Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

Tenerife’s Abades marine protected area gives you a chance to see sea turtles, rays, octopuses, seahorses, and colorful fish without boarding a boat. You enter straight from the beach, then follow the reef and sea grass in water that averages about 2.5 meters deep.

I like two things right away: the small groups of eight or fewer make personal help possible, and the underwater photographer sends photos and videos at no extra charge. The full wetsuit also helps nervous swimmers float and stay warm.

The main caution is simple: turtles are wild animals, not scheduled performers. You may see them, but you may also spend the 50 minutes with fish, rays, reefs, and other sea life. Basic water ability is still needed, even though the guides can support beginners and weaker swimmers.

Key points at a glance

• Beach entry at Abades: You swim directly from a sheltered bay, with no boat ride and less concern for people prone to seasickness.
• A real chance of turtles: Green sea turtles live in the area, but sightings depend on where they happen to be swimming.
• Strong beginner support: Raffaella, Ron, and the multilingual team provide a safety briefing, gear help, and close supervision.
• Small groups: With no more than eight participants, the guides can keep the group together and check on individual swimmers.
• Useful equipment included: You receive a mask, snorkel, adjustable fins, boots, and a full wetsuit in suitable sizes.
• Free underwater memories: Photos and videos are taken during the activity and sent digitally, usually by WhatsApp or email.

What the Abades snorkel site is like

Abades sits on Tenerife’s southeast coast, away from the larger resort feel of Costa Adeje. The tour starts at the beach beside a sheltered bay, where rocky reef formations, sea grass, and small coves give marine life places to feed and hide.

The stated average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of 8 meters. That makes the route feel approachable for first-time snorkelers, while still offering enough underwater structure to keep experienced swimmers interested.

The setting is not a tropical aquarium. Tenerife’s coast has its own Atlantic marine life, and visibility and animal activity can change with wind, waves, and sea conditions. You might see schools of fish close to the rocks, a ray resting under sand, or an octopus tucked into a crevice.

Sea grass is especially important here. It gives green turtles a feeding area and offers cover for smaller creatures. You may also spot starfish, angel sharks, seahorses, or other species mentioned by the guides during the swim.

Your first 20 minutes: meeting, fitting gear, and safety

Plan to arrive 10 minutes before departure at Magilu. Look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to Abades.

Before entering the water, the team checks your measurements. The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your size, which helps them prepare a wetsuit that fits properly.

The equipment package is one of the practical strengths of this outing. You receive a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots, and adjustable fins. The wetsuit gives you warmth in water ranging from 19 to 23 degrees Celsius between March and September, and it can also make floating easier for less confident swimmers.

You will receive a safety briefing before the swim. Expect instructions on breathing through the snorkel, moving with fins, staying with the group, and approaching animals without causing stress.

The team does not allow full-face masks. If you have your own camera and previous snorkel experience, you may be allowed to use it, but ask the guides first. The safest approach is to let the underwater photographer handle the camera while you concentrate on your breathing and surroundings.

The 50-minute swim through reef and sea grass

The activity itself lasts 50 minutes in the water, inside a two-hour appointment that includes preparation and support. You enter from the beach rather than climbing onto a boat, which is helpful if you are prone to motion sickness.

The guides lead the group through the bay at a controlled pace. This is not a race across open water. The aim is to stay together, inspect the reef, and pause when something worth seeing appears.

The rocky formations create small channels and hiding places. Look closely rather than only scanning the open water. Fish may move along the reef edge, while an octopus can remain nearly invisible against stone.

The sea grass is where turtle sightings become possible. Green turtles sometimes pass through the area or rest nearby, but there is no guarantee. The guides follow a respectful distance rule and do not chase, touch, or feed the animals.

That policy matters. A turtle encounter is better when the animal carries on normally, rather than being surrounded by swimmers trying to force a photograph. The same rule applies to rays, fish, sharks, and other creatures.

The group may see an angel shark or a stingray buried under the sand. Those sightings are never promised, but they show why the area is worth visiting even if the turtles stay out of reach.

Why the small group matters

A maximum of eight participants is a useful limit for a water activity. The guides can keep track of swimmers at the front and back, notice when someone is nervous, and offer help without turning the outing into a crowded procession.

Raffaella and Ron receive especially strong praise for their calm manner and hands-on support. They are described as patient with first-time snorkelers, attentive to children, and ready to stay beside anyone who needs extra reassurance.

That support has real value. Several people with water anxiety, limited confidence, motion sickness, or health concerns were helped through the activity. One participant with asthma received prompt support, while another person who became uncomfortable was taken back to shore without making the rest of the group feel rushed.

Still, do not confuse assistance with a substitute for swimming ability. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and minors must remain under adult supervision. People with medical conditions should tell the provider before the tour.

The outing is also not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, anyone over 140 kilograms, or anyone under 30 kilograms. Those limits relate to the beach entry, equipment, and water portion of the experience.

Wildlife rules make the encounter better

The team prohibits feeding marine life and touching sea animals. These rules protect the animals and make the experience feel more like observing nature than attending a staged show.

You are asked to keep a respectful distance from turtles. That can mean a shorter or less dramatic sighting, but it also means the animal is not being pushed, cornered, or handled for a photograph.

I consider this one of the tour’s best features. The attraction is not only the possibility of seeing a turtle. It is the chance to watch Tenerife’s coastal life in its normal setting, with guides who explain what you are seeing and how to behave around it.

The protected status of the area also gives the outing a clear purpose. Reefs and sea grass support many forms of marine life, from small fish to larger animals passing through. Your guide can point out details you might miss while swimming on your own.

Free photos and videos, with one small tradeoff

An underwater photographer accompanies the excursion and takes photos and videos of the group. The digital files are sent free of charge, with WhatsApp used in at least some cases, often the day after the activity.

This is a meaningful extra. You can leave your phone on the beach and focus on breathing, swimming, and watching the reef. Families also get a record of the experience without paying a separate photography fee.

The images may become one of your best souvenirs because they show the activity from below the surface, not just a beach selfie. The guides also take pictures of marine life when conditions allow.

The tradeoff is that you should not expect every photo to be perfect. Water movement, visibility, light, and animal behavior all affect underwater images. Treat the photos as a generous bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Weather, water temperature, and comfort

Sea conditions can change the plan. Strong wind, poor weather, or rough water may cause a delay, change, or cancellation. The guide team checks conditions and chooses the safest part of the bay available.

A calm day gives you the clearest view and easiest swim. On windy days, the water may feel less comfortable, and visibility can drop. One experience in large waves still produced a safe outing once the group reached the reef, but conditions are never identical from one day to the next.

For March through September, the stated water temperature is 19 to 23 degrees Celsius. The full wetsuit helps, but you should still expect a cool-water activity rather than a warm swimming pool.

Bring swimwear and arrive wearing it if possible. There is a public shower on the beach, but food is not included. If you suffer from motion sickness, the provider advises using medication, even though this tour begins from shore and does not require a boat.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, this is a strong value if you would otherwise need to rent equipment, find a suitable reef, and arrange your own underwater photos. The price includes the full kit, insurance, water, multilingual instruction, a 50-minute guided swim, and digital photos and videos.

The value is strongest for beginners and families. You are not paying only for access to the bay. You are paying for equipment fitting, a safety briefing, close supervision, animal-spotting help, and an organized route through an unfamiliar marine area.

Experienced snorkelers may find the guided pace slower than exploring alone. You also cannot count on turtles, and there is no meal or transport included. If you already own equipment and feel comfortable reading sea conditions, the cost may seem less essential.

For most visitors, though, the small group and free photography make the price sensible. A private guide would cost more, while a large group could offer less personal support.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a good fit for families with older children, first-time snorkelers, cautious swimmers, and people who want a short outdoor activity rather than a full-day excursion. Children aged 8 and 9 have completed the activity with support, and teenagers have enjoyed it with their families.

The tour also suits experienced snorkelers who care about marine life and prefer a guided look at a protected area. The guides can show you creatures that are easy to miss and explain how to observe them responsibly.

It is not the right choice for a non-swimmer, someone who cannot manage a beach entry, or anyone seeking a guaranteed turtle encounter. It also may disappoint you if you want a long open-water session or a boat trip to several sites.

The multilingual staff speak Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German. That is useful in a mixed group, especially during the safety briefing and equipment fitting.

Practical booking advice

Book with the weather in mind and keep the day flexible if possible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Give the provider accurate measurements and disclose medical conditions before the tour. Wear your swimwear, bring only what you need, and arrive 10 minutes early.

If you are anxious, tell the guides before entering the water. Raffaella, Ron, and the wider team are used to helping nervous beginners, but they need to know what kind of support will help you.

Do not promise children a turtle sighting. Present the turtle as a possible bonus, then focus on the reef, fish, rays, and other creatures. That expectation makes the outing more enjoyable and respects the natural setting.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

I would book this tour if you want a well-supported, small-group introduction to Tenerife’s underwater life. The beach entry keeps things simple, the equipment is supplied, and the guides take safety and wildlife rules seriously.

The best reasons to choose it are the patient instruction, close attention to nervous swimmers, quality gear, and free photos and videos. The main limits are the 50-minute water session, changing sea conditions, no included transport, and the lack of a turtle guarantee.

If you can swim, accept that nature sets the schedule, and want a practical family-friendly activity for $45, this is an easy choice. Go for the protected reef and the chance to see turtles, but stay for the whole cast of marine life.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts from the beach in Abades, on Tenerife’s southeast coast. Meet at Magilu and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity takes about two hours, including preparation and the safety briefing. The guided snorkeling portion lasts 50 minutes.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. No previous snorkeling experience is required, and the guides provide instruction, equipment help, and support in the water. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Are sea turtles guaranteed?

No. Green sea turtles live in the area, but they move freely in their natural habitat. You may see turtles, but the tour also offers chances to see fish, rays, octopuses, seahorses, and other marine life.

What equipment is included?

The provider supplies a mask, snorkel, adjustable fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. The package also includes insurance, water, and high-quality gear.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion, which are sent to you digitally at no extra cost.

What languages do the guides speak?

The tour is available in Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and arrive wearing it if possible. There is a public shower on the beach. Food and hotel pickup or drop-off are not included.