REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife Snorkeling Tour in turtle habitat
Book on Viator →Operated by Travel Sub SLU · Bookable on Viator
Turtles, dolphins, and a fast boat ride in one trip. If you want snorkeling in Tenerife with a real shot at seeing sea life, this tour is built for it. You start at a PADI 5 sub center, head out in a speedboat, snorkel at El Palm-Mar, and then return with a bonus chance to spot dolphins near fishermen’s farms.
What I like most is the straightforward setup: snorkeling gear is included (wetsuit, fins, mask, tube), plus water on board, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. The second big win is the human touch—your guide helps you with where to look and how to snorkel safely, and there’s an onboard monitor to keep things organized.
One thing to keep in mind: seeing turtles is never guaranteed. This is wildlife. Also, sea conditions can affect comfort and visibility, so if you get seasick easily, plan carefully.
In This Review
- Key things I’d bet on with this tour
- Speedboat Meets Turtle Habitat: How This Tenerife Snorkel Trip Works
- PADI 5 Travel Sub Center (Costa Adeje) Meeting Point: Get Your Bearings Fast
- Gear, Briefing, and Small-Group Rhythm: Why This Feels Manageable
- El Palm-Mar Snorkeling: The Turtle-Spotting Window
- Dolphins on the Boat: A Bonus Scouting Pass Near Fishermen’s Farms
- Getting Back to Shore: Shower Time, Terrace Relaxing, and Photo Options
- Price and Value at About $54: What You’re Really Paying For
- Comfort and Safety Notes: Seasickness, Bags, and Getting Into the Water
- Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)
- Should You Book This Turtle Habitat Snorkeling Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Tenerife snorkeling tour?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- Is snorkeling gear included?
- Is water provided?
- Do they guarantee you’ll see turtles?
- What’s included in the boat ride?
- Are prescription goggles or towels included?
- Is there an age limit?
Key things I’d bet on with this tour

- Small group (max 10): easier attention and less waiting around.
- Speedboat + snorkeling combo: you save time compared with doing boat and water separately.
- Turtle-habitat planning: the crew aims for the right spot and gives guidance on where to look.
- Dolphin-farm boat pass: you’re not only waiting for turtles.
- Gear and water included: wetsuit, fins, mask, tube, and provided water mean less packing.
- You get a rinse and photos/videos: shower time after the water, plus photo options.
Speedboat Meets Turtle Habitat: How This Tenerife Snorkel Trip Works

This tour is for people who want a lively mix: transit by speedboat, snorkeling in the water, and marine-life scouting along the way. It’s not one long, drawn-out outing. It’s built around efficient chunks: paperwork and gear, a guided snorkel window, then returns with additional sightseeing chances.
The headline is the turtle habitat idea. But the smartest way to think about it is this: the crew goes to places where turtles are known to show up, and you’ll snorkel under supervision. You’re not being handed a guarantee—because these animals roam and don’t follow schedules.
Your experience starts with comfort and structure. You’ll get set up with gear, you’ll have a briefing before you hit the water, and you’ll snorkel with a guide nearby so you’re not left guessing. In a good group, that matters. People who felt unsure or anxious often cite the guidance and support as a reason they felt safe once they were out there.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Tenerife
PADI 5 Travel Sub Center (Costa Adeje) Meeting Point: Get Your Bearings Fast

You meet at PADI 5 Travel Sub center, Calle Colón, s/n, Escuela Nautica, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is the place for paperwork, gearing up, and a snorkeling briefing with time for questions.
A couple practical notes that show up in real-world feedback:
- Arrive a bit early. One review flagged that the snorkeling place can be tricky to find even though it’s near the Puerto Colón area. A quick check on your map app before you go helps.
- Personal belongings: you can leave personal items in the center. That’s useful on a small boat where there’s limited space and people may be asked not to bring bags.
Cameras are allowed, but you’re responsible for how you use them. If you’re filming underwater, use common sense: keep yourself balanced first, then get the shot.
Gear, Briefing, and Small-Group Rhythm: Why This Feels Manageable

This tour includes wet suit, fins, mask, and tube, plus water for staying hydrated. That’s a big value piece because Tenerife sun can sneak up on you, and snorkeling gear costs money if you have to rent it elsewhere.
You also get a proper briefing before the water. The guide talks you through what to expect and where to look, and there’s a monitor on the boat. That onboard support matters if your snorkel skills aren’t perfect yet. Several people also mention being looked after even if they weren’t the strongest swimmer.
Group size is capped at 10 travelers. In plain terms: you’re less likely to get lost in the shuffle. You also tend to spend more time focused on the water and less time waiting for someone to deal with gear or questions.
One reality check: small boat comfort varies. Some people described having to sit in a less cushioned setup and mentioned choppy water being uncomfortable. If you hate boat rides, this is not the day to tough it out.
El Palm-Mar Snorkeling: The Turtle-Spotting Window

This is the heart of the tour: snorkeling at El Palm-Mar, supervised by your guide. Expect about 1 hour in the water.
Here’s how to make that hour work:
- Listen to the guide’s positioning and search tips before you start. The whole point is to be in the right zone at the right time.
- Slow down and scan. Many sightings happen when people stop thrashing for the next fish and start watching the calmer passes along the habitat.
- Stay realistic about wildlife. Even in the turtle habitat, sea turtles don’t appear on cue.
The snorkeling area can feel limited. One critical review complained the permitted snorkeling zone was extremely small and that waves made conditions choppy. Even if you don’t experience that exact issue, it’s worth understanding the reason tours keep zones tight: the area is popular for both turtles and dolphins, and it’s safer when there’s less crowding and less boat traffic around where people enter the water.
What you can look forward to even without turtles:
- lots of fish life (several reviews describe the water like an aquarium full of fish)
- occasional dolphins sighted from the water or nearby
- other sea life that can pop up depending on the day and conditions
If visibility is poor due to wind and waves, you’ll simply see less. That’s not a failure of the crew; it’s how the ocean works.
Dolphins on the Boat: A Bonus Scouting Pass Near Fishermen’s Farms

After your snorkeling time, the tour returns by boat and passes fishermen’s farms, where you might spot dolphins. This is part of the route design and it adds a second layer of excitement beyond turtles.
Even in trips where turtles were elusive, dolphins sometimes appeared. That’s the best-case scenario: you leave with the feeling that the trip delivered on marine life, even if the turtle moment came off-ticket.
This is also where sea conditions come into play. A speedboat ride means you’ll feel the motion more than on a larger ferry. If you’re sensitive to rough water, this segment can be the hardest part of the day.
Getting Back to Shore: Shower Time, Terrace Relaxing, and Photo Options

The return includes time back at the PADI 5 Travel Sub center. You can freshen up with a shower, relax on the terrace, and receive free photos and videos according to the tour information.
A practical heads-up from feedback: photo and video experiences are a common point of mismatch. Some people reported paying for photos later, and others complained about not receiving what they expected. So here’s my advice: ask at the start of the tour what exactly is included in the free package, and what’s offered as a paid add-on. It takes 20 seconds and saves stress.
Also note that after a wetsuit and saltwater, you’ll be grateful for the shower and ability to dry off before heading back into your day.
Price and Value at About $54: What You’re Really Paying For

At $54.07 per person, this is priced like a “do it now” activity—get the boat, the gear, and guided snorkeling in one booked experience.
The value comes from several things bundled together:
- Speedboat ride as part of the trip
- Snorkeling gear included (wetsuit, mask, fins, tube)
- Water provided
- A guide on-site during snorkeling
- An onboard monitor
- Route designed for marine spotting, including a pass near fishermen’s farms
If you’re comparing mentally to cobbling together separate rentals, transportation, and a basic beach swim, this package is the easier choice. You’re buying structure and time-savings.
Where value can dip is when sea conditions reduce snorkeling enjoyment. Choppy water can mean worse visibility and more discomfort, and then you’re left relying even more on marine sightings to justify the price. On smooth days, it tends to feel like money well spent.
Comfort and Safety Notes: Seasickness, Bags, and Getting Into the Water

This tour is very doable for most people, and there’s no age limit for snorkeling. Children must be with an adult, and the maximum group size is small.
But comfort depends on how your body handles boat motion. A few reviews specifically warned about choppy water and said it’s not ideal if you get seasick. If that’s you, consider:
- bringing any seasickness remedy you already trust
- keeping your expectations realistic on windy days
- wearing your wetsuit properly so you stay warm enough to focus
Bags can also be an issue. One review noted they were told not to take bags on the boat because it’s a small setup. Since the tour includes gear and water, you really just need essentials: towel if you have one (towels are not included), and your own prescription goggles if you need them.
There are no towels listed as included, so plan to have either a small towel or be ready to dry off after the shower.
Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)
This tour is a great match if:
- you want a guided snorkeling experience rather than wandering alone
- you’d like a planned chance at turtle habitat sightings
- you want dolphins as a bonus possibility
- you prefer small-group attention
It might not be ideal if:
- you know you get seasick fast (speedboats on choppy days can be rough)
- you need calm, clear-water snorkeling every time
- you’re expecting guaranteed turtle encounters (you’re buying a chance, not a ticket to a predictable sight)
If you’re nervous in open water, the tone from many positive reviews suggests the crew is supportive and clear. One person even mentioned dealing with panic when getting off the boat and feeling helped through it. That doesn’t mean it eliminates fear, but it does signal the staff tends to take comfort seriously.
Should You Book This Turtle Habitat Snorkeling Tour?
Book it if your top priority is a guided, time-efficient snorkeling outing that targets turtles while giving you extra chances for dolphins. The $54 price makes sense because you get gear, water, and real supervision, and the small group size helps keep things organized.
Skip it or consider an alternate option if you’re very seasick-prone or if your ideal snorkeling day requires perfect calm and great visibility. Also, if your main goal is turtles only, remember the tour can’t promise them. Some days are turtle days. Some aren’t.
If you decide to go, do two things that will tilt your odds in your favor: arrive early so you’re not stressed about finding the center, and ask at the start what the photo/video offer includes so you’re not surprised later.
FAQ
How long is the Tenerife snorkeling tour?
The duration is about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at PADI 5* Travel Sub center, Calle Colón, s/n, Escuela Nautica, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. The tour includes wet suit, fins, mask, and tube.
Is water provided?
Yes, water is provided.
Do they guarantee you’ll see turtles?
No. You can see turtles, but there’s no 100% guarantee since they are wild animals.
What’s included in the boat ride?
You get a boat trip, and there’s also a boat ride next to fishermen’s farms where you might spot dolphins. A monitor is on the boat.
Are prescription goggles or towels included?
No. Prescription diving goggles are not included, and towels are not included.
Is there an age limit?
There’s no age limit for snorkeling. Children must be accompanied by an adult.


































