Abades: Tenerife Turtles and Rays Snorkeling Trip

Snorkeling off Tenerife in search of green turtles and rays is interesting because you’re not sightseeing from above. You’re in the water, close to the underwater scenery and the animals that call this coast home. I love that this is led by a marine biologist guide who keeps the experience focused and safe.

I also like how the tour supports first-timers. Snorkeling basics are explained and practiced, and it is built for a small group so you are not lost out there on your own. One guide, Paco, is specifically praised for being helpful and for sharing lots of practical info.

The one drawback to keep in mind is simple: you cannot be guaranteed to see turtles or rays. The ocean is big, and the animals are free to come and go.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Marine biologist guide in the water, with a lesson mindset, not just a sightseeing stop
• Green turtles plus rays in the same area, with strong odds but no 100% guarantee
• Beginner-friendly snorkeling coaching, so you are not thrown in and left to figure it out
• Photos and videos taken during the tour, useful as a souvenir if you want them
• Volcanic underwater landscape off Tenerife, which makes the snorkeling scenery worth it even if you go a bit turtle-light
• Departure depends on sea state, either from Marina del Sur or from the coast at Abades, so the day stays flexible

Tenerife Turtles and Rays: The Real Appeal of This 1.5-Hour Snorkel

This trip works because it targets one of the most fun types of travel: short, focused time on the water with a clear goal. You spend about 1.5 hours snorkeling off the Tenerife coast, usually in an area where green sea turtles and rays live close enough to have a good chance of meeting them.

I like that the experience has both natural wonder and education stitched together. The underwater world is the headline, but the guide is there to point out what matters, from how to move comfortably while snorkeling to what you are seeing and why it is there.

The price, $65 per person, makes more sense when you look at what is included. You get a marine biologist guide and snorkeling equipment, plus you’re in a small group limited to 10 participants. In other words, you are paying for guided access and less guesswork, not just a boat ride.

How the Day Starts: Marina del Sur vs Abades Beach (and Why It Matters)

One detail that can change your experience is where you start. Depending on the state of the sea, this excursion departs from either:

• Marina del Sur, Puerto de Las Galletas (from the boat), or
• Abades Beach (from the coast)

You will meet in front of Magilu bar. If sea conditions make the main boat option less comfortable, you might go from one of the coastal starting points instead. The tour also lists Alcalá Beach as a possible departure option.

Why does this matter? Because starting from the coast can feel simpler and more direct, while departing by boat can help you reach the snorkeling area faster and with less scrambling. Either way, the core experience stays the same, in-water guidance and an intentional route to look for wildlife.

The Guide Makes It: Marine Biologist, Small Group, and In-Water Coaching

This is not a hands-off excursion. You snorkel accompanied by a guide the whole time, so you always know what is expected and where to look. The added education is a big part of why this tour earns a high satisfaction score, especially with people who are new to snorkeling.

I especially appreciate the way they handle beginners. The guide teaches snorkeling basics and helps you practice before you settle into watching the animals. That is huge value, because bad buoyancy or panic can turn a great spot into an exhausting one. With guided coaching, you get to spend your energy on calm observation.

If your guide is Paco, you may get even more out of the experience. He is praised for being very helpful and for sharing interesting facts about Tenerife and the marine life. Another nice touch mentioned is that the guide can take photos and videos during the tour, which gives you a souvenir without having to manage a camera while you float.

Snorkeling Equipment Is Included, So You Can Travel Lighter

You do not have to pack your own mask and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes this tour easier to fit into a Tenerife trip that already has beaches, day trips, and maybe a rental car.

You still should bring the basics:

• Swimwear
• Towel

Come ready in what you are comfortable wearing in the water. If you are on the beach that day anyway, this is the kind of activity that keeps planning simple. You can keep your day moving without a long gear hunt.

Entering the Volcanic Underwater Landscape Off Tenerife

Even when the animal spotting is slower, this area has strong visual payoff. The snorkeling experience is designed around Tenerife’s volcanic underwater landscape, which tends to look different from the sandy, featureless bottom you might expect in other places.

What you will notice once you are in the water is the texture. Volcanic zones often create a mix of rock, natural edges, and underwater structure. That structure is not just pretty. It supports marine life by offering places to rest and feed.

The guide’s job here is to connect what you see to the bigger picture. You are not only watching, you’re learning how the seafloor and the local ecosystem connect.

The Main Event: Swimming With Green Turtles and Rays (With a Reality Check)

The headline is swimming near a family of green turtles and different types of rays. The tour intentionally takes you to an area where these animals usually appear, so you are not randomly searching the ocean.

But you need to respect the honest warning: the tour cannot 100% assure you will see the animals. That is not a marketing cop-out, it is just reality. Ocean wildlife is free, and even in strong locations, movements and conditions shift.

So how do you make the most of it if sightings take time?

• Stay calm, because quick, frantic movements make it harder to spot slow animals.
• Keep your attention on the guide’s directions. The guide will help you position for what is most likely to appear nearby.
• Treat the water scenery as part of the prize. If you go in expecting only turtles and rays, you can feel disappointed. If you go in ready to enjoy the underwater world and the learning, you are more likely to feel satisfied.

When you do see a turtle or a ray, the experience is about closeness without rushing. You’re watching animals that are not acting like attractions. That difference is what makes this kind of snorkeling feel special.

What the 1.5 Hours Actually Feels Like

This trip is short by design. At 1.5 hours, you avoid the problem of long tours that can start to feel tedious once the initial excitement fades.

The flow tends to look like this:

1. You meet up at the meeting point.
2. Depending on sea conditions, you head out from the boat at Marina del Sur or from the coast at Abades Beach.
3. You get into the water, snorkel with the guide, and focus on observing the underwater landscape and marine life.
4. You wrap up and move back on with your day.

In practical terms, that length is great for pairing with other Tenerife plans. It is also a good match if you want nature time but do not want to commit to an all-day excursion.

Price and Value: Why $65 Can Be Fair (or Not, for You)

Let’s talk value honestly. $65 sounds like a lot until you compare what is included and how the group is handled.

You get:

• A marine biologist guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• A small group (limited to 10)
• Time guided in the water in an area chosen for turtles and rays

If you have ever tried to snorkel on your own, you know how much extra effort it takes to find the right spot and feel confident enough to stay relaxed. A guide reduces that friction, and the biology layer adds meaning to what you are seeing.

Where the value can feel different is if you are only chasing certainty. Since animal sightings are not guaranteed, you should only book if you are truly happy snorkeling in Tenerife’s volcanic underwater scenery, even if the turtles and rays are shy that day.

What to Bring, What Is Not Allowed, and Who This Fits

This is a pretty straightforward activity, but there are a few rules that matter.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel

Not allowed:

• Smoking
• Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle

Not suitable for:

• Children under 4 years

That last point is practical. Snorkeling trips require comfort in the water and basic safety awareness. If you are traveling with kids, you will likely want to choose activities that are specifically built around their age range and swimming ability.

Also note that the tour does not list hotel pickup. If you are staying somewhere not close to the meeting area, plan your transport accordingly so you arrive without stress.

My Booking Advice: Should You Choose This Tenerife Snorkel Trip?

I think you should book this if you match one of these situations:

• You want a guided snorkeling experience with real education, led by a marine biologist
• You are newish to snorkeling and would appreciate in-water coaching
• You like the idea of seeing green turtles and rays without having to do the scouting yourself
• You value a small group and a short 1.5-hour format that fits into a vacation schedule

I would hesitate if:

• You need a guaranteed wildlife sighting. The tour explicitly cannot promise turtles and rays every time.
• You are not comfortable being in open water for a short, focused session. This is not a dry, shallow, feet-in-the-sand activity.

If you book, go in with the right mindset: expect the animals might move, but also expect the underwater environment and the guide’s guidance to make the time worthwhile. With a guide like Paco, who is praised for being attentive and beginner-friendly, the chances of enjoying the whole experience jump.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the snorkeling trip?

You meet in front of Magilu bar. From there, the tour departs from different locations depending on sea conditions.

How long is the snorkeling excursion?

The duration is 1.5 hours.

What departure locations are used depending on conditions?

Depending on the state of the sea, the trip departs from either Abades Beach (from the coast) or Marina del Sur, Puerto de Las Galletas (from the boat). Alcalá Beach is also listed as a possible departure location.

What is included in the price?

Marine biologist guide and snorkeling equipment are included.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is it guaranteed that you will see turtles and rays?

No. The tour cannot 100% assure that you will see these animals, since they are free in the ocean. The team goes to places where they usually live and does their best.