Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

Tenerife’s Abades bay gives you a fine chance to see sea turtles without boarding a boat. You swim straight from the beach into a protected coastal area, where rocky reefs, seagrass, octopuses, rays, and colorful fish make the shallow water surprisingly interesting. Turtles are possible, not promised, since they are wild animals.

I like the small groups of no more than eight, which lets guides Raffaella and Ron keep a close eye on everyone. I also like the full wetsuits and solid equipment, especially for first-timers who need a little extra warmth and buoyancy. The main consideration is that this is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 140 kilograms.

Key points to know before you book

• Turtle spotting is a bonus: You have a reasonable chance, but the guides never chase or feed the turtles.
• You enter from the beach: No boat ride means less fuss and a good choice for people prone to seasickness.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Raffaella and Ron provide a safety briefing and stay with the group throughout the swim.
• The swim lasts 50 minutes: The full activity takes about two hours, including preparation, equipment fitting, and briefing.
• Photos come free: An underwater photographer records the outing and sends digital photos and videos afterward.
• Water conditions matter: Wind, waves, or poor sea conditions can change or cancel the excursion.

Abades Bay, where the snorkeling begins

The excursion starts at the beach in Abades, on Tenerife’s southeast coast. You meet the guide at Magilu and should arrive about 10 minutes early, already wearing your swimsuit if possible. There is a public shower on the beach, but food and hotel transfers are not included.

Abades is a useful setting for a first snorkeling outing because the bay is sheltered and the route stays fairly shallow. The average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of around 8 meters. That gives you plenty to see without sending beginners far from the shore.

The protected status matters here. A marine protected area limits the pressure placed on the sea and helps preserve the reef and seagrass habitat. You are not visiting an aquarium, so conditions and sightings can change, but the area offers more than a single headline animal.

Rocky reef formations create small hiding places for fish and other creatures. Seagrass beds attract green sea turtles, while sandy patches may conceal rays or stingrays. The guides point out animals that can be hard to spot on your own, including octopuses, seahorses, starfish, angel sharks, and crabs.

Getting ready with Raffaella and Ron

Before you enter the water, the guides explain what will happen and how to behave around marine life. That briefing covers basic snorkeling technique, safety, and the rules that protect the animals.

You must not feed anything. You also cannot touch sea animals, and turtle encounters require a respectful distance. This is more than a list of formal rules. Feeding or touching wildlife changes its behavior, while crowding a turtle can cause stress. The best encounter is one where the animal carries on with its normal routine.

The equipment includes a mask, snorkel, boots, adjustable fins, and a full wetsuit in a range of sizes. The wetsuit helps keep you warm in water temperatures of about 19 to 23 degrees Celsius from March through September. It also adds buoyancy, which can make a real difference if you feel uneasy in open water.

The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your measurements. Reply promptly so the team can prepare a better fit. A mask that seals properly and fins that stay comfortable will make the 50-minute swim much easier.

Full-face masks are not allowed. If you own a small underwater camera, you may use it if you have previous snorkeling experience. Beginners are better off focusing on breathing, position, and the group rather than handling extra equipment.

The first minutes in the water

You enter directly from the beach, then spend time getting comfortable with the mask and snorkel. For a first-timer, this opening matters. Breathing through a tube while floating face down can feel odd, and the guides give you time to practice instead of rushing you toward the reef.

Raffaella and Ron assist small children, seniors, and people who are not strong swimmers, but there is an important limit: the activity is not for non-swimmers. You need enough ability to take part in the water with guidance. Minors must remain under adult supervision during the tour.

The full wetsuit helps you float, but it does not replace swimming ability. If you feel nervous, tell the guides before entering and keep communicating once you are in the bay. They are used to helping people who are anxious, inexperienced, or recovering confidence in the water.

The small-group format is a real advantage. With up to eight participants, the guides can keep the group together and adjust the pace. Two guides also allow one to lead and one to watch from behind, which gives beginners extra reassurance.

Reef fish, seagrass, and the search for turtles

The main guided swim lasts 50 minutes. The route takes you across the bay’s reef and seagrass areas, where the guides look for movement, shapes, and flashes of color among the rocks.

You might see schools of smaller fish, starfish, crabs, octopuses, or an angel shark resting near the bottom. Rays and stingrays may be partly buried in sand, so look for an unusual outline or a patch of sand that seems to move. Seahorses are especially difficult to find because they blend into their surroundings. A guide who knows where to look adds real value.

Green sea turtles are the star sighting, but you should not book this expecting a guaranteed turtle encounter. They swim freely in their natural habitat and may be out of reach on the day of your visit. That honest approach is a strength, not a weakness. The guides do not feed the animals or chase them to produce a photograph.

When turtles do appear, the encounter can be close enough for a memorable view, but the correct approach is to hold back and let the animal choose its route. You may see one turtle, several, or none. The reef still gives the outing a purpose even when the turtle search comes up empty.

Visibility can change with wind and sea conditions. One outing may have clear water and calm swimming, while another may feel less polished because of larger waves. The guides check conditions and may alter or cancel the activity if wind, waves, or other weather problems make the sea unsuitable.

What the 50-minute swim feels like

This is a relaxed nature outing rather than a hard athletic session. You are not racing across the bay or trying to cover a long distance. The point is to move slowly, look carefully, and stay with the group.

That pace suits families and beginners. Several participants with water fears were able to complete the swim with guide support, and the staff have also assisted people dealing with anxiety, motion sickness, asthma, and other concerns. You should still disclose any pre-existing medical condition before the tour. The team needs to know what support may be required.

Motion sickness can affect people even from shore if the water is moving. If you are prone to it, the provider advises taking suitable medication. A beach entry avoids the usual boat ride, which is a helpful feature, but it cannot remove every effect of wind or swell.

The water temperature is mild by northern European standards, yet a full wetsuit remains useful. It keeps you warmer during a slow swim and adds buoyancy. Try not to rush the fitting. Comfort around your neck, shoulders, and ankles matters more than getting into the water first.

Free photos and videos after the swim

An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion. The files are sent digitally at no additional cost, usually through WhatsApp or another agreed method after the tour.

This is one of the better extras because you can concentrate on the sea instead of trying to point a camera while learning to snorkel. The images also record the whole group, not just marine life, giving you a souvenir of the experience.

You may use your own camera if you already have snorkeling experience. For beginners, I would leave it behind unless you are comfortable managing it. A loose camera can become a distraction, and the guide’s equipment already covers the photo side of the outing.

The timing of delivery can vary. Expect the digital files after the activity rather than instantly on the beach. Make sure the provider has the correct phone number or email address and that your WhatsApp account can receive the files.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, this is a reasonable price for a guided coastal activity. The fee includes a full set of equipment, a full wetsuit, insurance, water, multilingual instruction, the 50-minute guided swim, and underwater photos and videos.

The value is strongest for first-timers. Renting gear separately, finding a suitable site, learning how to identify animals, and managing safety on your own would not provide the same level of support. The small group also gives you more personal attention than a large beach activity.

Experienced snorkelers may judge the price differently. If you already own equipment and know Abades well, you are paying mainly for the guide, wildlife spotting, group safety, and images. The protected area and local guidance can still justify the cost, but a self-guided swim might appeal more if independence is your priority.

There is no meal or transport included. Plan your own way to Abades and bring only what you need for the beach and swim. The listed price is easiest to assess as a focused two-hour activity, not a full-day excursion.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to families with children who meet the weight and swimming requirements, couples wanting a gentle marine activity, and adults trying snorkeling for the first time. It also suits people who would rather avoid a boat and anyone who values responsible wildlife viewing.

The support is particularly useful for nervous swimmers and older participants. An 82-year-old joined successfully with assistance, and guides have helped people with fear of water, health concerns, and anxiety. That does not mean every medical situation is suitable. Tell the provider about your condition in advance and be realistic about your swimming ability.

This is not the right choice for a non-swimmer, wheelchair user, or person with mobility limitations. The activity begins on the beach and takes place in the sea, so you must be able to take part in that setting. The weight range is 30 to 140 kilograms.

The multilingual team can guide you in Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, or German. That is useful in a mixed group, especially during the safety briefing and equipment practice.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Bring your swimwear and arrive 10 minutes before the start. Wearing your swimsuit under your clothes saves time and makes the beach setup simpler.

The provider asks for your measurements the day before, so watch for a WhatsApp message or email. Give accurate details, including your shoe size if requested, to help the team prepare boots and fins.

Do not feed or touch marine life. Do not expect to hold a turtle or pose beside one. The best photographs come from calm, respectful observation.

The excursion lasts two hours in total, but only 50 minutes are spent on the guided swim. The remaining time covers meeting, briefing, fitting equipment, and getting into and out of the water. Check the available start times when booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather remains the deciding factor. Strong wind, poor visibility, or rough sea conditions can lead to a change or cancellation.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Magilu on Abades beach and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt.

How long is the activity?

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

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a reasonable chance of seeing green sea turtles, but they live freely in the protected area and may be out of reach. You can still see many other marine species.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. The equipment is available in different sizes, and the provider contacts you before the tour to ask for your measurements.

Can a beginner or weak swimmer join?

Beginners and people who are not strong swimmers can receive extra help, and no previous snorkeling experience is required. Non-swimmers are not suitable for the activity.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The activity may be changed or canceled because of poor weather, strong wind, or unsafe sea conditions. Guides check conditions before entering the water.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a small, shore-based introduction to Tenerife’s sea life with patient guides, good equipment, and free photos. The turtle sightings are appealing, but the reef fish, rays, octopuses, and seagrass make the outing worthwhile even without one.

Skip it if you cannot swim, need wheelchair access, or want a long, independent snorkeling session. For everyone else, the combination of a sheltered bay, close supervision, ethical wildlife rules, and a modest $45 price makes this one of Tenerife’s more sensible family water activities.