Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Off Playa Abades, the seabed brings you close to schools of colorful fish, rocky formations and, with luck, a sea turtle gliding up for air. This two-hour snorkel is guided by an experienced instructor, with equipment, a wetsuit and photos included in the $35 price.

I like two things in particular: the small groups, limited to six, make it easier for a guide to keep an eye on nervous swimmers, and the included underwater photos and videos give you a record of the experience without another fee. One caveat: turtles are not guaranteed, and the longer swim to their usual area is not suitable for every swimming ability.

Key points to know

• Turtles are a possibility, not the promise: Six sea turtles are currently said to live at the beach, but an open-ocean sighting depends on luck and conditions.
• Beginners can get close support: The instructors work with children and anxious participants, and non-swimmers have enjoyed the fish with extra help.
• The group is deliberately small: It is limited to six people, though groups may sometimes be combined.
• Your gear is supplied: Expect a mask, snorkel, fins and a long or short wetsuit, with fit options available.
• Photos and videos are included: You can keep images of the underwater outing at no extra charge.
• Plan for a beach meeting: Meet in front of Restaurant Magilu; there is parking, but no hotel pickup is included.

Starting at Playa Abades

The meeting point is in front of Restaurant Magilu, by the white benches facing the sea. There is plenty of parking, which makes this a practical outing if you have a rental car. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the tour, so plan your own route to the beach.

The session lasts two hours, but that includes getting ready and the guide’s explanation, not two uninterrupted hours in the water. You meet the instructor, get fitted for snorkeling equipment and a wetsuit, and hear what to expect before heading out. Several participants have praised the clear explanations and careful checks on how everyone is doing.

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear and a sun hat. You can leave personal belongings in the team’s car, according to the tour information, but bring only what you need. One practical wrinkle: there is no changing room or toilet included with the activity. A nearby café was helpful to one participant, but do not count on its facilities without checking.

Getting fitted and feeling at ease

You receive snorkeling equipment and either a long or short wetsuit. Good fit matters: a mask that seals properly and fins that feel comfortable can make a new activity much less tiring. The team has different sizes and options, and participants have specifically appreciated being able to find suitable wetsuits and fins.

Before you enter the water, tell the instructor plainly if you are nervous, a weak swimmer or unable to swim. That information can affect the support provided and whether you can take part comfortably. A non-swimmer may still enjoy the fish and nearby sea life, but the longer swim toward the turtle area is not suitable for everyone. Do not book expecting a turtle encounter if you cannot manage that distance.

The instructors are described as experienced in snorkeling and freediving, with more than 20 years of work with children and people who feel afraid in the water. Past participants describe guides including Natalie, Andre and Andres, and praise their calm, attentive manner. Names may vary by date, so do not assume a particular person will lead your session.

The team says the beach has no dangerous marine life, but this is still open ocean. Conditions and comfort can differ from one outing to another. Follow the instructor’s directions, and speak up if you are cold, tired or uncomfortable. The activity is not suitable for people with a cold, mobility impairments or wheelchair users. Children under five cannot join; pregnancy is listed as allowed.

Following the rocky reef

Once the briefing and fitting are done, you head into the water with your guide and explore the coast near Playa Abades. The route may include different snorkeling spots along the shore, with depths suited to observing marine life. The coast’s volcanic rock formations give the underwater scenery a distinctly Tenerife character, while the reef provides habitat for fish and other sea life.

Expect to look closely rather than cover a great distance at speed. The guide’s local knowledge helps direct your attention to fish and places where an octopus may be tucked under stones. Octopuses are a possibility, not a sighting to count on; they can be hard to spot when they are hidden against the rocks.

Many participants have enjoyed seeing plenty of fish, even when no turtle appeared. Some have also spotted rays, and one group saw squid and barracudas. These encounters are wild-animal sightings, not scheduled stops, so the exact mix can change. That uncertainty is part of snorkeling in the open sea, but it is also why I would value a guide who knows the area and can help you notice what is right in front of you.

The turtle question, answered honestly

The possibility of seeing a sea turtle is a major draw, and there are six said to live around this beach. People have encountered turtles here, sometimes close enough to watch one come up to breathe. But the tour cannot promise a sighting: turtles move freely, and the guide has no control over whether one appears during your session.

There is also a practical difference between seeing fish and reaching the area where turtles may be found. The tour information warns that non-swimmers cannot see turtles because it is a longer swim. If your main goal is a turtle, be honest about your swimming ability before booking and ask the operator what support is available. If you are content to enjoy fish and reef life either way, the outing has more to offer than a single hoped-for encounter.

A turtle-free session can still be worthwhile. Participants have had good outings in poor weather and on days when they saw rays and fish but no turtles. Go for the guided snorkeling and the chance of wildlife, not for a guaranteed checklist.

Support for children and nervous swimmers

This tour is designed to welcome beginners, and its small-group format helps make that possible. Instructors work with children and people who are afraid of the water; participants describe receiving extra help, including direct assistance from a guide. One non-swimmer said they felt secure and enjoyed seeing fish, while another nervous participant was supported throughout.

That is reassuring, but it is not a reason to conceal your limits. Tell the team when booking if you cannot swim or are uneasy in the sea, so they can discuss what assistance is possible. Non-swimmers should understand the stated limit: they can see fish and sea life, but should not expect to reach the turtle area.

Families may find this a memorable way to share a first snorkeling experience. A family with a seven-year-old reported a good time, and the tour is open to children aged five and older. The minimum age is not a guarantee that every child will be comfortable in open water, so consider your child’s confidence and ability to follow instructions.

Photos, price and what the cost covers

At $35 per person, the price includes the two-hour guided tour, instructor, snorkeling gear, wetsuit, photos and videos. That is good value if you would otherwise need to rent equipment or pay separately for images. The photo and video package is especially useful if you want a keepsake but would rather keep your hands free while snorkeling.

The photos are a bonus, not the main reason to book. The central value is having equipment supplied and a guide who knows the local water and can adjust support to the group. People have praised the equipment and the images, though the exact number or delivery method for photos and videos is not specified. Confirm those details with the operator if they matter to you.

The price does not include transportation or hotel pickup. You also need to bring your own swimwear, towel and sun protection. Factor in the time and cost of getting to Abades if you are staying elsewhere on Tenerife.

A few practical details before you book

The instructor speaks German, Spanish and English. The group is limited to six participants, though the team notes that groups may sometimes need to be combined. If you are booking because you want close attention, ask about the group size for your chosen time.

If you wear glasses to see, note that you cannot wear them under the snorkeling mask. The supplied information does not mention prescription masks, so ask the operator directly if you need vision correction in the water. Bring a sun hat for before and after the swim, and a towel and dry beachwear for when you get out.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying today. Starting times depend on availability. Those flexible terms are useful, but they do not change the main decision: be comfortable with open water and with the possibility of not seeing a turtle.

Should you book the Playa Abades snorkel?

I would book this if you want an affordable, guided introduction to snorkeling on Tenerife, especially if you value a small group, equipment supplied and photos included. It suits confident beginners, families with children aged five and older, and nervous swimmers who are willing to tell the team what support they need.

Think twice if you cannot swim and your main goal is to see a turtle, or if you need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The strongest reason to go is the chance to explore the fish and rocky reef with an attentive guide; a turtle, ray or octopus is a welcome extra. If that sounds like a fair bargain, Playa Abades is a good place to spend two hours in the sea.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling tour?

The activity lasts two hours, including preparation and the guided time in the water.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $35 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet in front of Restaurant Magilu, by the white benches facing the ocean at Playa Abades.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a long or short wetsuit are included.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are included at no extra charge.

Will I definitely see a sea turtle?

No. Six sea turtles are said to live at the beach, but sightings are not guaranteed because this is open ocean.

Can non-swimmers take part?

Non-swimmers may be able to see fish and other sea life with support, but the longer swim to the turtle area is not suitable for them.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructors speak German, Spanish and English.

Is there parking at the meeting point?

Yes. The information for the activity says there are many parking spaces.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and beachwear.