Tenerife: Kayak & Snorkeling Tour – Small Groups

The Atlantic can make a fine playground. This three-hour outing from Los Cristianos combines small groups of up to 10 with kayaking, snorkeling, and a real chance to see dolphins and turtles in the open sea. I like the friendly, careful guiding, especially the way guides help nervous beginners, and I like the simple office setup, with toilets, changing space, and secure storage. The main caution is the water: getting back into a kayak from the sea can be awkward, and the Atlantic may feel cold, particularly for children.

You pay $37 per person, which is strong value if you want several activities in one morning or afternoon rather than a short paddle alone. Sightings are never promised, but recent outings have included groups of dolphins swimming close to the kayaks, turtles, and plenty of fish at the snorkeling stop. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a willingness to get wet from the waist down.

The highlights at a glance

• Dolphins and turtles in open water: You may paddle near fish farms where bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are often seen.
• A real beginner-friendly setup: Guides give a safety briefing, explain the equipment, and help people who are new to kayaking or snorkeling.
• Small groups matter: With no more than 10 participants, the guide can keep an eye on the group and offer personal help.
• Snorkeling over volcanic rock: The stop may reveal parrotfish, trumpet fish, green fish, barracudas, and other Atlantic species.
• Useful base in Los Cristianos: You can change clothes, use the bathroom, store belongings, and collect water before heading out.
• Optional photos: A guide takes pictures and videos during the trip, which you can buy afterward if you want a record of the day.

Starting at the SeaThru-Kayaks office

Your outing begins at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. Look for the office beside a real estate office, with the Ricoche café directly opposite. This is a practical starting point, not just a place to check in.

You can change clothes, use the bathroom, and leave personal items in a secure area. That means you do not need to carry your phone, wallet, or dry clothes into the kayak. The company provides water, and the staff can get you sorted before the group walks to the beach.

You receive a paddle, life jacket, and mask with snorkel. Wetsuits are optional, which gives you some choice depending on the weather, your comfort in cooler water, and the time of year. Dry bags and straps for sunglasses have also been provided on outings, though I would still avoid bringing anything that would cause real worry if it got wet.

The beach is about a five-minute walk away. Your kayak is already waiting there, so the walk is short and the transition from office to water is easy. At the shore, the guide gives a safety talk of about 10 minutes. This covers the basic paddle strokes, how to sit in the kayak, and what to do on the water.

Launching from Los Cristianos Beach

The tour uses high-quality double RTM kayaks. You launch directly from the shallow beach, then paddle out along the coast. The double kayak format is useful for couples, friends, and families because you share the work and can steady one another.

For first-time paddlers, the safety briefing is one of the most valuable parts of the experience. You do not need to arrive knowing how to steer a sea kayak. The guide sets the pace and watches the group, while the double boats keep the activity fairly manageable for beginners.

Still, kayaking is active work. The published schedule gives about 30 minutes for the first paddling section, followed by roughly 30 minutes of marine-life viewing, then 30 minutes of snorkeling and another 30 minutes of paddling back. The total duration is three hours, including preparation and the walk to and from the office.

You will see Los Cristianos from the water, along with Montaña Guaza and, on a clear day, Mount Teide in the distance. These views give the outing more character than a simple exercise session. You are not just moving a boat back and forth. The coast, volcanic rock, and mountain backdrop make the route feel distinctly Tenerife.

Watching for dolphins near the fish farms

The wildlife search is the part that can make this trip special, but it needs a realistic explanation. Dolphins and turtles are wild animals, so nobody can guarantee a sighting. The route passes near local fish farms, an area where bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen.

If dolphins appear, the kayaks provide a low viewpoint close to the surface. That can feel more personal than watching from a large sightseeing boat. One recent outing had roughly 20 dolphins swimming around the kayaks and jumping nearby. Other trips have included dolphins and turtles at close range, along with crabs and other sea life.

That kind of encounter depends on nature, timing, and luck. You should book this as a kayaking and snorkeling trip first, with wildlife as a possible bonus. If you need a guaranteed dolphin show, this is not the right product. If you like the idea of quietly scanning the sea and accepting whatever appears, the format works well.

The guide is important here. Manuel has been praised for his enthusiasm and friendly manner, while Justas has been described as patient and reassuring, especially for a person who was nervous about snorkeling. Juju has also been singled out for making the experience relaxed and enjoyable. The staff speak English, Spanish, Italian, and Lithuanian.

Snorkeling over volcanic rock

After about an hour on the water, the group anchors the kayaks for the snorkeling stop. You enter the Atlantic from the kayak and spend about 30 minutes in the water. The guide supplies the mask and snorkel and explains how to use them.

The setting is volcanic rock beneath clear water. Depending on conditions, you may see parrotfish, trumpet fish, green fish, schools of barracudas, and other species. The underwater rock gives you something to look at beyond open blue water, and the stop breaks up the paddling nicely.

If you have never snorkeled, the breathing technique may take a few minutes to feel natural. Justas was praised for patiently helping one participant overcome fear of breathing through the snorkel. That is a useful sign for beginners, though you should still be comfortable entering the sea with a mask and snorkel.

The water temperature is worth noting. One family found it cold for the children, even though they enjoyed the experience. Optional wetsuits are available, but you should expect a cool Atlantic swim rather than bath-temperature water.

Getting back into the kayak is the trickiest physical moment for some people. You climb from the water into a boat that can move beneath you. One couple needed help at this point, and the guide assisted them and kept them calm. Water shoes can make the process more comfortable, though they are not required.

The paddle back to Los Cristianos

After snorkeling, you climb back into the kayak and paddle toward Los Cristianos Beach. This return section is meant to be relaxed rather than a race. If your arms feel tired, the guide can keep the pace manageable and the double kayak lets two people share the effort.

The group returns to the same beach, then walks back to the office. Freshwater beach showers provide a chance to rinse off salt water before you change. That small detail matters if you have plans afterward or do not want to return to your accommodation covered in seawater.

The optional photography service is also useful. A guide takes photos and videos while you concentrate on paddling, wildlife, and snorkeling. You pay separately if you want the images, but you are not required to buy them. This lets you keep your phone safely stored rather than risking it in the kayak.

What the $37 price really buys

At $37 per person, this is a good-value half-day activity. The price includes the double kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling gear, optional wetsuit, guide, office facilities, and water. You also get three hours that combine four distinct elements: instruction, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book separate activities. You get a coastal paddle and an ocean swim in one outing, with the possibility of seeing dolphins and turtles. The small group also gives the guide more room to help individuals than a large commercial boat tour normally can.

The price does not include photos or videos. That is fair, since buying them is optional. You should also plan to bring your own sunglasses, hat, biodegradable sunscreen, water, flip-flops, and beachwear. The company provides water, but the recommended packing list still asks you to bring water, so carrying your own bottle is sensible.

The trip does require effort. If you have low fitness, frequent motion sickness, seasickness, back problems, or discomfort in the water, the low price may not make it a good bargain for you. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or people over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

Families, children, and first-time paddlers

Children under 11 ride in the same kayak as a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. If an older child has kayaking experience, is bigger, and can paddle safely, the company treats that child as an adult participant.

This arrangement can work well for families, but remember that each double kayak has limited space. An outing with four children and two adults required a guide to take one child in his kayak. That kind of help may be possible, but you should not assume every group arrangement will work the same way.

The guide’s presence is a major advantage for beginners. Staff have helped nervous snorkelers, supported people climbing back into kayaks, and adjusted to family needs. The small group size gives you a better chance of receiving that attention.

The activity is less suitable if your children dislike cold water, tire quickly, or are not comfortable around the open sea. Parents should also expect everyone to get wet. Pack a change of clothes and use the office facilities before and after the tour.

Practical advice before you go

Eat lightly before the tour. One useful tip from the experience is not to eat too much, since paddling and boat movement can make a full stomach feel queasy.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and bring a hat and sunglasses. Sunglasses can be secured with straps, but it is still smart to use equipment that fits well. Flip-flops are useful for the walk and beach, while water shoes may help when getting back into the kayak.

You should be able to swim and have a reasonable level of fitness. The tour is not designed for people with back problems, severe motion sickness, seasickness, or a fear of entering the sea. It is also not suitable for people over 95 years old.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Should you book this Los Cristianos kayak tour?

I would book it if you want an affordable, active outing with a good mix of sea time and wildlife watching. The $37 price, small group, office facilities, and patient guides make it especially appealing for first-time kayakers, couples, and families with children old enough to manage the beach and water routine.

Book with realistic expectations about the animals. Dolphins and turtles are common possibilities, not guarantees. The strongest reason to go is the combination of coastal views, snorkeling, and a chance to meet wildlife at sea level.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, prone to seasickness, or uncomfortable climbing from the water into a kayak. For everyone else, bring a light stomach, sun protection, and a sense of humor about getting wet. The result could be a pleasant paddle, a cool swim, or one of those rare Tenerife mornings when dolphins surround the boats.

FAQ

Where does the kayak and snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. The office is next to a real estate office, with the Ricoche café directly opposite.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts three hours. This includes preparation, a safety briefing, kayaking, marine-life viewing, snorkeling, and the walk between the office and beach.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants. This keeps the outing smaller than a large commercial boat trip and allows the guide to provide more personal help.

What equipment is included?

You receive a double RTM kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling mask, and breathing tube. Wetsuits are optional, and the office provides changing space, a bathroom, secure storage, and water.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced participants. The guide gives a safety briefing before launch and explains how to use the kayak and snorkeling equipment.

Will I definitely see dolphins or turtles?

No. Dolphins and turtles are frequently seen in the area, but they are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can children participate?

Children under 11 must share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. An older child with kayaking experience who is able to paddle may join as an adult participant.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, water, biodegradable sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear. Water shoes are not required but may make it easier to get back into the kayak.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, people prone to seasickness or motion sickness, people with low fitness, people over 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, or people over 95 years old.