Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Playa Abades offers a fine introduction to Atlantic snorkeling, with colorful fish, volcanic rock, reef, and the possibility of seeing a turtle, ray, or octopus. The tour keeps groups to six people, so your guide can adjust the pace and spend time helping nervous swimmers.

I like two things here: underwater photos and videos are included, and the guides are patient with children and adults who lack confidence in the water. You also get a wetsuit and proper snorkeling gear, which matters in the cooler Atlantic.

The main caution is simple: turtles are never guaranteed. Six turtles are known to visit the beach, but they are wild animals, and the turtle area requires a longer swim. Stronger swimmers have the best chance of seeing them.

Key points at a glance

• Small groups of up to six: The guide can watch your technique, comfort, and pace more closely.
• Free underwater photos and videos: You can enjoy the water without worrying about taking your own pictures.
• Fish are the reliable sight: Colorful fish and reef life are found close to shore.
• Turtles need luck and stamina: The animals are wild, and non-swimmers should not expect to reach their area.
• Support for nervous swimmers: Experienced instructors can provide extra flotation help and stay close.
• Easy beach meeting point: Meet in front of Magilu restaurant, beside the white benches near the sea.

What the two-hour Abades snorkeling tour is really like

This is a relaxed beach-based outing rather than a large boat trip. You meet your guide at the front of Magilu restaurant, directly across from Playa Abades. Look for the white benches near the ocean. There is plenty of parking in the area, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The meeting point is useful for families because you do not need to find a marina or board a boat. It also means you can see the water before committing. If you are nervous, take a few minutes to watch the shore and tell the guide exactly how comfortable you feel.

The operators include instructors such as Natalie and Andre, along with a wider team offering German, Spanish, and English. Their background includes freediving and more than 20 years of work with children and people who are afraid of the water. That is a meaningful advantage here. A calm instructor can matter more than fancy equipment when you are trying snorkeling for the first time.

Getting fitted with wetsuits, fins, and masks

After meeting the guide, you receive snorkeling equipment and a neoprene wetsuit. Long and short wetsuits are available, and the team helps you choose the right fit. Reviews specifically praise the range of wetsuit and fin sizes, as well as the quality of the equipment.

A good fit is not a minor detail. A loose mask lets in water, while a poor-fitting fin rubs your foot and makes swimming harder. Tell the guide at once if the mask leaks or the suit feels restrictive. There is no prize for quietly tolerating uncomfortable gear.

Bring swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, and beachwear. If you normally wear glasses, note that they cannot be worn under the mask. You will need to manage without them or ask the operator what mask options are available.

There is no dedicated changing room or toilet included with the activity. One nearby café has helped people with facilities, but you should plan around this rather than count on a formal changing area. The operator says you can leave personal belongings in their car. I would still bring only what you need for the beach.

The first swim: fish and reef close to Playa Abades

Once everyone is ready, the group enters the sea from the beach and begins with the easier snorkeling area. The guide explains how to breathe through the mask, clear water from it, use the fins, and stay with the group.

This first section is where non-swimmers and beginners can get the most from the tour. You can see fish and other sea life without making the longer swim toward the turtle area. The guides can stay close, offer extra support, and adjust the outing to the abilities in your group.

Underwater, expect volcanic rock formations, reef, and schools of colorful fish. The coast is not a polished tropical aquarium. It is an Atlantic shore with natural rock and changing conditions, which gives the setting a more genuine feel. The water may look different depending on the day and weather, and visibility is not guaranteed to be perfect.

The guide points out fish and helps you search around the rocks. Move slowly. Fish often appear when you stop kicking and let the water settle. Keep your hands off the reef and avoid standing on rocks or stirring up sand, since that makes it harder for everyone to see.

Searching the rocks for octopuses

One of the most enjoyable parts is looking for octopuses under and beside the stones. They can be difficult to spot, so this is less about racing from one sight to the next and more about learning where to look.

Your guide knows the usual hiding places and can point out movement or a change in color. Even if you do not see an octopus, the search adds purpose to the swim. Children especially tend to enjoy it because it turns the reef into a quiet treasure hunt without needing a complicated lesson.

You may also see squid, barracudas, stingrays, and many smaller fish. These are wild sightings, not scheduled stops, so the exact list changes from one outing to the next. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but you should book this as a coastal nature activity, not as a guaranteed wildlife show.

The turtle swim, and why expectations matter

The beach is currently home to six sea turtles that sometimes feed in the area. Seeing one can be a memorable moment, and several outings have included turtles swimming nearby. One person described watching a turtle surface for air, while another spent about ten minutes swimming beside one.

Still, the operator is clear that turtles may not appear. The animals move freely, and the time spent near the feeding area may be only 20 to 40 minutes. A turtle can be elsewhere, below the surface, or simply absent that day.

You also need to be realistic about the distance. Non-swimmers can see fish and sea life in the closer area, but the turtle location is a longer swim. If you cannot swim at all, do not book this expecting a turtle encounter. Tell the guide about your ability before entering the water so the team can bring suitable aids and set the right plan.

A stingray is another possible reward. Several outings have included rays, and these can be easier to spot resting near the bottom. Again, sightings depend on conditions and luck. The guide can help you look, but cannot call in a particular animal.

How the guides handle children and nervous swimmers

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. The instructors work with children and people who are uneasy in the sea, and the group size allows them to provide personal attention.

Children under five cannot join. Children aged six and nine have taken part successfully, with the guide changing the pace to suit their abilities. A seven-year-old also enjoyed the outing with a parent, even in poor weather. Those details suggest the activity can work well for families, provided the children are comfortable following instructions.

Non-swimmers can join, but you should be completely honest when booking. The guide may use flotation aids or hold your hand while you move through the water. You can enjoy fish and nearer sea life without attempting the longer turtle swim.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. It is also not suitable if you have a cold, since congestion makes breathing through a mask difficult. Pregnancy is listed as compatible with snorkeling, but you should still consider your own medical advice and comfort in the water.

Photos and videos included in the $35 price

At $35 per person, the tour offers solid value for a two-hour activity. The price includes the guide, snorkeling equipment, wetsuit, photos, and videos. You do not need to rent an underwater camera or spend the whole swim trying to frame pictures.

The free images are especially useful for families and first-time snorkelers. You can concentrate on staying calm, watching the fish, and keeping up with the group. Afterward, you receive a record of the outing to share with friends and family.

Do not treat the photos as a promise of professional wildlife portraits. Water clarity, animal behavior, and how well you hold position all affect the result. The real value is that you get photographs and videos without paying an additional package fee.

Compared with a longer boat excursion, this tour costs less and keeps the focus on a single beach area. It will not give you a full-day cruise, lunch, or hotel transport. For a compact, equipment-included introduction to Tenerife snorkeling, the price is fair.

Small groups, languages, and practical timing

The advertised group size is limited to six people. The operator is known for keeping groups small, though groups may occasionally be combined. Ask about the size of your departure if a very private outing is important to you.

The activity lasts two hours, including preparation and time in the water. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. The instructors speak German, Spanish, and English.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Those policies help if your Tenerife schedule depends on weather or other day trips, but they do not remove the main natural variable: sea conditions can affect what you see.

The beach has plenty of parking, making this a practical choice if you have a rental car. Since no pickup is included, people staying elsewhere on Tenerife need to arrange their own transport to Abades.

What I would bring and how I would prepare

I would arrive wearing swimwear under easy beach clothes, with a towel and sun hat ready. Sunscreen is sensible before the wetsuit goes on, though you should follow the guide’s advice around the water and reef.

I would also bring as little as possible. The operator says personal items can remain in the car, but valuables are best left at your accommodation. Plan to be wet after the tour and do not assume you will have a private place to change.

Before the swim, tell the instructor three things:

• How well you swim
• If you are nervous in open water
• If you have any trouble with masks, fins, or breathing

That information lets the guide choose the right pace and decide how far you should go. It also helps prevent the common beginner mistake of trying to keep up silently while becoming tired.

Who should book this Playa Abades outing?

I would recommend it to families with children over five, first-time snorkelers, couples wanting a short water activity, and anyone who values personal guidance over a big commercial group. The included gear and underwater media keep the cost predictable.

It is also a good choice for a weak swimmer who wants to see fish close to shore, provided you understand that turtle sightings require more swimming. The patient approach from Natalie, Andre, and their team is a real benefit for people who feel tense around the sea.

I would choose something else if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle encounter, a private boat, a long day on the water, or full changing facilities. Even the best guide cannot control wildlife or Atlantic conditions.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact introduction to Tenerife’s sea life with gear, guidance, and photos included for $35. The fish, reef, volcanic rocks, and possible rays or octopuses provide enough to make the outing worthwhile even when no turtle appears.

Go in with the right expectation: turtles are a bonus, not the product. If you are honest about your swimming ability, bring a towel, and let the guide set your pace, this is a practical and welcoming way to try snorkeling at Playa Abades.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet in front of Magilu restaurant at Playa Abades. The meeting area is near the white benches directly beside the sea.

How long does the activity last?

The snorkeling activity lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $35 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the snorkeling tour, guide, snorkeling equipment, a long or short wetsuit, photos, and videos.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles currently live in the area, but they are wild animals and may not appear during your tour.

Can non-swimmers join?

Yes. Non-swimmers can see fish and nearer sea life with support from the instructors. The turtle area requires a longer swim, so non-swimmers should not expect to reach it.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak German, Spanish, and English.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. If you wear glasses, you cannot place them under the snorkeling mask.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with a cold. Pregnancy is listed as suitable for snorkeling.