Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

Tenerife’s south coast gets more interesting once you leave the marina. This two-hour speedboat trip takes you from Puerto Colón to a quiet bay about 15 minutes offshore, where you can float above rocks and watch for turtles, cuttlefish, stingrays, octopuses, and small colorful fish.

I like the small group limit of nine, which gives the guide room to help nervous swimmers. I also like that the boat ride is part of the fun, rather than just transport. The catch is that sea conditions control visibility, and the snorkeling spot may feel modest if you have already seen Tenerife’s best underwater sites.

Key points at a glance

• A short ride to a secluded bay: You reach the snorkeling area in about 15 minutes by speedboat.
• Around 50 minutes in the water: The main activity is a relaxed surface snorkel, not a rushed swim.
• Wildlife to look for: Turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish may appear below you.
• Gear is supplied: Wetsuit, mask, fins, and a lifejacket when needed are included.
• A genuinely small boat group: The advertised maximum is nine participants.
• Useful for first-time snorkelers: Guides provide instructions, and Elisa has been praised for patient, gentle help.

Leaving Puerto Colón by speedboat

You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife, in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 and next to Cafe Black Pearl. The diving center entrance is around the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria. Give yourself enough time to find it. The marina has several businesses and docks, so this is not the place to arrive in a last-minute panic.

At the center, you are fitted with a wetsuit, mask, fins, and lifejacket if required. A briefing follows, covering basic snorkeling technique and safety. The planned briefing period is about 30 minutes, so do not think of the tour as two full hours in the water.

The speedboat carries you along the southern coast of Tenerife. The crossing takes about 15 minutes each way, giving you a quick look at the shore from a low seat on the water. This is also the part that can make the outing feel more like a sea adventure than a simple equipment rental.

The boat may carry both snorkelers and people taking part in other underwater activities. One small-group outing had four snorkelers and four divers, which still fitted comfortably within the nine-person limit. If you prefer a completely snorkel-only group, ask the center when booking.

A sheltered bay, not an all-day reef trip

The boat stops at a secluded bay where you spend roughly 50 minutes snorkeling. Some schedules describe the water time as close to an hour, so allow for a little variation while people enter the water and return to the boat.

The appeal is simple. You float on the surface, look down through clear water, and search around the rocks for movement. Turtles and stingrays are possible sightings, not guaranteed attractions placed on cue. Cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish may also appear, especially when the water is calm and visibility is good.

This is a surface activity. You do not need to make a deep descent to enjoy it, and a lifejacket is available if you are not a strong swimmer. That makes the trip suitable for people who want to try snorkeling without committing to a full underwater course.

The secluded setting is a real advantage. You cannot simply walk to this bay from Puerto Colón, so the boat gives you access to a quieter stretch of coast. You are also away from the marina traffic for most of the swimming period.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The stop is not described as a major reef or a huge marine reserve. One account found the location less impressive than other snorkeling sites around Tenerife. If your main goal is exceptional underwater scenery, conditions and the exact site will matter more than the promise of a turtle.

What the 30-minute briefing adds

The briefing is especially useful if this is your first time with a mask and snorkel. You learn how to use the equipment, how to breathe through the snorkel, and how the group will operate in the water. Ask questions before the boat leaves. It is easier to fix a leaking mask or awkward fin fit at the marina than after you reach the bay.

Instruction quality may vary slightly with the staff member on duty. Elisa, an Italian instructor connected with the center, has a reputation for patient and reassuring guidance. That matters if you are taking a child or feel uneasy in open water. One family outing included a first-time young snorkeler who received extra explanation and attention.

The equipment is included, which keeps the price straightforward. Yet you should not expect brand-new personal gear selected just for you. A complaint about a worn snorkel strap shows why it is worth checking the fit carefully. Tell the staff at once if the mask leaks, the fins pinch, or the snorkel sits awkwardly.

You can bring your own mask if you already have one you trust, but the supplied kit covers the basics. You need to bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup, food, and photos or videos are not included.

Looking for turtles, rays, and cuttlefish

The wildlife search is the heart of the trip, but it works best when you slow down. Scan the water below rather than swimming quickly from one point to another. A cuttlefish may blend into the rocks, while a stingray can be easy to miss if you are busy watching the surface.

Turtles are among the most exciting possible sightings, and dolphins have also been seen from the boat on some outings. Dolphins are not part of the stated snorkeling promise, so treat them as a welcome bonus rather than a reason to book.

The southern coast of Tenerife has warm water compared with many European snorkeling destinations, but the wetsuit still earns its place. You may be in the water for close to an hour, and even comfortable swimmers can cool off while floating rather than moving hard.

The clear-water setting is strongest when wind and waves are light. Poor conditions can reduce visibility and make the bay less rewarding. In at least one case, the staff suggested changing to a different underwater activity because wind and waves would have made snorkeling visibility poor. That flexibility is helpful, though you should only switch if the alternative suits your age, confidence, and plans.

How the $53 price holds up

At $53 per person, this is a reasonable mid-range water activity for Tenerife. You are paying for the speedboat, a guide, a small group, snorkeling equipment, and access to a bay that is not easy to reach from shore.

The value improves if you want a guided outing and do not own gear. Renting equipment separately and finding transport to a good swimming spot can take more time and may not provide the same access. The trip also fits neatly into a half-day plan, leaving you free to spend the rest of the day around Costa Adeje or Puerto Colón.

The value is weaker if you only want a short swim close to the marina. You spend part of the two hours on the briefing and boat ride, and there is no hotel transfer or meal. Photos and videos are available to purchase rather than included, so budget extra if you want a record of the outing.

I would see the price as fair for a small-group boat trip with gear, but not as a guarantee of rare marine life. The main thing you are buying is access, instruction, and a pleasant way to reach the coast. The animals are a bonus.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits first-time snorkelers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a short sea outing without a full day commitment. The lifejacket option helps weak swimmers, while the guide support gives beginners a better start than simply borrowing fins at a beach kiosk.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy a little speed and spray between calm stretches in the water. The boat ride adds energy, but the snorkeling itself is unhurried.

You may want something else if you need guaranteed wildlife, extensive coral, or a long session below the surface. The bay can be pleasant without being spectacular, and the quality of the experience depends on visibility, wind, waves, and the condition of the supplied gear.

Families should note the small-group format and the helpful instruction available for beginners. A parent should still consider the child’s comfort in open water. A lifejacket is available for weak swimmers, but the activity remains a boat-based sea outing, not a shallow beach lesson.

Practical details before you book

The center offers instruction in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Mention your experience level when you arrive, especially if you have never used a snorkel or are not confident in open water.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time because the activity runs at set departures rather than whenever you happen to reach the marina.

Wear swimwear under the wetsuit and bring a towel. Sunscreen is sensible before departure, though no extra equipment beyond the listed kit should be assumed. If you want photos or videos, ask about them before leaving because they cost extra.

Keep the meeting directions handy: Zero Gravity Tenerife, front of dock 3, beside Cafe Black Pearl, with the entrance behind the commercial center near Café Victoria. The place is easy to miss if you only look along the waterfront.

Should you book the Puerto Colón snorkel safari?

Book it if you want a compact, guided introduction to Tenerife snorkeling with a speedboat ride, supplied gear, and a small group. It is particularly suitable if you value patient instruction or would rather visit a quiet bay than organize the outing yourself.

Skip it if you are seeking Tenerife’s most dramatic underwater scenery or need guaranteed turtle sightings. The experience can be very good in calm, clear conditions, but the wildlife and visibility are natural variables. At $53, it is a sensible choice for access and convenience, as long as you judge it as a two-hour coastal adventure rather than a major marine expedition.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 next to Cafe Black Pearl. The diving center entrance is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about two hours. This includes a briefing of around 30 minutes, a 15-minute speedboat ride to the bay, about 50 minutes to one hour in the water, and a 15-minute return ride.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes speedboat transport, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, masks, and fins. A lifejacket is available if required, including for weak swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can beginners or weak swimmers take part?

Beginners can receive instructions before snorkeling, and lifejackets are available for weak swimmers. Tell the guide about your experience and comfort level before entering the water.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.