-minute underwater session.

If you drive yourself, arrive at the harbor 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. Free parking is available at the far end of the harbor, near the operator’s office, or along the port’s containment wall. The meeting point is the local submarine office at Amarilla Marina, postcode 38639 Tenerife.

Give yourself time to check in, use the facilities, and look around. There is a café and food available at the marina, but food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. They are also not included in the ticket price.

Boarding the yellow Sub Fun Cinco

The yellow Sub Fun Cinco looks playful from the outside, but the setup is practical. Inside, you find 44 comfortable seats and 22 large windows. That works out well because each pair of passengers has a broad viewing area rather than a narrow porthole.

Assigned seating is an important detail. You do not need to rush onboard or worry that someone will block your view. A small screen also shows what is happening ahead of the submarine, although the picture may not be equally clear from every seat. One passenger found the closed-circuit display less useful toward the stern, so the windows are still your main attraction.

The vessel is described as spacious and well ventilated. That matters if you are nervous about confined spaces. The submarine may rock a little while it is on the surface, but once it goes below the waves, the motion settles considerably. One passenger who expected seasickness found the underwater section comfortable.

The crew handles boarding in an orderly way, and the departure generally runs on time. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, or German. You also receive headphones for the recorded audio guide, which is available in Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Czech, and Russian.

The 30-meter descent

Once the submarine leaves the marina, it begins its descent into the Atlantic. The target depth is about 100 feet, or 30 meters. This is far below the sort of view you get from a glass-bottom boat, yet you remain seated, dry, and protected inside the vessel.

The change in color is part of the appeal. Sunlight fades as you go lower, and the seabed becomes the main stage. You may feel pressure in your ears during the descent. One passenger reported lingering discomfort for several hours, although this was not universal. If you know that pressure changes bother you, keep that in mind before booking.

The trip does not require swimming ability, a medical qualification, or scuba training. That makes it a good alternative for people who want to see the underwater world but do not want to wear equipment or enter the water. It also allows grandparents, young children, and less confident swimmers to share the same experience.

The audio commentary explains the marine environment, local sea life, and why these ecosystems need protection. It is not just background music. The information helps you identify what you are seeing and gives the trip some purpose beyond looking through glass.

Fish, barracuda, octopus, and rays

The exact sightings can vary, as they do on any wildlife outing, but the species named for this area include flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, starfish, and schools of smaller fish. The largest attraction is the sting rays.

At one point, the submarine settles on the seabed. Experienced divers then appear outside and encourage the fish to come close to the windows. The rays glide beside the vessel, sometimes close enough to make the window feel like a front-row seat. The sight of divers interacting with the rays is especially appealing for children, but adults tend to find it just as absorbing.

The divers may also create a little theatre for special occasions. One family saw a birthday message displayed near a child’s window. That is not a standard promise, so you should not book expecting a personalized show, but it shows how the crew can add a friendly touch when the opportunity arises.

Several people also saw shipwrecks or sunken vessels. These add another layer to the trip. You are not only watching fish move through open water. You are also looking at traces of human activity and the rocky seabed around the marina.

What the 50 minutes actually feels like

The advertised underwater session lasts 50 minutes. That is enough time to see several types of marine life and spend a meaningful period near the seabed, but the clock moves quickly once the submarine reaches its viewing area.

This is the most common limitation I would explain to a friend. The trip is short and focused, not a half-day marine expedition. Some passengers wanted more time at the bottom, where the rays appeared. If you are fascinated by underwater photography or marine biology, you may wish the viewing period lasted longer.

For most families, however, the length works in its favor. Young children can stay engaged without having to sit through a long boat trip. A two or three-year-old may still become restless, especially if the submarine is full, but the clear views and moving animals provide plenty to watch.

The complete outing may take one to three hours, depending on your pickup choice and location. With transport, allow extra time for hotel stops. If you drive, the experience is more compact.

Is the $72 price good value?

At $72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the sea around Tenerife. A standard boat trip can cost less, and the island offers many free coastal viewpoints. But those alternatives do not put you 30 meters below the surface in a real passenger submarine.

The price includes the guide, headphones, a certificate, and the optional bus transfer. Every passenger also receives a proper seat by a large window. That combination makes the cost reasonable for a one-off holiday experience, particularly if you are traveling with children or someone who cannot scuba dive.

You should budget separately for food and drinks. A souvenir photograph is also an optional extra. One passenger paid €8 for a good photo taken during the trip, so you may want to decide in advance if that kind of keepsake matters to you.

I would not call this a bargain attraction, but I would call it a fair-priced specialty outing. The value comes from access. You are getting a view that would otherwise require scuba training, equipment, and a willingness to spend time underwater.

Family comfort and practical concerns

Children must be at least two years old. The audio guide is particularly useful for families because children can listen in their own language instead of waiting for an adult to translate the commentary.

The submarine is generally described as comfortable rather than cramped. Its ventilation helps, and the motion becomes smoother below the surface. If you are anxious about enclosed spaces, looking at photos of the vessel before booking may still be sensible. The interior is enclosed, even if it is airy.

Noise is the one family issue worth taking seriously. A busy cabin with excited children can make it harder to listen through the headphones. The crew cannot control every family’s behavior, so you may prefer an earlier or quieter departure if several times are available.

The operation feels safe and professional, with a support boat present during the excursion. Staff members handle boarding and timing carefully. The live guide and audio system also keep you informed instead of leaving you to guess what is happening.

The free bus service and return journey

The free bus service is available from a long list of hotels and bus stops. It serves major resort zones and reaches as far as Los Gigantes and several properties around Playa de la Arena and Puerto de Santiago.

Check the pickup details sent to your phone or email rather than relying only on a general resort map. Bus arrangements can vary by selected departure time, and you need to be at the stop five minutes before the scheduled pickup.

The transport is especially useful in hot weather. It removes the need to arrange a taxi to the marina and gives you a simple way back after the excursion. The tradeoff is time. A hotel transfer can turn a brief activity into a larger part of your day, so avoid booking it immediately before another fixed appointment.

If you are staying close to Amarilla Marina or have a rental car, driving may be quicker. Arrive 30 minutes early, park near the end of the harbor, and allow time for check-in.

Best seats, best occasions, and what to bring

Because seating is assigned, you cannot always choose your exact position. Still, every passenger has a window. If you want a clear view of the forward screen, ask about seating when you arrive, but do not expect a guarantee.

I would book this for:

• Families with children aged two and above
• Couples seeking an unusual holiday activity
• People who cannot or do not want to scuba dive
• Anyone interested in marine life without getting wet
• A birthday or honeymoon when you want something different from a beach day

You do not need special equipment. Bring your phone or camera, but remember that the underwater light is limited and reflections may appear on the glass. Headphones are provided. Food and drinks should stay outside the vehicle.

The certificate is a pleasant souvenir, particularly for children. It is a small detail, but it gives the outing a clear ending and makes the experience feel more like an achievement than a simple sightseeing ride.

Who should skip this submarine excursion?

I would think twice if you dislike enclosed spaces, are very sensitive to ear pressure, or expect a long wildlife session. You may also find the bus transfer inconvenient if you have a tight schedule.

This is not a guaranteed animal encounter in the strictest sense. The operator lists a range of species, and the divers help bring animals closer, but nature still decides what appears. The rays are the main draw, yet sightings can never be treated like a fixed stage performance.

I would also avoid booking it solely for dramatic underwater scenery. Much of the enjoyment comes from the animals, the divers, and the novelty of sitting below the surface. If you want reefs, long swims, or a personal encounter with marine life, a snorkeling or scuba trip would offer a different kind of experience.

Should you book the Sub Fun Cinco?

I would book it if you want an easy, family-friendly way to see Tenerife from a completely different angle. The combination of large windows, assigned seating, multilingual audio, friendly staff, and close views of sting rays gives the trip real substance.

The strongest reason to go is the moment the submarine rests on the seabed and the rays pass near the glass. The strongest reason to hesitate is the short underwater viewing time and the possibility of ear pressure.

At $72, it makes sense as a special holiday outing rather than an everyday activity. Book it for a birthday, honeymoon, family treat, or simply because you want to say you sat on the Atlantic seabed without learning to scuba dive. If that sounds like your kind of story, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the submarine experience last?

The underwater portion lasts about 50 minutes. The full outing can take between one and three hours, depending on your departure time and whether you use the bus transfer.

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine reaches approximately 30 meters, or about 100 feet, below the surface.

What marine life can I see?

Possible sightings include flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, starfish, schools of fish, and sting rays. Shipwrecks and sunken vessels may also be visible.

Is the activity suitable for young children?

Yes. Children must be at least two years old, and the audio guide is available in 15 languages.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Free bus transfer is available from selected hotels and stops in Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, Los Gigantes, and nearby areas. You should be at your stop five minutes before pickup.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the guide, headphones, the multilingual audio guide, a dive certificate, and bus transfer when selected. Food and drinks are not included.