Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

The sea here rewards a slow look. This two-hour Tenerife snorkeling trip takes you from Abades beach into a protected marine area, where rocky reefs, sea grass, octopuses, rays, and colorful fish make the water worth exploring. I especially like the small groups of no more than eight people and the patient care from guides Raffaella and Ron.

I also like that you swim straight from the beach, with no boat ride to worry about. The full wetsuit, boots, mask, snorkel, and fins are included, and free underwater photos and videos arrive digitally after the tour. The main consideration is that turtles live in the wild, so sightings are never promised. Also, the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments.

• Abades beach start: You enter the water directly from a sheltered bay, with no boat transfer.
• Protected underwater area: Rocky reef, sea grass, coves, and clear water support many kinds of marine life.
• Turtles are possible, not guaranteed: You may see green turtles, but the guides do not chase or feed them.
• Small groups of eight: Two guides can keep watch at the front and back, helping nervous swimmers.
• 50 minutes in the water: The full activity lasts two hours, with briefing, equipment, and the guided snorkel included.
• Free GoPro memories: Photos and videos are taken underwater and sent digitally, often by WhatsApp or email.

What the Abades Snorkeling Tour Is Really Like

This is a beach-based snorkeling trip on Tenerife’s southeast coast. You meet at Magilu and look for the guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt. Arrive about 10 minutes early, ideally already wearing your swimsuit. The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your measurements, which helps the team prepare the right wetsuit.

The tour lasts two hours, but only about 50 minutes are spent on the guided snorkel. That is a sensible arrangement. You need time to get fitted, hear the safety instructions, enter the water calmly, and learn how to use the equipment. Rushing beginners straight into the sea is a poor way to start any water activity.

The group limit is eight people. That matters here because the guides need to see how everyone is coping. Raffaella and Ron often work together, with one guide leading and another staying toward the rear. This is especially useful when a family group includes mixed swimming abilities.

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German. At a price of $45 per person, I consider it good value if you want equipment, instruction, supervision, and underwater photos in one package. A cheaper self-guided swim would not give you the same help or local spotting skills.

A Calm Start for Nervous Beginners

Before you enter the water, the guides give a safety briefing. You learn what to expect, how to use the mask and snorkel, and how to behave around marine life. This is not a quick speech delivered while everyone is already ankle-deep in the sea. The guides make room for questions and help you get comfortable first.

The equipment includes a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, adjustable fins, and boots. The wetsuit does more than keep you warm. It adds buoyancy, which can make floating easier for a nervous first-timer. Several people who had never snorkeled before found that the suit and patient instruction helped them relax.

That said, the published requirements matter. This is not an activity for non-swimmers, even though you do not need to be an expert swimmer. Small children, less confident swimmers, and older participants can receive extra support, but you must be able to manage yourself in the water to some degree.

The minimum weight is 30 kilograms and the maximum is 140 kilograms. Minors must remain under adult supervision. If you have a medical condition, tell the provider before the tour. One participant with asthma received prompt help from the guides, but that should not replace discussing health concerns in advance.

People prone to motion sickness may want medication, although there is no boat journey. The sea itself can still cause discomfort, especially on a windy day.

From Abades Beach to the Rocky Reef

The tour begins at the beach, then moves through a sheltered bay. The average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of 8 meters. That makes the first part approachable, while the outer reef gives stronger swimmers more to look at.

Sea conditions can change. On some days, waves look large from shore but feel less troublesome once you reach the reef. On other days, wind can reduce comfort and visibility. The guides check the conditions and may change or cancel the outing if strong wind, poor weather, or rough water creates a safety problem.

The protected area has rocky reef formations, small coves, and sea grass. These features create different places for animals to hide. Look closely rather than swimming quickly from one point to another. A fish may blend into the reef, while an octopus or ray can remain almost invisible until a guide points it out.

The clear water can reveal schools of colorful fish, starfish, rays, angel sharks, stingrays, and octopuses. Seahorses are also possible, though their camouflage makes them difficult to spot. The exact animals depend on the day, the water conditions, and simple luck.

That variety is why the tour still works when turtles stay out of sight. The turtles are a wonderful possibility, but they should not be the only reason you book.

Green Turtles Without the Circus

Turtles are the headline attraction, and the Abades area offers a reasonable chance to see green sea turtles. Several outings have included one, two, or even three turtles. A turtle may swim near the group, pass through the sea grass, or remain out of reach.

The guides are clear about the limits. They do not feed animals, touch them, or chase them. When a turtle appears, the group keeps a respectful distance and avoids causing stress. I see this as a major strength. Wildlife is more rewarding when the animal gets to behave like an animal, not like a performer waiting for a photo.

There are no guarantees. Turtles may be elsewhere in the bay, deeper than the group can safely reach, or simply absent that morning. If you need a guaranteed turtle encounter, this is the wrong type of activity. If you want to observe marine life responsibly, it is a much better fit.

You may also see animals that are less famous but just as interesting. A young stingray buried in the sand, an angel shark resting near the bottom, or an octopus tucked into a reef can become the highlight of the morning.

Photos and Videos Without an Extra Charge

An underwater photographer joins the excursion with a GoPro. The guides take photos and short videos of the group, the reef, and the marine life. These are sent digitally for free after the tour, often through WhatsApp the next day.

That inclusion improves the value of the $45 price. You can concentrate on swimming instead of trying to hold a camera and manage your snorkel at the same time. The images also help families remember the activity, especially children who may be more excited to see themselves underwater afterward.

If you have previous snorkeling experience, you may use your own camera. Full-face masks are not allowed. Beginners should probably leave extra gear at home unless they already know how to use it safely.

The photos are a bonus, not the main product. Water clarity, animal behavior, and the photographer’s position all affect what gets captured. Still, free digital images are a welcome touch, especially when many water activities charge extra for them.

Why the Guides Make Such a Difference

The strongest part of this tour is the human care. Raffaella and Ron are repeatedly praised for being warm, encouraging, organized, and attentive. That matters more than polished equipment when someone is anxious about breathing through a snorkel.

The guides help with fitting gear, explain techniques, check on the group, and adjust their pace. They have supported first-time snorkelers, older participants, children, and people with fears about open water or confined spaces. One family member with autism received close support until she felt confident enough to continue.

That does not mean every problem disappears. A wetsuit can feel tight, and swimming beyond the reef may feel uncomfortable if you are not used to open water. One older participant found the suit difficult to put on, while another had to return to shore after feeling unwell. The good news is that the guides manage these situations without making the rest of the group feel rushed.

The multilingual service also helps mixed-nationality families. Clear instructions are important when you are learning a breathing technique in the sea, and the ability to explain things in several languages adds practical value.

Family Suitability, With a Few Limits

This is a strong family activity for children who can swim and follow instructions. Children aged 8 and 9 have taken part successfully, and teenagers have enjoyed the outing with their parents. The small group format makes it easier for the guides to keep an eye on everyone.

It can also work for older adults. An 82-year-old participant joined with extra assistance. That is encouraging, but age alone does not determine suitability. You need to consider balance, mobility, comfort in the water, and the ability to get in and out from the beach.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The tour starts from the beach, and no special beach transfer is described. Anyone with a health condition should speak with the provider first rather than making assumptions from the family-friendly label.

The same applies to non-swimmers. The guides can help less confident swimmers, but you still need basic water ability. Children must remain under adult supervision throughout.

Water Temperature, Timing, and What to Bring

From March through September, the water temperature is listed as 19 to 23 degrees Celsius. That is why a full wetsuit is useful, even on a warm Tenerife day. Bring swimwear and arrive wearing it if possible. A public shower is available on the beach afterward.

There is no food included, so plan around the tour if you need a meal or snack. Water is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Abades.

The tour lasts two hours, but exact starting times vary. Check availability when booking. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Tenerife plans may change, though weather remains the key variable.

Is $45 a Fair Price?

For $45, you receive a 50-minute guided swim, full equipment, multilingual instruction, insurance, water, help for children and less confident swimmers, and free photos and videos. That is a fair package for a small-group coastal activity.

The value is strongest if you are new to snorkeling. You do not need to buy or pack gear, and you have someone pointing out animals you might miss alone. The guides also monitor the group, which can make the difference between a nervous attempt and a pleasant morning.

The price is less compelling if you are an experienced snorkeler who already owns equipment and wants to swim independently. You may find the guided pace slower than you prefer, and the 50-minute water period is not a full-day marine excursion.

Still, this is not being sold as a full-day expedition. It is a short, focused way to see Tenerife’s southeast coast with proper supervision and a small group.

Who Should Book This Abades Tour?

I would recommend it to first-time snorkelers, families with swimming children, couples who want a low-pressure activity, and anyone who prefers a beach entry to a boat trip. It also suits people who value respectful wildlife rules and want photos without paying an extra fee.

Book it if you can accept that turtles may not appear. The reef, fish, rays, octopus, sea grass, and clear water provide plenty to see even without a turtle encounter.

I would not book it for a non-swimmer, a wheelchair user, or anyone who needs full mobility support. I would also avoid treating it as a guaranteed wildlife show. The best reason to go is the chance to observe a protected marine area responsibly, with guides who put safety and animal welfare first.

FAQ

How long does the Tenerife snorkeling tour last?

The full activity lasts two hours, including the briefing, equipment preparation, and guided water time. The snorkeling portion lasts about 50 minutes.

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts from the beach at Abades in Tenerife. The meeting point is Magilu, where you should look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a reasonable chance of seeing green sea turtles, but they swim freely in their natural habitat and may be out of reach or elsewhere in the area.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a mask, snorkel, adjustable fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. High-quality equipment is provided in different sizes.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No previous snorkeling experience is required. The guides give safety instructions and help beginners learn the basics. You must still be able to swim, as non-swimmers are not accepted for this activity.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, the activity is suitable for children who meet the weight requirement and can participate safely. Minors must remain under adult supervision, and extra assistance is available for small children.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion, which are sent digitally for free after the activity.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and arrive wearing it if possible. You may also want medication if you are prone to motion sickness. A public shower is available at the beach.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The activity may be changed or canceled because of poor weather, strong wind, or unsafe sea conditions. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start.