Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Snorkeling off Playa Abades is interesting because you are not just floating, you are swimming a guided route where the reef life can show up close. With Natalie and Andre leading small groups, you get a calm, practical feel from the start, not a chaotic free-for-all. I love the focus on safety for different comfort levels, and I also like that you leave with photos and videos you can share right away.

The main drawback to plan for is that sightings are never guaranteed. Turtles, stingrays, and octopus depend on season and conditions, and non swimmers usually will not reach the spots where turtles tend to be.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• Small group size (up to 6) keeps you from getting lost in the shuffle.
• Wet suit options (long or short) help you stay warm enough to enjoy the full swim.
• Guides who adjust to your level, including nervous swimmers and non swimmers, make the experience feel manageable.
• Turtle sightings depend on the ocean, and non swimmers are more likely to miss them.
• Free underwater photos and videos turn the tour into a ready-made memory.
• Meet right at the beach near restaurant Magilu, so you avoid complicated logistics.

Where Abades Snorkeling Works, and Why It’s Worth Your Time

Abades is one of those Tenerife areas where the underwater scene can feel close and human-sized. You are not committing to a long, stressful day at sea. This is a tight 2-hour experience built for seeing real reef fish while staying under close guidance.

What makes it feel especially good is the way the guides set expectations. They run this as a teaching-style outing, with a strong emphasis on help for people who are not confident in open water. That matters, because snorkeling looks easy until you are wearing a mask, moving with fins, and trying not to panic. Here, you get the structure to make it feel normal fast.

And yes, you want turtles. Who doesn’t. The good news is that the area can have sea turtles regularly. The honest part is that you might not spot one on your exact day. One review notes just how limited turtle presence can be, and that lines up with how wildlife timing works in open water.

Getting Started at Playa Abades: The Meet Point and the Quick Setup

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, right in front of the beach. There are white benches visible before you reach the ocean, and that is where you should aim to find the group. It’s a simple meeting spot, and the area has a lot of parking, which helps if you are driving yourself.

Once you’re with the guide, the flow is straightforward. You put on snorkeling gear and a wet suit (long or short). You also leave personal stuff in the car. That keeps the beach area less cluttered, and it means you can focus on getting comfortable in your equipment.

A small but important note if you wear glasses: you cannot put your glasses under the mask. If you rely on them to see clearly, plan on adjusting your expectations underwater. You can still enjoy the fish and reef shapes, but your visual sharpness might not be perfect.

Also note the reality check for non swimmers. The guides can support you, but the tour guidance specifically mentions that non swimmers will not be able to see turtles because seeing them requires more swimming distance. That is not meant to scare you. It is meant to help you set the right “what will I see” goal.

Your 2-Hour Snorkel Plan: Briefing, Reef Time, and Guided Safety

This tour is built around a simple rhythm, and that is a big part of the value. After meeting, you get geared up, then you head underwater to explore the reef off the coast.

The guide leads you into the snorkeling portion, and you keep moving as a group. In the water, the emphasis is on enjoying what is in front of you, coral reef and fish first. The reef area is described as hosting hundreds of colorful fish, and that is usually what you will notice even if you are brand new.

Then the hunt starts for the less common stars. Depending on season and conditions, you may see:

• sea turtles
• stingrays
• octopus, often hidden underneath stones

The guides also spend time looking for the “interesting details” that make snorkeling feel like more than just swimming with a mask. One review highlights volcanic rock formations under the water, and that kind of terrain is where you can spot movement in the shadows, especially for creatures that like cover.

Time on the reef is long enough to slow down and actually watch. It is not a quick in-and-out photo grab. And because the group is small, the guide can check on you repeatedly, not just at the start and end.

What You’ll See Underwater, From Easy Wins to Rarer Moments

If you want an outing where you can relax and still see a lot, this is a strong match. Expect colorful reef fish and coral reef structure off Playa Abades. Even on days when wildlife sightings are quiet, the fish can still keep you busy.

Here is the practical way to think about it:

• Fish and reef are the reliable part. Non swimmers can still enjoy these, since you are not required to swim far to see lots of movement.
• Turtles are the variable part. The tour information and guide approach both point out that you need to swim enough to reach turtle viewing areas. If you are not comfortable swimming, you should not plan your whole “success” around turtles.
• Stingrays and octopus are luck plus timing. Reviews include stingrays, squid, barracudas, and other wildlife, which suggests the area can offer variety when conditions cooperate.

One review describes a turtle sighting so close that it felt personal, and another mentions a baby turtle. Those are the kinds of moments that stick because they feel earned, not staged.

But remember: this is open ocean. Even with an expert guide, marine animals control the schedule.

The Big Selling Point: Photos and Videos You Keep for Free

This tour includes underwater photos and videos, and that is where the experience becomes extra practical. You are not scrambling afterward to figure out how to capture the moment with your own camera in saltwater.

If you love snorkeling but hate the “where is my proof” problem, you’ll appreciate this. Multiple reviews mention that the underwater photos were excellent and shared for free afterward. One review even notes photos and videos were super, which is exactly what you want to hear when you are paying for an experience, not just borrowing gear.

There’s also a confidence angle here. When you know someone is photographing, you tend to relax your posture, look around, and follow the guide calmly instead of spending your brain power trying to film with shaky hands.

Equipment, Wet Suit Comfort, and Why It Changes Everything

The tour provides snorkeling equipment and a wet suit, long or short. That matters more than it sounds. Tenerife sea conditions can shift, and a good wet suit fit makes a huge difference in comfort and staying focused.

Reviews also praise the equipment quality. One person noted having the right wetsuit and flipper options to fit well. Fit is not a fancy detail. Bad fit can mean choppy fin kicks, more effort, and more fatigue, which can push you toward wanting to stop.

If you are nervous, comfortable gear helps you trust your body. That is one reason this tour seems to work especially well for families.

Small Group Size: Better Control, Better Attention

This is limited to 6 participants, and that small group size shows up in the experience. A small group means the guide can keep an eye on everyone and adjust the pace to the swimmers in the water.

One review specifically mentions a guide, Andres, adjusting the excursion based on children’s abilities. That is the kind of leadership you want when you are mixing adults, kids, and different swim comfort levels.

There is one realistic caveat. The tour information notes that mini groups are usually kept small, but occasionally groups need to be put together. So if you are booking for a special reason, like a very anxious swimmer or a young family needing extra attention, still plan on a small group feel, but accept there can be some variation depending on day-to-day demand.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Be Frustrated)

This snorkeling outing is family-friendly in the sense that the guides work with children and also handle fearful or anxious people. Reviews back that up with calm coaching and frequent check-ins, including support for non swimmers who were initially afraid.

It is a great fit if you:

• want a guided snorkeling experience without a long travel day
• care about seeing fish and reef features
• want a photo and video memory included
• like small group attention

It might be less comfortable if you are:

• looking for guaranteed turtles every time (it is not guaranteed)
• not willing to do any swimming at all, especially if you want turtle chances
• carrying mobility constraints, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments

The tour also notes it is not suitable for children under 5, and people with a cold should skip it.

On the other hand, pregnant women can do snorkeling per the tour info. If you are pregnant, you should still bring your doctor’s common-sense guidance, but it’s useful to know this is not automatically off-limits.

Weather, Visibility, and the Turtle Expectation Test

Snorkeling depends on ocean conditions. One review says the weather was not good but the time still turned out great. That suggests you can still have a satisfying outing even when skies are not postcard perfect.

Still, visibility and animal activity can vary. That is why turtles can happen one day and not the next. The turtle mention is especially tied to swimming ability. Non swimmers may still see fish, but they are less likely to reach the areas where turtles show up.

So if you are booking with turtle dreams, do it with two goals:

1) enjoy the reef fish and coral structures for sure

2) treat turtles, stingrays, and octopus as a bonus you hope for

That mindset will protect your mood and help you have fun even if the ocean is quieter than expected.

Price and Value: Getting More Than a Swim for $35

At $35 per person for a 2-hour guided snorkeling tour, the value is strong because you are getting everything you need to participate. That includes snorkeling equipment, a wet suit (long or short), a guide, and free underwater photos plus videos.

A big part of “value” here is cost avoidance. If you tried to DIY, you would pay for gear, figure out suitable conditions, and still struggle with getting clear photos underwater. Here, the photo and video package is included, and the guide handles the “how to snorkel without chaos” part.

Also, the small group size helps you feel like the money buys attention, not just a receipt.

Practical Tips Before You Go, So Nothing Feels Hard

A few things you can do before meeting your guide that make the tour smoother:

• Bring swimwear and a towel, plus a sun hat.
• Wear beachwear that is easy to change into.
• Expect no hotel pickup. You will meet at Magilu in front of the beach.
• Plan for your personal items to be left in the car.
• If you need glasses to see well, remember you cannot put them under the mask.

One review also mentions there is no changing room or toilet on site, and that a nearby cafe can help. So if you need those comforts, plan a quick stop before you arrive at the meeting spot.

Should You Book Abades: Guided Snorkeling with Photos?

If you want a guided snorkeling tour in Tenerife that is practical, small-group, and built around real reef life, I think you should book it.

You should especially book if you:

• want fish and reef viewing with professional help
• like the idea of free underwater photos and videos
• need a tour that works for nervous swimmers and families
• value a calm, structured experience at sea

I would hesitate only if your main goal is guaranteed sea turtle viewing and you are not comfortable swimming any meaningful distance. The tour can be amazing without turtles, but turtle chances depend on season and your ability to swim.

Bottom line: for $35, two hours, gear included, plus photos and videos, this is one of the smarter snorkeling buys in the Abades area. Just set your expectations the right way, show up prepared, and you will likely come back with photos that make friends jealous.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Abades guided snorkeling tour?

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. You should look for the white benches before the ocean.

How long is the snorkeling tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the snorkeling tour, a guide, snorkeling equipment, a wet suit (long or short), plus photos and videos.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.

What marine life might I see?

You can see colorful fish and coral reef. Depending on the season, you may also spot turtles, stingrays, and octopus.

Can non swimmers join?

Non swimmers can join, but they cannot see turtles because it takes a lot of swimming to see them. Non swimmers can still see fish and sea life.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear or a wet suit?

No. Snorkeling equipment and a wet suit are provided.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear.

What languages are the instructors?

The instructor and guide communicate in German, Spanish, and English.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 5 years, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people with a cold.