If you think you have already seen everything in Tenerife, Submarine Safari may surprise you. From Mount Teide to whale watching, the island offers countless experiences. We tried Tenerife’s only real tourist submarine and descended 30 metres beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
An incredible experience in Tenerife: we descended into the Atlantic Ocean by submarine. Submarine Safari became one of our most memorable family experiences on the island. It gave us a completely different way to explore the underwater world. It is also perfect for people who would never dare to go diving.
Tenerife’s only real tourist submarine
The submarine operates from Amarilla Marina in southern Tenerife. This is not an attraction or a simulation. Instead, it is a real passenger submarine that has explored the Atlantic seabed for many years.
As soon as you arrive at the marina, curiosity takes over. A bright yellow submarine waits at the quay for your underwater adventure. Before boarding, the crew gives a short safety briefing. Then, you simply step inside the submarine.
Our first impression surprised us. The submarine has much more space inside than we expected. The cabin is bright and air-conditioned. Each passenger gets a comfortable seat beside a large round window. Throughout the journey, this window offers views of the underwater world.
How does the submarine dive?
Once the crew closes the hatch, the submarine slowly begins its descent. Most importantly, you barely notice any change in pressure inside. You do not experience blocked ears or other sensations associated with diving. The cabin maintains normal atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the journey feels comfortable even for people who cannot dive for health reasons. However, we do not recommend this experience for people with a fear of enclosed spaces.
Gradually, the ocean floor appears through the windows. You can see rocks and more fish as the submarine descends. It reaches around 20–30 metres below the surface. This depth attracts a large variety of marine life.
What did we see underwater?
This part of the experience exceeded our expectations.
As soon as we descended, colourful schools of fish surrounded us. Various reef species swam past our windows. We also saw large rays. Meanwhile, the audio guide explained the Atlantic Ocean ecosystem and its marine life.
A professional diver also impressed us. He swam alongside the submarine throughout the tour. He fed the fish, which attracted even more of them. As a result, passengers could watch the marine life from just a few centimetres away.
Every trip is different, so nobody can guarantee which species you will see. However, visitors can often spot rays, barracudas, octopuses and many colourful reef fish.
Did the kids enjoy it?
Absolutely. This is one of those experiences where children stick to the windows from the very first minutes. Every new fish creates excitement. A ray swimming past the window can cause an even bigger reaction.
Unlike an aquarium, this experience makes you feel as if you are actually underwater. The windows are huge, so the views look incredibly realistic.
We also loved how calm the entire journey felt. The submarine does not rock, so even people who often feel seasick usually feel comfortable.
We have tried many activities in Tenerife, from whale watching in the Atlantic Ocean to snorkelling. However, this experience felt completely different.
Most importantly, we loved the feeling of entering the underwater world ourselves. You do not need diving skills or special equipment. You also need no special preparation. Instead, you simply sit beside your window and watch life beneath the sea.
Practical Information
- Where does the experience take place? Amarilla Marina in San Miguel de Abona, southern Tenerife.
- How long does it last? The entire experience lasts about one hour. You spend around 50 minutes inside the submarine.
- How deep does the submarine go? Around 20–30 metres.
- Are transfers available? Yes. Many resorts in southern Tenerife offer bus transfers.
- What language is the tour in? The tour provides information in several languages. Therefore, tourists from different countries can easily follow the experience.
- Who is it suitable for? This experience suits almost everyone. Families with children, grandparents, and people afraid of diving can all enjoy it. It also suits anyone looking for a unique Tenerife experience. Children must be at least 2 years old.
- Is it safe and comfortable? This is one of the most common questions. The tourist submarine follows strict safety requirements. It was also specifically designed for passenger tours. The cabin maintains normal atmospheric pressure. Therefore, passengers do not experience typical diving sensations.
Where can you buy tickets?
The submarine tour is very popular, so make sure you book in advance. We bought our tickets through our trusted partner platform. We definitely recommend booking this experience as early as possible.
If you want to discover another side of Tenerife, consider a submarine trip. For at least one hour, you can enter the mysterious world beneath the Atlantic Ocean. This experience offers more than simple entertainment. It also gives you a rare chance to explore the volcanic ocean floor and its marine life up close. Best of all, you need no special preparation.
