Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

The most memorable part of this two-hour Abades snorkeling tour is the chance to swim over volcanic rock with schools of colorful fish, then search the stones for octopuses. Turtles and stingrays are possible, too, but the open Atlantic makes wildlife sightings unpredictable.

I like the small groups of up to six and the careful help from guides such as Natalie and Andre. I also like that underwater photos and videos are included, not sold as an extra. The main caution is simple: turtle sightings are not assured, and the turtle area may be too far out for weak swimmers.

Key points at a glance

• Six-person groups: The guide can give calm, personal help instead of sending a large crowd into the water.
• A good choice for nervous swimmers: Extra flotation help is available, and the guides have long experience with children and people who fear the sea.
• Wildlife is real but not guaranteed: Expect fish and rock formations, with turtles, rays, squid, or octopuses possible depending on conditions and luck.
• Photos and videos are included: You receive underwater memories to share after the outing.
• Everything starts at Playa Abades: Meet at Magilu restaurant, directly opposite the beach, with plenty of parking nearby.
• Strong value at $35: Equipment, wetsuit, instruction, guiding, photos, and videos are all covered.

Playa Abades snorkeling: what makes this outing special

At $35 per person, this is an unusually complete two-hour activity. You are not paying only for access to the water. The price includes the guide, mask, fins, wetsuit, instruction, time in the sea, and underwater photos and videos.

The setting helps. Playa Abades has volcanic rock under the surface, and these rocky areas give fish places to feed and shelter. You can expect to spend time looking over the reef and around the stones, where smaller creatures may hide. The guides point out sea life rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

The experience is also designed to be friendly to beginners. The instructors are diving and freediving professionals, and they have more than 20 years of experience working with children and nervous people. That matters in the ocean. A mask that leaks or a first breath through a snorkel can make a beginner panic, so patient support is worth more than a fancy sales pitch.

You should still be honest about your swimming ability when you book. Non-swimmers can see fish and other sea life, but the turtle area requires more swimming. The team can bring additional aids and offer close support, yet this is still an open-water activity, not a pool lesson.

Meeting at Magilu restaurant

You meet at Magilu restaurant, directly in front of Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the sea. There is plenty of parking in the area, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there.

This meeting point is practical, but do not expect a full beach-club setup. One person noted that there is no changing room or toilet provided with the tour. A nearby café may help, but you should arrive prepared rather than count on changing facilities.

Bring swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, and beachwear. Personal items are left in the provider’s car, so keep valuables to a minimum. I would also arrive wearing as much of your swim clothing as possible. That makes the start easier and avoids searching for a place to change.

The guides speak German, Spanish, and English. Small groups are the norm, though the operator notes that groups may occasionally be combined. The published limit is six participants, which is still small enough for direct attention.

Getting fitted with fins and a wetsuit

After meeting the guide, you are fitted with snorkeling equipment and a neoprene suit. Long and short wetsuit options are available. The suit does more than keep you warm. It also gives some buoyancy, which can help if you are uneasy in the water.

Take your time with the mask. A good fit makes the whole outing better, and the guides are used to helping beginners get comfortable. If you wear glasses, you cannot place them under the snorkeling mask. You will need to manage without them in the water.

The equipment has received strong praise, and one family specifically appreciated having several wetsuit and fin choices to find a good fit. That kind of practical attention is more useful than a long speech about marine life. You want gear that stays in place when you turn your head to follow a fish.

Before entering the water, the guide explains what you may see and how the outing will work. Expect the pace to be adjusted to the group. The guides have helped children as young as six and nine, as well as adults who had never snorkeled before.

In the water: fish, volcanic rock, and reef life

Once you are in the sea, the main attraction is the underwater scenery near Playa Abades. The bottom includes volcanic rock formations and reef areas where many fish gather. The water is not an aquarium, so visibility and wildlife change with the weather, season, and sea conditions.

Fish are the most dependable sight. You may see many colorful varieties moving over the rocks, and the guides know where to look. Several people described seeing large numbers of fish even when the weather was less than perfect. That makes this a better choice than a tour built around one single animal.

Keep your eyes on the gaps beneath stones. Octopuses can be difficult to spot because they hide and blend into their surroundings. The search gives the outing a small treasure-hunt quality, without requiring a long boat ride or a full day at sea.

You might also see squid, barracudas, or a stingray. These sightings are possible, not promised. One of the strongest experiences reported from the outing involved swimming beside a relaxed turtle for about ten minutes. Another person saw a ray and many fish but no turtle and still found the underwater views worthwhile.

The snorkeling can include different spots along the coast. These areas may offer varied depths and angles over the sea life. For a beginner, that is useful because you are not stuck in one patch of water if the first spot is quiet.

The turtle question: keep expectations sensible

The beach currently has six sea turtles that visit the area to feed. That sounds promising, but it does not mean you will see one during a two-hour session. The turtles are wild, the sea is open, and the time spent near the feeding area may be only 20 to 40 minutes.

This is the most important point to understand before booking. If the tour were called a guaranteed turtle swim, I would be concerned. It is better understood as a guided snorkeling outing where turtles are a possible bonus.

Non-swimmers may not be able to reach the turtle area. The guides can help non-swimmers see fish and other sea life closer to shore, but you should not book this expecting a turtle encounter if you cannot swim. Ask the team for extra support when reserving so they can prepare suitable aids.

If you do see a turtle, keep your distance and follow the guide. The most memorable sightings come from watching the animal move naturally, not chasing it. The same principle applies to rays, octopuses, and other creatures.

How the guides handle nervous swimmers

This is one of the tour’s strongest points. Natalie and Andre are described as friendly, reassuring, and clear in their instructions. Andres is also praised for adjusting the outing to the abilities of the group and giving direct support to people who were nervous in the water.

That help can make the difference between a stressful morning and a fine memory. One person with a strong fear of the ocean was guided by the hand and able to take part with the family. Another non-swimmer felt secure with the aids provided.

Still, do not read the friendly approach as a promise that every person can take part. The activity is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with a cold. Pregnant women can snorkel according to the supplied information, but anyone with a particular medical concern should make their own health decision before booking.

The guide watches the group, checks that people are comfortable, and can slow the pace. You should speak up early if the mask feels wrong, the fins hurt, or you are anxious. A small group gives you a better chance of getting that help quickly.

Photos and videos included in the price

The free underwater photos and videos add real value. Snorkeling can be hard to remember clearly once you are back on the beach, especially when the best moments last only a few seconds. The images give you something concrete to share with family and friends.

Past outings have produced photos that participants considered very good. You should not expect a private professional photo shoot or a guaranteed portrait with a turtle. The guide is documenting the activity while also leading the group, and wildlife may not cooperate.

Still, included media is a useful extra at this price. Many water activities charge separately for photographs, so the $35 cost feels fair even if the sea is quiet. The photos are especially helpful for children, who may want proof of the fish they saw under the surface.

Is two hours the right length?

Two hours gives you enough time for instruction, getting fitted, swimming, and looking at several areas without turning the outing into an exhausting full-day commitment. It also works well as part of a larger day around Tenerife.

The actual time spent swimming will not equal the full two hours. Some of the schedule goes to meeting the guide, choosing equipment, learning the basics, and getting in and out of the water. That is normal for a beginner-friendly activity and not wasted time.

The short format is useful for families and first-time snorkelers. You get a proper introduction without committing to a boat excursion or a long session in the Atlantic. Strong swimmers who want hours of independent snorkeling may find it too limited, but that is not the audience this experience serves best.

Weather can affect the mood and visibility. One family had a good time despite poor weather, while another outing had excellent marine views. You should accept that sea conditions are part of the deal.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time snorkelers who want instruction and equipment included
• Families with children aged five and older
• Nervous swimmers who want close guidance
• Couples looking for a short activity near the beach
• Anyone who values underwater photos and videos
• Visitors who want marine life without booking a boat trip

It is less suitable if you need wheelchair access, have limited mobility, have a cold, or want a guaranteed turtle sighting. It is also not ideal if you dislike changing without a dedicated facility or prefer a completely private group.

The guides’ patience is a major reason to choose this outing. You are not simply handed fins and sent into the water. The team can adapt the pace and offer extra assistance, though you still need to tell them about your limits.

Booking details and practical value

The tour costs $35 per person, lasts two hours, and includes the guide, snorkeling gear, wetsuit, photos, and videos. Hotel pickup is not included. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which is useful when your Tenerife schedule is still shifting.

The group size is limited to six, although the provider says groups may occasionally be joined together. German, Spanish, and English are available. Check the starting time when booking because the schedule can vary.

For the money, the package is strong. Equipment alone would be a nuisance to arrange, and the guide’s help is especially valuable for beginners. The free media pushes the price from merely reasonable to good value.

Just keep the wildlife promise in perspective. Fish are the safer expectation. Turtles, rays, octopuses, squid, and barracudas are possible rewards, not fixed stops on a zoo-like route.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-supported introduction to snorkeling, especially with children or a nervous swimmer in your group. The small groups, patient guides, solid equipment, and included photos make this a practical choice at $35.

Book it with realistic expectations about turtles. Six turtles may visit the beach, but the ocean decides if they appear, and non-swimmers may not reach their feeding area. If you can accept fish, volcanic rock, and open-water conditions as the main event, a turtle sighting becomes a wonderful extra rather than the measure of success.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Magilu restaurant, directly in front of Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the ocean.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours. Check availability for the exact starting times.

What is included in the $35 price?

The price includes the snorkeling tour, guide, snorkeling equipment, a long or short wetsuit, underwater photos, and videos.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles currently live around the beach, but this is open ocean and sightings are not guaranteed. The turtle area also requires more swimming.

Can a non-swimmer join?

Non-swimmers can see fish and other sea life. They may not be able to reach the turtles because the turtle area is farther out. Tell the team about your swimming ability when booking so they can prepare extra aids.

Which languages do the guides speak?

The guides speak German, Spanish, and English.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. If you wear glasses, you cannot place them under the snorkeling mask.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the meeting point at Magilu restaurant. There are many parking spaces nearby.