Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

The most memorable part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to watch wild dolphins and turtles from a quiet kayak rather than a noisy motorboat. You paddle from Los Cristianos, stop in a secluded bay for snorkeling, and take in views of Tenerife’s coast and mountains along the way. Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, and Daniel are among the guides praised for clear instruction and a calm manner.

I like the eco-certified approach, which aims to keep the kayaks from frightening the animals. I also like the practical value: at $35, your kayak, snorkeling gear, wetsuit, guide, insurance, and photos are included. The catch is simple: wild animals keep their own schedules, so you may see dolphins, turtles, fish, or nothing larger than a passing school of fish.

Key points to know before you paddle

• Dolphin and turtle watching: The area is home to bottlenose, rough-toothed, striped, and common dolphins, along with green and loggerhead turtles.
• A real swim requirement: You must be comfortable in the water, since the tour includes snorkeling away from shore.
• A secluded snorkeling bay: The stop is reachable by boat, giving you a different view of Tenerife’s coast.
• Three hours on and around the water: Expect a 15-minute briefing, a short walk to Playa de Los Cristianos, paddling, and a swim stop.
• Useful inclusions: Short wetsuits, kayaks with back support, snorkeling equipment, photos, insurance, and a guide are provided.
• Firm restrictions: The minimum age is 14, minors must be with a parent, and the kayak limit is 100 kilograms per person.

What this $35 Tenerife adventure really offers

At $35 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to get on the water in Tenerife. The price matters because you are not paying only for a kayak rental. It also covers the guide, snorkeling equipment, a short wetsuit, accident insurance, and pictures.

I see the best value in the combination of activities. You are not paddling for three hours without a break, and you are not spending the whole outing waiting for an animal sighting. The trip mixes kayaking, coastal views, wildlife watching, and a swim in one package.

The wildlife promise needs a sensible reading. The operator gives a 90 percent chance of seeing dolphins or turtles, but no wild-animal encounter can be guaranteed. Some outings produce the ideal scene, with dolphins jumping nearby and a turtle approaching a kayak. Other groups see many fish but no turtle. That is not a flaw in nature, but it is important to book this for the sea experience first and the animal sightings second.

Starting at Cristianmar in Los Cristianos

You begin at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor, on the left side when you face the sea. This detail is worth saving in your phone, since a clear meeting point makes the morning or afternoon easier.

Changing rooms and lockers are available. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, sun hat, and flip-flops. Water is not included, and neither are swimsuits or towels. The supplied wetsuit is short, so your own swimwear remains necessary.

The first formal step is a 15-minute safety briefing. This is where the guide explains how to handle the kayak, what to do on the water, and how to take part without disturbing animals. Guides work in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French.

After the briefing, you walk for about five minutes to Playa de Los Cristianos. This short transfer is useful to know if you are carrying sandals, a towel, or other beach items. Pack lightly and use the locker before setting out.

Paddling from Playa de Los Cristianos

The kayaks have comfortable seats and back support, a welcome feature for a three-hour outing. Still, kayaking uses your arms and upper body, and one customer described the activity as physically tiring. If you have back problems, a pre-existing medical condition, or you are pregnant, this activity is not suitable.

You do not need previous kayaking experience. The guides give instructions before you set off, and the strongest feedback consistently centers on their calm, friendly teaching. Barbara is often singled out for making beginners feel safe and welcome. Carlos is praised for his patience and easy manner, while Gonza is noted for clear English and strong ocean experience. David is also praised for helping people feel comfortable and for taking good photos.

The first main section lasts about an hour from Playa de Los Cristianos. You paddle along the coast while watching for dolphins, turtles, and other sea life. The kayak gives you a low position on the water, so you can watch the surface without the noise and height of a large boat.

That low viewpoint is the heart of the outing. A dolphin may appear at a distance, or a turtle may surface near the group, but the guides cannot direct the animals or guarantee where they will swim. The eco-certified format is designed to let you observe without chasing or surrounding them.

Tenerife’s nearby waters can hold several dolphin species. Bottlenose dolphins are easier to spot, while rough-toothed, striped, and common dolphins may also appear. Pods can reach around 30 animals, and dolphins sometimes leap high above the water. Those are possibilities, not promises, so keep your eyes moving and your camera ready.

The short stop at Cueva de los Enamorados

The route includes a 15-minute section around Cueva de los Enamorados. You continue by kayak, with more chances to look for sea life and enjoy the coastline.

This is not a long land visit or a full cave tour. Think of it as a scenic point along the paddling route, with the chance to look toward the rock and water while the guide keeps the group together. The short timing helps break up the main paddle without taking too much time from the snorkeling stop.

You may also see mountain views from the water. Tenerife’s coast looks different from a kayak than it does from a road or beach, and the open view gives you a better sense of the island’s height and shape.

Snorkeling in a bay reached by boat

The snorkeling stop is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. You pause in a secluded bay that is accessible only by boat, put on the provided equipment, and swim in clear water while looking for fish and other marine life.

A short wetsuit is included, which helps with comfort in the water. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins. You do need to bring a towel, sunscreen, water, and swimwear.

The snorkeling is not limited to the promised turtles. Fish are a more realistic part of the experience, and several outings have included many different fish species. You might also see a turtle or a bull ray moving along the seabed beneath you.

You must be able to swim to join the activity. This is not a casual beach splash where you can remain standing in shallow water. The supplier may refuse participation if conditions are considered unsafe, and non-swimmers should choose a different Tenerife activity.

The bay also shows why weather and sea conditions matter. If the water is calm and clear, snorkeling can be the most rewarding portion of the day. If conditions are less favorable, the guide may need to adjust the activity for safety. The supplied information does not promise a fixed level of visibility or a particular number of animals.

The paddle back to Los Cristianos

After the swim, you return by kayak toward Playa de Los Cristianos. The return section is listed as about one hour and includes more wildlife watching and coastal views.

By this point, you may feel the effort in your arms. That is normal for a three-hour paddle, especially if you are new to kayaking. The back-supported seats help, but you should still treat this as an active excursion rather than a passive boat ride.

The return also gives you another chance to see dolphins. Wildlife can appear at any point, and some groups have spotted dolphins late in the outing. Keep your expectations flexible and enjoy the paddle itself, since the views remain worthwhile even when the animals stay out of sight.

The activity ends back at Xplore Tenerife. That makes it easy to collect your belongings, change clothes, and continue with your day in Los Cristianos.

Guides make the biggest difference

The clearest strength of this experience is the guide team. Carlos receives repeated praise for being friendly, calm, and a good teacher. Barbara is described as joyful, helpful, and reassuring for first-time kayakers. Gonza is noted for his English, ocean experience, and ability to keep the trip fun.

David is particularly useful if photographs matter to you. He has been praised for taking good pictures and for knowing where to go for snorkeling and dolphin sightings. Daniel is also noted for combining safety instructions with information about the animals and surrounding area.

That mix of safety and humor matters because a group can include strong paddlers, complete beginners, and people who are nervous about open water. The guides keep the tone relaxed, but the swim requirement and safety rules remain serious.

Photos are included, another helpful touch at this price. You can bring your own phone only if it is properly protected, and one customer specifically noted that carrying a phone in a waterproof case is your responsibility. I would rely on the included pictures rather than risk an expensive phone in the sea.

What the wildlife promise means in practice

The experience is marketed around dolphins and turtles, and you have a genuine chance to see both. Green turtles are commonly encountered in the Canarian waters, with loggerhead turtles sometimes appearing as well.

Still, the words wild and natural habitat should guide your expectations. Turtles may stay below the surface. Dolphins may pass beyond the kayaks. Some outings have seen a mother and baby dolphin, a turtle close to a kayak, or dolphins jumping nearby. Others have seen fish but no turtles.

One particularly useful point is that you should not judge the whole outing by the animal count. You still get the kayak route, the swim stop, the clear water, the guide’s instruction, and the coastal views. If seeing a turtle is your only reason for booking, you may leave disappointed. If you want a low-key way to spend time at sea, the outing makes more sense.

The non-intrusive format is also worth respecting. Do not expect the guide to chase animals for a better photograph. The point is to watch from the kayak and keep the wildlife comfortable.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would recommend this for active visitors aged 14 and over who can swim and want a half-day on the water without paying for a larger boat excursion. It suits first-time kayakers, couples, friends, and families with older teenagers, especially if you appreciate a guide who explains what you are doing.

It is less suitable for anyone with back problems, pregnancy, a pre-existing medical condition, or a strong fear of open water. The 100-kilogram limit per person is firm and relates to kayak stability. Children under 14 cannot take part, and anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

You should also skip alcohol and drugs before the outing. The operator does not allow them, and the combination of kayaking, swimming, and sun makes good judgment essential.

Wear swimwear under the provided wetsuit and use sunscreen before you start. A sun hat is useful before and after the water, and flip-flops make the short walk to the beach easier. Bring your own water because it is not included.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans are uncertain: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Should you book this kayak and snorkel trip?

Book it if you want a good-value, active morning or afternoon with a real chance of dolphins, turtles, and fish, but you can accept that nature may not perform on schedule. The $35 price is strong because it includes the main equipment, a wetsuit, guide, insurance, and photos.

I would choose this over a standard kayak rental if you are new to the area or want help finding the best snorkeling water. The guides, especially Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, and Daniel, add much of the experience’s value.

Do not book it as a guaranteed swim with turtles. Book it for the full package: paddling along Tenerife’s coast, swimming in a boat-only bay, learning how to watch wildlife without disturbing it, and perhaps getting the bonus sighting of a turtle gliding beneath your kayak.

FAQ

Do I need to know how to kayak?

No previous kayaking experience is stated as a requirement. A safety briefing is provided, and guides give instructions before the group sets out. The activity can still be physically tiring, especially for first-time paddlers.

Do I have to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim because the activity includes snorkeling in a bay away from shore. Non-swimmers cannot take part.

Are wetsuits and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, short wetsuits, accident insurance, a guide, and pictures are included. Swimsuits, towels, and water are not included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 14. Participants under 18 and over 14 must be accompanied by a parent. Children under 14 cannot join.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor, to the left when you face the sea. The activity finishes at the same meeting point.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, a sun hat, and flip-flops. Changing rooms and lockers are available. Phones and other personal items are your responsibility if you take them onto the water.