Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Turtles might steal the show at Abades. This guided snorkeling tour off Playa Abades in Tenerife mixes easy-to-follow safety with a real chance to see fish, stingrays, and sea turtles in open Atlantic waters. You also get free underwater photos and videos to keep the memory.

I love that the guides run this like a small, controlled experience, not a chaotic beach drop-in. Groups are capped at 6 participants, and the instruction style is built for different comfort levels, with extra support for people who are less confident in the water (including kids).

One key thing to plan around: turtle sightings are not guaranteed, especially if you are a non swimmer. The tour notes it clearly, you might see lots of fish and sea life, but spotting turtles can require more swimming.

Key Things I’d Book This For

• Small group format (up to 6) keeps attention personal and the water time calmer
• Professional equipment plus neoprene wetsuits helps you feel comfortable in cooler Atlantic water
• Free photos and videos means you do not have to worry about getting the shots yourself
• A guide who knows where to look increases your odds for animals like rays, octopus, and turtles
• Family-friendly structure works well for kids age 5 and up, with strong safety checking
• You get a real look at coral reef and volcanic rock formations instead of a quick, shallow loop

Why Playa Abades Snorkeling Works So Well for First Timers

Abades sits on Tenerife’s coast with water that is usually clear enough to spot fish without needing advanced skills. The tour keeps things practical, meet at the beach, get geared up, then follow the guide to a reef zone where you can look, float, and explore at a comfortable pace.

What makes this feel especially good is the mix of calm structure and real underwater expertise. This provider is tied to an apnoea academy, and the guides emphasize safety and control while still letting you enjoy the marine life at snorkel level.

The real value is that you are not just paying for “someone to point at fish.” You are paying for instruction, a plan for where to swim, and a guide who actively helps you get your mask and gear working so you can actually see what is around you.

Getting Oriented at Restaurant Magilu (and What Happens After)

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, right in front of the beach. The spot is easy to find if you look for the white barriers or banks before you reach the waterline, since that is where the group gathers.

From there, the flow is straightforward. You put on your snorkeling equipment and your neoprene suit (long or short, depending on what you need). You also leave personal stuff in the provider’s car, which keeps your beach bag out of the way while you get ready.

No hotel pickup is included, so you will want to handle your own transport to the meeting point. The good news is there is a lot of parking nearby, so you are not stuck circling for a space.

A small practical note: this is not described as having a changing room or a toilet on site. If you need one, a nearby cafe can help, so bring a little extra time before you head to the water.

Gear, Wetsuits, and the Safety Setup That Makes Snorkeling Feel Manageable

The tour includes snorkeling tour support gear, a guide, snorkeling equipment, and a wet suit, plus photos and videos afterward. That combination matters because snorkel success is mostly about comfort and fit, not luck.

You are also told to bring the basics: sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. If you wear glasses, the key detail is you cannot put glasses under the mask. So plan on contact lenses if you need them, or be ready to snorkel with your usual vision without corrective eyewear.

The guide support is a big part of why so many people feel safe. The tour specifically notes they can guide you even if you are a weaker swimmer, because the instructors have training experience and they have systems for children and people who feel afraid of the ocean.

That does not mean zero swimming effort. The tour notes a clear limitation: non swimmers might not be able to see turtles because they require more swimming to get close. In other words, you should come for fish, reef scenery, and general marine life, and treat turtles as an added bonus.

What You’ll See Underwater Off Playa Abades

This is a reef-focused snorkeling experience, not a beach stroll. After you gear up, you head into the water to explore a coral reef area with hundreds of colorful fish.

The marine life focus is specific and varied:

• Colorful fish are the main sure thing, since they are easy to find around the reef area.
• You may spot rarer animals depending on the day and conditions, including turtles, stingrays, and octopus.
• The guide may help you look for octopus hidden under stones, which is the kind of detail you would miss on your own.

Turtles deserve special attention. The tour notes that there are sea turtles living at this beach right now, with a count of six mentioned, but also reminds you this is open ocean and sightings are not guaranteed. One reviewer context that lines up with that reality is that turtle encounters are sometimes limited to short windows at a specific feeding spot.

So what should you expect on most days? Expect lots of fish and clear reef viewing time. If you are lucky, you add a stingray gliding by, a turtle surfacing nearby, or the slow mystery of an octopus tucked under rocks.

If you are traveling with kids or you feel nervous, you can still have a great time. The tour is described as a family-friendly way to explore the underwater world, and the small group size helps the guide manage everyone’s comfort level.

The Turtle, Ray, and Octopus Odds (How to Set Your Expectations)

Here is the honest approach I would use before booking. Turtles, stingrays, and octopus are possible, not promised. The tour openly warns that sightings depend on season and on what the animals are doing in the open ocean.

The most practical expectation to hold is this:

• Non swimmers may still see a lot of fish and sea life.
• Turtle sightings are harder for non swimmers because reaching or staying with turtles can involve more active swimming.
• Weather and water conditions influence what you can spot, even when the guide knows the area.

That is not a downside, it is the nature of wildlife watching. What you are buying is the guide’s ability to put you in the right places and help you stay at ease in the water long enough to see something worth remembering.

Underwater Photos and Videos, and Why They Matter More Than You Think

The included photos and videos are one of the standout reasons this feels like a good deal. You do not have to chase your own camera setup underwater or hope your phone survives the splash and spray.

Instead, the guide captures your snorkeling experience, then provides free photos and videos to share with friends and family. For many people, the moment you get the visual proof is when it fully turns into a memory, not just a few minutes of blurred fish flashes.

If you are traveling with kids, this is extra helpful. Kids can be unpredictable, and having a guided set of shots means everyone still ends up with a usable souvenir from the day.

Who This Snorkeling Tour Suits Best

This tour is best for people who want guided snorkeling in calm conditions and do not want to figure out gear, safety, and animal spotting alone.

It is described as suitable for:

• Families with children age 5 and up
• People who are nervous about the ocean, since the guides work with children and afraid persons and are prepared for different comfort levels
• Pregnant women, with the tour specifically stating it is possible to do snorkeling

It is not suitable for:

• Children under 5 years
• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users
• People with a cold

If you are a confident swimmer, you will likely enjoy the full range of marine life viewing, including better odds at turtle sightings. If you are not a swimmer, plan your mindset around fish and reef life, and let the guide know clearly so they can provide the right support aids.

Price and Group Size: Is $35 for 2 Hours Actually Good Value?

At $35 per person for a 2-hour guided snorkeling experience, the math gets interesting in a good way. You get a guide, snorkeling equipment, a wetsuit, and the big souvenir package of free photos and videos.

Most snorkeling costs stack up fast when you add gear rental, wetsuits, and any guide fees. Here, the bundle keeps your cost predictable, and the small group size helps you actually benefit from the instruction.

The group is limited to 6 participants, which is a sweet spot. Larger groups usually mean waiting, crowding at the waterline, and less time with a guide. Here, the tour also notes that groups are usually mini groups and sometimes may be combined, so if you are booking during a busy period, expect that occasional mix.

Given the inclusion of photos and videos, the pricing feels geared toward families and first-time snorkelers, not just experienced divers.

Practical Tips Before You Go (So You Do Not Lose Time at the Waterline)

A few details from the tour notes are worth treating like your checklist:

• Bring swimwear and sun protection. A sun hat is recommended.
• Bring a towel for after.
• If you wear glasses, you cannot place them under the mask, so plan accordingly.
• Wear beachwear that dries quickly, since you will be in and out.
• Know your swimming level ahead of time so the guide can match you with the right support.

Also, arrive ready to move. This is not a long training course. You meet at Magilu, gear up, then head underwater for reef viewing.

Finally, set expectations for wildlife. You might see turtles, stingrays, and octopus, but the open ocean means sightings vary. When you go in expecting reef fish as your core win, you will leave happy even on lower-sighting days.

Should You Book Abades Guided Snorkeling With Photos?

I’d book this if you want a guided snorkeling experience that is actually built for people with different confidence levels, and you care about getting good underwater photos without doing the technical heavy lifting yourself. The small group size, the wetsuit and equipment included, and the free photos and videos make it strong value for a 2-hour Tenerife activity.

I would hesitate only if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle encounter. The tour is honest that non swimmers may not see turtles, and turtle spotting depends on conditions and how the animals behave that day. If you are okay with that wildlife reality, this is a great way to enjoy the reef and come home with photos that prove you were there.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Abades snorkeling tour?

The meeting point is at the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. You should look for the white banks before the ocean, since that is where you meet.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a snorkeling tour with a guide, snorkeling equipment, a wet suit (long or short), and photos and videos of your experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Do non swimmers get to see sea turtles?

The tour notes that non swimmers cannot see turtles because it is a lot to swim to reach them. Non swimmers can still see fish and sea life.

What should I bring?

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

Can pregnant women snorkel on this tour?

Yes. The tour states that pregnant women can do snorkeling.

What age and health limits should I know about?

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