Safety

This topic is high on our agenda and we always adhere to the following:

• At all times our boats are manned by safety personnel during the dives.
• Each staff member is fully qualified for boat handling and trained in rescue techniques, oxygen administration and first aid.
• We always carry first aid and oxygen supply on every dive trip.
• We will not allow divers to exceed their maximum recommended depth limits according to the agency with which they have been trained. This is in part due to the fact that insurance cover will be void (see below).
• We will provide additional guides to cater for different levels of experience so that each individuals needs are catered for.
• Our maximum group size per guide is 6. The maximum number of people allowed on each boat excluding staff is 9.

Insurance and Medical information

Every diver is required by Spanish law to have insurance cover specifically for diving and we will ensure this is in place before you can dive with us. If you do not already have this before you arrive then no problem, we can organise daily or weekly insurance policies from 4€ per day within minutes.

Every diver should have a medical examination for diving every 2 years and we require a signature from you to state that you have no medical conditions that could be contra indicative to diving

Hyperbaric Chamber

There is a new (2008) hyperbaric facility on Tenerife situated at the University Hospital in La Laguna. This is a 1 hour drive or 20 minute helicopter trip from the dive centre.

We hold an authorization to use this facility (not all dive centres do!) and are required to pay an annual subscription.

Our Philosophy

• We're in the "fun" business. We love what we do and want to share this enjoyment of diving with you.
• We promote responsible diving and respect for the environment.
• We operate a no touching and no feeding policy and encourage our customers to do the same.
• We value your safety and comfort - we don’t cut corners to cut costs.
• We give personalised service in small groups. Your education and training is important to us – after all a certification card won’t help you to breathe under water.
• We will listen to you. Not happy with something we do? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Happy with our services? Tell everyone else.

Meet Our Staff

Our team of experienced staff can teach more than 16 specialties between them, all PADI courses up to Divemaster level, PADI Tec50, BSAC courses up to Advanced Diver, Accelerated Decompression Procedures and BSAC skipper courses. We have over 25 years teaching experience and well over 15000 logged dives collectively. We can also teach in 5 languages. Please allow us to introduce your Aqua-Marina team:

Ines Bergstraesser - Centre Manager

Ines joined our team as a PADI instructor in 2008 and by the time we were looking for a new Centre Manager in 2010 she had more than proved herself up to the job. Originally from Germany, Ines has spent several years in Tenerife and studied here at the university which qualifies her to be not only our primary German instructor but also our Spanish instructor too in all PADI courses up to Tec50. If you want help planning your dives, arranging accommodation, purchasing new equipment from our store, or with just about anything that will make your stay more enjoyable, Ines is your girl! Oh, and she is also a BSAC instructor!

Paul Sturgess - Technical Manager

Paul is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IANTD Mixing Technician and has been a PADI instructor since 1998 with over 4000 logged dives and over 180 diving certifications. In 2010 he added BSAC instructor to his long list of qualifications. As well as teaching courses, guiding dives and handling the boats Paul is responsible for our equipment maintenance (we keep him quite busy!). His wealth of technical experience means you can be sure your rental equipment is fully functional and kept in excellent condition. It also means we can provide a maintenance service for your personal equipment.

Emma Glover - Divemaster

Though Emma has been diving for several years she originally started working for us in 2006 as part of our sales team. It was too much for her not to be involved in the diving too so whenever she gets chance she is getting wet and taking you on guided tours. Having logged 1500 dives in Tenerife alone, she knows her way around and loves the marine life to be found here. There’s never a dull moment when Emma’s about; her enthusiasm for diving is truly infectious and she’ll only stop talking when the reg is in!

Ray Vonk - Instructor

Now a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer plus Tec50 Instructor and BSAC Instructor plus Accelerated Decompression Procedures Instructor, Ray has accumulated a wealth of qualifications and experience in the diving industry since starting his career in 2000. With over 8000 logged dives and 250+ certifications you will be in very good hands diving with Ray. He loves his kit and really knows his stuff so if you're not sure about that next BCD purchase he will be only too happy to give you his opinion on which wing would best suit your needs. With a great sense of humour too everyone has fun when diving with Ray, once they get used to the insults! Ray is from Holland and especially loves to exchange insults in his mother tongue!

Andy Molloy - Instructor

Although the most recent addition to our team, Andy is our most experienced BSAC instructor, with 10 years under his belt, and is equally well experienced in the PADI training system with 800 certifications since 1998, and is now a PADI Master Instructor and Tec50 Instructor. Andy loves teaching and has gained a loyal following of ex-students who are managing to track him down here at Aqua-Marina. It is thanks to Andy’s status as BSAC Advanced Instructor that we are the only BSAC Premier Dive Centre in Tenerife. Along with many other SDCs Andy is qualified to teach BSAC skipper courses, Boat Handling and Diver Cox’n, on our RIBs.

Facilities

Our shop and booking office is located where Paseo Tarajal meets the promenade, alongside the magnificent Las Vistas beach.

In addition to checking out our schedule and booking your diving you can relax on the terrace, complete your logbook and enjoy refreshments from one of the neighbouring cafes.

We sell a range of diving accessories from lanyards and logbooks to high quality masks and a selection of Suunto dive computers. And of course no trip is complete without your souvenir T-shirt!

We stock several styles of Aqualung and Fourth Element rash vests and Fourth Element Thermocline vests – the latter being a great choice when you need extra insulation without extra buoyancy.

Our wet centre is in the lower gallery of the same complex and is home to the following:

• Rental equipment, all regularly serviced/maintained
• Hot shower/changing room with soap and shampoo
• Technical and maintenance area
• 4-hose 400 litre Bauer compressor
• Rinse hose/tanks
• First aid equipment and oxygen
• Dedicated area for divers to leave their kit for the duration of their stay
• Briefing area
• Toilet

(NB: We cannot accept responsibility for any personal belongings left in the dive centre – this is entirely at the divers own risk. However, the centre is locked when not manned and valuables may be left in the office.)

Our Kit

We pride ourselves on the quality of our kit which is frequently a source of pleasant surprise to divers who have left theirs at home.

Masks:

We have a selection of Cressi and Aqualung masks in various styles to suit different face shapes and sizes.

Wetsuits:

We use 5mm full length wetsuits with a different cut for men and ladies to ensure a better fit. Sizes up to men’s XXXL. In the winter extra layers can be provided, together with hoods. Children’s wetsuits also available.

BCDs:

All are Aqualung Wave in sizes ranging from children’s to XXL.

Regulators:

We have 25 Aqualung regulators. A strict maintenance schedule is followed so that your safety and comfort are maximised.

Tanks:

Our steel tanks are available in 10, 12, 15 and even 18 litres. We can cater for DIN or International valves. Tanks are visually inspected annually and pressure tested every 3 years.

Fins/boots:

We can provide Aqualung and Cressi boots and fins in sizes up to 46/47 or UK size 12.

Options:

To enhance your dive we also have available for rent Underwater cameras, Dive computers, Lamps and DPV's. Please see our price list for current rental fees.

Our Boats

We have two RIBs: a 7.5m Valiant and a 6.25m Capelli taking groups of up to 9 divers each. We meet at 0900 and 1130 every day for the dives and 1430 for those who want a 3rd dive. Our RIB is waiting to collect the divers from the local beach and take them the 5– 25 minute boat ride to the site. We return to the centre between dives for the surface interval, so divers have the flexibility to opt for one, two or three dives each day. If you are concerned about spending time away from friends or family you will find that our timetable allows you to make one or two dives and still have time for other activities in the afternoon.

Our Compressors

We have 2 high pressure compressors; a 4-hose 400 litre Bauer V15 compressor for standard air fills and a Bauer B-Trox Nitrox membrane for fills up to 36% oxygen content. These machines are serviced and maintained on a continuous basis in order to ensure your air fills are clean and safe.

We are the holders of a compressor installation certificate from the Government of the Canaries Department of Industry.

We offer 32% NITROX for free.

Custom fills for Nitrox are available on request.

Our Minibus

In October 2008 we purchased a new Hyundai 1 six seater minibus for collecting divers from their hotel in the morning, should this be required.