Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

The Atlantic puts on a fine show here. This two-hour snorkeling trip at Playa Abades gives you a friendly guide, proper equipment, and a close look at fish, reef, rays, and octopuses for $35 per person. I especially like the small groups of up to six and the fact that underwater photos and videos are included rather than sold as an extra.

I also like the thoughtful approach to nervous swimmers. Guides such as Natalie, Andre, and Andres have helped children, first-time snorkelers, and people who cannot swim well. The main caution is simple: turtles are wild animals, not scheduled performers. You may see one, but the tour can still be excellent if the stars of the day are fish, rays, squid, or an octopus under a rock.

The meeting point is easy to find, at Restaurant Magilu directly opposite the beach. You get a wetsuit, mask, fins, and a proper briefing before entering the water. Just remember that there is no hotel pickup, and there may not be a changing room or toilet at the beach itself.

What Makes This Abades Tour Worth Considering

• Six-person groups: The usual limit keeps the outing personal, with room for the guide to adjust the pace.
• A good first snorkeling trip: The guides work with children, anxious swimmers, and beginners, not only confident swimmers.
• Playa Abades sea life: Look for schools of colorful fish, reef formations, stingrays, octopuses, squid, and barracudas.
• Turtles are possible, not promised: Six turtles are known to live around the beach, but seeing one depends on conditions and luck.
• Photos and videos included: You receive underwater memories without paying an added photography fee.
• $35 covers the essentials: The price includes the guide, equipment, wetsuit, snorkeling time, photos, and videos.

Meeting at Playa Abades and Getting Ready

Your morning or afternoon starts at Restaurant Magilu, directly in front of Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the water. There is plenty of parking in the area, which makes this a practical outing if you have a rental car.

The guide fits you with a mask, fins, and a long or short wetsuit. The wetsuit matters in the Atlantic, even on a warm Tenerife day. It gives you warmth, buoyancy, and a little extra comfort around the volcanic shoreline. The equipment has earned repeated praise for being in good condition, and there are different wetsuit and fin options to help you find a workable fit.

Before anyone enters the sea, you receive an explanation of the equipment, the route, and the animals you might see. This is more than a quick safety speech. The guides have worked with children and nervous participants for more than 20 years, and the care shows in the way they check how everyone is coping.

If you feel uneasy, say so at the start. That lets the guide bring extra flotation aids and tailor the outing to your ability. People who cannot swim can still enjoy fish and other sea life close to shore, but you should not expect to reach the farther turtle area. The operator specifically warns that non-swimmers cannot see turtles because it requires a longer swim.

Following the Rocky Coast Into the Water

Once your mask is clear and your fins fit, the group enters the water from the beach. Playa Abades has volcanic rock formations below the surface, giving the sea floor shape and shelter for marine life. The route can include different snorkeling spots along the coast, with the guide choosing areas that suit the group.

You are not simply sent off to swim on your own. The guide stays with the group, points out animals, and adjusts the pace for children or less confident swimmers. That is a major benefit of a small group. A strong swimmer may want to move quickly, but the guide can keep the outing comfortable for everyone.

The first sightings are likely to be fish moving around the rock and reef. The area is known for large numbers of colorful fish, and the clear, shallow sections make it easier to watch their behavior. You may see fish darting between stones, hovering above the reef, or gathering in small groups.

The guides also know where to look for animals that do not advertise themselves. Octopuses can hide beneath rocks, so you need to slow down and watch carefully. Squid and barracudas have also been spotted, along with stingrays resting near the bottom. These are the moments when a guide adds real value. Without help, you might swim past a well-camouflaged animal and never know it was there.

The Turtle Question: Wonderful When It Happens

Six sea turtles are currently known to live around this beach, which gives you a genuine chance of seeing one. Several outings have included turtles, including close encounters with a turtle coming up for air or calmly swimming nearby. For many people, that is the memory they carry home.

Still, the turtle sighting is not guaranteed. Playa Abades is open ocean, and the animals move as they please. One detailed account pointed out that the group may spend only about 20 to 40 minutes near the feeding area, making the odds lower than the tour name or photos might suggest.

I would book this experience for the fish and rocky reef first, then treat a turtle as a bonus. That mindset keeps the outing enjoyable. Conditions, season, animal movement, and simple luck all matter. On one outing there may be a turtle, a ray, and countless fish. On another, you may see no turtle but still have a fine time watching the reef.

The same applies to stingrays. They are a welcome possibility, not part of a fixed animal checklist. If you are particularly keen to see turtles, ask about current conditions before booking, but understand that no responsible guide can promise wildlife.

A Gentle Option for Nervous Swimmers and Children

This tour suits families unusually well. Children under five cannot join, but children aged six and seven have enjoyed the outing with their parents. The guides can slow down, offer extra support, and stay close to anyone who needs reassurance.

You do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part. The guides are freediving and snorkeling instructors, and they have worked with people who are afraid of open water. One participant who could not swim described being guided by hand, while others used additional flotation support.

There is an important limit here. Being allowed to join does not mean every part of the route is suitable for every swimmer. Non-swimmers can see fish and sea life, but the turtle area is farther out and requires more swimming. Tell the guide your ability honestly before the group enters the water.

A cold is a reason to skip the outing, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Pregnant women can snorkel according to the activity information, but anyone with personal medical concerns should make their own decision with appropriate medical advice.

Free Photos Turn a Good Swim Into a Keepsake

The included photos and videos are one of the strongest parts of the $35 price. Underwater photography is difficult when you are concentrating on breathing, staying with the group, and watching fish. Having the guide handle it means you can focus on the experience.

The images also give families something to share after the holiday. Past outings have produced photos of fish, turtles, and reef scenes, and people have particularly appreciated receiving them free of charge. The quality will depend on visibility, light, and how active the sea is, but the inclusion adds real value.

Do not mistake the photo service for a guarantee of a perfect portrait. Marine life may be moving, and open-water conditions change. Still, at this price, the photos and videos are a useful extra rather than a token souvenir.

What the $35 Price Really Covers

At $35 per person, this is good value if you want a guided introduction rather than simply renting a mask at the beach. You get two hours, an experienced guide, snorkeling equipment, a wetsuit, and the photo and video package.

The small group matters here. A cheaper large-group outing may give you water time, but not the same level of attention. With up to six people, a guide can notice if your mask is leaking, help a child settle down, or point out an octopus before it disappears under a stone.

The price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach Playa Abades yourself, and you should bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, and a sun hat. You leave personal belongings in the provider’s car, so bring only what you need for the activity.

There is also no dedicated changing room or toilet listed at the beach. A nearby café has helped people with facilities, but you should not count on a full changing setup. Wear what you can manage easily and plan your beach clothes accordingly.

Languages, Timing, and Group Size

The tour lasts two hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. German, Spanish, and English are offered, which is helpful for families or couples who are more comfortable receiving safety instructions in one of those languages.

The advertised group limit is six participants. On occasion, groups may be combined, so the small-group promise is strong but not absolute. Even so, the operator is known for keeping groups small, and the guide-led format remains more personal than a large beach excursion.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife plans depend on weather or a changing holiday schedule.

Who Will Enjoy Playa Abades Most?

I would recommend this tour to:

• Families with children aged five or older
• First-time snorkelers
• Nervous swimmers who want close support
• Confident swimmers who enjoy a guide finding hidden sea life
• Couples looking for a simple two-hour water activity
• Anyone who values free underwater photos
• Visitors with a rental car who can reach Abades independently

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, have a cold, or want a guaranteed turtle encounter. Strong swimmers should also understand that this is a guided family-friendly outing, not a fast-paced athletic swim.

The best approach is to arrive curious rather than fixed on one animal. Watch the reef. Look under rocks. Let the guide point out the small things. A ray or octopus can be just as memorable as a turtle, especially when you learn where and how to spot it.

Should You Book This Snorkeling Tour?

I would book it if you want a friendly, low-pressure introduction to the sea around Tenerife. The strongest reasons are the capable guides, tiny groups, solid equipment, and free photos. Families and nervous beginners receive more care here than they would from a basic equipment rental.

Book with realistic expectations about wildlife. Turtles have been seen often enough to make the possibility exciting, but not often enough to treat one as part of the schedule. If you can accept that, $35 buys a generous two-hour outing with plenty of fish, unusual rock formations, and a good chance to learn something about the coast.

FAQ

How long does the Abades snorkeling tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

How much does the snorkeling tour cost?

The price is $35 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided snorkeling tour, snorkeling equipment, a long or short wetsuit, photos, and videos.

Where is the meeting point?

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

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles are currently known to live around the beach, but the area is open ocean and sightings depend on conditions and luck.

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

Non-swimmers can join and see fish and other sea life with help from the guides. The turtle area requires a longer swim, so non-swimmers should not expect to reach it.

Which languages are available?

The guides offer the tour in German, Spanish, and English.

What should you bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and there may not be a changing room or toilet at the beach.