Tenerife: Snorkel with Turtles

A snorkeling trip in Tenerife feels special when you’re not just looking at the ocean, you’re in it, sharing space with sea turtles. This one heads to the protected Malpais de Rasca area and then lets you swim alongside marine life in their natural habitat, guided so you stay safe and respectful.

I like two things a lot. First, you get an expert instructor’s guidance before you go in, which makes the whole experience feel calm and controlled. Second, the tour takes care of the basics, including a wetsuit plus snorkeling gear and free photos, so you can focus on the water instead of logistics.

One consideration: you must be able to swim, and it’s not suitable for children under 8. Also, turtle sightings are likely, but not guaranteed, since you’re dealing with wild animals.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Malpais de Rasca protected waters: You snorkel in a natural protected area, so the rules around respectful behavior really matter.
• Expert instruction: You’re accompanied by an instructor who gives safety and snorkeling guidance during the experience.
• About one hour in the water: The snorkeling time is the main event, with enough duration to actually enjoy it.
• Small-group feel: It’s described as a personalized activity done with small groups.
• Gear and insurance included: Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins come with the tour, plus insurance.
• Free pictures after: You get photos to take home as a souvenir of the day.

Snorkeling in Malpais de Rasca, where turtles do their thing

What makes this tour work is the setting. Malpais de Rasca is a natural protected area, and the experience is designed around the idea that turtles are not there for your entertainment. You’re there to watch, float, and swim carefully, keeping distance and behavior in check.

I also like that the tour doesn’t promise a zoo moment. You’re told you’ll have a high probability of seeing turtles, but that it can’t be guaranteed. That’s exactly the right mindset for responsible wildlife encounters. Some days you get turtles close. Other days you might see more other marine life, like the rays people describe.

And yes, the snorkeling itself is the star. The guide focuses on helping you feel comfortable in the water so you can actually enjoy what’s around you, rather than spending the whole hour fighting the basics.

Marina del Sur departure, with speedboat timing built in

The day starts at Marina del Sur (Las Galletas Harbour), dock 5. Plan to arrive about 20 minutes early, because you’ll want a little buffer for checking in and getting your gear sorted.

You then take a speedboat ride for about 25 minutes to reach the snorkeling area. That time matters more than it sounds. It gets you out from the harbor, onto the water, and into the right zone for calmer wildlife viewing.

After about an hour of snorkeling, you head back on the speedboat for another 25 minutes, arriving back at Marina del Sur. The total duration is listed as 2 hours, which is helpful if you want a focused activity that doesn’t steal your whole day.

The one-hour swim plan, guided for comfort and safety

Once you arrive at the snorkeling spot, you spend around one hour snorkeling. That hour is long enough to settle in, see what’s passing by, and get your bearings underwater.

The tour is guided the whole time, with instructions given by an expert instructor. The goal is simple: help you stay safe, move comfortably, and avoid contact or disruption. The experience description specifically emphasizes respectful behavior to avoid impact on turtles.

You also do not need to be a total beginner. Previous snorkeling experience is helpful, but not mandatory. Still, the requirement is clear, you must be able to swim. If you’re confident in the water but new to snorkeling, you’re probably in good shape. If you’re unsure about swimming at all, this is not the right match.

Equipment, wetsuit sizing, and what to pack for comfort

Here’s where this tour earns points for practicality. The basics are included: wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins, plus insurance and the boat ride.

They also contact you a day before the tour to ask for your sizes for the equipment. That matters because a good mask fit and correct wetsuit sizing can be the difference between enjoying the swim and spending your hour fiddling. If you want the smoothest experience possible, respond promptly when they reach out by WhatsApp or email.

What you should bring is refreshingly simple:

• Swimwear
• Towel

You’ll also want to show up ready to get moving. The meeting point is a working harbor, so having your swimwear on under whatever you wear can save time once you arrive.

What you might see: turtles, rays, and how to watch without rushing

This is a wildlife-focused snorkeling tour, so your main expectation is not a scripted checklist. You’re told there’s a high probability of seeing turtles, but it’s still the ocean, so the exact moment and distance can vary.

From the experiences people shared, turtles and other marine life often show up during the hour. Some descriptions also include ray sightings gliding along the seabed. That lines up with why this tour is guided the way it is. You do not sprint from spot to spot. You stay steady and let the animals move.

The respectful rules are part of the value here. When guides emphasize keeping distance and not crowding wildlife, it usually makes the whole encounter better. You get calmer animals to watch, and you also reduce the chance of stress for the wildlife.

Practical tip for your own mindset: go in expecting movement, not a posed photo moment. If you stay relaxed, you’ll likely notice more.

Free photos after the tour, and the one thing not included

After you’re back at Marina del Sur, you get free pictures to remember the experience. This is a nice touch because turtle snorkeling can be hard to photograph yourself, especially when you’re focused on breathing and staying comfortable.

One limitation to note: video is not included. If you want underwater video, you would need to bring your own camera setup, since the tour itself does not provide it.

Also, based on how people describe the photos, you may get images from the boat as well as the trip moments. So if you care about a certain kind of shot, be ready for the reality that snorkeling photography is not always perfectly controlled.

Price and value at about $81 per person

At $81 per person for a roughly 2-hour outing, the price makes sense because the tour bundles several costly pieces that travelers often end up paying separately: the boat ride, instruction, snorkeling equipment, wetsuit, insurance, and photos.

You’re also not just paying for “access to water.” You’re paying for a guided wildlife experience with small-group handling. That matters because the main risk in wildlife snorkeling is not the equipment, it’s how you act around animals. An instructor helps you get that part right.

The value also improves if you were planning to rent gear anyway. Since masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits are included, you can travel lighter and spend fewer minutes shopping or renting on the island.

Who should book, and who should skip it in Tenerife

This tour is a great fit if:

• You can swim confidently
• You’re comfortable with the idea of snorkeling with wildlife
• You want an instructor-led experience in a protected area
• You like the idea of getting free photos without doing everything yourself

It’s not suitable if:

• You’re a non-swimmer
• You have children under 8
• You want a hands-off “no guidance needed” activity, since this is built around instructions and respectful behavior

If you’re new to snorkeling but can swim, this can still work because prior experience is listed as helpful but not required.

Should you book this snorkeling with turtles tour?

Book it if you want a guided, respectful wildlife encounter in Tenerife with enough time in the water to actually enjoy it. The protected Malpais de Rasca setting and the small-group structure are the reasons to choose this over a generic snorkel rental day.

Skip it if you or your group can’t meet the swimming requirement or if the ages in your group don’t fit the under-8 restriction. And go in mentally ready for the fact that turtle sightings are likely, not guaranteed.

If your priority is turtles and calm, responsible ocean time, this is a strong option for a short, well-packaged 2-hour adventure.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Marina del Sur, Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5. Plan to arrive about 20 minutes before the activity starts.

How long is the tour?

The activity is listed as 2 hours total.

How much time do I spend snorkeling?

You spend about 1 hour snorkeling at the snorkeling location.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins.

What do I need to bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Do I need prior snorkeling experience?

Previous snorkeling experience is helpful, but it is not mandatory.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim to take part. It is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Are sea turtle sightings guaranteed?

No. There is a high probability of seeing turtles, but sightings cannot be guaranteed since they are animals in the wild.

What photos do I get, and is video included?

You receive free pictures to remember the experience, and video is not included.