This dive was within a marine reserve project set up by David of Tenerife Divers to encourage marine life growth around the bay of El Puertito. A consequence of encouraging marine growth on the rocks is it provides food to other marine species, including a pair of green turtles. (Although perhaps some divers feeding them has also contributed) Our second dive of the day was to be a gentle bimble along the rocks making up the reserve and hope that one of the turtles comes along to say hi. We were not disappointed. I was first in and down the anchor line to the seabed at 6m. I secured the anchor on the rocks, took a mental note of the surroundings so we could find our way back and waited for Lisa and Rachel to meet me.

We then proceeded to make our way along where the rocky outcrop gave way to volcanic sand. Keeping a close eye on the blue water to the left of me we headed further along. About 5 minutes into the dive, we had our first turtle encounter. Ahead of me to my left a small Green turtle, about half a meter in size approached, I signalled Lisa who was behind me and to my right. She immediately shot of after it, this was her first encounter with a turtle in 14 years of diving and she was going to make sure she got a good view of it.

We made our way to the point of the bay and still had over 150bar left in our tanks. My SAC on this dive turned out to be around 10 l/min which I was very pleased with. but then there was absolutely no stress on this one. Our plan was when we reached the point we were going to turn the dive but just as we were about to, I peered out into the blue and saw the larger of the turtles heading straight back towards me. I steadied the camera and waited for him to come right up to my mask before I snapped the shot. It was fantastic. Again he stayed around and played with us and also with the other divers who had turned up from another dive boat. After those few more minutes we turned the dive and headed back. As we passed over the hideaway of the octopus we had seen earlier, we noticed he was a bit further out, so setting myself for the picture I positioned myself near the hole, when all of a sudden the turtle turned up again and nudged right in between us, to be greeted by being inked by the octopus. I managed to get a picture of the turtle covered in the octopus ink. It really was quite something to witness.

About 10 minutes before we reached the anchor line we were visited for the last time by the turtle who swam around us again and then glided off into the blue. It was a truly amazing 70 minutes in the water.

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Diving with the rays video
This video was taken on Saturday 20th October. We were diving with Island Divers, Tenerife. About 10 minutes into our dive we were joined by these two atlantic rays who circled us as though they were looking for something or someone in particular. When they found Graham, you can see what happened.

Absolutely amazing creatures. Truly one of my most memorable dives.

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It’s only taken 14 years but Lisa has finally had the opportunity to dive with turtles. She has been in the water before when they are around, 3 years ago when we were diving in Oman, her Dad who was on the neighbouring boat to us saw five on a dive whilst we dived with yet more lionfish. However last week in Tenerife she finally got her chance. Diving with Island Divers, we visited the El Puertito Marine Reserve, set up by a dive centre owner to encourage marine growth. The two resident green turtles had been previously rescued and after recuperation released into the area around the reserve. Finding themselves in save territory they have settled in and are regularly found on the reserve. After just a few minutes into our dive I spotted the smaller of the two off in the blue, eager to see, Lisa followed gently behind, slightly spooking the turtle with her exhaust bubbles when she took out her reg for a picture. Learning from that episode we carried on with the dive, a few minutes later I heard a squeal from behind me, as the larger of the two turtles appeared and nearly bowled Lisa over, this really was a close encounter.

Diving in Puertito Tenerife

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When booking a diving trip whether in the UK or abroad, it is as much about the people you dive with as the dive sites you visit. This is easy to sort out when one is booking as part of a group on a liveaboard or major dive trip but is somewhat more daunting when travelling on your own and to a lesser extent as a buddy pair or couple. After taking advice from other divers who had visited the islands before and going particularly on the recommendation of friends with whom I have dived regularly, we booked a couple of days diving with Island Divers in Tenerife. We chose Tenerife as it seemed to fulfill our criteria for decent diving in the sun with some good beaches and close enough to do a long weekend away .

As I was completely responsible for sorting this holiday out for Lisa’s 30th I was nervous that I got it right. Choosing Sonia and Graham of Island Divers for our diving and accomodation was definitely the right choice. They create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere which can put anyone at ease. The banter is excellent and the dives superb. With Lisa’s track record of diving with turtles (or not as the case may be) getting the opportunity to dive with the friendliest of turtles set the tone for the week, the addition of the rays dive on the Monday made it even more special.

Island divers is family run by people who enthuse about diving, in fact Graham and Sonia are just about to have a break and go on holiday, guess what they’ll be up to, they’ll be diving, in Grease costumes………….

Thank you Sonia and Graham for a fabulous week, you add that extra bit that makes good diving into a memorable diving.

All the dive reports from the week will end up on here as I write them, for now, check out the video clips of the turtle and rays dives.

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