Puerto de la Cruz: Submarine Trip and Beach Stop in Tenerife

See Tenerife from below the waves. This seven-hour outing combines a submarine journey from Amarilla harbor with two hours of free time at Playa de las Americas, making it a useful choice if you want more than a standard beach day. I like the close views through the submarine’s large windows, and I like that round-trip transport is included from Puerto de la Cruz and Las Caletillas. The main drawback is the long bus ride, with about 105 minutes each way before you even reach the submarine.

The yellow vessel, Sub Fun Cinco, descends to roughly 30 meters and rests on the ocean floor while divers encourage marine life toward the windows. That setup can produce excellent photographs, especially of sting rays, but the submarine portion lasts about an hour, so anyone hoping for a long underwater expedition may find it brief.

Key points to know before booking

• The submarine reaches about 30 meters: You sit below the Atlantic surface and look through 22 large screen windows.
• Sting rays are the star sighting: You might also see flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, and sand eels.
• Divers bring fish closer: When the submarine rests on the sea bed, experienced divers help create better viewing opportunities.
• The beach stop lasts about two hours: You can use the time for Playa de las Americas beaches, shopping, or a meal.
• Transport takes time: The journey from Puerto de la Cruz to Amarilla harbor lasts about 105 minutes each way.
• The $87 price includes useful extras: Round-trip transport, a guide, audio commentary, and a dive certificate are included, but food and drinks are not.

Why this makes an unusual Tenerife day out

Tenerife is famous for volcanic scenery, resort beaches, and Mount Teide. This trip gives you a different view of the island, one that most land-based excursions cannot provide. Instead of simply looking at the Atlantic, you sit below it in a purpose-built submarine and watch the sea floor through a row of windows.

I especially like the fact that you do not need to swim, snorkel, or handle scuba equipment. The submarine offers a calm way to see underwater life, which is helpful if you are nervous around open water. One recent passenger who was afraid of water still found the experience professional and reassuring.

The setting also helps keep the outing accessible to a mixed-age family. Children must be at least two years old, and the vessel has 44 comfortable seats. You receive headphones for the audio guide, so the experience is not limited to people standing near a tour leader or trying to hear a speech over engine noise.

Still, this is not an all-day submarine expedition. The underwater portion is listed at about one hour, while the full outing lasts seven hours because of the road transfers and the beach stop. You should book it for the combination of experiences, not for a long period beneath the surface.

The 105-minute ride south from Puerto de la Cruz

The day begins with pickup at a selection of hotels and accommodation points in Puerto de la Cruz and Las Caletillas. Options include Hotel Botanico, Sol Costa Atlantis, Hotel Parque San Antonio, Maritim Hotel Tenerife, Hotel Riu Garoe, HC Hotel Magec, and several other listed locations.

The exact pickup time is provided after booking. You should arrive at least five minutes early, since the driver waits no longer than 10 minutes after the scheduled time. The driver works from a passenger list, so being at the correct location matters.

The coach ride to the south takes about 105 minutes. That is the biggest practical issue for anyone staying in Puerto de la Cruz. You spend more than three hours of the day on the road in total, although the included transport saves you from arranging a rental car, navigating Tenerife, or paying for fuel and parking.

I would bring water, a small snack, and something to read for the longer coach sections. Food and drinks are not included, and the day does not appear to include a supplied meal. You can also eat during the later free period in Playa de las Americas, but you may prefer to have something with you before then.

Boarding Sub Fun Cinco at Amarilla harbor

The submarine departs from the exclusive Amarilla harbor near the southern tip of Tenerife. You board the yellow Sub Fun Cinco, a spacious vessel designed for underwater sightseeing rather than a fast ride across the sea.

Inside, 44 seats face 22 large screen windows. That layout is important because you are not relying on one viewing area at the front. The windows give passengers several chances to look out at the water and sea floor, although your exact view will naturally depend on where you sit and which side the fish approach.

The submarine descends to about 100 feet, or 30 meters. At that depth, you can watch the ocean environment from a dry, enclosed cabin. The provided headphones connect you to an audio guide in 15 languages: Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish, Danish, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Czech, Russian, and Chinese.

The live guide languages are English, German, and Spanish. The audio system adds useful flexibility for families and groups who speak different languages. It also gives the sea life commentary a steady structure instead of leaving you to guess what you are seeing through the glass.

Resting on the sea bed with sting rays nearby

The most distinctive part of the trip comes when Sub Fun Cinco settles on the ocean floor. Experienced divers then work outside the submarine and encourage fish to come closer to the windows.

This is why sting rays receive so much attention. The sight of a family of rays moving along the sea bed can be the defining moment of the trip. You may also see flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, and sand eels. The exact wildlife cannot be guaranteed, but the advertised species give you a good idea of what the operator hopes to show.

The divers add an important human element. They are not just guiding the submarine. Their presence helps make the animals easier to observe and photograph, giving you a better chance of seeing details through the panoramic windows.

The audio guide also explains the Atlantic ecosystem and why protecting it matters. That is a worthwhile touch, particularly for children, because the outing becomes more than a fish-spotting exercise. You get some context about the animals and the fragile environment around them.

Bring a camera if you want pictures, but remember that you will be photographing through submarine windows. Reflections and changing light can affect your results. A phone may capture memorable images, though the best moments may be the ones you simply watch rather than frame.

The experience has received especially strong praise for the marine life, the sting rays, and the engaging voice commentary. Several high-scoring comments focus on the variety of fish and the chance to sit at the bottom of the ocean. That tells you where the excursion delivers its clearest value.

The 25-minute transfer to Playa de las Americas

After the submarine visit, you return to the coach for a short transfer of about 25 minutes to Playa de las Americas. This is not just a roadside break. You receive roughly two hours of free time in one of Tenerife’s best-known resort areas.

You can use the stop in several ways:

• Relax on the beach
• Swim or sit by the water
• Shop
• Buy lunch or a snack
• Walk through the resort area at your own pace

The free-time format gives you control, which I appreciate. You are not tied to a group meal or forced into a particular shop. If you have already had enough sightseeing, you can simply find a beach spot and slow down.

The tradeoff is that two hours goes quickly. You have enough time for a short beach visit and a meal, but not enough for a long coastal walk, extensive shopping, and a leisurely swim all at once. Decide in advance what matters most to you.

Playa de las Americas also feels quite different from Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto has a more relaxed northern resort atmosphere, while the south is strongly geared toward holiday shopping, restaurants, and beach time. The contrast makes the stop useful, but it may feel less authentic if you prefer quiet villages and local neighborhoods.

One passenger particularly appreciated the chance to shop and grab a bite after the submarine trip. That combination is practical: you get the unusual marine experience first, then a simple resort break before the return journey.

The 105-minute return and the real pace of the day

After the beach stop, the coach returns north. The drive takes about 105 minutes, with drop-off at listed locations in Puerto de la Cruz and Las Caletillas.

The pace is easy to understand when you break it down:

• About 105 minutes to reach Amarilla harbor
• About one hour aboard the submarine
• About 25 minutes to Playa de las Americas
• About two hours of free time
• About 105 minutes back north

The trip is therefore best seen as a full-day outing with one unusual centerpiece and one flexible resort stop. The road time is not a minor detail. If you dislike coach journeys, the distance may outweigh the appeal of the submarine.

On the other hand, the included transfer is a real advantage. You can enjoy the day without driving through unfamiliar parts of Tenerife, and your pickup and return point are arranged around selected hotels. For a family or small group, that convenience can make the $87 cost more reasonable.

Is $87 a fair price?

At $87 per person, the price is not cheap for a single attraction. The value improves because it includes the submarine journey, round-trip transport from the north, a guide, multilingual audio commentary, and a dive certificate.

You are also getting a full seven-hour day rather than a short harbor cruise. The two-hour stop in Playa de las Americas adds flexibility, even though you pay for your own food and drinks.

I would judge the price this way:

• Good value if you need transport from Puerto de la Cruz and want two activities in one day
• Fair value if the submarine itself is your main reason for booking
• Less attractive if you already have a car, plan to visit the south independently, or want more than one hour underwater

The certificate is a fun souvenir, particularly for children. It does not turn the activity into a scuba qualification, but it gives the day a small keepsake beyond photographs.

Who will enjoy Sub Fun Cinco most?

This outing suits families with children aged two and older, couples who want something different from a standard boat trip, and anyone who wants to see marine life without entering the water.

It is also a strong option if you feel uneasy about swimming. The enclosed cabin, comfortable seats, and professional setup make the experience less intimidating than snorkeling or scuba activities. One recent account specifically praised the sense of safety and organization.

You should think twice if you want a quiet nature excursion with little resort development. The beach stop is in Playa de las Americas, a busy holiday area, and the long coach ride takes up a significant part of the day.

You may also want to choose another activity if you need complete control over your schedule. Pickup times are fixed, the group moves by coach, and the beach stop lasts approximately two hours. This is an organized outing, not an independent day in the south.

Languages, age rules, and simple preparation

The activity accepts children from age two. Children under two cannot take part.

Live guiding is available in English, German, and Spanish. The audio system covers 15 languages and headphones are supplied without an extra charge. This makes the trip workable for multilingual groups.

You should prepare for the day with:

• Comfortable clothing for the coach and boat
• Water and a snack, since food and drinks are not included
• A swimsuit if you want to use the beach stop for swimming
• A phone or camera for the underwater views
• A few minutes of extra time before pickup

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

My verdict on this Puerto de la Cruz excursion

I like this trip because it gives you a genuine change of viewpoint. The yellow Sub Fun Cinco, 30-meter descent, ocean-floor stop, and close sting ray encounters are far more memorable than a routine sightseeing coach ride.

The strongest parts are the marine life viewing, the reassuring enclosed cabin, and the flexible two-hour break at Playa de las Americas. The main weakness is the amount of time spent getting to and from southern Tenerife. You should also keep your expectations realistic: the submarine section lasts about an hour, not half a day.

Book it if you want an easy, family-friendly way to see underwater life and do not mind a long transfer from Puerto de la Cruz. Skip it if you would rather spend the day hiking, visiting villages, or exploring the south independently. At $87, it works best as a two-part day: submarine spectacle first, beach and resort time afterward.

FAQ

How long does the entire excursion last?

The activity lasts seven hours, including transportation, the submarine experience, free time in Playa de las Americas, and the return journey.

How deep does the submarine travel?

Sub Fun Cinco descends to approximately 30 meters, or about 100 feet.

How long are you inside the submarine?

The listed guided submarine and marine life viewing portion lasts about one hour.

What sea life might you see?

Possible sightings include flute fish, octopus, barracuda, parrot fish, sand eels, and sting rays.

Does the submarine rest on the ocean floor?

Yes. During the experience, the submarine sits on the sea bed while experienced divers help bring fish closer to the windows.

Is the beach stop included?

Yes. You receive approximately two hours of free time at Playa de las Americas after the submarine visit.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip bus transportation is included from selected pickup points in Puerto de la Cruz and Las Caletillas.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks English, German, and Spanish. The audio guide is available in 15 languages, including French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Russian, and Chinese.

What is included in the price?

The price includes round-trip transport, a guide, the submarine experience, the audio guide with headphones, and a dive certificate. Food and drinks are not included.

Can young children take part?

Children must be at least two years old. Children under two are not permitted to join the activity.