Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

Tenerife’s Abades marine protected area gives you a fine chance to see sea turtles without boarding a boat. You swim straight from the beach into a sheltered bay, then follow rocky reefs, sea grass, and small coves where fish, rays, octopuses, starfish, and sometimes turtles appear.

I like the personal care here. The group is limited to eight, and guides such as Raffaella and Ron stay close, often positioning one guide at the front and one at the back. I also like the practical extras: a full wetsuit, boots, adjustable fins, and free underwater photos and videos.

The main catch is simple: turtles are never guaranteed. You also need to be comfortable entering the water from the beach, and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 140 kilograms.

Key points at a glance

• Turtles in their natural setting: Green sea turtles may appear around the sea grass, but guides do not feed or touch animals.
• A beach-based outing: You avoid a boat ride, which is helpful if you are prone to motion sickness.
• Small groups: No more than eight people allows the guides to watch beginners, children, and nervous swimmers closely.
• Good cold-water protection: Full wetsuits provide warmth and buoyancy, with sizes designed for a broad range of participants.
• Free memories afterward: An underwater photographer takes photos and videos and sends them digitally at no extra cost.
• A real beginner option: You receive a safety briefing and in-water help, but you still need basic swimming ability.

Why Abades is a good place to snorkel

The experience takes place along Tenerife’s southeast coast, in a protected marine area near the beach village of Abades. The bay is sheltered compared with more exposed stretches of coast, and the usual snorkeling depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of around 8 meters.

That depth works well for a guided family outing. You can look down at reef life without committing to a long swim in deep water. At the same time, the area offers enough variation to keep experienced snorkelers interested, with rocky formations, sea grass, sandy patches, and small coves.

The water is described as clear, and the marine life is the main reason to come. Expect tropical and subtropical fish, colorful reef life, octopuses, rays, starfish, and the occasional seahorse if conditions and luck line up. Green turtles often feed around sea grass, but they move freely and may be outside the route on your particular morning.

That honest approach matters. A tour that promises guaranteed turtles would be setting the wrong expectation. Here, the turtles are a possible bonus, while the protected bay and variety of smaller creatures provide the dependable part of the outing.

From Magilu to the water

You meet at Magilu and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt. Arrive 10 minutes early, and come wearing your swimsuit. The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your measurements, so the team can prepare a suitable wetsuit.

The total activity lasts about two hours, though the guided snorkeling itself lasts 50 minutes. The extra time covers arrival, equipment, changing, the safety talk, practice, and getting in and out of the water.

There is a public shower on the beach. Hotel pickup, food, and drinks beyond the provided water are not included, so plan your own route to Abades and bring anything else you need for the beach.

The beach start is one of the tour’s strongest practical points. You do not have to cope with a boat platform, a rolling sea crossing, or a crowded vessel. That makes this a sensible choice if you get seasick, although anyone prone to motion sickness is still advised to use appropriate medication.

The briefing and equipment check

Before entering the water, the guides explain what to expect and how to behave around marine life. The rules are clear: do not feed animals, do not touch them, and keep a respectful distance from turtles.

You receive a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. The wetsuit helps keep you warm in water that ranges from 19 to 23 degrees Celsius from March through September. It also adds buoyancy, which several first-time participants found reassuring.

A proper fit makes a big difference. Loose fins waste energy, and a leaking mask can turn a pleasant session into a frustrating one. The equipment is described as high quality, and the guides help with fitting and adjustments before you set off.

Full-face masks are not allowed. You use a standard mask and snorkel, and the instructors show you the basic technique. If you have your own camera and previous snorkeling experience, you may use it, but beginners should focus on breathing, staying with the group, and enjoying the reef.

Fifty minutes among reef, sand, and sea grass

Once you enter from the beach, the guides lead the group through the bay. The pace is designed for the whole group rather than for the fastest swimmer, with help available for small children, seniors, and people who feel unsure in the water.

The bottom changes as you move along. Rocky reef formations offer places for fish to shelter. Sea grass provides feeding areas for turtles, while sandy sections can reveal rays or a stingray tucked beneath the surface. Octopuses and seahorses are possible sightings, though neither should be treated as a promise.

Many sightings come from paying attention to small details. A camouflaged creature may be easy to miss if you only look for large fish. The guides point out animals and keep the group together, which is especially useful when several people are seeing underwater wildlife for the first time.

The water may not always be perfectly calm. Strong wind, waves, or poor sea conditions can force a change or cancellation. One useful detail from past outings is that the shore can look rougher than the water feels farther inside the bay, but this depends on the day. If conditions are marginal, the guides check the area and decide what is safest.

The 50 minutes in the water should feel active but not rushed. You will spend time looking, adjusting your breathing, following the group, and stopping for photographs. If you need to return to the beach early, the guides manage that while keeping the rest of the group supported.

Turtles without the circus

The possibility of seeing a green sea turtle is the headline attraction, but the way the guides handle wildlife is just as important. They do not feed animals or encourage you to touch them. If turtles appear, the group keeps a respectful distance and avoids chasing them.

That can mean a turtle passes quickly or stays beyond the best viewing range. It can also mean you have a more responsible encounter. You may see two turtles, three turtles, or none at all. The area remains worthwhile because fish, rays, octopuses, and other sea life do not depend on one specific sighting.

This is a good fit if you want a wildlife experience rather than a staged animal show. You are observing creatures in their own habitat, with the usual uncertainty that brings.

Guides who pay attention

The human side of the excursion earns much of the praise. Raffaella and Ron are frequently named as warm, patient, organized instructors who help people manage fear and equipment problems. Other guides may lead the session, but the provider offers Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German.

The support goes beyond a quick safety speech. Nervous first-timers have been helped through practice in the water. Children receive extra attention, and an older participant aged 82 was able to join with the needed assistance.

That does not make the activity suitable for everyone. The official restrictions exclude non-swimmers, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people under 30 kilograms, and people over 140 kilograms. Minors must remain under adult supervision during the tour.

You should also tell the provider about pre-existing medical conditions before the activity. One participant reported an asthma problem during an outing and received prompt help, but that is not a substitute for medical advice or preparation. If you have a serious concern about swimming or breathing, discuss it with the provider before booking.

The photos and videos are a genuine bonus

An underwater photographer takes pictures and videos during the excursion and sends them digitally for free, usually through WhatsApp or email. That is a useful addition at this price, since many water activities charge extra for images.

You should not expect every shot to be perfect. Underwater photography depends on visibility, light, movement, and where you are in the group. Still, the photos give you a record of the experience without requiring you to manage a camera the entire time.

If you have previous snorkeling experience, you may bring your own camera. For beginners, I would leave the camera work to the guides. Your first session is easier when you can concentrate on breathing and staying relaxed.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, this is a strong-value half-morning activity. The fee includes the equipment, wetsuit, boots, multilingual instruction, insurance, water, a 50-minute guided session, and underwater photos and videos.

The small group helps justify the price. With a maximum of eight participants, the guides can adjust the pace and keep a better watch on people who are nervous or less experienced. Two guides may also be used, which adds reassurance when the group spreads out.

You do not get transportation or food, so the value is best if you can reach Abades on your own and want a focused coastal activity rather than a full-day excursion. If you are comparing it with a boat trip, remember that this outing is shorter and land-based, but it avoids a boat ride and keeps the attention on a particular protected bay.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Weather remains the deciding factor, since wind and sea conditions can change the plan.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to families with older children, first-time snorkelers who can swim, couples looking for a quieter alternative to a boat excursion, and experienced swimmers who enjoy spotting smaller marine life.

It is also a good choice if you are anxious about snorkeling. The team gives extra help, checks on people throughout the session, and keeps the group together. The wetsuit adds buoyancy, and the sheltered bay is less intimidating than an open-water launch.

I would not book it if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle encounter. You might see several, but you might see none. I would also avoid it if you cannot swim, have major mobility limits, or are uncomfortable entering the sea from a beach.

My booking advice

Book this tour if you want a small, careful, beach-based snorkeling trip with quality equipment and kind instruction. The marine life is the star, but the guides make the experience work for beginners and families.

Go with realistic expectations. You may see turtles, rays, octopuses, or an angel shark, or you may spend the session with fish and reef life. The responsible wildlife rules are a strength, not a weakness, and the free photos, small group, and $45 price make this one of Tenerife’s better-value short water activities.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

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

How long does the activity last?

The total activity lasts about two hours. The guided snorkeling portion in the water lasts 50 minutes.

Does the tour start from a boat?

No. The tour starts from the beach at Abades, so you swim directly into the protected bay.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a reasonable chance of seeing green sea turtles, but they live freely in their natural habitat and may be out of range or absent during your session.

What equipment is included?

The provider supplies a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. High-quality equipment and water are included.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, beginners receive a safety briefing, equipment help, and guidance in the water. You still need to be able to swim, since non-swimmers are not permitted to join.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides may conduct the tour in Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, or German.

Can children join?

The activity is suitable for children, with extra assistance available for small children. Minors must remain under adult supervision during the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring your swimwear and arrive wearing it if possible. You should arrive 10 minutes before the start.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Strong wind, bad weather, or unsafe sea conditions may lead to a change or cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund under the stated cancellation policy.