The Seaira Dives Crew and our awesome guide Roberta from Goo Diving about to dive at Abades!

Good Vibes and Deep Dives: The First Official Seaira Dives Adventure

Every journey has a beginning, and this is where the Seaira Dives story truly started.

When I organized this trip to Tenerife, I had no idea what Seaira Dives would eventually become. My hope was simple: bring together a group of wonderful people, explore an incredible dive destination, and create a fun, welcoming environment where everyone could enjoy the ocean together.

Looking back now, this trip means so much more.

It marked the very first official Seaira Dives adventure and laid the foundation for the amazing community that has continued to grow over the years. Some of my favorite travel memories have come from the friendships formed on these group trips, and it all began right here.

Tenerife turned out to be the perfect destination for our first adventure. Between the volcanic landscapes, unique marine life, delicious food, and endless laughs shared both above and below the surface, it was everything I had hoped it would be.

Most of all, this trip reminded me that the best part of scuba diving has never been the dive sites themselves. It has always been the people you share them with.

The very first Seaira Dives trip was a huge success, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of dive buddies to kick off this adventure. Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful they took a chance on a brand new company. Their enthusiasm, kindness, and sense of adventure helped shape what Seaira Dives has become today.

Planning the Adventure

Every Seaira Dives trip begins long before anyone boards a plane.

Planning for our Tenerife adventure started in November 2023, months before we ever packed our dive gear. My goal is always the same: take care of the logistics so my divers can focus on what really matters, having an unforgettable adventure.

The planning process always starts with finding the right dive operator. I spent countless hours researching dive centers, reading reviews, comparing facilities, and speaking with different operators before choosing the one I felt would provide the safest, highest-quality experience for our group.

Next came the hotel.

I always look for accommodations that are comfortable, conveniently located, and offer something for everyone. Whether someone wants to relax by the pool, enjoy great restaurants, upgrade their room, or explore the local area during surface intervals, I want there to be options. After a lot of research, I selected Barceló Tenerife, and it turned out to be the perfect home base for our week on the island.

Finally, I always include at least one nondiving adventure. For Tenerife, that meant ending the trip with a catamaran cruise along the coastline, where we were lucky enough to encounter Atlantic spotted dolphins and pilot whales.

Watching months of planning come together is one of my favorite parts of leading these trips.

The Fun Begins Before the Trip

The adventure doesn't begin when everyone lands. It begins the moment someone books their spot.

As soon as everyone signed up, I created a dedicated WhatsApp group where our divers could introduce themselves, coordinate flights, ask questions, and start getting excited together. Over the following months, I shared travel tips, packing reminders, dive information, restaurant recommendations, and answered every question that came my way. By the time we all met in Tenerife, everyone already knew one another, making those first introductions feel more like old friends reconnecting than strangers meeting for the first time.

I also wanted to make our very first Seaira Dives trip feel extra special.

Every diver received a custom Good Vibes and Deep Dives rash guard that was designed exclusively for our Tenerife adventure. Seeing everyone wearing their matching rash guards on the dive boat throughout the week was one of my favorite memories from the trip. They brought our group together, made for some fantastic photos, and gave everyone a keepsake they could continue wearing on dive trips for years to come.

Those little touches have become one of my favorite parts of planning Seaira Dives adventures. Anyone can book flights and hotels. I want every trip to feel like an experience from the moment someone joins the group until long after they return home.

Getting to Tenerife

Getting to the Canary Islands is easier than many people realize.

One of the most convenient options is the nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Tenerife South (TFS). Other great routes connect through Madrid with Iberia, while some travelers can also reach Tenerife via Reykjavík with Icelandair, depending on the season.

No matter which route you choose, I always recommend booking flights well in advance. Not only does this typically result in better pricing, but it also gives you more flexibility if you'd like to extend your vacation before or after the group trip.

Barceló Tenerife

Choosing the right resort is every bit as important as choosing the right dive operator, and Barceló Tenerife exceeded my expectations.

The all-inclusive resort made the entire week effortless. Every morning began with an incredible breakfast buffet before we headed out diving, and each evening featured a different themed dinner showcasing Spanish and international cuisine. There was always something new to try, and I especially enjoyed sampling local dishes throughout the week.

The multiple pools, oceanfront setting, spacious rooms, and beautiful walking paths made it the perfect place to unwind after a full day underwater. Whether someone wanted to relax with a cocktail, enjoy the spa, or simply watch the sunset, there was always somewhere to recharge.

The staff truly elevated our experience. From the moment we arrived, everyone welcomed our group with genuine warmth and kindness. Check-in was seamless, every question was answered with a smile, and throughout the week the team consistently went above and beyond to make us feel at home.

Looking back, this first Seaira Dives trip was everything I had hoped for. Beautiful diving, an incredible destination, thoughtful planning, and most importantly, an amazing group of people who helped build the community that Seaira Dives has become today.

Diving Tenerife

The diving was everything I had hoped for and more.

One of the things I love most about leading group trips is watching everyone's excitement after each dive. Every time we climbed out of the water, someone had spotted something new, and before long we were all comparing sightings and trying to decide which dive had been our favorite.

The answer usually changed after every dive.

Cuttlefish Everywhere!

Without question, the stars of the trip for me were the cuttlefish.

If you've traveled with me before, you already know I have a slight obsession with these incredible animals. They're endlessly curious, unbelievably intelligent, and watching them change colors and patterns is one of the coolest things you can witness underwater.

By the end of the week, we had seen close to twenty cuttlefish.

Twenty!

Every single encounter felt special. Some were tucked beneath ledges while others hovered out in the open, completely unbothered by our presence. No matter how many I see, they never stop amazing me.

My favorite of all finds in Tenerife, the Cuttlefish!

Sea Turtles

One of the biggest highlights of diving Abades Marine Reserve was encountering several green sea turtles.

There is something incredibly peaceful about watching a sea turtle glide effortlessly through the water. Unlike many marine animals that quickly disappear into the blue, these turtles seemed completely at ease, allowing us to observe them as they gracefully swam through the seagrass beds or rested on the reef.

Knowing we had just completed our Sea Turtle Awareness class made each encounter even more meaningful. Everyone in the group could identify the species, recognize some of the behaviors we had discussed, and appreciate just how important healthy habitats like Abades are for these incredible animals.

Sea turtles have roamed Earth's oceans for more than 100 million years, surviving the extinction of the dinosaurs and countless changes to our planet. Today, however, they face threats from habitat loss, plastic pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, boat strikes, and climate change, making every responsible encounter underwater feel like a privilege.

Watching these ancient mariners effortlessly navigate the reef was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why protecting our oceans matters. It's an experience I'll never forget, and one I hope many more divers have the opportunity to enjoy in the future.

Our amazing dive guide with a Green Sea Turtle

A Rare Encounter with Angel Sharks

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was seeing angel sharks.

These remarkable sharks are listed as Critically Endangered, and the Canary Islands are one of the last remaining strongholds for the species. Knowing how rare they are made every encounter feel incredibly meaningful.

Our first angel shark appeared during a night dive, perfectly camouflaged beneath the sand with only its eyes visible. If you weren't paying attention, you could swim right past it without ever knowing it was there.

Later in the week at Abades Marine Reserve, we experienced something even more special.

An angel shark was resting completely out in the open.

Seeing one without its usual sandy camouflage gave us an incredible opportunity to appreciate just how beautiful these sharks really are. It was easily one of my favorite wildlife encounters of the entire trip.

Angel Shark with the Garden Eels at Abades

Angel Shark at night at Marina San Miguel

Octopus and Rays

I honestly lost count of the octopus.

They seemed to be everywhere.

Every dive revealed another octopus peeking out from beneath volcanic rocks or cautiously watching us as we explored the reef. Their curiosity and intelligence never get old, and they're always one of my favorite animals to encounter underwater.

We also saw an impressive number of common stingrays, including one enormous individual with an estimated wingspan of nearly six feet. Watching such a graceful animal glide effortlessly across the sandy bottom is something I'll never forget.

The largest common stingray I have ever seen

Favorite Dive Sites

Every dive site offered something unique, but one location quickly became the group's favorite.

Marina San Miguel

We completed four dives at Marina San Miguel, including an unforgettable night dive.

The site is incredibly easy to access, making it one of the best shore dives I've experienced. Divers can enter from the pier using a ladder or choose a giant stride entry, and once underwater, the volcanic reef quickly comes alive with marine life.

Visibility was excellent throughout the week, and every dive felt completely different.

Our night dive was especially memorable.

Within a single dive we encountered two magnificent Spanish dancers, an angel shark, a juvenile school shark, numerous rays, white conger eels, cuttlefish, octopus, and countless smaller critters hiding among the rocks.

It was one of those dives where you almost didn't know where to look because there was so much happening all around you.

Abades Marine Reserve

We also spent time diving Abades Marine Reserve, a beautiful sheltered bay known for its calm conditions and extensive seagrass meadows.

The marine life here was incredible.

Sea turtles cruised gracefully through the bay while flounders disappeared into the sand almost as quickly as we spotted them. We counted at least 15 flounders during our dives before finding yet another unforgettable surprise: an angel shark resting out in the open.

Between the turtles, rays, flounders, octopus, and one of the most exciting shark encounters I've ever had, Abades became another standout dive site from the trip.

Looking back, Tenerife completely exceeded my expectations as a dive destination. The combination of fascinating volcanic landscapes, healthy marine life, excellent shore diving, and the opportunity to encounter species like angel sharks and cuttlefish makes it one of the most unique places I've had the privilege of diving.

Catamaran Dolphin and Whale Expedition

I always like to include one nondiving adventure on every Seaira Dives trip, and this turned out to be the perfect way to end an incredible week in Tenerife.

On our final full day, we boarded a catamaran and set off along Tenerife's spectacular coastline in search of dolphins and whales.

The Canary Islands are one of the best places in Europe for whale and dolphin watching. More than 30 species of cetaceans have been recorded in these waters, and the deep underwater canyons between Tenerife and La Gomera create the perfect habitat for many of them. In fact, the area is home to one of the world's best-studied resident populations of short-finned pilot whales, making it an internationally important destination for responsible whale watching. Depending on the season, visitors may also encounter Atlantic spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Bryde's whales, fin whales, sperm whales, and even the occasional blue whale.

We didn't have to wait long before our first wildlife encounter.

A playful pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins appeared alongside the boat, surfing the bow wave, racing through the wake, and occasionally leaping from the water. Watching them effortlessly glide beside us brought smiles to everyone's face. No matter how many times I see wild dolphins, that feeling of excitement never gets old.

As if that wasn't enough, we were also fortunate enough to encounter several short-finned pilot whales.

Despite their name, pilot whales are actually the largest members of the oceanic dolphin family. Seeing these intelligent, social animals surface alongside the boat was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of the entire trip. They moved calmly through the deep blue water, seemingly unbothered by our presence, giving us an incredible opportunity to observe them behaving naturally in their wild home.

After our wildlife encounters, the captain anchored in a beautiful sheltered bay where we enjoyed lunch, relaxed in the sunshine, and reflected on everything we had experienced throughout the week.

It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure.

Looking around the boat, I couldn't help but smile. Just a week earlier, many of us had been meeting for the very first time. Now we were laughing together, sharing photos, reliving our favorite dives, and already talking about where the next Seaira Dives adventure should take us.

Moments like these are exactly why I love leading group trips.

The diving may have brought us to Tenerife, but it was the friendships, shared experiences, and memories we created together that made this first official Seaira Dives adventure so special.

Until the Next Adventure

What a week.

When I think back on Tenerife, I don't just remember the incredible dives. I remember the excitement of everyone's first giant stride into the Atlantic, searching for angel sharks beneath the sand, getting way too excited every time we found another cuttlefish, and surfacing after each dive asking, "Did you see that?!"

I remember wandering through the resort after dinner, sharing stories over cocktails, laughing until our stomachs hurt, and watching complete strangers become dive buddies and friends.

Those are the moments that stay with me.

Becky, Pedro, and Sagar, thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with your vacation and for taking a chance on the very first Seaira Dives trip. Starting a new business is exciting, but it's also a little scary. Your support, encouragement, flexibility, and adventurous spirits meant more to me than you'll probably ever know.

You helped turn an idea into something real.

Looking back now, it's amazing to see how far Seaira Dives has come, but none of it would have been possible without that very first adventure and the people who believed in it.

I hope every time you pull out your rash guard or look back through your photos, you're reminded of the incredible wildlife we encountered, the dolphins and pilot whales, the volcanic reefs, and all the laughs we shared along the way.

Thank you for being part of the beginning.

Here's to good vibes, deep dives, and many more adventures together.