Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

The Atlantic has plenty to show you. This two-hour snorkeling trip from Playa Abades gives you a gentle, well-supervised look at Tenerife’s underwater life, with colorful fish, volcanic rock, reef areas, and the chance of seeing turtles, rays, or octopuses. The tour costs $35 per person, includes equipment, a wetsuit, an instructor, and free underwater photos and videos.

I especially like the small groups of up to six and the careful support for nervous swimmers. Guides such as Natalie, Andre, and Andrés have earned praise for explaining things clearly and adjusting the outing to suit children and less confident swimmers. The main caution is simple: turtle sightings are never guaranteed. Six turtles are currently known to visit the beach, but this is open ocean, and you may spend your time with fish and rays instead.

Key Points At A Glance

• Turtle sightings are possible, not promised: You may see one of the six turtles that visit the beach, but conditions and animal movements decide the outcome.
• A strong choice for nervous swimmers: The guides work with children, fearful participants, and people who cannot swim, using extra support when needed.
• The reef is close to Playa Abades: You can expect colorful fish, volcanic rock formations, and smaller creatures such as octopuses hiding under stones.
• Photos and videos are included: You receive underwater pictures at no extra charge, a useful bonus at this price.
• Groups are usually very small: The normal limit is six people, although groups may occasionally be combined.
• The meeting point is easy to find: Meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach, with plenty of parking nearby.

What The Two Hours Actually Look Like

Your outing begins at Restaurant Magilu, directly across from Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the ocean. That is where you meet the guide, rather than at a hotel or a separate water-sports office.

Allow a little time to get organized before entering the water. You will be fitted with a mask, snorkel, fins, and a neoprene wetsuit. Long and short wetsuits are available, which helps with comfort and fit. Several people have praised the equipment, and one family specifically appreciated having different wetsuit and flipper options to find a good match.

The guide then explains how to use the equipment and what you might see. This briefing matters more than it may sound. A well-fitted mask and calm breathing make the difference between enjoying the sea and spending the whole session adjusting your gear.

After the briefing, you enter the water from the beach and follow the guide along the coast. The exact route can change according to the sea and the abilities of the group. One useful feature is that the guides can adjust the pace and route rather than treating every participant as an experienced swimmer.

The underwater section focuses on the reef and rocky areas off Playa Abades. You may see schools of colorful fish, coral, volcanic formations, and smaller creatures tucked into crevices. Octopuses are particularly good at hiding beneath stones, so your guide’s local experience can help you notice animals you would otherwise swim past.

Some outings visit more than one snorkeling area along the coast. The water depth is selected to make it easier to watch marine life, but the amount of swimming still depends on your route and ability. If you are hoping to see turtles, you need to be comfortable swimming farther from the beach. Non-swimmers can see fish and other sea life, but they should not expect to reach the turtle area.

The final part of the experience includes the underwater photographs and videos. These are provided free, which saves you from trying to operate a phone in a waterproof case while also keeping up with the group. The pictures also give you a record of the outing, especially useful if this is your first time snorkeling in the Atlantic.

Why Playa Abades Works For Snorkeling

Playa Abades offers a more natural setting than a purpose-built pool or resort activity. You enter the Atlantic from the beach, then move over rocky underwater terrain where fish gather and small creatures find shelter.

The area’s volcanic rock gives the seafloor character. It is not just a flat patch of sand with a few fish passing by. The rock formations create cracks and ledges where octopuses can hide, while the reef areas attract smaller fish.

The wildlife is the main reason to book. Fish are the most dependable sighting, and the supplied experiences describe large numbers of them in many colors. Rays and stingrays are also possible. Some outings have included squid, barracudas, and several different kinds of fish.

Turtles are the memorable prize, but you should treat them as luck rather than a promise. The beach is currently visited by six sea turtles, and some outings have included long encounters with a relaxed turtle. Other sessions have produced no turtle at all, even when the rest of the sea life was excellent.

That distinction is important. If your entire reason for booking is to swim with a turtle, you may be disappointed. If you want a guided look at Tenerife’s coastal wildlife and would be delighted by a turtle, the tour makes much more sense.

A Good Introduction For Nervous Swimmers

The strongest part of this experience is the human support. The instructors are freediving and snorkeling professionals with more than 20 years of experience working with children and people who feel afraid in the water.

You should tell the guide about your swimming ability before the session begins. Extra aids can be brought for weak swimmers, and the guide can stay close and offer direct help. One participant who could not swim described being guided by the hand, while another non-swimmer felt secure throughout the outing.

That does not mean the tour removes every challenge. You are still in the open sea, not a swimming pool, and the turtle area requires more swimming. A non-swimmer can enjoy fish and nearby sea life, but the operator specifically warns that non-swimmers will not be able to see the turtles.

For children, the minimum age is five. Families with children aged six, seven, and nine have found the guides attentive and flexible. The guides can adapt the excursion to the group’s abilities, but parents should still be realistic about how their children respond to fins, a mask, and open water.

The water is described as free from dangerous animals at this beach, but you should not read that as a promise that every sea condition will be easy. Basic comfort in the water still helps. If you have a cold, you should not take part.

The Guides Make The Difference

The experience provider, Meerjungfrau Apnoe Akademie ES, uses English, German, and Spanish. That is useful for families or couples who want detailed instructions in a familiar language.

Natalie and Andre receive especially warm praise for their friendly manner, clear explanations, and steady attention. Andrés is also praised for helping nervous swimmers and keeping everyone comfortable. The consistent pattern is not simply friendliness. It is the guides’ willingness to watch the group and change their approach when someone is anxious or less able.

You can expect an explanation before entering the sea and regular checks while snorkeling. That makes this a better choice for a first outing than an unguided rental where you receive equipment and are left to manage yourself.

The small-group format also helps. Six participants is the stated limit, although the operator notes that groups may occasionally be combined. A small group means less time waiting and a better chance of pointing out a camouflaged octopus or getting help with a loose mask strap.

Photos, Videos, And The Real Value Of $35

At $35, this is good value if you want a guided experience rather than equipment rental alone. The price includes the two-hour tour, guide, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, photographs, and videos.

The free media is a meaningful extra. Underwater pictures are hard to capture while snorkeling, especially if you are trying to keep your mask sealed and stay with the guide. Having the images supplied afterward lets you concentrate on the sea instead of your camera.

The price also covers instruction and supervision. That matters most if you are inexperienced, traveling with children, or worried about open water. A cheaper self-guided option would not provide the same help with fitting, route choice, wildlife spotting, or confidence in the water.

There are limits to the value. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Abades yourself. You also leave personal belongings in the operator’s car, according to the practical information supplied. Take only what you need and follow the guide’s instructions about valuables.

Practical Details Before You Go

The meeting point is directly in front of Restaurant Magilu. White benches facing the ocean help identify the spot, and parking is plentiful in the area.

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, and a sun hat. There is no stated hotel transfer, so plan your own transport to Playa Abades. One participant also noted that there is no changing room or toilet included with the activity, although a nearby café was helpful.

If you wear glasses, you cannot place ordinary spectacles under the snorkeling mask. Ask about your options before entering the water, since clear vision is important when looking for fish and small creatures.

Pregnant women can take part according to the supplied information. You should still discuss your personal circumstances with the operator before booking, especially if you have any concern about swimming in the sea.

People with mobility impairments and wheelchair users cannot take part. Children under five are not accepted, and anyone with a cold should skip the activity.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still changing.

What You Are Most Likely To See

Fish are the reliable highlight. Expect many colorful species around the reef and volcanic rock. The guides can help you slow down and look closely rather than simply swimming past.

Rays and stingrays are possible and have appeared on several outings. They add a welcome surprise, but they are not guaranteed. Octopuses are also possible, usually hidden under rocks rather than sitting in plain sight.

Turtles are the sighting everyone hopes for. Some people have watched one breathe at the surface or stayed near one for around ten minutes. Others have seen no turtle but still enjoyed rays, fish, and the reef.

Season, weather, water conditions, and animal behavior all matter. Even poor weather has not prevented some enjoyable outings, but cloudy or unsettled conditions may affect comfort and visibility. The honest way to book is to value the whole marine experience, not just one species.

Who Should Book This Tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time snorkelers, families with children over five, couples who want underwater photos, and anyone who feels unsure about open water. The instructors’ patient approach is a real advantage.

It also suits you if you want a short activity that fits neatly into a day around Tenerife. Two hours is long enough to see plenty without taking over the whole day.

Strong swimmers who want a serious wildlife expedition may find the outing too gentle or too short. This is a guided introduction to the coast, not a technical training session or a guarantee of rare marine life.

You should also reconsider if you cannot manage some swimming, dislike wearing a mask, or need wheelchair access. The guides can help non-swimmers see fish, but the farther turtle route is beyond their practical reach.

Should You Book The Abades Snorkeling Tour?

Yes, if you want a friendly, small-group introduction to Tenerife’s underwater world at a fair price. The equipment, wetsuit, instruction, and free photos make $35 a sensible deal, while the guides’ calm support gives the outing broad family appeal.

Book it for the fish, reef, volcanic rocks, rays, and the chance of an octopus. Treat a turtle as a lucky bonus. If you understand that open-ocean wildlife cannot be scheduled, this is a well-supported and memorable way to spend two hours at Playa Abades.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly in front of Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the ocean.

How long does the activity last?

The snorkeling experience lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided snorkeling tour, instructor, snorkeling equipment, a long or short wetsuit, photographs, and videos.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles currently visit the beach, but the area is open ocean and sightings are not guaranteed.

Can non-swimmers take part?

Yes, non-swimmers can take part with support and can see fish and other sea life. They cannot swim far enough to reach the turtle area.

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.

Who cannot join the tour?

Children under five, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and people with a cold cannot take part.