Green turtles and rays, right off Tenerife. This 1.5-hour snorkel trip pairs you with a marine biologist guide and a small group of up to 10, so even first-timers feel guided and informed.

The one catch: sightings are never 100% guaranteed, and the departure point may switch between Marina del Sur and Abades depending on sea conditions.

Key things that make this trip worth your time

• Marine biologist guide in the water: you’re not just drifting; you’re learning as you swim
• Small group (max 10): more attention, less crowding, easier for beginners
• Green turtles and rays near Tenerife: the goal is a close look at both, when conditions allow
• Tenerife’s volcanic underwater terrain: expect interesting rock and sea-bottom features around you
• Two possible start locations: Marina del Sur by boat or Abades from the coast, based on the sea state

How the 90 minutes with turtles and rays actually plays out

This is a short, focused trip, and I like that. You’re not signing up for a full-day “maybe wildlife” adventure. Instead, you get about 1.5 hours in the water with a live, in-person guide, plus snorkeling equipment provided. The pace stays friendly and manageable, especially for people who are new to snorkeling.

The core idea is simple: you head to waters off the Tenerife coast where green turtles and multiple types of rays are commonly found. Then you go in with guidance, learn what you’re looking at, and spend time swimming around the underwater terrain. You should treat the animals as the highlight, not as a guaranteed product. The ocean is big, and these animals are free to move.

One more good detail: the trip is limited to 10 participants, and you’re accompanied in the water by a guide. That changes the whole feel. Instead of you and your snorkel gear figuring things out alone, you get coaching, explanations, and help reading what’s happening around you.

Meeting at Magilu Bar and the sea-state shuffle

You start by meeting in front of Magilu bar. From there, the trip runs depending on the sea conditions.

If conditions are workable from the water, the excursion departs from Marina del Sur – Puerto de Las Galletas (from the boat). If not, you’ll depart from Abades Beach (from the coast). Either way, you end back at the meeting point.

That might sound like logistics trivia, but it matters. Different departures can mean different vibes: getting in from the coast can feel more direct, while a boat start can help you reach the better water faster. With only 1.5 hours total, you want the trip to spend time on the actual swimming, not stuck in transfers. This sea-state flexibility is part of how they protect that timing.

Practical tip: show up a few minutes early. You’re meeting at street level in front of a specific bar, and the day’s sea conditions determine where you’ll ultimately launch from.

Your guide: marine biologist + hands-on support

The standout ingredient here is the marine biologist guide. This isn’t just a tour host with a few facts. The goal is to make you understand what you’re seeing while you’re seeing it.

The experience is described as “always in the water accompanied by a guide,” and the reviews underline what that means in real life: if you’re new to snorkeling, you don’t get left behind. One of the guide names you’ll see mentioned is Paco, praised for being attentive and explaining things in a beginner-friendly way. That kind of calm, direct coaching is exactly what you want when you’re trying to breathe, float, and look around all at once.

Here’s what you can reasonably expect your guide to do:

• help you get comfortable with snorkeling basics
• talk you through what sea turtles and rays look like in motion
• share island and marine life facts as you swim near them

Because it’s guided in-water, you also get a safer, smoother experience. Even if you feel okay in the water, guidance helps you avoid random wandering and keeps everyone together.

What you’ll swim over: Tenerife’s volcanic underwater terrain

Tenerife is volcanic, and that shows up underwater in the way the sea bottom and rock structures create shelter and feeding areas. The trip specifically points to a volcanic underwater landscape (or, said plainly, volcanic underwater terrain) around where turtles and rays tend to be found.

For you, that translates into more than just “look for animals.” You’ll likely spend time scanning the sea floor and nearby rock edges, because marine life often follows currents and food along these features. Even if the animals don’t appear the moment you enter the water, there’s still something visual to focus on—shapes, rock textures, and the way light moves underwater.

Also: rays and turtles don’t behave like aquarium exhibits. They move. They pause. They drift. The best viewing comes when you stay calm and look steadily without chasing.

Turtles and rays: how to think about sightings

Let’s be honest. You cannot 100% guarantee you’ll see turtles and rays. The activity explicitly says they do their best, but the animals are free and the ocean is large.

So how do you turn that into a good outcome anyway? I recommend going in with the right mindset:

• Expect the trip to be about experience + education, not a guaranteed animal checklist.
• Give yourself time to settle in. Many first-timers spend the first few minutes focusing on breathing and buoyancy. Once you relax, wildlife chances improve because you’re actually looking.
• Stay flexible. If the sea conditions affect where you depart from, it can also influence visibility and animal activity.

When the animals do show up, the guide’s role becomes extra important. You want help positioning yourself safely, keeping distance, and watching without crowding. That’s especially relevant when rays are around, since they can move across open water quickly.

If seeing green turtles and multiple ray types is on your Tenerife “must do” list, this is a very direct way to try for it—just understand it’s nature, not a schedule you can demand.

Gear, group size, and why beginners often do well

Included in the price is snorkeling equipment, so you’re not spending time tracking down gear rentals on your own. You’ll still want to come prepared with your swimwear and a towel.

The trip is also small-group (up to 10 participants). For snorkeling, that’s a big deal. Smaller groups:

• reduce physical crowding in the water
• make it easier for the guide to check on everyone
• help you stay focused and less distracted

And the reviews back up the “beginner-friendly” angle. The people who felt most impressed described going without snorkeling experience, and crediting the guide (named Paco) for being attentive and patient. That’s the kind of support that can turn snorkeling from stressful to enjoyable.

One last practical point: don’t pack anything that violates the rules. Smoking and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed. It’s a water activity—keep it simple.

Where to start, what to bring, and what to wear

You’ll be most comfortable if you pack the basics:

• Swimwear
• Towel

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you don’t need to bring your own set. Dress for getting wet. Also, remember you’re moving between a meeting point and a launch area, so plan for a day where you can change and dry off afterward.

If you’re the type who hates damp gear sitting around, bring a separate way to store wet swim stuff in your bag. That’s a small comfort upgrade that makes the rest of your Tenerife day easier.

Price: is $63 a good value for this kind of experience?

At $63 per person, you’re paying for three main things:

1. A marine biologist guide who stays with you in the water
2. Snorkeling equipment included
3. Access to a spot where turtles and rays are commonly found off Tenerife

Short tours can sometimes feel expensive, but this one has clear ingredients that add value. You’re getting expert-led instruction, not just a boat ride. You’re also getting a small-group format, capped at 10 people, which typically means less waiting and more individual attention.

If you’re already a confident snorkeler, you might be tempted to compare it to cheaper rentals plus self-guided snorkeling. But the guided part is the value lever here—especially for beginners, and especially when the whole point is to observe wildlife responsibly.

My advice: this is a good buy if you care about learning and want the structure to increase your chances of a great experience. If you only want “water time” with zero instruction, the cost may feel higher than you need.

Who should book this snorkeling trip

This trip fits best if you:

• want a guided snorkeling experience with a marine biologist
• are interested in green turtles and rays
• prefer a short outing instead of a long day
• like small groups (10 people max)

It’s not suitable for children under 4 years.

If you’re traveling with mixed comfort levels in the water, a guide-led format helps everyone stay on the same page. If you’re comfortable planning around sea conditions, you’ll also appreciate the way they shift between Marina del Sur and Abades Beach.

Should you book it? My take

Book it if you want a compact, guided snorkeling session with a real expert and a strong chance of seeing sea turtles and rays when conditions cooperate. The combination of a marine biologist guide, small group size, and beginner-friendly instruction makes it one of the more thoughtful ways to spend time in the Tenerife water.

Skip or reconsider if:

• you only feel satisfied with guaranteed animal sightings
• you’re expecting a long, leisurely outing (it’s 1.5 hours)
• you need very rigid departure timing regardless of sea conditions

If you’re open to nature’s unpredictability—and you’d rather learn than just wander—this is a smart Tenerife choice.

FAQ

How long is the Abades Tenerife Turtles and Rays snorkeling trip?

The experience lasts about 1.5 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $63 per person.

Where do I meet for the snorkeling trip?

Meet in front of Magilu bar. The tour starts and ends back at the same meeting point.

Where does the trip depart from?

Depending on sea conditions, it departs either from Abades Beach (from the coast) or from Marina del Sur – Puerto de Las Galletas (from the boat).

What’s included in the price?

Included: a marine biologist guide and snorkeling equipment.

Are turtles and rays guaranteed to be seen?

No. The operator cannot 100% assure you will see these animals, but they do their best.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

What is not allowed during the experience?

Smoking and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 4 years old.

You Might Also Enjoy

Adeje: 3.5–Hour Professional Fishing ExperienceTenerife:Respectful Whale Watching, Pirate Ship, & SwimForestal Park Tenerife Entrance TicketMedieval Show and Dinner at Castillo San Miguel with Transfer