Yellow Mountain (Montaña Amarilla) – Canary Islands – Tenerife
Site Overview
Yellow Mountain, or Montaña Amarilla, is a shallow, sheltered bay near Costa del Silencio named for its yellow volcanic cliffs. The turtle-grass meadows and sandy bottom at 1-12 m are home to green turtles, rays and garden eels, making it one of Tenerife’s best beginner and snorkel-and-dive combos. Easy shore entry and calm water suit first-timers and families, while photographers can capture turtles grazing in clear Atlantic light. Its gentle profile is perfect for a relaxed introduction to the island’s marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season.
Dive Briefing
"Enter from the beach and fin slowly over the seagrass, keeping off the bottom to protect the grass and turtles. At 4-8 m look for green turtles grazing and rays resting on the sand, and check the rocky edges for wrasse. Ascend gradually and do your safety stop in the shallows near the entry. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."
Signature Marine Life
Green Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Best: Year-round
Stingray
Dasyatis pastinaca
Best: Year-round
Garden Eel
Heteroconger sapiens
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Labrus spp.
Best: Year-round
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Summer
Safety & Hazards
- Surge on entry
- Boat traffic in the bay
- Sun exposure
- Shallow depth and buoyancy control
- Slippery rocks
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for complete beginners, snorkellers paired with divers, families and anyone wanting a calm, shallow encounter with turtles. It is also a gentle training site for entry skills and buoyancy over seagrass. Confident divers use it as an easy, low-stress dive. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks, beaches and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Dive Center Tenerife
- Buceo Atlántico
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Local Dive Lodge
Costa del Silencio • 3km away
Coastal Guesthouse
Costa del Silencio • 5km away