Tabaiba is a nature reserve located on the east coast of Tenerife, near the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The diving area in Tabaiba is accessible from the shore, which makes it a perfect destination for divers of all levels.
The depth in this area varies from 3 to 30 meters, which makes it ideal for beginner and intermediate divers. The currents are usually mild, which facilitates the dive and allows divers to enjoy the marine life.
🧭 The best diving areas in Tabaiba
There are several interesting areas to dive in Tabaiba. Among the most popular are:
- Tabaiba Wreck: This wreck is an interesting and unique dive, as it is a ship that was sunk in a controlled manner to serve as an artificial reef. The structure of the ship is still easily recognizable, and you can find schools of fish that have made the wreck their home, such as bream, jacks and groupers. The depth of the wreck ranges from 18 to 30 meters, making it suitable for advanced divers.
- John Peter’s Reef: This artificial reef was created from natural rocks and designed by Juan Pedro Herrera, a diving and nature lover who sadly passed away in 2013. The reef is a miniature ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of marine species, from shrimp to groupers, trumpet fish, bogas and fulas. It is a dive suitable for divers of all levels.
- The Three Outfalls: This dive takes place in a series of old outfalls that extend along the coast of Tabaiba. Nature has managed to reuse them as a refuge for smaller species, such as anemones and seahorses. You can also find shrimps and, at some times of the year, even seahorses. It is a dive suitable for divers of all levels.
- El Rincón: This dive is a crossing dive and leads to a corner in Radazul full of life, under the recently created artificial beaches. Upon arrival, a shoal of “roncadores” will welcome us on a sandy bottom, where it is common to find angel sharks and shiners. The return to Tabaiba, next to the reef, is ideal to look for species among the rocks, such as the black mutt or the blue cocks. It is a dive suitable for divers of all levels.
In all these dives, it is important to follow safety rules and respect the natural environment to enjoy the diving experience in a responsible way.
🐠 What marine species can be seen in Tabaiba?
- Tropical fish: In Tabaiba you can find a great variety of tropical fish of different sizes, colors and shapes. Some of the most common are clown fish, angelfish, parrot fish, butterfly fish and surgeon fish. These fish are very showy and are often seen swimming in schools near the surface.
- Moray eels: Moray eels are a type of fish characterized by their elongated, scaleless body and large, toothed mouth. In Tabaiba, you can find moray eels of different sizes, from small to specimens of more than one meter in length. These fish are usually hidden in caves and crevices, but sometimes they come to the surface to feed.
- Octopuses: Octopuses are fascinating animals characterized by their eight tentacles and their ability to change color and texture to camouflage themselves with their surroundings. In Tabaiba, you can find octopuses of different sizes, from small to specimens of more than one meter in length. These animals are usually hidden in caves and crevices, but sometimes they are seen swimming along the seabed.
- Hermit crabs: Hermit crabs are crustaceans characterized by inhabiting empty shells of other animals, such as snails. In Tabaiba, you can find hermit crabs of different sizes and colors, and they are often seen walking along the seabed in search of new shells to live in.
- Starfish: Starfish are marine animals characterized by their flat, star-shaped body. In Tabaiba, you can find starfish of different sizes and colors, and they are often seen walking slowly along the seabed.
- Sea turtles: In Tabaiba, it is common to see sea turtles, especially in the summer months. These animals are large and majestic, and are often seen swimming near the surface in search of food.
- Rays and manta rays: it is also possible to spot stingrays and manta rays, two fascinating and beautiful marine animals to observe in their natural habitat. Stingrays have a flattened, rounded shape, while manta rays have a more triangular shape with a large, flat head and a short, pointed tail.
These are just some of the marine species that can be found in Tabaiba. It is important to remember that all these species are part of the rich biodiversity that inhabits the natural reserve, so it is important to respect the environment and follow the safety rules when diving.
🤿 Diving conditions in Tabaiba
To fully enjoy diving in Tabaiba, it is important to take into account the weather and sea conditions. The best months for diving in this area are from April to November, when the waters are usually calmer and visibility is optimal.
The water temperature usually ranges between 18 and 25 degrees, so the use of 5 or 7 mm thick neoprene wetsuits is recommended.
In addition, it is important to note that Tabaiba is a protected nature reserve, so you must respect the environment and the marine life that inhabits it. Divers must follow the safety rules and respect the diving signs.
In conclusion, Tabaiba is an impressive diving area in Tenerife, offering a great variety of marine life and easy access from the shore. For both beginner and experienced divers, it is a must-see destination that will not disappoint.
📍How to get there?
Tabaiba is a town in the municipality of El Rosario on the island of Tenerife. Tabaiba is accessed mainly by the Autopista del Sur TF-1 and the Carretera General del Sur TF-28.
