Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor

REVIEW · TENERIFE

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor

  • 5.06 reviews
  • 3 hours
  • From $52
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Operated by Apnea Chikabal · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 5.0 (6)Duration3 hoursPrice from$52Operated byApnea ChikabalBook viaGetYourGuide

Breath-hold coaching starts right at the sea. This 3-hour Tenerife snorkeling experience at Radazul turns breathing control into a practical skill, then uses it to help you enjoy the seabed with less stress. I love the calm prep routine with yoga, stretching, Qigong, and conscious breathing, and I also like the small group setup (max 10) with step-by-step gear coaching and safety talk.

One thing to plan around: it runs outdoors from Radazul Beach, so strong wind, rain, or rough waves can push the session to another time.

Key things that make this snorkeling session special

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Key things that make this snorkeling session special

  • Radazul focus: guided snorkeling right off the Radazul shoreline with marine life viewing time built in
  • Breathing first: yoga, stretching, Qigong, and a conscious breath routine meant to relax mind and body before you get in
  • Ear equalisation coaching: you’ll learn how to compensate so you can dip in more comfortably
  • Small-group attention: limited to 10 participants, so the instructor can correct basics like mask and fin use
  • Gear + safety in one package: wetsuit, apnea weight belt, fins, mask, and snorkel tube are included
  • Photo and video memories: water photography/video devices aim to capture your smile during the session

Radazul Beach warm-up: yoga, stretching, Qigong, and breathing control

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Radazul Beach warm-up: yoga, stretching, Qigong, and breathing control
The first surprise is how much of this experience happens before you ever get fully in the water. You start on a wooden platform in front of the ocean, and you’ll do a dry warm-up that feels more like training than a casual beach activity. That matters, because it teaches you how to handle the one part people usually struggle with: staying relaxed while your body is working a little harder.

I like that the session doesn’t jump straight to gear and fish. Instead, you do yoga and stretching, plus Qigong-style movement, then shift into breathing and a relaxation routine meant to calm mind and body. The goal is simple: you get a calm rhythm you can use once you’re holding your breath and moving through water.

You’ll also get breathing instruction tied to snorkeling comfort. The aim is not to make you feel tougher or faster. It’s to help you feel steady. That changes the whole vibe of the activity, because when you’re not fighting your own breathing, you can actually look around.

And yes, you should expect to follow the instructor’s pacing. If you like structured activities with clear guidance, this is a strong match. If you only want a loose float-and-watch plan, you might find the prep a bit more hands-on than you expected.

You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Tenerife

Safety briefing and ear equalisation: the comfort skill that keeps you in control

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Safety briefing and ear equalisation: the comfort skill that keeps you in control
Before you go in, you get a safety briefing that’s actually useful. You’ll go over how to snorkel safely, plus practical instruction on how to compensate for your ears. That’s the part that can make or break the experience for many people. Even if you’re an experienced swimmer, pressure changes can make the first minutes uncomfortable.

The instructor helps you understand what to do and when, so you’re not guessing in the water. This is also where you learn the right mindset: you’re not forcing yourself down. You’re learning technique so you can enjoy the seabed at the right depth and pace for your body.

From the way participants talk about the course, the breathing prep and ear equalisation teaching work together. The breathing work helps you stay calm, and the equalisation coaching helps you stay comfortable. The combination is why this goes beyond ordinary snorkeling.

One practical note for you: come in willing to listen and repeat the steps. The session is built around technique, and your comfort improves when you match the instructor’s cues.

Gear coaching on the wooden platforms: wetsuit, fins, mask, and a weight belt

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Gear coaching on the wooden platforms: wetsuit, fins, mask, and a weight belt
This isn’t just rent-and-go snorkeling. Your gear is part of the lesson. You’ll get equipment including fins, mask, snorkel tube, a wetsuit, and a belt of apnea with weights. The weight belt is there to support the apnea-style component of the training, so you’ll want to treat it like serious equipment, not an accessory.

Before you head out, you’ll put the team’s setup together step by step. The instructor helps you learn proper snorkeling use—how the snorkel and mask fit, how the fins behave, and how to move without wasting energy. That matters because tired legs and a poorly fitting mask usually ruin the experience for everyone.

If you wear glasses, you’ll need to plan ahead. During the water activity, you must remove your glasses. The provided guidance says you can use contact lenses in the water. If your prescription is very high, the instructor can offer advice on where to find special lenses that fit the snorkel mask.

That’s an important point for you to consider early. Don’t assume your usual glasses will work. If you rely on vision correction, decide on contacts or ask about mask-compatible options before the day.

And because the dry training is done on the platform, you’ll also get a chance to adjust and get comfortable with your wetsuit and gear without the stress of being in choppy water.

The guided snorkeling session: marine life viewing with coaching, not just watching

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - The guided snorkeling session: marine life viewing with coaching, not just watching
Once the warm-up and briefing are done, you shift into the main water time. The plan includes a photo stop before you really get moving underwater. Then you’ll do a guided tour focused on snorkeling and marine life viewing around Radazul.

Expect about an hour in the water exploring. The pacing is designed so you can look—actually look—at what’s around you. You’re guided by an experienced instructor, and the group stays in a safe, controlled environment.

This is also where the prep pays off. Breathing techniques help you relax during the session, and the equalisation work helps you dip in comfortably when you want to observe different parts of the seabed. You’ll likely notice that technique makes the water feel calmer, even if the ocean has its own mood.

People also call out specific sightings like colorful fish and even a ray. You shouldn’t assume you’ll see the same animals every time, but the area is known for sea life you can watch up close when you move slowly and keep your attention on the seabed.

The course is also designed to teach basics of snorkeling properly. That means your movements, breathing rhythm, and gear use are all part of the experience—not just the scenery. If you want to improve your snorkeling comfort while also seeing real wildlife, this setup is a strong value.

Break time and local snacks: refuel without turning it into a long day

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Break time and local snacks: refuel without turning it into a long day
After you’re out of the water, you get recovery support right away. There’s a healthy snack when you finish, and the schedule includes a later break with an aperitif and picnic-style local snacks.

This timing is practical. Snorkeling—even in a calm session—uses energy, and the wetsuit can make you feel colder once you’re out. The snack helps you reset before the end.

One small tip that affects how you feel: it’s advisable not to eat during the hour before the activity. If you like a snack, save it for after. Keeping your stomach settled helps your body focus on breathing and movement rather than digestion.

Itinerary walkthrough: what each stop really means for your experience

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Itinerary walkthrough: what each stop really means for your experience
Here’s how the flow works in plain terms, and why each part matters.

1) Start and warm-up workshop (around 1 hour)

You meet near Av. Colón, 22 area timing and then head to Radazul. The key part here is the dry training on the wooden platform: safety talk, gear instructions, and the movement/breathing routine. This is where you get set up so you’re not learning basics while panicking in open water.

2) Photo stop + guided snorkeling and marine viewing (about 1.5 hours total on water and class time)

You’ll do a guided tour focused on snorkeling skills and wildlife viewing. The photo stop and video capture are included during the experience, which is nice because you’re not constantly stopping to ask someone else to take pictures. The class element continues here, so you keep improving as you go.

3) Break with aperitif and picnic snacks (about 30 minutes)

This is your decompression window. You dry off, reset, and eat. It helps make the session feel complete instead of abrupt.

4) Head back to Av. Colón, 22 area

The whole schedule is built around a few focused blocks, so you’re not dragging through the day.

A small drawback to keep in mind is that because it’s outdoors and ocean-dependent, the session may be rescheduled due to rain, strong wind, or wild ocean waves. If you’re strict about a fixed itinerary, build in flexibility.

Price check: does $52 for 3 hours feel fair?

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Price check: does $52 for 3 hours feel fair?
At $52 per person for about 3 hours, this is priced like a serious small-group activity, not a basic rental snorkeling trip. The value comes from what’s included and how instruction-heavy the session is.

You get a long list of gear: fins, mask, snorkel tube, wetsuit, and the apnea weight belt. You also get a snack after the water time, and the schedule includes local picnic-style snacks. On top of that, they take photos and video using water devices, aiming to capture moments while you’re actually underwater and moving.

When you compare that to typical snorkeling setups where you mostly pay for gear and access, the instructor coaching and breathing prep are what justify the price. The breathing and ear equalisation lessons aren’t usually included in standard snorkel excursions. That’s the big reason people rate this so highly.

If you want to learn snorkeling fundamentals in a safer, calmer way, you’re paying for results: comfort, technique, and better enjoyment of the marine life.

Who should book this Tenerife snorkeling class (and who might skip it)

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - Who should book this Tenerife snorkeling class (and who might skip it)
This experience is a good fit if you:

  • want more than casual snorkeling and prefer coaching
  • like breath control and structured warm-ups
  • can swim confidently
  • want a small group setting with plenty of attention from the instructor

It’s not suitable if you:

  • are a non-swimmer
  • need snorkeling support you can’t get from the stated safety setup
  • have visual impairment, since the activity requires removing glasses and using mask fit in the water
  • are bringing kids under 6

Also, if you’re easily stressed by instruction or you dislike structured exercises, you might find the yoga and breathing components a bit intense. But if you like learning new skills and staying calm under guidance, that calm warm-up is the whole point.

My practical call: should you book Apnea Chikabal in Tenerife?

Tenerife : Snorkeling underwater with freediving Instructor - My practical call: should you book Apnea Chikabal in Tenerife?
If your goal is to enjoy Tenerife’s sea life and also come away with real skills—especially breathing control and ear equalisation—this is an easy yes. The session is short enough to fit a busy trip, but instruction is a core part, not an add-on.

I’d especially recommend it if you’ve tried snorkeling before and felt uncomfortable during the first minutes in the water. The way this course teaches ear comfort and relaxation gives you a better chance to feel at ease.

I’d reconsider if you have strong limits on outdoor time or you can’t be flexible with weather changes. This activity depends on conditions, and the day needs cooperation from the ocean.

If you book, go in with a simple attitude: listen, repeat, and follow the breathing cues. When you do, the water time usually feels calmer, and you end up spending your attention where it belongs—on the fish and the seabed right below you.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this Tenerife snorkeling experience?

You meet at Radazul Beach. Look for one of the three wooden platforms in front of the ocean.

How long is the experience?

The duration is 3 hours.

What group size should I expect?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

Sports equipment including fins, mask, snorkel tube, wetsuit, and a belt of apnea with weights are included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must know how to swim.

Can I wear glasses in the water?

No. You need to remove your glasses for the water activity. Contact lenses are allowed. If your prescription is very high, the instructor can give advice on where to find special lenses that fit the snorkel mask.

What should I bring to the session?

Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a towel, plus your sense of humor.

Should I eat before going snorkeling?

It’s advisable not to eat during the hour before the activity.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity takes place outdoors, so it might be rescheduled if there is rain, strong wind, or wild ocean waves.

What languages are the instructors speaking?

The instructor is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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