Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Abades offers something simple and special: you can swim from the beach into a busy underwater world, with colorful fish moving over volcanic rock and a guide close by to keep the outing calm. The chance to see turtles is exciting, but it is never guaranteed in this open-ocean setting.

I like the small groups of up to six, and I like the way instructors Natalie and Andre adjust their help for children, nervous swimmers, and first-time snorkelers. The free photos and videos are another real plus. The main drawback is that non-swimmers should not expect to reach the turtle area, and there is no guaranteed turtle sighting.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet at Magilu restaurant: The meeting point is directly in front of Playa Abades, beside the white benches facing the sea.
• Turtles are possible, not promised: Six turtles are currently known to use the beach area, but open water and animal behavior decide what you see.
• Strong support for nervous swimmers: Instructors have more than 20 years of experience and can provide extra flotation help.
• Free underwater media: Photos and videos are included, giving you a useful souvenir without an extra charge.
• Good value at $35: The two-hour outing includes the guide, mask, fins, wetsuit, photos, and videos.
• A compact group, with one caveat: Groups are usually kept very small, though an occasional larger combined group can happen.

Meeting the guides at Playa Abades

Your outing begins at the Magilu restaurant, directly across from the beach. Look for the white benches before the ocean. There is plenty of parking in the area, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Abades.

That easy meeting point matters. You are not hunting for a marina office or hauling equipment through a resort complex. You meet close to the water, where the instructor can quickly assess the beach, the weather, and the needs of your group.

The instructors speak German, Spanish, and English. Natalie and Andre are the names most closely associated with the experience, and the staff’s approach is notably personal. They explain the equipment and basic snorkeling technique before you enter the water, then check on people throughout the session.

If you are worried about breathing through a mask, tell the guide before the tour starts. The instructors have worked with children and people afraid of the ocean for more than 20 years. That is useful practical experience, not just a friendly welcome. Several participants with little or no swimming ability received close assistance and still managed to enjoy the fish and rock formations.

Getting suited up for the Atlantic

The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and a neoprene wetsuit. You can use a long or short suit, depending on the available fit and your preference. A wetsuit gives you warmth and some extra comfort in the water, while properly fitted fins make it easier to move without tiring yourself out.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun hat, and beachwear. You should also know that personal belongings are left in the operator’s car. Keep valuables to a minimum and bring only what you need for the beach outing.

There is no changing room or toilet included with the tour. One nearby cafe has helped participants with changing, but you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of the booking. Arrive ready to make the beach setup work for you.

People who wear glasses should plan carefully. Prescription glasses cannot be worn beneath the snorkeling mask. The mask needs to seal against your face, so glasses will interfere with that seal.

The pre-water explanation is especially important for first-timers. You learn how to clear the mask, breathe steadily, and stay with the guide. You also get a realistic idea of what you may see, including fish, rays, octopuses, and turtles.

Swimming out over volcanic rock

From Playa Abades, the group enters the sea and follows the guide along the coast. The underwater setting includes volcanic rock formations, coral-covered areas, and many small fish. The exact route can change with conditions and the abilities of the group, but the outing lasts about two hours.

This is not a ride where you simply float in one spot. The group can visit different snorkeling areas along the coast, with depths suitable for watching marine life. Your guide points out fish and helps you look beneath stones, where octopuses may be hiding.

The fish are the dependable attraction. You should expect plenty of movement and color close to the rocks, even if larger animals stay away. This makes the outing worthwhile for families and beginners who want an introduction to the Atlantic without committing to a full scuba session.

The guides also explain how to observe marine life without chasing it. That matters around shy animals such as octopuses. You may see only part of one tucked under a stone, but finding it becomes a small treasure hunt for children and adults alike.

The water is described as free from dangerous marine life, but it is still an open-ocean activity. You must be comfortable following instructions and accepting that sea conditions affect the route. A guide can make the experience safer and easier, but no one can control waves, visibility, or animal behavior.

The turtle question

Turtles are the headline attraction, and the possibility of seeing one is genuine. The beach currently has six sea turtles living in the area, and several outings have included sightings. A calm turtle surfacing for air can be a memorable moment, especially when you are close enough to watch without disturbing it.

Still, you should book this as a fish and sea-life tour, not as a guaranteed turtle encounter. The animals may be elsewhere, the water may be less clear, or the group may not have the swimming ability needed to reach the feeding area.

The practical rule is clear: non-swimmers can see fish and other sea life, but should not expect to see turtles. Reaching the turtle area requires more swimming. One account places the time spent near that area at roughly 20 to 40 minutes, but the route and animal sightings can vary.

Stingrays are another possible highlight. They have been seen on the outing, along with octopuses, squid, and even barracudas on some occasions. These are all possibilities, not a checklist. The most honest expectation is a good look at fish and volcanic underwater scenery, with a chance of something larger.

That distinction improves the experience. If you spend the whole two hours scanning for a turtle, you may miss the smaller life right below you. Watch the rocks, listen to the guide, and treat any ray, octopus, or turtle as an extra gift.

Why the small group matters

The standard group size is limited to six people. That is a major advantage in the water. The guide can watch each person more closely, adjust the pace, and give extra help without losing track of the group.

Small groups are particularly valuable for families. Children aged six and nine have completed the outing successfully, and the route can be adjusted to match the group’s abilities. Children under five cannot join, so families should plan around that age limit.

Nervous adults also benefit. You do not need to arrive as a confident swimmer, but you should tell the instructor exactly what worries you. Extra flotation aids can be brought for people who need them. One guide has been described as holding a nervous swimmer’s hand and guiding them through the experience.

The operator is known for mini groups, though it is possible that groups may occasionally be combined. If having six or fewer people is central to your decision, confirm the group arrangement when booking.

Photos and videos included in the price

The tour includes underwater photos and videos at no extra charge. That changes the value of the $35 price. You are not only paying for two hours in the water, equipment, and instruction. You also receive a record of the outing to share later.

The media is especially useful for first-time snorkelers. It is difficult to watch fish, manage a mask, keep up with a group, and take your own pictures all at once. Having the guide handle the photography lets you focus on breathing and observing.

The quality has been praised by several participants, though underwater photography can never guarantee a perfect picture of every person or animal. Visibility, movement, and light all matter. Think of the photos and videos as a valuable extra, not the sole reason to book.

The images also help children remember what they saw. A child who only caught a quick glimpse of a ray or octopus can look at the footage later and understand the encounter better.

Is $35 good value?

At $35 per person, this is a strong value for a two-hour guided outing. The cost includes the snorkeling tour, instructor, mask, fins, wetsuit, photos, and videos. Comparable beach activities can become expensive once equipment rental and media packages are added, so the all-in price is worth noting.

The value is highest if you are a beginner, a family, or someone who wants support in the water. You receive instruction and supervision rather than simply renting gear and heading out alone. The free photos also save you from deciding whether to buy an additional package afterward.

The value is less clear if you are an experienced snorkeler who wants total freedom or a guaranteed long swim. This is a guided group experience, and the route follows the ability of the participants. That is good for safety and reassurance, but it may feel slower for a strong swimmer.

There is no transport included. If you are staying elsewhere on Tenerife, add the cost and time of reaching Abades yourself. The beach meeting point and available parking keep the logistics fairly easy once you arrive.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Those policies matter when weather or holiday plans may change.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families with children aged five or older
• First-time snorkelers
• Nervous swimmers who want close guidance
• Couples seeking a short water activity
• People interested in fish, rays, octopuses, and volcanic rock
• Anyone who wants underwater photos without paying an extra fee

It is less suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments, since the activity begins at the beach and takes place in the sea. People with a cold should not participate. Pregnancy is not automatically a barrier, as pregnant women can take part according to the activity information, but personal medical advice should guide that decision.

Strong swimmers should also keep their expectations in check. The best part is not speed or distance. It is having a guide who knows where to look and who can adapt the pace to the group.

Simple ways to have a better outing

Tell the instructor your swimming level before entering the water. This is the most useful thing you can do, especially if you are nervous or cannot swim.

Arrive in swimwear if possible. With no dedicated changing room, that makes the meeting point much easier. Bring a towel, sun protection, and only essential belongings.

Do not promise children that they will see a turtle. Tell them they will look for fish and other sea life, with turtles as a possibility. That keeps the mood positive even when the larger animals remain out of sight.

If you wear glasses, plan to snorkel without them unless you have a suitable prescription mask. The standard mask cannot accommodate glasses underneath.

Listen during the equipment briefing. A well-sealed mask and comfortable fins make a bigger difference than expensive personal gear. If anything feels loose, painful, or intimidating, speak up immediately.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

Yes, if you want a friendly, well-supported introduction to the sea at a reasonable price. The combination of small groups, experienced instructors, included equipment, and free photos makes this one of the better-value short activities in Abades.

Book it for the fish, rock formations, and calm instruction. Treat turtles, rays, and octopuses as possible bonuses rather than promises. If you are a non-swimmer, you can still enjoy the fish, but do not book with the expectation of reaching the turtle area.

For a family, first-timer, or nervous swimmer, this tour offers the right kind of help: close enough to feel secure, but still a real Atlantic snorkeling experience rather than a shallow demonstration. Just arrive prepared for the basic beach setup and the uncertainty of open water.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

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

How long does the activity last?

The guided snorkeling experience lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the $35 price?

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

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

Non-swimmers can join and see fish and other sea life with support from the instructors. They should not expect to swim to the turtle area.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles are currently known to live at the beach, but the activity takes place in open water and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and beachwear. Personal belongings are left in the operator’s car, so bring only what you need.