Green turtles aren’t guaranteed, but the sea is. This Tenerife snorkeling tour in a marine protected area lets you glide over rocky reef and sea grass in a sheltered bay, with full wetsuits and a guide-led plan that feels easy from start to finish. My favorite part is the combination of beginner-friendly support and real wildlife rules, so you get fun snorkeling without the sketchy stuff. The one drawback to keep in mind: they can’t promise turtles every time, since they’re in their natural habitat.

I also like that it’s a compact experience—limited to 8 people—so the instructors can actually check on everyone, including kids and non-strong swimmers. Guides like Rafaella and Ron are praised again and again for organization, patience, and safety pacing, including extra help for people who need it. If you’re traveling with motion sickness or you’re unsure about the water, this is often a calmer choice because you swim from the beach rather than taking a boat.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Abades start, calm protected bay: You enter from shore in a sheltered area that’s designed to be manageable.
• All-ages friendly snorkeling: You don’t need previous experience or to be a strong swimmer.
• Full wetsuits in all sizes: Warmth and buoyancy are part of the setup, not an afterthought.
• Ethical wildlife protocols: No feeding, no touching, and respectful turtle distances.
• Free underwater photos and videos: An underwater photographer captures the group with digital delivery.
• Small group size (8 max): More attention, fewer people to manage, and steadier safety.

Entering Abades’ Marine Protected Bay (and Why It Matters)

This snorkeling tour is based on Tenerife’s southeast coast, leaving from the beach in Abades. The big value here is that you’re snorkeling in a marine protected area—meaning the habitat is there, and the rules matter. You’re not just doing a quick water photo stop; you’re given time to see what lives in the reef, the coves, and the sea grass.

The sheltered bay is the other reason this works for families and first-timers. Reviews repeatedly describe calm conditions, good visibility, and a pace that keeps the group together. One practical plus: the tour is short on time in the water—about 50 minutes guided—so you can enjoy it without feeling like you’re committing to a long endurance event.

The “protected area” detail is also why the wildlife viewing feels more honest. You’re there to observe, not to force interactions.

What You Actually Do for Those 2 Hours

The tour is about 2 hours total, and it’s built around a simple rhythm: meet, get fitted, learn how to snorkel safely, then spend time in the water. You’ll start at the beach, and before you go in, you’ll get a safety briefing on what to expect and how to interact with marine life.

Next comes gear. You’re provided everything you need: mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and a full wetsuit. If you’re a first-timer, the guides walk you through the basics so you’re not just standing there fiddling with equipment.

In the water, you’ll snorkel through reef formations and hidden coves in the marine protected area. The average snorkeling depth is around 2.5 meters, with a maximum of 8 meters, so you’re not out deep in the open sea. The plan is steady and guided, which matters when you’re learning breathing techniques and staying comfortable.

Then you wrap up back on shore, and this is where the experience becomes easy to remember. An underwater photographer takes photos and videos during the excursion, and you’ll get the digital files for free.

Gear Fit That Keeps You Comfortable (19–23°C Planning)

The water temperature runs 19°C to 23°C depending on the season (March to September range given). That’s cool enough that a wetsuit actually helps—not just for “snorkeling vibes,” but for comfort and buoyancy.

The tour’s equipment includes full wetsuits designed to keep you warm and buoyant. You’ll also get boots and adjustable fins, which is a big deal for stability—especially if you’re not an experienced swimmer or you’re managing nervous energy before you get in.

One rule worth noting: they don’t allow full face masks. So if you own one, you’ll need to use the provided mask instead.

If you’re thinking about bringing your own camera, that’s allowed with previous snorkeling experience, according to the info provided. If you’re new, plan on enjoying the moment and letting the guides capture the underwater action.

Spotting Turtles, Corals, and Fish Without Forcing It

The goal of the tour is clear: see a healthy slice of Tenerife’s underwater world in a protected area. You’re likely to encounter tropical and sub-tropical fish, colorful reef life, and rocky formations with hidden coves. Around the reefs, the surrounding sea grass is part of the viewing story, because green sea turtles feed and hang out there.

Expect a reasonable chance of spotting green sea turtles, but with an honest catch: they can’t guarantee turtles. Some trips see turtles close by, while other days they may be farther away or simply out of the snorkeling zone.

Here’s what helps you enjoy the day even if turtles don’t show up: the guides focus on more than one species. Based on the experience details and the sightings mentioned, you might see things like octopuses, camouflaged seahorses, rays, and other unusual reef visitors—plus plenty of colorful fish and coral structures.

The tour also follows strict interaction rules. Feeding marine life is prohibited, touching animals is not allowed, and turtle encounters are handled with respectful distances to avoid causing stress. This is one of the most praised parts of the whole experience, because it keeps the snorkeling feeling natural instead of performative.

Rafaella and Ron in the Water: Why Safety Feels Real

The guide team is a major reason this tour earns such consistently high ratings. Rafaella and Ron are repeatedly described as friendly, organized, and calm, with instructions that make first-timers feel ready instead of overwhelmed.

The guides also make safety part of the experience, not a checkbox. People with anxiety about the water mention being supported step-by-step, and others mention extra check-ins during the snorkel. One review also highlights the reassurance of having two guides in the water—one toward the front and another at the back—so nobody feels lost or forgotten.

They’re also transparent about what they can control versus what they can’t. Weather and sea conditions can change what happens that day, and turtle sightings can’t be guaranteed. That honesty tends to reduce stress, because you’re not building expectations based on fantasy wildlife promises.

If you’re dealing with health concerns, you should inform the provider in advance. The info provided asks people with pre-existing medical conditions to notify them prior to the tour. If you have motion sickness, medication is advised, and a shore-entry snorkeling setup may be helpful for those who get seasick on boats.

Photos and Videos Included: Better Value Than Most Tours

At $45 per person, the price only feels fair if you’re getting more than a short splash and a handshake. Here, you’re getting full gear and a proper guided snorkel—plus free photos and videos taken underwater.

An underwater photographer captures the group during the excursion, and you’ll receive the digital photos/videos for free. Reviews specifically call out that files are sent via WhatsApp after the tour, and people appreciate that it’s included rather than treated as an upsell.

This is practical value, not just a nice bonus. Underwater memories are hard to recreate on your own, especially if you’re new to snorkeling or you’re focused on breathing and staying comfortable. The result is that you come home with real underwater shots instead of blurry phone pictures from the beach.

Weather and Sea Conditions: How the Day Can Change

This experience depends on the ocean mood. The tour might be subject to change or canceled due to poor weather, strong wind, or adverse sea conditions. That’s not unusual in snorkeling, but it’s worth factoring into your Tenerife plans so you’re not scheduling it as your one impossible-to-rebook activity.

Wind can be a bigger factor than you expect. One review describes a windy day with larger waves, and while people still saw fish, the conditions weren’t ideal compared to calmer days. The tour’s sheltered bay helps, but it can’t erase every effect of rougher weather.

If your schedule is flexible, this is a good reason to book early and keep backup options in mind on other parts of your trip.

Meeting Point and Check-In: The Small Stuff That Saves Time

You’ll meet at Magilu and look for a guide wearing a Snorkel Tenerife Excursions shirt. Arrive about 10 minutes before the excursion starts. It sounds basic, but it matters because you’ll need time for gear fitting and the pre-water briefing.

You’ll also be asked for measurements by WhatsApp or email a day prior, so they can size wetsuits properly. That means you’ll want to keep an eye on messages the day before your snorkeling slot.

What to bring is simple: wear swimwear. The tour provides water, and there’s a public shower on the beach. So plan for rinse-off time before you head back into your day.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is one of the strongest “family snorkeling” options for Tenerife based on the setup and feedback. It’s suitable for all ages, and you don’t need prior snorkeling experience. Extra assistance is included for small children, non-strong swimmers, and seniors, which is exactly what makes a group tour work when abilities vary.

It’s also not a wheelchair-friendly activity. It’s listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users. There’s also weight and age guidance: it’s not suitable for people over 309 lbs (140 kg) and under 66 lbs (30 kg).

If you’re a confident swimmer and want a more advanced, very deep technical experience, this might feel more like “reef sightseeing with coaching” than a training session. The average depth is about 2.5 meters, with a max of 8 meters, so you’re staying in the shallow-to-moderate snorkeling range.

Price and Value: Why $45 Is Fair Here

$45 can sound like a “tour price” until you look at what’s included. You’re paying for guided snorkeling in a protected area (not just gear rental), plus professional instruction and safety support. You also get high-quality equipment: full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and boots.

Then there are the two value multipliers people keep talking about: the small group size and the free photos/videos. With a maximum of 8 participants, you get real attention when learning the basics, and the guide can help with comfort and pacing.

If you want a souvenir that’s not overpriced, this tour’s photo/video package is a big part of the deal. For many families, that’s what turns it from a pleasant morning into a lasting memory.

Should You Book This Tenerife Snorkeling Tour?

If you want snorkeling that feels safe, structured, and beginner-friendly—especially if you’re traveling with kids or mixed swimming abilities—this is an easy yes. The combination of calm bay entry, full wetsuits, and multilingual guides makes it realistic for more people than the typical “good swimmers only” excursions.

I’d hold off if turtle sightings are your only reason for booking. They can’t guarantee it, and on some days the turtles may be out of reach. I’d also skip it if mobility needs make beach entry and water support difficult, since it’s not designed for wheelchair users.

If you’re excited about fish, reef scenery, and ethical wildlife viewing—plus you want free underwater photos—then spending a couple of hours in Abades is exactly the kind of Tenerife experience that actually pays off.

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