REVIEW · TENERIFE
Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Submarine Safaris · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Sting rays, but from a submarine window. I love how the yellow Sub Fun Cinco takes you down to about 30 meters off Amarilla Marina and lets you watch fish cruise past huge panoramic windows. You even sit on the ocean floor during the underwater segment, so the view feels like you’re planted in the sea rather than just passing overhead.
My second favorite part is the audio guide in 15 languages. With free headphones, you can follow what you’re seeing in English, Spanish, German, and a long list of other languages, while a live guide helps keep the whole outing organized and easy to understand for everyone onboard.
One drawback to consider: this is a family-friendly activity, and on busy days you may end up near louder kids. Also, if you’re unlucky with your seating position, your particular window view (and any on-board screen) can feel less ideal than the seats right on the prime viewing side.
In This Review
- The Yellow Sub Fun Cinco and Amarilla Marina in Southern Tenerife
- What You’ll Actually See Through Those Panoramic Windows
- The Underwater Segment: A Seabed Stop, Not Just a Quick Pass-By
- Comfort Inside the Sub: Seats, Airflow, and Window-Time
- Audio Guide System in 15 Languages (Headphones Included)
- The Amarilla Golf Area Stop: Guided Tour Plus a Boat Cruise
- Bus Transfer in Southern Tenerife: Making It Easy
- Price and Value: Is $72 Worth It?
- Timing, How Long It Feels, and When You’ll Be Waiting
- Practical Tips: Motion, Ear Pressure, and Picking Your Side
- What This Trip Is Best For (And Who Might Not Love It)
- Should You Book the Southern Tenerife Submarine Experience?
- FAQ
- How deep does the submarine go?
- How long is the tour?
- Is the bus transfer included?
- Are headphones provided for the audio guide?
- What languages are available for the audio guide?
- Is it suitable for young children?
The Yellow Sub Fun Cinco and Amarilla Marina in Southern Tenerife

This is a straightforward, fun idea: skip the scuba training, stay comfortable, and still get a front-row seat to Atlantic marine life. The boat is a yellow submarine called Sub Fun Cinco, departing from Amarilla harbor at the southern tip of Tenerife.
The trip is designed for all ages, which shows in the vibe. It’s not a silent, serious dive expedition; it’s an outing that balances atmosphere with real underwater viewing. And since you’re in southern Tenerife, the setting feels more relaxed than the busier tourist cores—without being “out in the middle of nowhere.”
What You’ll Actually See Through Those Panoramic Windows

The submarine segment is where the whole experience earns its keep. You descend to roughly 100 feet / 30 meters, then the sub sits on the seabed. That matters, because it turns the viewing into something calmer and more deliberate. Instead of the thrill of moving past animals, you get a chance to watch them approach and drift around the windows.
You can expect a solid mix of Atlantic species. The program specifically calls out fish like flute fish, octopus, barracuda, and parrot fish, plus a family of sting rays (often described as a highlight). The way divers interact—encouraging fish to come closer to the windows—helps make the viewing feel more personal and photo-friendly.
Also, don’t assume every outing is identical. Some guests report seeing sunken ships as well, so you might get bonus variety if conditions and marine activity line up.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
The Underwater Segment: A Seabed Stop, Not Just a Quick Pass-By

Here’s the part that turns this from a gimmick into a memorable hour or so: the submarine isn’t just heading downward and upward. It reaches its working depth and then stays on the ocean bottom.
Once the submarine is down, experienced divers join the viewing from the outside and can lure animals closer to the glass. That creates two big benefits for you:
- You get more time for watching behavior, not just spotting quick flashes.
- You get better chances for clear views because the animals move toward the window rather than you trying to chase them with a fast camera pan.
For first-timers, this is the value play. You’re still “underwater,” but the experience is paced for people who want the wow factor without the logistics of scuba gear or training.
Comfort Inside the Sub: Seats, Airflow, and Window-Time

The submarine is built around comfort and viewing. It’s described as spacious and airy, with 44 seats and 22 large screen windows. That setup helps keep the experience from feeling claustrophobic—something worth caring about if you’re worried about enclosed spaces.
You also get a dedicated seat tied to viewing, which makes a difference when you’re trying to watch animals move across the windows. One thing I’d keep in mind: the best experience comes from being ready to look quickly as animals drift or regroup. When divers and fish are active near your side of the sub, you’ll feel like you’re in the action.
Audio Guide System in 15 Languages (Headphones Included)

This is one of the smartest touches on the itinerary. You get a new Audio-Guide System with headphones provided free of charge, and it’s available in 15 languages.
The listed audio languages are: Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Czech, and Russian.
Why that matters: underwater viewing is visual, but it’s also easy to miss context. The audio guide is designed to explain the creatures you’re seeing and why it’s important to protect these ecosystems. Even if you only catch a few segments, it makes your window time feel less random and more meaningful.
The Amarilla Golf Area Stop: Guided Tour Plus a Boat Cruise

Before or after the main submarine viewing, the schedule includes a stop around 299P+MJ Amarilla Golf, with about one hour for guided touring plus boat cruise / marine life viewing.
This isn’t described as the main underwater moment. Instead, it’s the “warm-up and orientation” part that helps you get your bearings. If you’re traveling with kids, it also gives the day rhythm: you’re not sitting around waiting in one long stretch, and you get a bit of variety beyond the sub.
A practical tip from the structure: since you’re doing multiple parts in one outing, build in patience. You might feel like the day is moving, but it’s built to keep you entertained while the submarine runs on its own schedule.
Bus Transfer in Southern Tenerife: Making It Easy

Getting to Amarilla Marina is often the difference between a smooth day and a stressful one. This experience includes a free bus service from major hotel areas, including Playa de Las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, and Los Gigantes.
The itinerary includes pickup options and a “be there early” rule—if you’re using the bus, arrive at the bus stop about 5 minutes before the scheduled time. When transport is already handled, it’s easier to focus on what you’re paying for: the underwater viewing.
And if you’re driving, there are free parking spaces at the very end of the harbour near the office or along the containment wall of the port.
Price and Value: Is $72 Worth It?

At around $72 per person, this is not a cheap activity—but it’s also not trying to compete with basic zoo-admission pricing. The value comes from three things you’re getting together:
- Real underwater viewing from a purpose-built submarine
- Panoramic windows + seabed stop, not a quick look from the surface
- Included audio + headphones in multiple languages and a guided program
If you were planning a conventional scuba experience, the cost and effort would likely jump fast. Here, you get the underwater wow factor with much less hassle. For families especially, that’s where the value lands: kids get a memorable “wow” without waiting for them to become confident in scuba or gear.
The trip also includes a certificate at the end, which is a nice souvenir for people who like a tangible proof that the day happened.
Timing, How Long It Feels, and When You’ll Be Waiting

The activity duration is listed as 1 to 3 hours, with the day including bus time (about 1.5 hours in the schedule) plus the guided boat/marine viewing portion (about 1 hour). In practice, this means your day is shaped less like a single fixed “show” and more like a coordinated block.
For a calmer experience, plan to be on time for your check-in. You’re instructed to meet at the submarine 30 minutes before the activity starts at Amarilla Marina (38639 Tenerife). If you come by car, that same 30-minute check-in window matters.
Also note that stated dive/underwater times are guidelines and may shift with demand—so give yourself a little flexibility rather than treating this like a tight clockwork train connection.
Practical Tips: Motion, Ear Pressure, and Picking Your Side

Most of the experience is designed to reduce stress. Several guests mention the ride is smooth, and the submarine goes under in a way that feels stable rather than jarring. If you’re normally prone to motion discomfort, this is still a good option compared with smaller boats.
That said, one common physical note: you might feel pressure in your ears during descent, and for some people the discomfort eases after a few hours. If you’re sensitive to that kind of sensation, pack something that helps you manage pressure (like what you’d normally use on flights) and don’t force it—just take it steady.
For seating: the best window views depend on where you sit. One guest even noted that the CCTV screen quality wasn’t ideal from the stern port side, so if you care about screens and not just the glass, ask during boarding about where the clearest viewing angles tend to be.
What This Trip Is Best For (And Who Might Not Love It)
This is an easy match for:
- Families with kids age 2 and up (you’re required to be at least 2 years old)
- People who want marine life photos but don’t want scuba gear or training
- Anyone who loves guided context and wants the audio to explain what’s on screen
It’s less of a match for:
- People who are specifically looking for long underwater “exploration time.” This is short and designed for comfort, not extended bottom time.
- Anyone who hates being around families during busy periods. Because it’s family-friendly, you might experience some background noise.
Should You Book the Southern Tenerife Submarine Experience?
Yes—if you want a high-impact, low-hassle way to see real Atlantic marine life from inside a submarine. The best reasons to book are the seabed stop, the strong window viewing setup, and the free headphones with audio in many languages.
If you’re deciding between this and a shore snorkeling or simple boat tour, this one is harder to beat for “wow per minute.” You get closer, calmer viewing, and you’ll likely spend more of your time actually watching behavior rather than scanning for fleeting surface glimpses.
Just go in with realistic expectations: it’s short, it’s not a private charter, and it’s popular with families. If that fits your trip style, the Sub Fun Cinco outing from Amarilla Marina is a genuinely fun day in southern Tenerife.
FAQ
How deep does the submarine go?
The submarine descends to about 100 feet (30 meters).
How long is the tour?
The activity duration is listed as 1 to 3 hours, depending on the scheduled start times and the overall program.
Is the bus transfer included?
Yes. A free bus transfer is available from main hotel areas in and around Playa de Las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, Puerto de Santiago, and Los Gigantes.
Are headphones provided for the audio guide?
Yes. Headphones are provided free of charge with the audio guide system.
What languages are available for the audio guide?
The audio guide is available in Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Czech, and Russian.
Is it suitable for young children?
Participants must be at least 2 years old or above. Children under 2 years are not suitable.

























