Abades: Tenerife Turtles and Rays Snorkeling Trip

Snorkeling with turtles and rays is real-life science class. This Abades-area trip takes you to a volcanic seafloor spot off Tenerife where green turtles and different rays are often seen, and you swim right in the water with a guide. I especially like the combo of a marine biologist guide and hands-on support in the water, including beginner-friendly basics and practice.

One more thing I liked: on calmer days, you still get a guided look at Tenerife’s marine life and the underwater scenery, even if animal sightings are slower than you hope. The only drawback to plan around is that you cannot count on seeing turtles and rays every single time, because the ocean is big and animals roam freely.

Key Things That Make This Tenerife Snorkeling Trip Work

• Marine biologist guide who stays with you and explains what you’re seeing
• Small group up to 10 so you’re not just dropped in and waved off
• Gear included (snorkeling equipment), plus quick prep tips from the guide
• Volcanic underwater seafloor around Tenerife, not just open water
• Green turtles and rays are often spotted, but sightings are never guaranteed
• Photos and videos may be taken during the tour for your souvenir set

Tenerife’s Green Turtles and Rays, Without the Guesswork Theater

This trip’s whole pitch is simple: you head out to a special marine area off Tenerife where green turtles and different rays are known to live in a family zone. The big promise is the chance to swim nearby and observe them from the water, not from a glass panel or a distant boat tour.

The part you’ll appreciate most is the guide-led approach. You don’t need to be a pro snorkeler to have a good time. A marine biologist guide helps you understand what’s happening in the water around you, and that turns a short swim into something you can actually remember and talk about.

And even when you do not get turtles or rays on your exact schedule, you still benefit from being guided through the underwater environment. You get context for what you’re looking at, rather than just guessing what you saw after the fact.

Price and Value for $65: What You’re Paying For

At about $65 per person for a 1.5-hour experience, the value is mostly in the structure. You’re paying for three things that matter on the water: guided supervision, equipment, and time in a targeted spot off the Tenerife coast.

Most snorkeling tours that cost less tend to trade away either small-group attention or the level of instruction. Here, you get a small group (limited to 10 participants) and you go with a marine biologist guide. That’s a meaningful upgrade if you care about safety, comfort, and learning.

It’s also worth noting what you do not pay for. There’s no hotel pickup and drop-off, so plan to get yourself to the meeting point on time. If you’re already staying near the Abades or nearby areas, the logistics cost you less. If you’re far away, you might want to factor in transport so the trip still feels like a bargain.

Meet-Up Details: Finding Magilu Bar and Getting to the Right Start Point

The meeting point is in front of Magilu bar. From there, the departure location depends on the state of the sea.

You may depart from one of these:

• Marina del Sur, Puerto de Las Galletas (from the boat)
• Abades Beach (from the coast)
• Alcalá Beach can also be involved as a departure option

Here’s the practical take: sea conditions change the plan for your comfort and safety, so you should arrive with enough time to handle that shift. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates uncertainty, this might annoy you for five minutes. After that, it usually makes the experience smoother once you see why the route changes.

The good news is that you’re not left to figure things out alone. This is a live guided experience with a marine biologist guide, and the group size stays small.

Boat Day vs Coast Day: How the Starting Point Shapes Your Swim

The most noticeable difference is whether you start from the boat at Puerto de Las Galletas or from the coast at Abades Beach. Both can lead to the same style of snorkeling in the same general idea: swim in a focused area where sea turtles and rays are often present.

Starting from Marina del Sur, Puerto de Las Galletas

When the sea allows it, starting from the boat typically helps you reach your targeted area with less hassle. You spend more of your limited 1.5 hours in the water and less time adjusting.

If you’re sensitive to choppy conditions, a calm day is key either way. But boat departure is often a smoother way to get to the right spot without crowding the shoreline.

Starting from Abades Beach

When you depart from the coast, the vibe can feel more direct and relaxed. You’re not transferring through a larger boat setup, and you can get from meeting area to water faster when conditions suit it.

The tradeoff is that coast departures still depend on how the sea behaves. That’s why this tour switches between locations. It’s not random. It’s a practical safety decision.

What Happens During the 1.5 Hours With the Guide

The timing is compact: a 1.5-hour guided trip focused on getting you into the water, staying safe, and giving you a clear learning experience.

You can expect:

• Equipment setup and guidance before you enter
• A guided swim where you stay accompanied by the guide
• Explanations during the trip, not just at the start
• Time spent in the water looking for green turtles and rays

The guide-led part matters because snorkeling can feel weird at first. Even if you know how to swim, there’s a different rhythm when you have a snorkel in your face and you’re trying to breathe steadily while staying aware of your position in the water.

This tour is designed to reduce that stress. One of the strongest signals from past experiences is that the guide stays with you the whole way and explains what there is to see, including both the animals and the underwater setting around Tenerife.

Snorkeling Support for Beginners: You Get More Than Gear

I like snorkeling trips most when they treat beginners like humans, not like a checkbox. This one does.

The snorkeling equipment is included, but the real win is coaching. You get basics taught, shown, and practiced so you can feel comfortable before you’re fully in the water. That means you spend less time fighting your snorkel or forgetting to breathe, and more time enjoying the actual experience.

If you happen to get a guide named Paco, you’re in good shape. At least one group highlighted how attentive he was with people who had no snorkel experience, and how beginner-friendly his explanations were. He also shared interesting facts about Tenerife, the sea, and the creatures you’re trying to spot.

Even if you do have snorkeling experience, this kind of instruction improves the quality of your observation. You’ll move more naturally in the water, and you’ll likely notice more because you’re not busy troubleshooting.

The Volcanic Seafloor Part: Learning What You’re Looking At

Tenerife’s underwater world is shaped by volcanic history, and this trip leans into that idea. You’re not just chasing animals in open water. You’re swimming near a volcanic underwater area, and the guide helps you notice what that means underwater.

That’s where the marine biologist guide earns the ticket price. You’ll get explanations about Tenerife and marine life while you’re out there, which turns the swim into a mini lesson you’ll actually remember.

The best part is that the guide doesn’t rely on long speeches. You get information tied to what’s in front of you. That keeps you engaged and helps you connect sightings with context.

Wildlife Sighting Expectations: The Part You Should Plan Around

This tour is clear about a key point: you cannot 100% assure that you will see turtles and rays. That’s not just a polite disclaimer. It’s a reality check worth taking seriously.

The ocean is big, and animals are free. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don’t. And even if you are on the right spot, behavior changes day to day.

So I recommend you set your mindset like this: you’re booking a guided snorkeling experience in a targeted marine area, with a strong chance to see green turtles and rays. If you do see them, it’ll feel like a highlight you replay. If you don’t, you still get a structured swim plus learning and underwater scenery.

That balanced expectation is the difference between a trip that feels amazing and a trip that feels “almost.”

What to Bring, What Not to Do, and Small Rules That Matter

Keep it simple. What you should bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel

What you should leave behind:

• Smoking
• Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle

And one more practical note: this trip isn’t suitable for children under 4 years. If you’re traveling with little kids, check alternatives that match their age and comfort level.

Also, because there’s no hotel pickup, think about how you’ll get yourself to the meeting point area. If you’re relying on a taxi or bus, give yourself a buffer so you’re not sprinting to Magilu bar while the group is already moving.

Small Group Energy: Why Limited to 10 Matters in Real Life

A small group limit of 10 participants might sound like marketing math, but it’s genuinely useful on the water.

When you have fewer people:

• Your guide can see everyone
• People can get help faster if something feels off
• Explanations actually land, instead of getting lost in crowd noise
• You’re less likely to feel like you’re in the way of other snorkelers

This tour is also designed so you’re accompanied in the water. That makes a big difference for beginners. You’re not just borrowing gear and figuring it out on your own.

Photos and Videos as a Bonus Souvenir

One detail worth planning for: photos and videos may be taken during the tour. That can turn a quick 1.5 hours into something you can share later without begging someone to take blurry shots while you’re trying to snorkel.

If you care about documentation, this is a helpful add-on. It also nudges you to focus on the experience in the moment, not on capturing it perfectly.

Who This Tenerife Trip Is Best For

This tour is a great match if:

• You want a guided snorkeling experience, not a solo experiment
• You like learning from a marine biologist guide
• You’re hoping for green turtles and rays, and you can handle the fact sightings are not guaranteed
• You’re comfortable swimming and want a short, focused outing

It may not be the best choice if:

• You want a fully guaranteed wildlife sighting
• You dislike any change in departure plans based on sea conditions
• You need hotel pickup, since there is none

If you’re traveling as a couple, solo, or with friends, the small-group format makes it feel personal without turning it into a private tour price.

Should You Book Abades: Tenerife Turtles and Rays Snorkeling Trip?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a structured, beginner-friendly snorkeling experience with a marine biologist guide and a real chance to see green turtles and rays in Tenerife’s volcanic waters.

Book it with the right expectations too. Treat this like a guided swim in a targeted animal area, not a zoo guarantee. If you go in curious, ready to listen, and flexible about where you start from based on sea conditions, you’re set up for a strong experience.

One final tip: pack your towel and show up on time at Magilu bar. Then let the guide do their job. When you relax and follow the instructions, snorkeling becomes much more than just “being in the water.” It becomes an easy, memorable way to connect with Tenerife’s marine life.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling trip?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours.

What does the price include?

It includes a marine biologist guide and snorkeling equipment.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet in front of Magilu bar. Depending on sea conditions, the excursion departs from Abades Beach, Alcalá Beach, or Marina del Sur in Puerto de Las Galletas.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Can I guarantee I will see turtles and rays?

No. The operator cannot 100% assure that you will see the animals, though they do their best and the animals are free in the ocean.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

It is not suitable for children under 4 years.