Tenerife: Kayak & Snorkeling Tour – Small Groups

Dolphins and sea turtles are the headline here, but the appealing part is getting out on the Atlantic in a small kayak group rather than watching the coast from shore. Sightings are never guaranteed, yet the route passes a spot where these animals are often seen.

I like two practical details: the group is limited to ten, so your guide can keep an eye on beginners, and the Los Cristianos office has a bathroom, changing space, and secure storage. The snorkeling stop adds a second way to explore the coast, with equipment and instruction provided.

One thing to weigh: this is an active trip, and the water can feel cold, especially for children. You need to be comfortable in the sea and able to paddle; the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with low fitness, back problems, or motion sickness.

At a glance: ten paddlers, two ways to explore

• A small group: No more than ten participants join, which helps the guide offer support on the water.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins and turtles are frequently seen in the area, but they are wild animals.
• Snorkeling is included: Mask and snorkel are provided, and the guide explains how to use them.
• A practical starting point: Change, use the bathroom, and leave belongings at the Los Cristianos office before walking about five minutes to the beach.
• A three-hour outing: Expect kayaking, time to watch for marine life, and a snorkeling stop.
• A modest extra cost for photos: The guide takes pictures and videos, which you can buy after the trip if you wish.

Starting at the Los Cristianos office

The tour begins at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office. To find it, look for the office next to a real estate office, with Ricoche café opposite. You can change there, use the bathroom, and leave personal belongings safely before heading to the beach.

That setup is useful for a water activity. You do not need to carry a bag full of dry clothes in the kayak, and you can arrive in beachwear, sort yourself out, then head down to the shore. The walk to Los Cristianos Beach takes about five minutes, where the kayaks are waiting.

The operator provides a paddle, life jacket, snorkeling mask and breathing tube, and water. Wetsuits are available if you want one. Bring your own sunglasses, sun hat, biodegradable sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear. The information also recommends bringing water, though water is included, so check with the operator if you want to know how much is supplied.

The group cap of ten is a real advantage for first-timers. A guide can explain the basics before launch and help keep the group together without making the outing feel like a crowded procession. Tours are offered in English, Spanish, Italian, and Lithuanian.

A calm briefing before the kayaks leave shore

At the beach, the guide gives a safety briefing of about ten minutes. It is a chance to ask questions and get comfortable with the equipment before setting off. The kayaks are high-quality double RTM models, so you will share a boat rather than paddle a single kayak.

The start is directly from the shallow beach. That is simpler than launching from a dock, though you should expect to get wet as you get in. Later, you will need to climb back into the kayak from the water after snorkeling. One useful tip from the trip’s practical advice: water shoes can help with getting in and out, but they are not required.

The guide is there to help, not just point out the route. Justas Vaidogas is the named provider, and guides on different departures have included Manuel and Juju. The specific guide can vary. The most useful quality for a beginner is patience: one first-time pair needed help climbing back into the kayak, and their guide helped them stay calm and get aboard.

Paddling beneath Montaña Guaza and Mount Teide

The route follows the Los Cristianos coast, with views back toward town, the volcanic slopes of Montaña Guaza, and Mount Teide in the distance. The mix of shore-level scenery and Tenerife’s larger volcanic forms gives you a different view from the one you get on land.

The itinerary assigns about 30 minutes to the first kayaking leg, followed by a period for watching marine life. The pace is described as relaxed, but you should still expect sustained paddling and some physical effort. This is not a motorboat outing with a brief photo stop.

The kayaks are doubles, which can make the work easier to share, but it helps if both people are prepared to paddle. If you are new to kayaking, the briefing and small group are reassuring. Still, the tour is not recommended for people with low fitness, back problems, or a body weight over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

Watching for dolphins and turtles near the fish farms

The wildlife portion takes place near local fish farms, an area where dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen. Bottlenose dolphins and turtles are the main hoped-for sightings. Some groups have seen dolphins swimming close to the kayaks, while others have spotted turtles; one outing reported around 20 dolphins. That kind of encounter is possible, not something the operator can promise.

That distinction matters. You are going to sea to look for wild animals, not to a controlled show, so sightings can vary. The trip is still worthwhile for the coastal views and time on the water, but book it for the whole outing rather than treating a dolphin encounter as a guaranteed feature.

Keep your expectations respectful and your attention on the guide. If animals do appear nearby, the guide can help the group respond safely. The tour’s small size is especially helpful here: it is easier to listen to instructions when you are not surrounded by a large flotilla.

Snorkeling over volcanic rock

About an hour into the outing, the group anchors the kayaks and stops for roughly 30 minutes of snorkeling. The guide supplies a mask and breathing tube and teaches you how to use them. You may see parrotfish, trumpet fish, green fish, schools of barracudas, and other marine life among underwater volcanic rock formations.

If you have never snorkeled, the instruction is a welcome part of the trip rather than an assumption that you already know what to do. One first-time snorkeler was nervous about breathing through the tube, but was able to get comfortable and enjoy the stop. That is encouraging, though it does not change the basic requirement: this tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

The water can be cold, particularly for children. Optional wetsuits are available, and it is sensible to ask about one if you tend to feel chilly. The stop is an active part of the excursion, not just a quick dip, so plan for time in the water and for climbing back into your kayak afterward.

Do not eat a heavy meal just before setting out if you are prone to feeling queasy. That is practical advice for a trip involving both paddling and time in the sea. The tour also excludes people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.

The return paddle and a rinse on shore

After snorkeling, you get back into the kayaks and paddle toward Los Cristianos Beach. The itinerary allows another 30 minutes for this return section. The stated three-hour duration also covers the briefing and transitions, so the full outing is more than the time spent actively paddling.

Once ashore, you walk back to the office. Freshwater beach showers are available along the way, a helpful finish after salt water and sunscreen. You can change at the office before heading on with the rest of your day.

Photos and videos are taken by a guide and can be purchased for an extra fee. That lets you keep your hands free and focus on paddling, though you should not count on the photo package being part of the $37 price.

Is $37 good value?

At $37 per person for three hours, the price covers a double kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, guide, water, and access to the office facilities. An optional wetsuit is also available. For an activity that combines kayaking, a guided wildlife search, and snorkeling, that is a solid package at a relatively accessible price.

The value depends partly on what you hope to see. If dolphins and turtles appear, the wildlife encounter can make the trip especially memorable. But because sightings are not guaranteed, judge the price by the complete experience: time on the water, coastal views, the snorkeling stop, equipment, and help from a guide.

Photos and videos cost extra, so factor that in only if you want them. You can also reserve now and pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing a date.

Who should book this kayak trip?

This outing suits you if you enjoy being active outdoors, want to see Tenerife from the water, and are comfortable trying both kayaking and snorkeling. It is especially appealing if you are a beginner who would value a guide, clear instructions, and a small group rather than heading out alone.

Families can join, but children under 11 must share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. A child with kayaking experience who is bigger and capable of paddling needs to book as an adult. Since the water may feel cold to children, consider their comfort in the sea, not just their enthusiasm for the idea.

Skip it if you cannot swim, have back problems, are prone to seasickness or motion sickness, have low fitness, weigh over 220 pounds, or are over 95 years old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. For everyone else, the key question is simple: are you happy to paddle for a while and get into the Atlantic? If yes, this is a good-value way to combine coastline, wildlife watching, and snorkeling in one half-day outing.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three hours. The schedule includes a safety briefing, kayaking, time to look for marine life, and a snorkeling stop.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to ten participants.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides offer tours in English, Spanish, Italian, and Lithuanian.

Are dolphins and turtles guaranteed?

No. Dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen in the area, but they are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and breathing tube are provided, and the guide explains how to use them.

Is a wetsuit included?

Wetsuits are available as an optional item.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, biodegradable sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear. Water is included, but the activity’s suggested packing list also recommends bringing water.

Can children take part?

Children under 11 must ride in the same kayak as a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. A child with kayaking experience who is bigger and capable of paddling must join as an adult.

Can non-swimmers join?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Are photos included in the price?

No. A guide takes photos and videos, which you can purchase for an additional fee.