Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive

A yellow submarine carries you about 30 metres below the Atlantic, then settles on the seabed while divers draw stingrays and fish close to the wide windows. You get a clear look at a part of Tenerife most beach visitors never see.

I like the assigned window seating, which means every passenger has a proper view, and the free hotel bus service, which removes much of the fuss of reaching Amarilla Marina. The audio guide in 15 languages is another smart touch, especially when you are traveling with children or family members who do not speak the live guide’s language.

The main drawback is time. The underwater part lasts about 50 minutes, and several people find it passes quickly. The trip is smooth once below the surface, but some passengers have felt ear pressure during the descent.

Key points to know before booking

• The submarine reaches about 30 metres: You sit on the ocean floor and watch marine life through 22 large windows.
• Stingrays are the star attraction: Divers approach the submarine and encourage the rays to swim close to the glass.
• Every seat has a window: The vessel has 44 seats, plus small screens showing the view ahead.
• The trip suits young children: Children aged two and over can join, and the submarine is spacious and well ventilated.
• Transfers cover much of southern Tenerife: Free pickup is available from hotels and stops in Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, and Los Gigantes.
• You receive a certificate: It is a simple but useful souvenir, especially for children experiencing their first submarine trip.

Boarding Sub Fun Cinco at Amarilla Marina

The experience begins at Amarilla Marina, near Amarilla Golf on Tenerife’s southern coast. If you use the free bus, be at your assigned stop five minutes before pickup. If you drive yourself, arrive at the harbour 30 minutes before the scheduled departure for check-in.

The marina is not in the main resort strip, so the transfer matters. Pickup points include large hotels and familiar stops across the south, such as Sol Arona Tenerife, Hotel Best Tenerife, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Hotel Landmar Costa Los Gigantes, and Bahia Princess. Check your messages for the exact time and stop because pickup arrangements vary.

Driving is also possible. Free parking is available at the far end of the harbour near the operator’s office or along the port’s containment wall. You will need to allow time to park and walk to the meeting point.

The yellow submarine, called Sub Fun Cinco, is more spacious than you might expect. It has 44 seats and 22 large screen windows, so you are not crammed into a narrow cabin. The air feels less confined than on many small boats, and the vessel is well ventilated. That helped reassure passengers who were worried about claustrophobia.

Boarding is organised, with seats assigned so people are spread along the viewing windows. I would still arrive early rather than treating the 30-minute check-in window as optional. You want time to settle in, find your headphones, and make sure young children understand that the submarine will move below the surface.

What the 50-minute underwater trip is like

The submarine first leaves the marina and begins its gradual descent. You can watch the changing water and seabed through the windows while the audio system explains the marine life and the local Atlantic environment.

The vessel reaches approximately 100 feet, or 30 metres. At that depth, it sits on the seabed for part of the trip. That is the moment this becomes more than a ride in a boat with underwater windows. You are stationary on the ocean floor, looking out at fish moving through their own environment.

The seabed can show changes in colour and texture as the submarine moves through the area. The exact wildlife varies, but the creatures named for the trip include flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, and stingrays. You may also see starfish, schools of smaller fish, and submerged wrecks. The natural setting is the point, but conditions under the surface are never entirely predictable, so you should not book expecting one fixed list of animals.

The vessel has small screens displaying what is ahead. This is useful when a fish or wreck appears outside your immediate window, though screen quality can vary by seat. One passenger seated toward the rear found the screen less clear than expected. The large side windows are the main attraction, so if seeing the forward camera is important to you, ask about seating when possible.

The smooth ride is a real advantage. Once the submarine is below the surface, it stops rocking in the way a boat can. One passenger concerned about seasickness found the underwater section comfortable. Still, you are traveling by boat before and after the descent, and one person reported ear pain that lasted a few hours. If you are sensitive to pressure changes, keep that possibility in mind.

The stingray encounter on the seabed

The most memorable part is usually the interaction with the divers and rays. While the submarine rests on the bottom, experienced divers approach the windows and encourage the fish to come closer. Stingrays glide past the glass, sometimes close enough for you to see their shape clearly.

This is especially effective for children. A diver may appear at a window, signal to the passengers, or create a playful moment. One birthday group received a birthday message from the divers at the window, which shows that the crew sometimes adds a personal touch when they know about a special occasion.

The rays are not the only attraction. You may see barracuda, flute fish, parrot fish, octopus, and groups of smaller fish. The divers make the animals easier to spot, but the experience remains based on observing marine life rather than handling it.

I appreciate that the audio commentary explains the local sea creatures and why their environment needs protection. It gives children more to think about than simply counting fish. The live guide speaks English, Spanish, or German, while the headphone system offers commentary in Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Czech, and Russian.

That language choice is valuable. A child can listen in a familiar language instead of relying on a parent to translate every explanation. Headphones are provided at no extra cost.

Getting the best view from your seat

Every seat comes with a window, so there is no bad section in the same way you might find on a crowded sightseeing boat. The large panes give you a broad view of the seabed and passing marine life.

If you have a choice, sitting toward the front may help you follow the submarine’s forward camera and the route ahead. Still, the side windows are where the main action usually appears, especially when rays approach the vessel.

Bring a charged phone or camera. The windows are your main photo frame, and the clearest shots come when you hold the camera close to the glass and avoid reflections from the cabin. You may also be offered a group photograph after the trip. One passenger paid €8 for a printed or available souvenir photo and felt it was a good keepsake.

The certificate is included. It is not a formal qualification, of course, but children often enjoy taking home proof of their first underwater trip.

Why the hotel bus transfer is worth using

The free bus service is one of the strongest practical features. Amarilla Marina is easy enough to reach if you have a car or taxi, but the southern resorts spread along a long stretch of coast. A return transfer can save you the cost and trouble of arranging transport.

Pickup is available from numerous hotels and stops in:

• Playa de las Americas
• Los Cristianos
• Costa Adeje
• Playa Paraiso
• Callao Salvaje
• Puerto de Santiago
• Los Gigantes

The route can take about 1.5 hours depending on your starting point and the other stops. That is the main tradeoff. A taxi or rental car may get you to the harbour faster, while the bus is better value if you are already staying near one of the listed stops.

The itinerary information gives a total duration of one to three hours, depending on your pickup option. The central marine activity lasts about one hour, with the actual underwater section described as 50 minutes. The bus portion may add substantial time, so leave room in your day rather than scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

There is food available at the marina area, but food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. The ticket does not include refreshments.

Is $72 a fair price?

At $72 per person, this is not a cheap short boat ride. It is a specialist attraction using a real passenger submarine, with an underwater route, crew, audio commentary, transfer option, and certificate included.

The value is strongest if you want something different from Tenerife’s usual beach, pool, whale-watching, and volcano outings. You reach a depth that most people will never see without scuba training, yet you do not need to swim, snorkel, or wear special equipment.

The price also makes more sense for families. A child aged two or older can join, and the roomy cabin, headphones, and assigned windows remove several common problems with family excursions. The activity is short enough for young children to manage, though some families may find the transfer longer than the underwater trip itself.

If your main aim is a long wildlife outing, $72 may feel high because the seabed viewing time is limited. Marine life is wild, so there is no guarantee that every listed species will appear. You are paying for access, safety, comfort, and a rare viewpoint, not a guaranteed animal show.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to families with children aged two and up, couples looking for an unusual half-day activity, and anyone who wants to see the Atlantic without scuba equipment. It also works well for people who do not feel comfortable swimming in open water.

It is a good alternative for someone who cannot or does not want to snorkel. You stay seated, dry, and behind glass while the submarine crew handles the technical side.

The trip can also suit people nervous about enclosed spaces because the vessel is described as spacious and well ventilated. I would not promise that nobody will feel uneasy, but it is not presented as a cramped capsule.

People who want a long, quiet nature experience should set their expectations carefully. The divers create the best close-up moments, and the cabin may be lively when families are aboard. One passenger found noisy children distracting. If you want the calmest possible ride, an early departure or a less family-focused time may help, though specific departure times depend on availability.

Timing, cancellation, and small practical details

You should meet at the submarine office 30 minutes before the activity if you are making your own way to Amarilla Marina. Pickup passengers should wait at the stop five minutes before the arranged time and keep an eye on their phone or email for the final transfer details.

The advertised departure times are only guides, and popular periods may sell out. It is sensible to check availability before building the rest of your day around a particular hour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

The live guide is available in English, Spanish, and German. The audio guide covers 15 languages. Food and drinks are not included, and food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

My verdict on the Amarilla Marina submarine trip

I would book this if you want a safe, unusual way to see Tenerife’s underwater world. The combination of every passenger having a window, the smooth underwater ride, and the close stingray encounter gives the trip a clear purpose. The free bus service also adds real value for anyone staying in the southern resorts.

I would skip it only if you dislike boats, have serious concerns about pressure changes, or want several hours of wildlife viewing. For everyone else, $72 buys a memorable look at the Atlantic from a viewpoint you cannot get from the beach. Bring a camera, arrive early, and leave enough time for the transfer.

FAQ

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine descends to approximately 100 feet, or 30 metres, below the surface.

How long is the underwater part?

The submarine portion lasts about 50 minutes. The full activity can take one to three hours, depending on the chosen pickup and return transfer.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, stingrays, starfish, schools of smaller fish, and submerged wrecks. Marine life sightings can vary.

Does the submarine actually sit on the seabed?

Yes. During the trip, the submarine settles on the ocean floor while divers approach the windows and encourage fish and stingrays to come closer.

Is the experience suitable for young children?

Children aged two and older can participate. Children under two are not permitted.

Are hotel transfers included?

Free bus transfers are available from selected hotels and stops in Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, and Los Gigantes. Pickup is optional.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks English, Spanish, and German. The included audio guide is available in Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Czech, and Russian.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.