Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

Wildlife is never on a timetable. This three-hour Tenerife trip pairs quiet kayak viewing with snorkeling in a boat-access-only bay, giving you a pleasant way to look for dolphins, turtles, fish, and rays without chasing them in a motorboat. I like the eco-friendly approach and the chance to see the coast from sea level, with Mount Teide and Tenerife’s rugged shoreline providing the backdrop.

I also like the practical inclusions: wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, accident insurance, a guide, and photos are all covered in the $35 price. The main caution is simple: wild animals make their own plans. The company cites a 90 percent chance of seeing dolphins or turtles, but some outings see only fish, and one direct account questioned how reliable the turtle sightings are in this area.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphins from a quiet kayak: You may see bottlenose dolphins and other Atlantic species without the noise of a motorboat.
• Turtle sightings are possible, not guaranteed: Green turtles are commonly sought, with loggerheads sometimes seen, but wildlife encounters can vary.
• A sheltered snorkeling stop: The group pauses in a secluded bay where you may see fish, turtles, or bull rays below.
• Comfortable kayaks: Seats with back support make the outing easier for first-time paddlers.
• Strong guide feedback: Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, Daniel, Dani, and Carol are repeatedly praised for clear instructions, good humor, and calm leadership.
• Good value at $35: Equipment, a short wetsuit, photos, insurance, and three hours on the water make this a low-cost coastal activity.

Starting at the Cristianmar building

You meet at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building near the sea. The office is on the ground floor, to the left when you face the building from the seafront. Search for Xplore Tenerife on Google Maps before setting out, since finding the correct office is more useful than simply aiming for Playa de Los Cristianos.

The activity begins with about 15 minutes of safety instruction. This matters even if you have kayaked before. You need to understand how to paddle as a pair, how to keep the kayak stable, and what to do in the water before heading out.

You then walk for roughly five minutes to Playa de Los Cristianos. There is no included transfer, so wear something easy to walk in and bring flip-flops or similar footwear. Changing rooms and lockers are available, which makes it easier to arrive in swimwear and avoid carrying wet clothes around afterward.

The short wetsuits are included. You still need to bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and drinking water. Water is not supplied, and three hours in the sun can feel long even when you are spending much of the time on the sea.

One hour along Playa de Los Cristianos

The main kayaking section lasts about an hour and combines paddling, coastal views, and wildlife watching. You sit in a kayak with a supportive seat and backrest, a useful feature for an activity that can become tiring through the shoulders and lower back.

The kayaks are presented as a quieter, less intrusive way to observe marine life. You are not following animals at speed or trying to lure them close. Instead, the aim is to move along the water and watch for signs of life around you. That approach is better for the animals and usually more relaxing for you.

Tenerife’s waters are home to several dolphin species. Bottlenose dolphins are the easiest to spot, while rough-toothed, striped, and common dolphins may also appear. A pod can number as many as 30 animals, and dolphins may jump near the kayaks. That sounds thrilling, but keep your expectations sensible. You may see them clearly, at a distance, or not at all.

The same is true of turtles. Green turtles are the main possibility, and loggerhead turtles may also appear. A turtle might surface near a kayak or pass beneath the water, but this is not a controlled animal encounter. You should book it as a marine-life search with good odds, not as a guaranteed turtle swim.

That distinction matters. The experience is sometimes described in promotional language as seeing or swimming with turtles, but the actual activity is kayaking and snorkeling in their habitat. You are not promised close contact, and responsible wildlife watching means you should not try to touch, feed, or chase an animal.

Cueva de los Enamorados and the return paddle

The route includes a short kayaking section at Cueva de los Enamorados, or Lovers Cave. This stop lasts about 15 minutes and adds a memorable coastal feature to the outing. You continue looking for dolphins and other sea life while taking in the rock formations and open-water views.

The cave stop is brief, so do not expect a long land visit or a full cave tour. Its value is in the change of scenery and the chance to pause the steady rhythm of paddling. It also helps break up the outing before the return toward Playa de Los Cristianos.

The final kayaking section lasts about another hour. By this point, you will have found your rhythm, but you may also feel the work in your arms. Several accounts describe kayaking as physically tiring, even while calling the overall experience fun. I would treat this as light to moderate exercise rather than a passive sightseeing ride.

First-time paddlers are well served by the guide-led format. Barbara is repeatedly praised for being friendly, upbeat, and reassuring, while Carlos is described as calm, helpful, and a good teacher. Gonza is praised for clear English and ocean experience. David receives credit for giving simple instructions, finding good snorkeling spots, and taking photos.

The guide quality is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A good guide can make a first kayak trip feel manageable, keep the group together, and explain what you are seeing without turning the trip into a lecture. Staff members speak Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French.

Snorkeling in a bay reached by water

The snorkeling break takes place in a secluded bay accessible only by boat. This is one of the most appealing parts of the trip because it gives you time out of the kayak and lets you see the water from below.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the short wetsuit helps you stay comfortable in the Atlantic. You may see different fish species, turtles, or bull rays moving along the seabed. Fish sightings appear to be the most dependable part of the underwater experience, while turtles and rays are welcome bonuses.

The water is described as clear, which helps you spot marine life below. Still, conditions can change, and visibility is never something a wildlife tour can fully control. If seeing a turtle is your sole reason for booking, you should be comfortable enjoying the fish and the swim even if the larger animals stay away.

You must be able to swim to take part. This is not an optional extra, since the excursion includes a snorkeling stop and time on the sea. The supplier can decide that the activity is unsafe to operate, so sea conditions may also affect the day’s plan.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35 per person, this is a strong-value activity if you want several experiences in one outing. You receive a kayak, snorkeling gear, a short wetsuit, a guide, accident insurance, and photos. You also get about three hours of organized time, including the briefing, walk to the beach, kayaking, wildlife watching, and snorkeling.

The photos add real value. You do not have to spend the whole trip trying to protect a phone or camera. David is specifically praised for taking good pictures, and other guides are also noted for capturing the day. You can bring a phone in a waterproof case, but you are responsible for it if it is lost.

The low price does come with a few limits. Water, towels, and swimsuits are not included. There is no mention of hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the Cristianmar office. The experience also does not promise a private kayak or private guide, and group size is not specified.

Even with those omissions, the price compares well with many coastal excursions because the basic equipment is already covered. I would pack your own water and towel and consider the cost of getting to Los Cristianos when working out the full budget.

Who will enjoy this activity most

This outing suits you if you want an active coastal experience without committing to a full-day expedition. It is especially good for first-time kayakers, couples, older teenagers, and anyone who prefers a small human-powered craft to a noisy sightseeing boat.

The minimum age is 14. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. The experience is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone who cannot swim.

There is also a strict weight limit of 100 kilograms per person for kayak stability. The provider says anyone over that limit cannot take part. This is important to check before booking, since it is a participation rule rather than a minor comfort issue.

You should also be ready for physical effort. The kayaks have comfortable seats and back support, but you still paddle for around two hours in total, with a short cave section and a snorkeling stop between the longer stretches. If you want a completely restful boat ride, choose something else.

The guides make the difference

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the praise for the guides. Carlos receives especially warm comments for being friendly, calm, encouraging, and good at teaching. Barbara is repeatedly described as cheerful, helpful, and reassuring, a useful combination when part of the group is new to kayaking.

Gonza is praised for his English, energy, and ocean experience. David is singled out for clear instructions, a relaxed manner, good photos, and finding strong snorkeling locations. Daniel is credited with keeping the group safe while making the outing fun. Dani and Carol are praised for managing a group of 10 with detailed but light-hearted instructions.

Guide quality matters more here than it would on a simple beach activity. You are paddling on open water, entering the sea for snorkeling, and watching for animals while staying with the group. Calm direction and good judgment can shape the whole day.

The overall score is 4.6 from 7,215 ratings, which points to consistently strong satisfaction. Still, the most useful lesson is not simply the number. The best experiences seem tied to clear instruction, friendly staff, and a willingness to enjoy the outing even when nature does not provide every hoped-for sighting.

Wildlife expectations and the honest catch

The experience advertises a 90 percent chance of encountering dolphins or turtles. That is encouraging, but it should not be read as a guarantee of both animals, or of a close encounter. Some outings see dolphins and a turtle near the kayak. Others see dolphins but no turtles, or fish while snorkeling without larger wildlife.

One account was notably skeptical about the turtle claim and felt the area may not reliably produce turtles. That criticism is worth keeping in mind because wildlife language can raise expectations too high. The fair way to view this trip is that turtles and dolphins are realistic possibilities, not the product you are guaranteed to receive.

I would book it if you enjoy being outside and can treat the wildlife as a bonus. You get coastal scenery, a guided kayak outing, a swim, fish, and photos even if the most exciting animals stay out of sight.

A practical packing list

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, water, and flip-flops. The provider supplies the kayak, snorkeling equipment, wetsuit, guide, photos, and accident insurance.

Leave alcohol and drugs behind. Phones and personal cameras are allowed only at your own risk, so use a waterproof case if you decide to carry one. Lockers and changing rooms are available at the starting point, which is helpful before and after the activity.

Allow enough time to find the Cristianmar office. The meeting point is not simply a generic beach entrance, and the activity begins with a safety briefing before the short walk to the water.

Should you book the Tenerife kayak and snorkel trip?

I would book this for a reasonably fit swimmer who wants good value, friendly guidance, and a chance to see Tenerife’s marine life without a motorboat. The $35 price is hard to fault when it includes gear, wetsuit, insurance, photos, and three hours of activity.

I would not book it if you need guaranteed turtles, dislike physical activity, cannot swim, or have a back condition. Book with flexible expectations: you may see dolphins, turtles, rays, and plenty of fish, but the real constant is the guided paddle along Tenerife’s coast.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your weather plans are still taking shape.

FAQ

Where does the kayaking trip meet?

Meet at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor to the left when you face the building from the sea. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts three hours. It includes a 15-minute safety briefing, a five-minute walk to Playa de Los Cristianos, kayaking, a stop at Cueva de los Enamorados, and a snorkeling break.

Are dolphins and turtles guaranteed?

No. Dolphins and turtles are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. The provider states that there is a 90 percent chance of encountering them, but some outings see only fish or see one species rather than both.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, short wetsuits, a guide, photos, and accident insurance are included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim to take part in the kayaking and snorkeling activity.

What age must I be to participate?

The minimum age is 14. Anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent. Children under 14 cannot take part.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The limit is 100 kilograms per person for kayak stability. Anyone over that limit cannot participate.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, water, and flip-flops. Water, swimsuits, and towels are not included.