Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

Tenerife’s Abades bay gives you a rare treat: a guided snorkel straight from the beach, with no boat ride and no need to be an expert swimmer. The sheltered water averages about 2.5 meters deep, and the rocky reef, seagrass, and small coves attract fish, rays, octopuses, and sometimes green turtles.

I like the small groups of up to eight and the careful support from guides such as Raffaella and Ron. I also like that underwater photos and videos are included, not sold as an expensive add-on. The main consideration is simple: turtles live here naturally, so you might see them, but nobody can promise they will appear.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim from Abades beach: No boat, boat fuel, or choppy offshore ride is involved.
• Two guides for a small group: Raffaella, Ron, and their team give close support to beginners, children, and nervous swimmers.
• 50 minutes in the water: The full activity lasts about two hours, including briefing, fitting equipment, and getting to the reef.
• Turtles are possible, not guaranteed: The bay also offers fish, rays, octopuses, seahorses, starfish, and other sea life.
• Photos and videos are free: An underwater photographer uses a GoPro and sends digital files, often by WhatsApp.
• Full equipment is supplied: You receive a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots, fins, water, and insurance.

Reaching the reef from Abades beach

The excursion begins at Magilu in Abades. Look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt, and arrive about 10 minutes early. The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your measurements, which helps the team prepare a better-fitting wetsuit.

You should arrive in your swimsuit. There is a public shower on the beach, but food and hotel transport are not included, so plan those parts yourself. This is a beach-based activity, not a cruise or a boat trip.

That detail matters if you are prone to seasickness. You walk into the water from shore, and one participant specifically appreciated avoiding a boat. The beach start also makes the outing easier to understand for first-timers: you can see where you are entering and return to shore if you need extra help.

Before anyone swims out, the guides give a safety briefing. You learn how to use the mask and snorkel, what to expect in the water, and how to behave around sea animals. If you are nervous, this is the point to say so. The guides are used to helping people who are anxious, inexperienced, or unsure about breathing through a snorkel.

Getting comfortable in a full wetsuit and fins

The supplied equipment includes a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots, and adjustable fins. The wetsuit helps keep you warm in water ranging from 19 to 23 degrees Celsius from March through September. It also adds buoyancy, which many beginners find reassuring.

Good equipment does not remove every awkward moment. Pulling on a full wetsuit can take effort, especially if you have limited mobility or are not used to snug water gear. One older participant found the suit difficult to put on, while others appreciated how well it helped them float. Ask the guides for help rather than struggling alone.

The mask must seal properly, and the fins should feel secure without pinching. The team provides sizes for a wide range of bodies and feet, including larger sizes. You are not allowed to use a full-face mask, so plan on a standard mask and snorkel.

You may use your own camera only if you already have snorkel experience. For beginners, it is better to leave the camera work to the staff. Raffaella or another guide can focus on keeping the group together, finding sea life, and taking pictures while you concentrate on breathing and looking around.

What the 50-minute snorkel is like

Once the group enters the bay, the guides keep the pace gentle. The average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of about 8 meters. That makes the route approachable for people who do not want to swim in deep open water, although you still need to be comfortable in the sea and able to follow the guide.

The protected area contains rocky reef formations, seagrass, and small coves. These different habitats give you more to look for than an ordinary sandy beach. Fish move around the rocks, small creatures hide in cracks, and the seagrass can attract green turtles.

Your guide points out the animals rather than simply leading you in a straight line. You might see colorful fish, corals, starfish, rays, octopuses, seahorses, or an angel shark. A stingray buried beneath the sand is the sort of sighting that shows why it pays to move slowly and watch the bottom.

The water can look different from the beach than it does farther out. On windy days, waves may appear larger from shore, while visibility improves near the reef. Conditions vary, so the guides check the bay and adjust the route when needed. Strong wind, poor weather, or rough sea conditions can lead to a change or cancellation.

The 50 minutes passes quickly because the experience is active without being rushed. Two guides may position themselves at the front and back of the group, which helps nobody drift too far away. If you need to return to shore early, the team can manage that without abandoning the rest of the group.

Seeing turtles without turning wildlife into a show

Green turtles are the headline attraction, and the bay gives you a reasonable chance of seeing them. Several outings have included one, two, or even three turtles, but sightings remain unpredictable. The animals swim freely, and sometimes they are too far from the route for the group to reach.

That honesty is important. A responsible wildlife outing should not chase animals or lure them with food. Feeding is forbidden, and you must not touch sea creatures. When turtles appear, the guides keep a respectful distance and avoid stressing them.

This approach may disappoint anyone expecting a guaranteed turtle encounter, but it is the right trade-off. The protected area has value even when turtles stay out of sight. The fish, rays, octopus, seahorses, and reef life can make the swim worthwhile on their own.

I especially like that the guides frame the animals as wild creatures, not performers. You get the thrill of a possible close sighting while still following rules that protect the bay. Keep your expectations broad, and you are more likely to enjoy the full setting rather than judging the morning by one animal.

The guides and the feel of a small group

The strongest part of this excursion is the hands-on guiding. Raffaella and Ron are frequently involved, and the wider team can guide in Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German. That language range helps during the briefing, equipment fitting, and safety checks.

The group limit is eight people. That is small enough for the guides to watch individual swimmers, spot signs of worry, and offer help without turning the activity into a crowded procession. Beginners have received patient instruction, and children have been encouraged without being pushed.

This support matters most once you are in the water. Snorkeling can feel strange at first. Your face is in the water, breathing feels different, and a small wave can make you forget what you learned on the beach. The guides can stay close, help you settle down, and show you how to use the equipment.

The experience is open to children, older adults, and people with limited confidence in the water, but it is not suitable for non-swimmers. Small children need adult supervision, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. There is also a weight range: participants must be at least 30 kilograms and no more than 140 kilograms.

If you have a medical condition, tell the provider before the tour. The guides have helped people who became anxious, seasick, or unwell, but you should not treat that past support as a substitute for medical advice. If you experience motion sickness, the operator advises using medication.

Free photos that are actually useful

An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion and sends the digital files to you for free. The files are usually sent by WhatsApp, sometimes the following day. That is a useful extra because holding a camera can make snorkeling harder, especially for a first-timer.

The images can include you, the group, and the marine life. They also give families a way to remember the outing without asking one person to stay behind and take pictures. Several participants particularly valued receiving a large number of images and videos at no extra charge.

Do not book this solely for the photos. Water clarity, animal behavior, light, and group movement all affect the results. Still, the inclusion improves the value of the $45 price, especially when many water activities charge extra for digital images.

If you own a GoPro and have prior snorkel experience, you may be allowed to bring it. Ask the provider if you are unsure, and do not let personal filming distract you from the guide or the wildlife rules.

Is $45 a fair price for two hours?

At $45 per person, the cost is sensible for a guided marine activity in Tenerife. You are paying for a small group, multilingual instruction, insurance, a full set of equipment, water, a 50-minute guided swim, and free photos and videos.

The value is better for beginners than for independent snorkelers who already own all their gear. A confident swimmer with a mask and fins might prefer to use a public beach without paying for instruction. You are paying here for access to a selected protected area, help in the water, wildlife spotting, and the confidence of having trained guides nearby.

The lack of hotel pickup keeps the price from rising, but you must arrange your own way to Abades. Food is also not included. Since the activity lasts about two hours rather than a full day, it fits neatly into a wider Tenerife plan.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and the reserve-now, pay-later option add useful flexibility. Weather remains the deciding factor, though. Wind and sea conditions can force a change even after you have made plans.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a strong choice for families with children, couples who want a calm water activity, and adults trying snorkeling for the first time. It also suits people who prefer a small, personal group to a large boat excursion.

You do not need previous snorkel experience, and the wetsuit helps with warmth and buoyancy. The guides have supported nervous swimmers, older participants, people with water fears, and a child who was initially very frightened. That does not make the activity suitable for non-swimmers, but it does show the level of assistance available once you meet the basic requirements.

Experienced snorkelers may still enjoy the reef and wildlife, though the pace is designed for mixed abilities. If you want long independent swims, technical instruction, or guaranteed turtle sightings, this is not the right product.

The beach setting is also useful for anyone who dislikes boats or gets seasick. On the other hand, people with mobility limitations may find the beach entry and equipment difficult, and wheelchair users cannot take part.

Practical details worth remembering

Bring swimwear and arrive 10 minutes before the start. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, since the activity begins at the beach and changing options are limited to the public facilities available there.

Expect a total duration of about two hours, with 50 minutes in the water. The rest includes meeting the guides, choosing equipment, receiving the briefing, and getting ready.

Minors must stay under adult supervision. Children must also meet the minimum weight requirement of 30 kilograms, so the claim that the outing is for all ages has important limits.

The water temperature listed for March through September is 19 to 23 degrees Celsius. A full wetsuit is supplied, but you should still expect a cool-water activity rather than a warm tropical swim.

Finally, keep the animal rules in mind: no feeding, no touching, and no chasing turtles. These rules make the experience better for the animals and help preserve the bay for future visits.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

I would book this if you want a friendly, well-supported introduction to Tenerife’s underwater world and like the idea of entering from a calm beach instead of boarding a boat. The small group, quality gear, multilingual guides, and free photos make $45 good value.

Book with realistic expectations. Turtles are a welcome possibility, not the whole point, and sea conditions can change the plan. If you are comfortable in the water, meet the physical requirements, and want patient guidance rather than a fast-paced swim, this is one of the easier ways to add marine life to a Tenerife holiday.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour begin?

The activity begins at the beach in Abades. Meet at Magilu and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt.

How long is the activity?

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

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No. The activity is designed for beginners as well as more experienced snorkelers, and the guides provide instruction and assistance.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a reasonable chance of seeing green sea turtles, but they live in their natural habitat and may be out of reach during the tour.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a mask, snorkel, adjustable fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. High-quality equipment, insurance, and water are also included.

Are photos and videos included in the price?

Yes. An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion and sends the digital files to you free of charge.

Can non-swimmers or wheelchair users join?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. Minors must also remain under adult supervision.