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

The very first Seaira Dives trip was a huge success!

What an incredible group of scuba buddies! Looking forward to our next Seaira Dives trip in December!

Planning

I dedicated days, weeks, and even months to planning this trip, starting back in November 2023. The Canary Islands have long been on my travel bucket list, particularly for their incredible diving opportunities. My first step was to find a reputable dive shop. I spent hours reading reviews, browsing websites, and looking at photos to gauge their offerings and expertise. After interviewing several dive shops, I finally narrowed it down to one that seemed like the perfect fit.

Next, I focused on finding the ideal resort within close proximity to the dive shop for easy pickup. I always prioritize resorts that offer a range of options: upgrades, pools, activities, ease of transportation, and proximity to local attractions and food options. After extensive research, I settled on Barceló Tenerife, which checked all the boxes. Our rooms had stunning ocean views, and we were conveniently located near several pools and restaurants, making it easy to unwind after a day of diving.

To enhance the experience, I also like to schedule a non-diving activity for the last day. After some digging, I found a fantastic catamaran cruise for dolphin and whale watching, complete with lunch. We were thrilled to spot a lively pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins and even some majestic Pilot Whales!

Weather

Once again, I lucked out with fantastic weather! We enjoyed sunny, clear skies throughout the trip, creating perfect conditions for scuba diving. Not a drop of rain fell during our stay, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Getting to the Island

Flights

Getting to the Canary Islands can be a bit tricky, but I found several good options. The most straightforward route is a direct flight to Tenerife from JFK. Alternatively, Iberia Air offers flights with a layover in Madrid, which can be convenient for those coming from other parts of the U.S. Another option is Icelandair, which has flights to TFS with a layover in KEF. I recommend booking flights well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to secure the best rates and schedules.

Barcelo Tenerife Resort

Food

Our all-inclusive stay at Barceló Tenerife offered an impressive buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each evening featured a different theme, showcasing a wide array of culinary options that catered to various tastes. From Mediterranean delights to international favorites, there was something for everyone. I particularly enjoyed the fresh seafood and local dishes, which were always bursting with flavor. The wine selection was outstanding, with a nice variety of local and international bottles. Several bars throughout the resort served up fantastic cocktails, making it easy to unwind after a day of diving or exploring.

Resort Staff

The resort staff were absolutely wonderful! They were incredibly thoughtful and attentive, ensuring our group was checked in smoothly and that everyone felt settled in. From the moment we arrived, the warm welcome made us feel right at home. We met several fantastic bartenders who not only whipped up delicious cocktails but also engaged us in friendly conversations, adding to the overall experience. Their hospitality really enhanced our stay, making it memorable and enjoyable.

The Diving

Goo Diving

We dove with Goo Diving, and I can’t say enough good things about this dive shop! The service was truly first-class, and the entire team of dive guides were not only exceptional divers but also wonderful people. They were kind enough to take our gear after each day of diving, cleaning and drying it for us—a level of service that made our experience even more enjoyable!

Goo Diving is impressively organized, with top-notch equipment that is well-maintained. We loved diving with guides like Bina, Orsi, and Roberta. What stood out to me was that Goo Diving is largely female-led, which added a refreshing dynamic to our dives. Roberta, who is also a marine biologist, shared her extensive knowledge with us during our surface intervals. We learned about the diverse marine life we encountered, from vibrant corals to fascinating fish behaviors, enriching our understanding of the underwater ecosystem.

Sea Life

Our amazing dive guide with a Green Sea Turtle

CUTTLEFISH! We saw close to 20 cuttlefish by the end of the trip. I am obsessed with these cute creatures! I felt so fortunate to see SO many!

My favorite of all finds in Tenerife, the Cuttlefish!

Angel sharks! We were so lucky to see these critically endangered sharks. We saw one on our night dive that was covered in the sand and one at Abades who was out in the open! Was so incredible to see the angel shark hanging out without a covering of sand!

Angel Shark with the Garden Eels at Abades

Angel Shark at night at Marina San Miguel

Octopus! I stopped counting how many we saw, there were so many!

Rays! We saw so many common sting rays! including a massive ray that easily had a wingspan of 6 feet!

The largest common stingray I have ever seen

Dive Sites

We explored several fantastic dive sites during our trip, but my absolute favorite was the Marina San Miguel. We completed four dives there, including an unforgettable night dive. This site is ideal for shore diving—it's incredibly accessible, featuring a convenient pier with a ladder for easy entry. While some divers opted for a giant stride entry, most preferred to gear up in the water, making it a relaxed and enjoyable start to each dive.

The visibility at the Marina was excellent, and we were treated to an abundance of marine life on every dive. During our night dive, we were thrilled to encounter two massive Spanish dancers, along with an angel shark, a baby school shark, rays, white conger eels, cuttlefish, and even octopus. Each dive felt like a new adventure, with surprises waiting around every corner, making it an unforgettable experience for divers of all levels.

Abades Marine Reserve

We completed two dives at the Abades Marine Reserve, a sheltered bay teeming with seagrass. This lush environment is a haven for marine life, and we were thrilled to spot several sea turtles during our dives! In addition to the turtles, we encountered at least 15 flounders and a stunning angel shark, making for an exciting underwater adventure.

REEF Survey

As part of our trip, each scuba buddy received a REEF survey kit tailored to the area we were diving in, along with a class on how to use the kits effectively. These kits are a fantastic introduction to contributing valuable survey data for the REEF program, which helps monitor fish populations and marine ecosystems. I always enjoy participating in a survey or two on my scuba trips, as it adds an educational element to the experience!

Sea Turtle Awareness

In preparation for our diving adventure, I hosted a "fishinar" and sea turtle awareness class for the group. During this session, we covered how to identify various fish species, sea turtles, invertebrates, and much more! It was a great way to enhance our understanding of the marine environment and prepare us for the incredible sights we would encounter while diving.