Tenerife snorkeling can be simple, and this one is. I like that Abades keeps things easy and safe with a professional guide, and I also love the added bonus of free underwater photos and videos so your memories travel well. The main thing to consider is that sightings, especially sea turtles, are never guaranteed since this is open ocean and conditions change.

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, right in front of the beach, and you’ll get suited up with wetsuit and snorkeling gear before heading out. The tour runs about 2 hours, and the group stays small, capped at 6 participants, which makes the whole experience feel controlled rather than chaotic.

If you’re hoping for turtles, I’d plan with realistic expectations. The guide does a search for them, plus stingrays and octopus around the rocky areas, but non swimmers should know they may not see turtles since it can require more swimming effort to reach the right spots.

Key things I’d circle in your notebook

• Small group up to 6 participants, with extra attention and a calmer pace
• Wetsuits and snorkeling equipment included, with options for better fit
• Free photos and videos underwater, shared after the tour
• A guide-led search for turtles, stingrays, and octopus around the reef and rocks
• Support for nervous swimmers and non swimmers, including extra aids and hand-holding guidance

Why Abades snorkeling feels like a smart Tenerife activity

Abades snorkeling hits a nice sweet spot for Tenerife. You get real ocean time and colorful marine life, but you’re not forced into a technical, gear-heavy setup. The tour is guided by people with serious underwater experience, and that shows in how quickly they get you comfortable once you’re in the water.

What I like most is the practical safety focus. You’re not just tossed into the sea and told good luck. You put on your neoprene suit, get equipment help, then go with a guide who can adjust what you do based on your group. In the reviews, you see the same theme again and again: people felt secure, understood what to do, and stayed oriented underwater.

The second big win is the photography part. It’s not a souvenir shop photo, and it’s not a “maybe you’ll get one if the water cooperates” situation. Underwater photos and videos are included, and multiple reviews mention they were shared for free after the tour. That matters because snorkeling memories are easy to lose, but a file you can actually share keeps the trip alive back home.

Meeting at Restaurant Magilu and getting ready fast

Logistics on a beach tour can make or break your morning, and this one is simple. The meeting point is the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. You’ll see white benches before you reach the ocean, and that’s where you connect with the guide.

One practical detail: they have you leave personal stuff in their car. So you’re not juggling bags on a crowded shore, and you can focus on getting your swimsuit and towel handled. Parking is listed as plentiful too, which is a quiet lifesaver on Tenerife.

There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off included, so you’ll want to build your schedule around that. In practice, it’s straightforward: show up at Magilu, meet the guide, and you’re off. If you’re staying in the area, this is a low-stress way to add snorkeling without wrestling with transportation logistics.

The 2-hour snorkeling flow off Playa Abades

This tour is built around one main goal: get you over a reef where you can see fish and marine life without making it harder than it needs to be.

1) Equipment up, then a clear briefing

After you meet your guide at Magilu, you’ll put on professional snorkeling equipment and your neoprene suit (long or short). That wetsuit timing matters in the Canary Islands, since water temperatures can vary and neoprene helps you stay comfortable rather than rushing your swim.

They also explain how to snorkel and what to expect underwater. Many reviews mention clear, friendly coaching and continuous checks that you’re doing okay. If you’re a nervous swimmer, this is a key value point: you’re not expected to “figure it out” alone.

2) Head out to the reef for fish and coral viewing

Once you’re set, you head underwater to explore the coral reef off the coast of Playa Abades. Expect lots of colorful fish and reef life. Multiple reviews say the fish are easy to spot, and that the guide helps you find what’s in front of you rather than making you hunt.

The guides also look for the best viewing depth and spots where marine life gathers. You’ll likely swim in an area with good clarity, and the whole experience is paced so you can actually watch what you’re doing.

3) The “maybe you’ll get lucky” wildlife search

This is where Abades turns into a real story.

The guides try to spot rarer animals such as:

• Sea turtles
• Stingrays
• Octopus, hidden under or around stones

One important heads up: the tour notes that there are currently six sea turtles living in the beach area, but it also clearly reminds you that this is open ocean. Translation for your expectations: if conditions or turtle behavior don’t line up during your 2-hour window, you might not see them.

Reviews back up both sides of that reality. Lots of people do see turtles, including one report of a turtle observed breathing while swimmers stayed nearby. Other people, on days with less turtle luck, still came away happy because they saw plenty of fish and at least one other animal such as a ray.

Sea turtles, stingrays, and octopus: what to expect realistically

If turtles are your number one target, plan your mindset carefully. The tour specifically warns that non swimmers cannot see turtles as it’s a lot to swim to reach the places where turtles show up. That doesn’t mean you’ll miss everything. It means you may see fish and sea life, but turtles can require more effort to get close.

For stingrays and octopus, your chances depend on what the water and the seabed are doing that day. The search focuses on coral reef areas and rocky zones where animals can rest or hide. The octopus part is especially “spot it if you can” because they can be tucked beneath stones.

The good news is that even when you don’t hit the big-ticket animal, the reef viewing is the main engine of the experience. Most reviews praising the tour mention excellent visibility of colorful fish and the guide’s ability to point things out in real time.

Group size, nerves, and why the guide matters

This is a small-group tour limited to 6 participants. And that number is not just a marketing detail. In water, fewer people means less chaos, more attention, and more hands-on coaching.

I’d also pay attention to the tour’s emphasis on safety and support for different ability levels. The information says apnea instructors guide even if you are a bad swimmer. In reviews, you see examples of nervous swimmers being guided with care, including guidance that helps people keep up rather than getting left behind.

If you’re bringing kids, the tour is family-friendly in practice as long as they’re old enough for the activity. The tour is not suitable for children under 5 years old. One review mentions children aged 6 and 9 had a blast, which lines up with the safety framing.

If you have questions like:

• Can I keep up?
• Will I feel safe in the water?
• What if I’m anxious?

This tour’s structure is designed for those realities. A strong guide plus a small group is the difference between a pleasant first snorkeling trip and a stressful one.

The free underwater photos and videos you’ll actually use

This is one of the most practical reasons to book. Underwater photography is hard, and most people don’t have the skills or gear to capture good shots while they’re busy breathing through a mask and enjoying the view.

Here, you get photos and videos included. Reviews mention excellent pictures shared for free, and people appreciated the materials and clear guidance. That means you can share your best moments without relying on blurry phone shots or asking a friend to try while you struggle to stay neutrally buoyant.

If you want to get the best results, come prepared to stay in the water long enough for the guide to document you. Also, note the tour rule about glasses: if you wear glasses to see, you can’t put them under the mask. Bring contacts if you use them, or plan to snorkel without eyewear as directed.

What to bring for comfort in Tenerife

You don’t need to overpack for this one. The tour lists these items:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Beachwear

I’d add a simple piece of common sense. Put on sunscreen before you meet, especially if you’re doing more beach time afterward. You’ll be in the sun waiting to suit up, and then you’ll be in and out of the water.

Also, think about changing space. One review mentions there was no changing room or toilet on site, though a nearby cafe helped. So if you need extra bathroom or changing comfort, plan to use nearby facilities rather than expecting full infrastructure at the meeting point.

Price and value: is $35 a good deal?

At $35 per person for about 2 hours, this tour is priced like a true activity value. Here’s why it feels fair, not just cheap:

• You get a guide, not a self-guided rental
• Snorkeling equipment and a wetsuit are included
• Photos and videos are included
• The group is small (up to 6), which usually increases per-person attention

What costs extra is mainly your logistics, since there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off. But if you’re already near Abades or you can get yourself there, the pricing makes sense for what you’re getting.

In short: for Tenerife, this is a strong “time and memory” buy. You’re not paying just for gear access. You’re paying for safe coaching and a guided hunt for sea life, plus content you can share afterward.

Who should book this Abades snorkeling tour

This tour is a good fit if you want:

• A guided first-timer snorkeling experience in Tenerife
• Help if you’re nervous about water
• Underwater photos and videos included
• A small-group pace off Playa Abades

It may not be the best fit if:

• You need wheelchair access or have mobility impairments that affect moving near the water
• You have a cold
• You’re bringing very young kids under 5

If your goal is sea turtles, do book, but do it with the right expectations. The guide actively looks, and sometimes you’ll see them. Other times, you’ll see plenty of fish and still have an excellent snorkeling session.

Should you book Abades Guided Snorkeling with Photos?

I’d book it if you want snorkeling that feels structured, safe, and supported, with the practical perk of free underwater photos and videos. The small group size, gear and wetsuit included, and guide-led spotting of marine life are the reasons it gets such a strong rating.

I would also book it if you’re traveling as a family and want a 2-hour activity that’s not a huge commitment. Just be honest with yourself about swimming ability if turtles are the headline goal, since the tour notes that non swimmers may not reach the turtle viewing spots.

If you’re looking for a simple way to see Tenerife’s underwater life off Playa Abades, this is a solid choice. Bring the basics, follow the guide’s instructions, and keep your eyes open for fish first, then let the wildlife search do the rest.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Abades snorkeling tour?

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. The meeting point is indicated by white benches before you reach the ocean.

How long is the snorkeling tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

What’s included in the price?

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

Do you offer hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.

What should I bring with me?

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

What languages do the instructors speak?

The guide/instructor speaks German, Spanish, and English.

Is the tour suitable for children and non swimmers?

Children under 5 years old are not suitable. Non swimmers can still join and will see fish and sea life, but they may not be able to see turtles because it involves more swimming.