REVIEW · TENERIFE
Snorkeling excursion in the Rayas and Turtles Zone
Book on Viator →Operated by Apnea Academy West Europe · Bookable on Viator
Turtles and rays are the hook. This guided snorkeling in Tenerife’s Rayas and Turtles Zone is designed for real time in the water, with a guide who keeps things fun and educational as conditions allow. It’s a straightforward outing with a clear focus: get you snorkeling, not just taking photos from the shore.
Two things I really like. First, you’re always in the water with your guide, which makes it easier to learn on the spot—especially if you’re newer. Second, the day can adapt: depending on sea conditions, the excursion departs either from Marina del Sur (boat) or Abades (coast), so you’re less likely to lose the whole plan when the ocean changes.
One consideration: wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed. You may go in hoping for turtles, but even when you have good luck, you might see other impressive species instead of turtles.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Rayas and Turtles Zone: why the in-water time matters
- Where you meet in Abades and how to time your arrival
- Marina del Sur vs Abades: what changes on departure day
- Your guide and the small group pace (Paco’s style)
- What you might see: turtles, rays, and the day’s real surprises
- How long you’ll be out there, and how to prepare mentally
- Price and value: what $66.16 buys you
- Who this excursion fits best (and who might want something else)
- So, should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long is the snorkeling excursion?
- How much does it cost?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- Does the tour run in English?
- How big is the group?
- Do I need good weather?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things to know before you go
- Small group size (max 10) means a calmer pace and more chance to get help if you need it.
- In-water guiding keeps the experience educational, not just about floating around.
- Rayas and Turtles Zone is the focus area, so the time you spend is aimed at marine life encounters.
- Flexible departure (Marina del Sur or Abades) helps match the plan to sea conditions.
- English-speaking guide option makes it easier to follow instructions and learn.
Rayas and Turtles Zone: why the in-water time matters
This isn’t a sightseeing boat with a quick stop. The core of the experience is the snorkeling itself, done in the Rayas and Turtles Zone, with a guide staying with you in the water. That changes the feel fast. You’re not guessing where to look or what you’re seeing—you have someone there to steer your attention and explain what matters.
I also like that the guide’s role is described as both educational and fun. In practice, that means you’ll get more out of the outing than just surface-level “spot a turtle if you can.” You’ll have context for what you’re looking at and how to move so you don’t disturb anything.
The tone from the experience description is also clear: it’s meant to be friendly for different comfort levels. One guide named Paco is noted for taking time to explain things to a mixed group of eight, including beginners and a wide age range. That kind of pacing is exactly what you want when your snorkeling skills vary within the same group.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Tenerife
Where you meet in Abades and how to time your arrival
You’ll meet at Av. de Ocira, 23, 38588 Abades, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The good news is that it’s listed as being near public transportation, so you’re not stuck playing taxi roulette if you’re not driving.
Plan to arrive a bit early. Even when the outing is simple, meeting points can get busy right before departure. Since this is a small group (up to 10), being late can feel like you’re rushing into the day instead of settling in.
The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That matters for planning. You don’t have to figure out a new pickup location afterward, and it’s easier to pair this with lunch or an easy walk afterward in Abades.
Marina del Sur vs Abades: what changes on departure day
One of the most practical details here is the flexibility built around the sea. Depending on conditions, you’ll depart from either:
- Marina del Sur (boat departure), or
- Abades (coast departure)
What this means for you: the outing isn’t just locked to one specific dock. If the ocean is calmer, you might go by boat. If conditions are rougher, you might start from the coast. Either way, the goal stays the same: get you into the water with your guide for the snorkeling portion.
There’s also a mild “choose-your-own” feel to this setup. If you prefer minimizing time on a boat, you’ll want a day that starts from Abades. If you’re comfortable with boat time, Marina del Sur could be a nice bonus. Just remember: the decision is weather/sea-driven, not based on your preferences.
Your guide and the small group pace (Paco’s style)
The group limit is 10 travelers, which is a huge quality-of-life factor for a snorkeling experience. Smaller groups mean less crowding in the water and fewer people to manage all at once. It also makes it easier for the guide to correct technique and explain what you’re seeing without turning it into a one-size-fits-all talk.
Paco is specifically mentioned as a guide who’s very knowledgeable and who took his time with a group that included ages from 9 to 50. That’s a useful indicator of how the experience can work for you if you’re not the best swimmer or if you’re learning the basics.
It’s also a good sign that your guide’s attention isn’t only on the strongest swimmers. The experience is described as workable for most travelers, and that’s consistent with the idea of a guide adapting explanations to different skill levels.
What you might see: turtles, rays, and the day’s real surprises
The outing’s theme is Rayas and Turtles Zone, so turtles are the obvious headline. But here’s the honest part: some days are turtle-light. One participant notes they didn’t see turtles on their outing, and that they were still happy and would recommend the tour.
When turtles don’t show, you can still get great marine encounters. Another mention includes a stingray and something described as a rare squatina squatina (also referred to as an angel shark). That’s the kind of “wow, okay, that’s real” moment you remember long after you get out of the water.
What to take from this: don’t build your entire day around seeing turtles. Build it around the snorkeling time itself—and the chance to spot whatever the sea offers that day.
Also keep your expectations grounded. The experience requires good weather to run. When weather is good, you’re more likely to see wildlife clearly and enjoy the water time comfortably. When it’s not, the operator adjusts by offering a different date or a refund (details are handled through the booking process and described in the tour rules).
How long you’ll be out there, and how to prepare mentally
This is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s a sweet spot for many people: long enough to feel like you did something meaningful, short enough that you’re not turning the day into a half-day project.
Expect the pacing to feel active. Snorkeling isn’t a sit-and-watch activity. Even if you’re a first-timer, you’ll be thinking about breathing, staying calm, and maintaining a good position in the water. A strong guide helps a lot here, especially when your group includes beginners.
Because the outing is in-water with the guide, you’ll also get feedback during the experience. That can turn a potentially awkward first session into something you can actually enjoy.
If you’re traveling with kids or mixed-experience adults, this format tends to work well. The guide’s ability to explain for beginners and handle a mixed group is specifically noted, and the maximum group size keeps the attention from getting spread too thin.
Price and value: what $66.16 buys you
At $66.16 per person for roughly 90 minutes, you’re paying for three things that matter more than most people realize:
- Guided snorkeling in the water (not just access to a site)
- A focused marine-life zone (Rayas and Turtles Zone)
- A capped group size (max 10)
If you compare this to generic snorkeling options, guided time usually costs more because it includes real supervision and instruction. Here, you’re also getting an English-friendly experience, plus a mobile ticket for simpler check-in.
One extra value point: flexible departure based on sea conditions. That kind of planning detail protects your day. Instead of canceling for every minor change, the outing is set up to adapt between Marina del Sur and Abades.
The only “value math” downside is that you can’t control what you see. You might get turtles, or you might get a stingray and angel shark instead. Either way, you’re buying the snorkeling experience and the chance for wildlife—so you should go with curiosity, not a strict checklist.
Who this excursion fits best (and who might want something else)
This excursion is a good match if you:
- want guided snorkeling with a real person in the water
- are in a group with mixed ages or skill levels
- prefer a small outing (max 10) rather than a crowded schedule
- would enjoy learning about what’s in the water, not just snorkeling for exercise
It may be less perfect if you:
- need a guarantee of specific animals (turtles aren’t assured)
- hate any chance of changing departure plans (the site can shift between Marina del Sur and Abades)
Good weather is also a factor. The experience is described as requiring it, and if conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s fair, but it’s still something to plan around—especially if Tenerife is a tight schedule for you.
So, should you book it?
I’d book it if your priority is time in the water with a guide and a smaller-group feel. The best part of this excursion is the structure: you snorkel in the Rayas and Turtles Zone with support, so you’re more likely to enjoy it even if you’re a beginner.
Also, it’s one of the rare tours where the guide’s name—Paco—shows up with specific praise: taking time to explain to a mixed group and making the whole experience smoother. That’s the kind of guide behavior that turns snorkeling from “work” into “fun.”
If your main goal is to see turtles at all costs, keep your expectations flexible. The outing theme points that direction, but the day can deliver other impressive sightings instead.
If you want, tell me your travel month and your snorkeling comfort level (total beginner, some experience, strong swimmer). I can help you decide whether this is the right fit versus a different style of snorkeling on Tenerife.
FAQ
How long is the snorkeling excursion?
It’s listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes.
How much does it cost?
The price is $66.16 per person.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at Av. de Ocira, 23, 38588 Abades, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Does the tour run in English?
Yes, English is offered.
How big is the group?
The maximum group size is 10 travelers.
Do I need good weather?
Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
