Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

Turtles graze among the seagrass off Abades, and this small-group snorkel tour gives you a respectful chance to look for them in their natural habitat. I like two things especially: the 50-minute guided swim from the beach, which avoids a boat ride, and the included photos and videos, so you can enjoy the water without trying to film it yourself.

The main caveat is that turtle sightings are never promised. Sea conditions can also change the plan, and this is not suitable for non-swimmers, despite the beginner-friendly support and buoyant wetsuits. If you can swim and are comfortable following an instructor in open water, the calm bay and attentive guidance make this a sound-value outing.

What to know before you book

• Look for turtles, but enjoy the reef regardless. Green sea turtles are seen here, but they move freely and may be out of reach. Fish, rays, octopuses and other marine life can make the swim worthwhile even without a turtle encounter.
• Start and finish at the beach. You enter the water from Abades, not from a boat. That can be a plus if you are prone to seasickness.
• Plan on two hours, with 50 minutes in the water. The rest is for preparation, equipment, instructions and getting the group organized.
• Expect close attention in a small group. There are no more than eight participants, and multilingual instructors help with equipment and water confidence.
• Photos and videos are included. An underwater photographer records the outing, then sends digital images at no extra cost.
• You need to be able to swim. Beginners are welcome, but non-swimmers, wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments are not suited to this activity.

Abades beach sets the scene

The tour starts at Abades, on Tenerife’s southeast coast. The marine protected area has a sheltered bay, rocky reef formations and small coves. Seagrass beds around the reefs offer habitat for green turtles, while the rocks attract fish and other marine life.

You meet at Magilu and should look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt. Arrive 10 minutes before the start, already wearing your swimsuit if possible. The beach has a public shower, which is useful after the swim, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

There is no boat transfer to factor into the outing. For anyone who gets seasick, that is a practical advantage, though it does not remove the effects of wind or rough water at the beach. The operator may change or cancel the activity if weather, wind or sea conditions make it unsuitable.

A short briefing before the water

Before entering the sea, your instructors explain what to expect, how to use the gear and how to behave around marine animals. That matters most if snorkeling is new to you. A clear explanation and a little time to adjust the mask and breathing can make the first minutes less daunting.

Raffaella and Ron are among the instructors associated with this tour. They speak several listed languages: Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch and German. Their role is not just to point out sea life. They help participants get comfortable with the equipment, keep the group together and check that people are doing all right. Families with children and adults who need extra reassurance can ask for assistance.

The tour is open to beginners, but the requirements deserve a careful read. You do not need previous snorkeling experience, yet you must be able to swim. The provider lists non-swimmers as unsuitable, so do not mistake an encouraging instructor or a buoyant wetsuit for a substitute for swimming ability. Minors need adult supervision throughout.

Getting fitted with wetsuit and mask

The price includes a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots and adjustable fins. The wetsuits come in a range of sizes and add warmth and buoyancy, while boots help protect your feet around the rocky shoreline. It is a useful setup for a beach-entry tour, where the equipment needs to work well from the first steps into the water.

The provider contacts participants by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for measurements. Replying promptly should help the team prepare a suitable fit. Bring swimwear; the rest of the main snorkeling kit is supplied. Full-face masks are not allowed, so bring a conventional mask only if you have a particular preference, and check with the operator before assuming you can use your own equipment.

Water temperatures are listed as 19 to 23 degrees Celsius from March through September. A wetsuit helps, but you may still feel cool, especially if you are sensitive to cold or spend time out of the water between preparations. No temperature range is given for other months, so ask the operator if you are booking outside that period.

The 50-minute swim through reef and seagrass

Once the group is ready, the guided portion begins from the beach. The average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of 8 meters. That gives you a view of the reef and seabed without the outing being a deep-water excursion, though you are still swimming in open sea and should follow the guides’ instructions.

The route takes in rocky formations and nearby coves, where you may see tropical and subtropical fish, octopuses, rays and other marine life. Seahorses are also mentioned as animals that live around the area, but spotting one is not guaranteed. The instructors can help you notice creatures that are easy to miss, including animals camouflaged against rock or sand.

Green turtles are the headline possibility, often found around the seagrass. The important word is possibility. They are wild animals, not a scheduled stop, and may be elsewhere or beyond the reach of a snorkeler. The guides’ rules are sensible: do not feed or touch marine life, and keep a respectful distance from turtles. That restraint is part of what makes the encounter worthwhile. You are observing wildlife on its terms, not being promised a staged interaction.

Even when turtles stay away, there is plenty to look for in the shallows. The water can be clear enough to make fish and reef formations easy to see, though visibility depends on conditions. Sea life varies from outing to outing, so go for the chance to explore the protected bay, not for a guaranteed checklist of animals.

Support for nervous beginners and families

The small-group limit of eight is a meaningful part of this tour’s appeal. In a compact group, instructors can help with a mask that leaks, explain how to use the snorkel or stay close to someone who feels uneasy. That kind of support is especially valuable in the first few minutes, when breathing through a snorkel can feel unfamiliar.

Extra assistance is available for small children, seniors and people who are not strong swimmers. That does not mean the tour accepts non-swimmers; the distinction is important. You need to be able to swim, but you do not need to be an expert, and the guides can offer support as you build confidence. Parents should still judge their child’s comfort in open water and supervise minors as required.

The experience has worked for families with school-age children and for older participants, including an 82-year-old who received support. Those examples show the range of people the guides can accommodate, not a guarantee that every person will find the swim easy. Mobility impairments and wheelchair use are listed as exclusions, as are people under 30 kilograms or over 140 kilograms.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, tell the operator before the tour. The water is not a controlled pool, and wind or swell may affect how the outing feels. Anyone prone to motion sickness is advised to take medication, although the tour starts from shore and does not require a boat ride.

Photos that leave you free to watch

An underwater photographer takes pictures and videos during the excursion, and the digital files are included. That is more than a small extra: you can keep your attention on the reef, your breathing and the guide’s signals instead of trying to manage a camera while swimming.

Images are often sent through WhatsApp after the outing, sometimes the following day. Delivery timing can vary, but there is no additional charge for the files. If you have previous snorkeling experience, you may bring your own camera. The restriction is sensible for beginners, who are better off focusing on staying comfortable and keeping up with the group.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, the fee covers the guided 50-minute swim, wetsuit and full equipment set, multilingual instruction, insurance, water and the photo and video files. Since you do not need to rent a mask, fins or suit separately, the price is easy to assess: you are paying for a prepared, guided activity rather than just access to the water.

The value lies in the small group and hands-on help as much as in the gear. If you are new to snorkeling, having instructors explain the basics and stay attentive can make the difference between a short, anxious attempt and a comfortable look around. The included photography is another welcome saving, though it should be treated as a souvenir rather than the main reason to book.

Food and transport are not included. Bring your own meal or snack if you need one, and check how you will reach Abades before reserving. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check available start times when choosing a date.

Who should book this snorkel tour?

This is a good fit if you can swim, want a guided introduction to snorkeling, and value help with equipment and confidence. It also suits families with children who are ready for open water, couples looking for a low-key coastal activity, and experienced snorkelers who want an easy shore-entry outing with a guide.

It is less suitable if you cannot swim, have mobility needs that make beach entry difficult, or would be disappointed without a turtle sighting. The best mindset is to treat turtles as a possible bonus and the reef, fish and experience of swimming in a protected bay as the reason to go.

I would book it if you are comfortable in the sea and want a well-supported, modestly priced introduction to Tenerife’s underwater life. I would not book it solely to guarantee a turtle encounter, or if you need a fully accessible activity. Check the weather update, share any medical concerns in advance and arrive ready to swim.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The full activity lasts about two hours. The guided snorkeling portion in the water lasts 50 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts from the beach at Abades. Meet at Magilu and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No previous snorkeling experience is required. The instructors provide a briefing and equipment help, but you must be able to swim. Non-swimmers are not suitable for the activity.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Green sea turtles live in the area, but they move freely and may not be within reach during your tour. You may also see fish and other marine life.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, boots and full wetsuit, along with water, insurance and multilingual instruction. Full-face masks are not allowed.

Are photos included in the price?

Yes. An underwater photographer takes photos and videos, which are sent to you digitally at no extra cost. With previous snorkeling experience, you may bring your own camera.