Tenerife: Snorkel with Turtles

Turtles make this Tenerife outing special. You leave Marina del Sur by speedboat, cross the protected Malpais de Rasca area, and spend about an hour in the water looking for turtles and other marine life. I like the small-group format and the fact that an experienced freediving instructor stays with you, explains how to behave around the animals, and helps everyone feel secure. I also like that equipment, insurance, and photos are included, so the $81 price covers more than just a short swim.

The main thing to keep in mind is that turtles are wild animals, not scheduled performers. Sightings have a high probability but are not guaranteed, and sea conditions can change the day completely. One disappointing outing involved cold water, poor visibility, and a much shorter boat ride than expected, so I would book this for the chance to see marine life, not as a promise of a perfect underwater show.

Key points at a glance

• One hour in the water: The main snorkeling session lasts about an hour, with the boat ride taking roughly 25 minutes each way.
• Turtles in the wild: You may see several turtles, rays, fish, and other marine life, but no sighting can be guaranteed.
• A protected coastal setting: The route passes through Malpais de Rasca, giving you a sea-level view of Tenerife’s protected coast.
• Small groups and personal guidance: The instructor provides safety advice, points out animals, and helps the group give turtles plenty of space.
• Gear and photos included: You receive a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, insurance, and photos. Underwater video is not included.
• Best for confident swimmers: You must be able to swim. Children under eight cannot take part, and prior snorkeling experience is useful but not required.

Leaving Marina del Sur for Malpais de Rasca

Your meeting point is Marina del Sur at Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5. Arrive 20 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because the operator contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your equipment sizes, and the crew needs to get you fitted without rushing.

The boat ride to the snorkeling area takes about 25 minutes. It is not just a transfer. You travel by speedboat along the coast and through the natural protected area of Malpais de Rasca, seeing Tenerife from a low position on the water. The volcanic coast and protected setting give the trip a clear sense of place before you even put on a mask.

The ride itself can be part of the fun, but conditions matter. A smooth sea should make the crossing comfortable and scenic. Wind or swell can make a speedboat ride less pleasant, especially if you are already worried about getting cold. One poor account described the boat trip as lasting only about five minutes beyond the harbour, which is a reminder that routes may change with conditions or the day’s operation.

Getting ready with the instructor

At the snorkeling spot, the instructor explains how to use the equipment and how to behave around the turtles. You do not need previous snorkeling experience, but you do need to swim confidently enough to manage yourself in open water.

This is where the small-group setup earns its keep. The instructor can watch the group more closely, point toward wildlife, and help people take turns getting a good view without crowding an animal. The strongest feedback focuses on feeling safe, clear explanations, good equipment, and an instructor who remained attentive throughout the session.

The operator provides a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. You should bring swimwear and a towel. The wetsuit is useful not only for warmth but also for comfort during a full hour in the water. Still, do not assume it will feel warm enough for everyone. Sea temperature, wind, and how active you are can make a big difference, and one negative experience specifically complained that the equipment was not suitable for the water temperature or length of the activity.

An hour looking for turtles and rays

The main session lasts about an hour. You enter the water with the group and look for turtles in their natural surroundings, along with fish, rays, and other marine life. Several outings recorded sightings of two or more turtles, and rays were also seen on some trips. Clear, calm water can make the encounter especially rewarding, with animals moving quietly through the water rather than being fed or brought close for a staged photo.

That wild setting is the attraction, but it also creates uncertainty. Turtles may keep their distance, disappear before you reach the area, or simply not appear that day. Even when turtles are present, visibility can vary. One outing had visibility of less than a metre, making it difficult to see the seabed or smaller fish. If you have snorkeled in exceptionally clear tropical water, keep your expectations in check.

The guide’s role is not just to find animals. The best part of the instruction is the emphasis on giving turtles space and avoiding harmful contact. The group should follow the guide’s signals and avoid chasing, touching, or surrounding wildlife. That approach gives you a better chance of observing natural behavior and keeps the activity from becoming stressful for the animals.

Why the protected coast adds value

A standard beach snorkeling session can put you in the water, but this outing adds a boat journey through Malpais de Rasca. Seeing the protected coast from the sea changes the rhythm of the morning. You get a short coastal excursion, a boat ride, and a guided marine encounter in one two-hour package.

The protected area also helps explain why responsible behavior matters here. You are not visiting an aquarium or a controlled attraction. The coast and its marine life are part of a living environment, and the operator’s instructions about space and respectful viewing are important, not just polite extras.

I would not book this solely for sightseeing from the boat. The crossing is relatively short, and the main value comes from the time in the water. Think of the coastal ride as a useful bonus that gives the activity a stronger Tenerife setting.

What the $81 price really covers

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours near the coast. The price becomes easier to justify when you count what is included: the boat trip, an experienced instructor, insurance, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and photos.

You are paying for a guided wildlife encounter rather than simply renting a mask at the beach. The instructor’s presence matters most if you are new to snorkeling, uncertain in open water, or want help spotting animals. The small-group approach can also offer more attention than a large boat excursion.

The included photos add some value, but you should understand the limits. Underwater video is not included, and one early-morning outing produced photos taken on the boat rather than underwater images. If underwater pictures matter greatly to you, ask about the photo coverage before departure and bring your own camera only if you can use it safely while following the guide’s instructions.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 71 reviews, which suggests a generally strong experience with some real variation. The positive reports are especially consistent about professional staff, well-kept equipment, safety, respectful wildlife viewing, and sightings of turtles or rays. The weaker experience shows why sea conditions and visibility should be part of your decision.

The return boat ride and total timing

After about an hour in the water, you return by speedboat to Marina del Sur. The return crossing is scheduled to take another 25 minutes, bringing the total activity time to roughly two hours.

That compact schedule works well if you want to fit another Tenerife plan into the same day. You are not committing to a full-day cruise, and the activity leaves enough time for a meal, a beach visit, or another excursion. On the other hand, the short duration means there is little spare time if fitting equipment takes longer or the group needs extra instruction.

An early start may be worthwhile if available. One account praised an early-morning outing and described the guide as especially attentive to helping everyone see the animals. The schedule varies, so check the available start times when booking rather than assuming a particular departure.

How to prepare for a better outing

A few simple steps can make the experience more comfortable.

• Arrive 20 minutes early: Go to dock 5 at Marina del Sur, Las Galletas Harbour, with enough time for check-in and equipment fitting.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: These are the two items specifically requested for the activity.
• Reply with your sizes: The operator asks for equipment sizes by WhatsApp or email the day before.
• Expect open-water conditions: You must be able to swim, and the sea may not have perfect visibility.
• Keep your expectations flexible: A high chance of turtles is not a guarantee.
• Listen closely to the guide: The instructions protect both you and the animals.

Previous snorkeling experience helps, but it is not required. If you are nervous, tell the instructor early. The activity is designed for people who can swim but may not be expert snorkelers.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to confident swimmers who want a small-group encounter with marine life and prefer a guided activity over going out alone. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged eight or older, provided everyone can swim comfortably.

It is also a good fit if you care about responsible wildlife viewing. The instruction centers on observing turtles without touching or crowding them, and the guides are praised for explaining the animals and watching the group carefully.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold water, become uncomfortable in choppy conditions, or need guaranteed wildlife sightings. I would also think twice if your main goal is underwater photography, since video is not included and the supplied photos may not always be underwater. Poor visibility can also reduce the value of the session, especially for anyone hoping to see a wide range of fish.

Should you book the turtle snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized two-hour marine outing with a real chance of seeing turtles, rays, and other wildlife. The included gear, insurance, instruction, boat ride, and photos make the $81 cost reasonable for a guided experience, especially when the sea is calm and visibility is good.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed turtle encounter or tropical-water clarity. The strongest reason to choose this trip is the combination of personal guidance, respectful animal viewing, and a short boat route through Malpais de Rasca. If you can accept nature’s uncertainty and you are comfortable swimming, this is one of Tenerife’s more memorable ways to spend a morning on the water.

FAQ

Where does the turtle snorkeling tour meet?

The meeting point is Marina del Sur at Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts two hours. The speedboat ride takes about 25 minutes each way, and the snorkeling session lasts about one hour.

Are turtles guaranteed to appear?

No. There is a high probability of seeing turtles, but they are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

Previous snorkeling experience is helpful but not mandatory. You must be able to swim to take part.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, boat transport, insurance, an instructor, and photos. Video is not included.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in Spanish and English.