Tenerife: Snorkeling Trip in a Turtle Habitat

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the mix of speedboat ride and time in the water. You get coastal views on the way to a turtle habitat, then about 50 minutes to snorkel with a guide who can point out marine life.

I like two things in particular: the crew provides the main snorkeling gear, including wetsuits, and the guides have a strong reputation for helping nervous first-timers feel safe. I also like that you can come along for the boat ride and sea views even if you would rather not snorkel.

The trade-off is simple: no one can promise you’ll see a turtle. Conditions and wildlife vary, and some trips spot fish or dolphins instead. At $41 for two hours, it is a reasonable way to get out on the Atlantic, as long as you value the outing itself and not just a turtle sighting.

• The boat ride is part of the appeal: The speedboat takes about 15 minutes each way and gives you a fresh view of Tenerife’s south coast.
• Turtle sightings are a bonus, not a guarantee: The snorkel site is in a turtle habitat, but wildlife has its own schedule.
• Beginners get help: Guides give a safety briefing and stay close to support you in the water.
• Main gear is provided: Wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel are included, along with water.
• Bring your own swimwear and towel: Prescription snorkeling goggles are not supplied, and you cannot use a mask over glasses.
• The base is at Puerto Colón: Meet at the Travel Sub reception in the Escuela Nautica building, opposite pier 5.

A short ride from Puerto Colón to the turtle habitat

This is a small sea outing, not an all-day excursion. You meet at the Travel Sub reception, then receive a safety briefing before heading out by speedboat. The ride to the snorkeling area takes about 15 minutes, followed by roughly 50 minutes in the water and another 15-minute ride back.

The boat trip is more than simple transport. It gives you a look at Tenerife’s coast from the Atlantic, and the crew may pause if dolphins appear nearby. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the ride itself can be enjoyable even if the sea stays quiet.

The advertised duration is two hours, so allow for a compact morning or afternoon activity rather than a full day away. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. The meeting point is in the Escuela Nautica building, opposite pier 5, inside the private parking area at Puerto Colón. Go inside and find the reception rather than waiting on the pier.

What happens during the safety briefing

The briefing lasts about 30 minutes, which is a substantial part of a two-hour trip. That time is useful, particularly if you have never snorkeled before or feel unsure about being in open water. The guides explain the activity and safety precautions, help with equipment, and offer advice on where to look for sea life.

The quality of this introduction matters more than it might seem. A mask that fits and a snorkel you can use comfortably make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the whole session adjusting gear. The crew provides a wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel, and several families have found the guides patient with children and anxious swimmers.

You should still be honest about your comfort and swimming ability. One participant may need extra attention, and a group can move at the pace of its least confident snorkeler. If you have never tried snorkeling, the tour can still be an option: the guides are used to helping beginners, but you should be ready to listen closely and take your time.

The trip is wheelchair accessible, but the snorkeling itself involves getting into the water. If you would rather stay aboard, the outing is also suitable for people who want the coastal views without snorkeling.

Fifty minutes in the water, with wildlife on its own terms

The snorkeling stop is the heart of the trip. You have about 50 minutes to look for turtles and other marine life in an area where turtles live. The guide can suggest where to search, but this is wild habitat, not an aquarium with scheduled appearances.

Turtles are not guaranteed. Some outings spot them, while others do not. You might see colorful fish, rays or other marine life instead, and dolphins or whales may be seen from the boat. Treat every sighting as a bonus and you are less likely to judge the whole trip by one animal.

The turtle habitat is a protected place for wildlife, so touching animals is not allowed. Keep a respectful distance and follow the guide’s directions. The experience is at its best when you can watch without chasing or crowding the animals.

The water session is long enough to get a feel for the site, though it is not an extended snorkel. If you want hours in the water or a specialist wildlife excursion, this may feel brief. If you want a guided introduction with a scenic ride attached, the length makes sense.

The guides make a difference for beginners

The strongest recurring feature of this trip is the crew’s personal attention. Guides named in connection with the experience include Fabi, Fabiane, Max, Alina, Ale, Julia, Naty and Jasmine. The names will vary by departure, but the practical point is that the team is often praised for clear instructions, patience and helping nervous people feel at ease.

That support can be especially valuable for families. Children aged seven and nine have taken part with a parent, and teenagers have enjoyed the activity as a holiday highlight. Minors need adult supervision on the boat, and the activity is not suitable for babies under one year old.

There is also a babysitter available if parents want to take part in a separate scuba activity together. If that matters to your plans, confirm the arrangement with the operator before booking, since the snorkeling trip itself is the experience described here.

The tour has a 3.9 out of 5 rating from 1,311 ratings, so it is not a flawless bet for every person or every sea day. That score is worth keeping in mind alongside the very positive comments about staff and safety. Wildlife sightings and sea conditions can shape the day, and neither is under the guides’ control.

The speedboat and sea conditions

The boat ride is quick, but it adds a welcome change of pace. You cover the stretch to the snorkel site in about 15 minutes, then return the same way. If you enjoy being out on the water, the ride can be a highlight in its own right.

The Atlantic can be bumpy. The crew may change plans or cancel if conditions are not safe, and one group had its original trip cancelled because of the sea. That is frustrating if you have set an early alarm or built the outing into a tight schedule, but safety is the right call.

If your dates are flexible, leaving room for a possible change can make the outing less stressful. If you have only one free morning in Tenerife, consider that a sea activity depends on conditions more than a land-based one does.

What $41 covers, and what it does not

At $41 per person, the price includes the boat trip, a snorkeling guide, wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel, water, full insurance and a life jacket on request. That is a useful bundle, especially if you do not want to buy or carry your own equipment for a single outing.

For the price, you are paying for guided time in the water as well as transport to the site. The trip is short, but the included equipment and personal support make it more worthwhile for a first-time snorkeler than simply renting a mask and going out alone. If you are already an experienced snorkeler with your own gear, the value depends more on the boat ride, the guide and access to the site.

Photos and video are not included. The crew may take pictures underwater, and these can be available separately, but there is no stated price. Bring your own towel, swimsuit and sunscreen. Prescription snorkeling goggles are not supplied, and a standard mask cannot be worn over glasses, so you will need contact lenses or go without glasses in the water.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would consider this a good fit if you want a manageable introduction to snorkeling, a short boat trip and the chance to see marine life without committing to a full-day outing. It also suits families with children who can follow instructions and remain under adult supervision.

It may be less satisfying if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle encounter. The wildlife is unpredictable, and the snorkeling session is under an hour. If your idea of a good outing depends on seeing one specific animal, you may come away disappointed even if the crew does everything right.

You do not need to snorkel to take part. The trip is also suitable if you mainly want to enjoy the ocean and coastal views from the boat. That flexibility makes it useful for mixed groups, where one person is keen to get in the water and another would rather stay dry.

Practical details before you go

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if you want to change quickly, and bring a towel and sunscreen. Wetsuits are supplied, but swimwear is not. The operator provides water, so you do not need to bring a drink for the short trip.

Arrive at the Travel Sub reception in the Escuela Nautica building at Puerto Colón, opposite pier 5. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Guides speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Russian.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a spot without paying at the time of booking. Those terms are handy if your plans are still moving, though they do not remove the possibility that sea conditions could affect the outing.

Should you book the Tenerife snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, guided introduction to snorkeling, appreciate a speedboat ride and can enjoy the sea even if turtles stay out of sight. The crew’s patient approach is a real plus for beginners, children and anyone who feels nervous in open water.

Skip it if a turtle sighting is the only reason you would go, or if you need a long snorkeling session. For everyone else, $41 buys a compact, well-supported way to get out on the Atlantic and see Tenerife from a different angle.

FAQ

Are turtle sightings guaranteed?

No. The snorkeling area is a turtle habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How long does the trip last?

The activity lasts two hours. The itinerary includes a 30-minute safety briefing, a 15-minute speedboat ride each way and about 50 minutes of snorkeling.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

A wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel are included. A life jacket is available on request.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Prescription snorkeling goggles are not provided.

Can I wear glasses with the snorkeling mask?

No. You will need to wear contact lenses or remove your glasses for the experience.

Can I join if I do not want to snorkel?

Yes. The trip is suitable for people who want to enjoy the boat ride and views of the ocean and Tenerife’s coast without snorkeling.