Tenerife: Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area

Tenerife’s southeast coast offers a fine surprise: you can swim from a beach into a protected underwater world without boarding a boat. At Abades, the usual sights include colorful fish, rocky reefs, rays, octopuses, and sometimes green sea turtles. The average depth is about 2.5 meters, though the route can reach 8 meters.

I like the small groups of up to eight and the calm, patient approach of guides Rafaella and Ron. I also like that the underwater photos and videos come at no extra charge, a useful touch when your hands are busy with a mask and fins. The main caution is simple: turtles live wild here, so sightings are never guaranteed, and this is not suitable for non-swimmers or wheelchair users.

Key points to know before you book

• Swim straight from Abades beach: No boat ride means less fuss and a better choice if you get seasick.
• Turtles are possible, not promised: Seagrass beds attract green sea turtles, but the animals move freely.
• Small, closely guided groups: A maximum of eight people helps the instructors watch different skill levels.
• Good gear for beginners: You receive a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots, and adjustable fins.
• Free underwater memories: A guide uses a camera during the activity and sends photos and videos digitally.
• Protected wildlife rules matter: Do not feed or touch marine life, and keep a respectful distance from turtles.

Swimming from Abades into protected waters

The tour begins at the beach in Abades, on Tenerife’s southeast coast. That beach start is one of the activity’s practical strengths. You avoid a boat transfer, engine noise, and the extra time that comes with getting everyone aboard and back again.

The setting is a sheltered bay with rocky reef formations, small coves, and seagrass around the reef. Those features give fish and other sea creatures places to feed and hide. The water is described as clear, with tropical and subtropical fish visible close to shore.

You will first meet the guide at Magilu. Look for a staff member wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt, and arrive 10 minutes before the start time. The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your measurements, so keep an eye on your messages.

The full activity lasts about two hours, but only around 50 minutes are spent on the guided snorkel. The remaining time covers arrival, fitting equipment, safety instructions, and getting into the water at a comfortable pace.

A clear briefing before you enter the water

Before swimming out, the guides explain what to expect and how to act around marine life. This is especially useful if you have never snorkeled, feel uneasy in open water, or are bringing children.

Rafaella and Ron are often the main instructors, and Maria has also guided some sessions. The team speaks Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German. That language range can make safety instructions easier to follow, especially in a mixed group.

The teaching is hands-on rather than rushed. You learn how to use the mask and snorkel, adjust your fins, and move calmly through the water. If you are nervous, the guides can give extra support. Several participants with water fears, limited confidence, or medical concerns received close attention during the swim.

Still, be honest about your ability. The activity is promoted for all ages and says you do not need to be an expert swimmer, but non-swimmers are listed as unsuitable. The guides can assist beginners, children, seniors, and less confident swimmers, yet you still need enough comfort in the water to take part.

Minors must remain under adult supervision. Parents should not treat the guide as a replacement for watching their children, even in a small group.

Wetsuits, fins, and the equipment you actually use

The price includes a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, boots, and adjustable fins. The wetsuit helps keep you warm in water ranging from 19 to 23 degrees Celsius between March and September. It also adds buoyancy, which can make the first few minutes much less tiring for a beginner.

The gear is provided in a range of sizes, including larger feet and body sizes. The maximum listed participant weight is 140 kilograms, or 309 pounds. You should send your measurements when contacted, and arrive wearing your swimsuit to make changing easier.

Full-face masks are not allowed. You use a standard mask and separate snorkel instead. If you have used your own underwater camera before, you may be allowed to bring it, but ask the guides first. The activity includes its own photographer, so you can also leave your camera behind and concentrate on the sea.

There is a public shower on the beach. Food is not included, and neither are hotel transfers, so plan your route to Abades and bring anything you need for before or after the swim. The only item specifically required is swimwear.

What the 50-minute snorkel route is like

Once equipped, you enter from the beach and follow the guides into the bay. The water is generally sheltered, but conditions can change. Wind, swell, or poor sea conditions may alter or cancel the session, and a windy day can make the entry more demanding.

The average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a maximum of 8 meters. That range gives you plenty to look at without requiring a deep-water excursion. The shallow sections are useful for first-timers who want time to settle their breathing and get used to the mask.

The guides usually keep the group together, with one person at the front and another at the back when staffing allows. That arrangement helps prevent anyone from drifting too far ahead or being left behind. It also lets the instructors adjust the pace when someone needs a break or extra help.

Underwater, look over the rocky reef and around the coves. Fish may appear in different shapes and colors, while octopuses can be difficult to spot until a guide points one out. Seahorses are possible too, though their camouflage makes them a lucky find rather than a sure sight.

You might also see rays, starfish, angel sharks, stingrays, crabs, and other smaller creatures. One especially memorable sight reported during the activity is a juvenile stingray buried under the sand. The guide’s eye matters here. Without help, you could easily swim past animals that blend into the bottom.

Turtles, seagrass, and responsible wildlife viewing

The seagrass around the reef gives green sea turtles a reason to visit the bay. Some outings see one turtle, while others have seen two or three. A turtle has even surfaced close to the group during one session.

But do not book this expecting a guaranteed turtle encounter. The animals are wild and may be elsewhere, too far from the route, or absent that day. The area remains worthwhile because the fish, reef, rays, octopuses, and other creatures make up the main experience.

The guides set useful rules: do not feed animals, do not touch them, and keep a respectful distance from turtles. That approach is more than good manners. It keeps the animals from changing their behavior and avoids turning a protected area into a staged wildlife display.

I particularly value this honesty. You are paying for guided access to a marine habitat, not a guaranteed animal performance. If turtles appear, enjoy the sighting without chasing them. If they do not, you still have a short, focused look at Tenerife’s coastal life.

Why the photos and videos add real value

An underwater photographer takes pictures and videos during the excursion. The files are sent digitally for free, usually by WhatsApp or email the following day.

This is a strong part of the $45 price. You do not have to hold a camera, worry about losing it, or interrupt your swim to take a picture. The guides can photograph both the group and the animals, giving you something to remember beyond a few blurry phone shots from the beach.

The photos are also useful for families. Children often remember seeing a turtle or fish, but a picture helps preserve the moment. Couples and friends get a record of the outing without paying a separate photography charge.

The number and timing of files may vary, and poor visibility or sea conditions can affect image quality. Still, free underwater media is unusual enough to count as a genuine value point.

Support for children, seniors, and nervous swimmers

The strongest praise goes to the guides’ personal care. Children as young as 8 and 9 have taken part, and an 82-year-old grandmother joined one outing with the support she needed. Extra assistance is available for small children, seniors, and people who are not strong swimmers.

That does not mean the session suits every physical condition. People with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, and anyone over 140 kilograms are excluded. People under 30 kilograms are also not accepted.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, tell the provider before the tour. One participant with asthma needed help in the water, while another became unwell with motion sickness and returned to shore. The guides handled these situations, but you should not depend on luck or assume every health issue will be easy to manage.

The entry from the beach is helpful for anyone who dislikes boats. It does not remove every challenge, though. You still need to walk into the sea, wear a close-fitting wetsuit, and manage a mask and snorkel. People prone to motion sickness are advised to take their usual medication.

Timing, weather, and the small details that matter

The water temperature is listed at 19 to 23 degrees from March through September. A wetsuit is included, but you may still feel cool before getting fully active, especially on a windy day.

Weather can change the plan. Strong wind, rough water, or other poor conditions may lead to a change or cancellation. If your schedule is tight, book with some flexibility rather than placing this activity immediately before an important departure.

The group limit of eight is important. A large beach activity can feel anonymous, but this one is set up for instruction and supervision. With fewer people, the guides can check masks, adjust equipment, and notice when someone is struggling.

The meeting point is not a hotel. You need to reach Magilu in Abades yourself and look for the Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and food is not provided. Bring swimwear, arrive early, and use the public beach shower afterward.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, this is good value if you want an easy introduction to Tenerife’s underwater life. The price includes all core equipment, insurance, water, multilingual instruction, a 50-minute guided session, and underwater photos and videos.

The value improves for beginners because you do not need to rent equipment separately or figure out the reef by yourself. You are also paying for supervision, wildlife spotting, and help with fitting and confidence in the water.

It is less compelling if you are already an experienced snorkeler with your own gear and prefer to swim alone. The route is guided, the group must stay together, and you cannot use a full-face mask. Experienced participants may still enjoy the wildlife and photography, but the instruction is aimed mainly at mixed groups and first-timers.

Who should book this Abades snorkel?

I would choose this tour for families with older children, couples, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a short water activity without a boat trip. It also suits people who value close supervision and responsible animal encounters over a fast, independent swim.

It is a particularly good fit if you are nervous. The guides have helped people with fear of water, anxiety, asthma concerns, motion sickness, and low swimming confidence. Their calm manner seems to be as important as the equipment.

I would think twice if you cannot swim, use a wheelchair, have major mobility limits, or need a guaranteed turtle sighting. I would also avoid booking it on a day when you cannot tolerate a possible weather change.

My verdict on the Tenerife marine protected area tour

Book it if you want a friendly, well-supported introduction to snorkeling in Tenerife. The protected bay, beach entry, quality equipment, small group, and free photos make the $45 fee easy to justify.

Just set the right expectation. You are not buying a turtle show. You are entering a natural bay where turtles may appear, while fish, rays, reef life, and careful guides provide the dependable part of the outing. For most families and beginners, that is the better kind of experience.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts from the beach in Abades, on Tenerife’s southeast coast. Meet at Magilu and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about two hours. The guided snorkeling portion lasts approximately 50 minutes.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Green sea turtles live in their natural habitat, so they may be elsewhere or out of reach during your session. You can still see fish and other marine life in the protected area.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. High-quality equipment and adjustable fins are provided.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No previous experience is required, and you do not need to be an expert swimmer. The guides provide a safety briefing and assistance, but non-swimmers are not accepted.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion, then sends them to you digitally for free, generally by WhatsApp or email.

What languages do the guides speak?

The available tour languages are Spanish, English, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, and German.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Strong wind, rough seas, or other adverse conditions may cause the activity to change or be canceled. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.