Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to meet marine life from a quiet kayak rather than from a noisy motorboat. You paddle along the Los Cristianos coast, watch for dolphins and turtles, then stop at Cueva de los Enamorados and a secluded bay for snorkeling.

I like the eco-certified approach, which keeps the kayaks from frightening or chasing the animals. I also like the practical extras: short wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, accident insurance, and pictures are included for $35.

The catch is simple: wild animals follow their own schedule. The company gives a 90 percent sighting chance, but turtles and dolphins are never guaranteed. You also need to swim confidently, and the trip can feel physically tiring, especially if you are new to kayaking.

Key points to know before you book

• Dolphins and turtles are possible, not promised: You may see pods of up to 30 dolphins, green turtles, loggerhead turtles, or other sea life.
• The route begins at Playa de Los Cristianos: Expect about two hours on the water, with a short stop at Cueva de los Enamorados and time for snorkeling.
• Short wetsuits and photographs are included: Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, water, and flip-flops.
• This is for swimmers aged 14 and over: Minors from 14 to 17 must come with a parent.
• Comfort matters: The kayaks have supportive seats and backrests, but paddling still takes effort.
• The $35 price is strong value: You get a guide, kayak, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, insurance, wetsuit, and photos in one three-hour outing.

What this Tenerife kayak trip is really like

This is an active coastal outing, not a floating wildlife show. You help propel the kayak, listen for instructions, scan the sea, and accept that nature may provide dolphins, turtles, fish, or simply beautiful views of Tenerife’s shore and mountains.

The tour uses kayaks that are considered unobtrusive around marine life. That matters because the point is to observe animals without chasing them or cutting across their path. The boats give you a low viewpoint close to the water, with less engine noise than a motorized excursion.

Tenerife’s waters can hold five dolphin species, including bottlenose dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, striped dolphins, and common dolphins. The most easily spotted are bottlenose dolphins, but you will need patience and luck to identify anything beyond the familiar shapes and leaps.

Green turtles are commonly sought on the route, with loggerhead turtles also possible. A turtle may surface near the kayaks or appear below you during the snorkeling stop. Bull rays and small fish are also possible in the bay.

That variety makes the outing worthwhile even if the headline animals stay away. Several trips have produced dolphins and turtles, while others have brought only fish or no turtles at all. The honest way to book this is to treat wildlife as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Finding Xplore Tenerife in Cristianmar

The meeting point is Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking in the Cristianmar building. Search for Xplore Tenerife on Google Maps, then look for the office on the ground floor, to the left when you face the building from the sea.

This is worth checking before the morning of your trip. The instructions are clear once you are looking at the building, but a seaside complex can still take a few minutes to sort out. Give yourself enough time to find the office, change if needed, and organize your belongings.

Changing rooms and lockers are available. You should arrive with your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, sun hat, and flip-flops. Water is not included, so do not assume you will be handed a bottle before heading out.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is a sensible rule for a water activity where balance, judgment, and swimming ability matter.

The 15-minute safety briefing

The first formal part of the outing is a safety briefing of about 15 minutes. Pay close attention, even if you have kayaked before.

You will need to understand how to handle the kayak, work with your partner if you are sharing, and respond to the guide’s instructions on the water. The guides are central to the quality of the trip. Carlos is often praised for being calm, friendly, and clear, while Barbara is known for a cheerful manner and reassuring first-time paddlers. Gonza, David, Daniel, Dani, and Carol have also led trips.

The guide’s job is not just to point out animals. A good guide keeps the group together, chooses sensible places for snorkeling, explains what you are seeing, and helps nervous paddlers settle down. That human element matters more than fancy equipment on a short sea outing.

After the briefing, you walk for about five minutes to Playa de Los Cristianos. Wear flip-flops or other easy footwear for this short transfer, then be ready to get on the water.

Paddling from Playa de Los Cristianos

The first main water section lasts about an hour. From the kayak, you get broad views of the coastline and Tenerife’s mountain backdrop, with the sea providing a constantly changing foreground.

The kayaks have comfortable seats and back support, a useful detail during a three-hour activity. Still, supportive seating does not remove the work. You will paddle for a good part of the outing, and several people find the trip physically tiring. If this is your first kayaking session, expect a workout rather than a passive boat ride.

The pace depends on the group and the sea. You may spend part of the route moving steadily along the shore and part of it pausing to watch marine life. The guide will be scanning the water for fins, splashes, and turtle heads.

Dolphins sometimes travel in pods of up to 30 animals. A pod may jump, surface near the kayaks, or disappear before the group can get close. One particularly memorable possibility is seeing an adult dolphin and a calf together, but that is luck rather than something the company can arrange.

The low kayak position gives you a direct view of the sea. That is exciting, but it also means you need to stay alert and follow instructions. You should not paddle toward animals or try to touch them. The eco-friendly value of the outing depends on giving wildlife space.

Cueva de los Enamorados and the return route

The route includes about 15 minutes at Cueva de los Enamorados. This short section adds a coastal feature to the wildlife focus and gives the group another place to look for marine life.

Do not expect a long cave tour on foot. The stop is part of the kayaking route, so the attraction is the rock setting, the water around it, and the views from the sea. It helps break up the paddling and gives the guide another chance to explain the coast.

After this stop, you return by kayak toward Playa de Los Cristianos for another hour of coastal views and wildlife watching. The return is not just a transfer back. Dolphins or turtles may appear at any stage, and the guide continues looking for them.

If you have never kayaked, this second long section is where the effort may become noticeable. Use the back support, keep your strokes controlled, and do not waste energy racing. The activity is more enjoyable when you paddle steadily and leave the wildlife spotting to the guide.

Snorkeling in a bay reached only by boat

The snorkeling break is one of the strongest parts of the outing. You stop in a secluded bay that is accessible only by boat, then use the included mask and snorkeling equipment to look beneath the surface.

The water is described as crystal clear, though visibility always depends on conditions. You might see fish, turtles, or a bull ray gliding along the seabed. Several trips have produced many fish even when turtles did not appear.

A short wetsuit is included. That offers some warmth and protection, and it saves you from packing or renting one separately. You still need to bring your own swimwear and towel, since neither is provided.

You must be able to swim to take part. This is not a shallow-water lesson or a supervised non-swimmer activity. If the supplier decides conditions are unsafe, the activity may not go ahead for you, so be honest about your swimming ability when booking.

Keep your expectations realistic. A snorkeling stop in a boat-access-only bay can feel special because it takes you away from the main beach, but it is not an aquarium. Fish may be easy to spot, while turtles and rays may remain out of sight.

The guides make a real difference

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the quality of the guides. Carlos is repeatedly singled out for being friendly, calm, and a good teacher. Barbara receives similar praise for her warmth, humor, and ability to make first-time kayakers feel safe.

Gonza is also frequently praised for clear English and strong ocean experience. David is valued for calm instructions, good photographs, and knowing where to take the group for snorkeling. Daniel is described as fun while still keeping the group safe, and Dani and Carol have handled larger groups with detailed but light-hearted instructions.

Guide quality is especially important here because the activity combines several moving parts: paddling, wildlife watching, entering the water, snorkeling, and returning to shore. You want someone who can keep the mood relaxed without losing control of the group.

Languages offered are Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French. That makes the safety briefing and marine-life explanations easier to follow for many participants.

What the $35 price includes

At $35 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing if you want several activities packed into one booking. The price includes:

• Kayak
• Snorkeling equipment
• Short wetsuit
• Guide
• Accident insurance
• Pictures

The included photos add value because keeping a phone safe in a kayak can be awkward. You may bring your own phone in a waterproof case, but you are responsible for it if it is lost. The supplied pictures let you focus on paddling and watching the sea instead of constantly handling electronics.

The price does not include water, swimsuit, or towel. Those are small costs, but they are easy to forget. Bring water in a suitable container, along with sunscreen and a hat, especially because you will be exposed to the sun on open water.

The package is particularly good for people who would otherwise pay separately for a kayak rental, snorkeling equipment, and photographs. It is less appealing if you only want a short swim or a guaranteed animal encounter, since neither is promised.

Who should book this activity

I would recommend it to active adults, teenagers aged 14 and older, couples, friends, and families with older children who can swim confidently. It suits you if you like being outdoors, do not mind getting wet, and would enjoy seeing Tenerife from the water.

First-time kayakers are welcome, provided they meet the safety requirements. The guides have helped beginners feel comfortable, but you should still expect physical effort. If you have back problems, a pre-existing medical condition, or are pregnant, this activity is not suitable.

There is also a 100-kilogram weight limit per person for kayak stability. Anyone over that limit cannot take part. The minimum age is 14, and anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

This is not the right choice for a non-swimmer, someone seeking a fully relaxing boat ride, or anyone who needs guaranteed sightings. It also may not suit you if paddling for about two hours sounds unpleasant.

Timing, cancellation, and useful planning tips

The activity lasts three hours, though starting times vary. Check the available departure time before booking and leave room in your day for changing before or after the trip.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

Pack lightly. Use the available lockers for items you do not need on the water, and avoid bringing anything valuable unless it is secured in a waterproof container. Sunscreen is especially important because the reflection off the sea can make the sun feel stronger than it does on land.

Bring a towel for the return, even though it is not supplied. A hat is useful during the paddle, and flip-flops make the short walk from the office to the beach easier.

Should you book the Tenerife turtle kayak tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, active way to combine coastal scenery, snorkeling, and wildlife watching. The eco-certified kayaking approach, supportive seats, included wetsuits, photos, and consistently well-regarded guides give the $35 price genuine value.

Book with the right expectation: you are buying time on the sea, not a guaranteed turtle encounter. Dolphins and turtles may come close, or you may see fish and enjoy the coast without the headline sighting.

For a first kayaking outing, ask for a calm, clear briefing and pace yourself. Guides such as Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, and David have helped make the activity approachable. If you can swim, meet the age and weight rules, and are happy to put in some physical effort, this is one of Tenerife’s better low-cost water activities.

FAQ

How long does the kayak and snorkeling activity last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the safety briefing, short walk to Playa de Los Cristianos, kayaking, the Cueva de los Enamorados stop, and the snorkeling break.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts and ends at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor, to the left when facing the building from the sea.

Are dolphins and turtles guaranteed?

No. The activity gives an estimated 90 percent chance of encountering dolphins or turtles, but these are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim to take part, and the supplier may decide you cannot participate if it is considered unsafe.

What equipment is included?

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

What should I bring?

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

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. The minimum age is 14. Minors aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

Is the activity suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people over 100 kilograms, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.