Playa San Juan and Los Gigantes present a concentrated stretch of volcanic reef diving along Tenerife's south-west coast. Shore entries dominate, making the area accessible without a boat, though deeper wall and reef dives reward those who venture offshore. The site mix runs from shallow cave and reef combinations suited to beginners through to demanding walls and drop-offs for advanced divers. European Parrotfish, Trumpetfish, and Great Barracuda appear across almost every site, while the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Eagle Ray add a striking dimension to the deeper reefs.
Monthly water temperature across Playa San Juan & Los Gigantes's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures stay warm throughout the year, rising to their peak in autumn and dipping only slightly in late winter, which means diving is truly comfortable in any season. The histogram of favoured months points clearly to late spring through early autumn as the prime window, when conditions are most settled and visibility is at its best. The more exposed sites along the coast can carry surge, so timing dives to calmer conditions pays off year-round.
17 operators
21 more sites to explore
Water temperature around Playa San Juan & Los Gigantes ranges from about 20°C in February to 24°C in September, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 24°C) a 3mm full suit is comfortable in Playa San Juan & Los Gigantes; in the coldest months (about 20°C) step up to a 5mm suit.
Fin maps 33 sites in Playa San Juan & Los Gigantes (33 scuba diving sites and 4 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
The reefs here support a broad range of species observed across many sites. European Parrotfish, Trumpetfish, Canary Damsel and Great Barracuda are very common, while Dusky Grouper, Fangtooth Moray, Common Octopus and European Common Cuttlefish appear regularly. Common Stingray and Eagle Ray patrol sandy areas, and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle is an occasional but well-documented visitor.
The majority of sites in the area are accessible directly from shore, making independent diving straightforward. Sites such as Fonsalía, The Mushrooms, Digger and Bahia Alcalá all offer shore entries. A handful of the deeper and more advanced sites, including La Tixera and Atlantis, are boat-access only.
Yes, the area is well suited to newer divers. The majority of listed sites are rated beginner level, including several shallow reef and cave dives reachable from shore. More advanced divers also have options: sites such as La Tixera and Atlantis involve deeper walls and require solid buoyancy skills, offering a clear progression as experience grows.
Volcanic reef is the dominant site type throughout the area, frequently combined with caves, caverns and walls shaped by the island's lava flows. Several sites also feature artificial reef structures. Playa Paraiso stands out for its diversity, combining reef, canyon, wall and artificial reef in a single dive. Garachico adds a wreck element, its remains tied directly to a historic volcanic eruption that reshaped the coastline.
