Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Playa Abades gives you a good look at Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life without a long boat ride. From shore, you swim over volcanic rock and reef where colorful fish gather, with octopus, rays, and turtles possible. The guides, including Natalie and Andre, are especially attentive with children and nervous swimmers.

I like the small groups of up to six, which let the guide adjust the pace instead of pulling everyone along at the same speed. I also like that photos and videos come free, so you can concentrate on the water rather than trying to manage a camera.

The main catch is turtle spotting. Six turtles are known to visit this beach, but this is open ocean, not an aquarium. You may see one, as some people do, but you may also see rays and fish without a turtle appearing.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour stays at Playa Abades: You meet at Restaurant Magilu, put on your equipment, and enter the water from the beach.
• The group is usually tiny: The normal limit is six people, although groups may occasionally be combined.
• Beginners receive extra support: The instructors have more than 20 years of experience working with children, nervous participants, and people who swim poorly.
• Turtles are possible, not promised: You need to swim farther toward the feeding area to have a chance of seeing them.
• Your underwater memories are included: Photos and videos are provided at no extra charge.
• Plan for a simple beach setup: There is parking, but no dedicated changing room or toilet for the activity.

Playa Abades, where the sea life starts close to shore

This is a shore-based snorkeling trip, which keeps the outing simple. You meet in front of Restaurant Magilu, near the white benches facing the ocean. There are many parking spaces, and you do not need to arrange hotel transport because pickup and drop-off are not included.

After introductions, the guides provide a mask, snorkel, fins, and a long or short wetsuit. The wetsuit matters in the Atlantic, even when the day feels warm on land. It also adds comfort and confidence for anyone who is not used to floating in open water.

The guides explain how the equipment works before you go in. That early briefing is useful for first-time snorkelers, since a leaking mask or badly adjusted fins can spoil the first few minutes. You can also tell the instructors about nerves, limited swimming ability, or children who need extra help.

The beach setting makes this easier than a boat trip. You do not have to climb onto a vessel, cope with a long ride, or spend the morning waiting for the sea to cooperate far offshore. The tradeoff is that conditions at the beach still matter, and the exact route depends on what is safe and suitable that day.

A two-hour outing with time to learn the water

The full activity lasts two hours, including preparation and time in the sea. The exact balance depends on the group, the sea, and each person’s ability.

You first get fitted with the equipment and wetsuit. The guide then leads you into the water and helps everyone settle into the basics. If you are nervous, this is the point where clear instructions and a calm pace make a real difference.

Once you are comfortable, the group moves across the underwater rock and reef areas near Playa Abades. The guides know where fish are easy to find and can point out creatures that blend into the rocks. You might see schools of colorful fish, squid, rays, or an octopus tucked beneath stones.

The experience is not a race. The guides have adjusted the outing for young children, weak swimmers, and people who were afraid of the sea. One family with children aged six and nine found that the pace could be changed to match their abilities, while another participant who could not swim was supported by holding the guide’s hand and using extra assistance.

That does not mean every non-swimmer should expect to reach every part of the route. The important limit is clear: non-swimmers can see fish and other sea life, but turtles are farther away and require more swimming. If a turtle is your top goal, you need enough stamina and confidence to reach the feeding area.

What you can actually see beneath the surface

The most reliable part of the outing is the fish. The volcanic rock around the beach gives smaller sea life places to shelter, and you can expect the guide to focus on areas where fish are easy to spot.

The colors and shapes become more interesting once you stop looking only for large animals. Fish move around the rock, while an octopus may stay almost invisible under a stone. Rays can pass over the bottom, and squid and barracudas have also been seen in the area.

Turtles are the headline sight, but they need to be treated as a lucky encounter. The beach currently has six sea turtles that come to feed, yet they do not appear on command. One person spent about ten minutes swimming beside a calm turtle, while another saw a turtle just as it began to surface for air. Other outings produced rays and many fish but no turtle.

This is worth understanding before booking. The description of turtles can raise expectations, but the open sea always has the final say. I would book this for the range of sea life and the quality of the guidance, with a turtle treated as a bonus rather than the product you are buying.

The reef itself is another reason to go. You are looking at volcanic rock formations beneath the Atlantic, not a tropical resort aquarium. That gives the outing a distinctly Canarian feel. The water may not deliver the bright coral gardens some people picture when they hear snorkeling, but the mix of rock, fish, rays, and hidden creatures makes the setting rewarding.

Why the guides matter for first-timers

The strongest part of this experience is the instruction. The team includes German, Spanish, and English speakers, and guides such as Natalie and Andre have been praised for clear explanations, kindness, and steady support.

That matters more than fancy equipment. A good guide can notice when a participant is tense, slow down, offer a flotation aid, or change the route. The instructors work with children and people who are afraid of the ocean, and they have more than 20 years of experience in that setting.

You should tell them in advance if you cannot swim or are a weak swimmer. The supplied guidance says extra aids can be brought for you. You can still see fish and sea life, but you should not expect to reach the turtle area unless you can manage the longer swim.

I would also be honest about your comfort level at the meeting point. Pretending to be confident helps nobody. This is a guided activity, not a free swim, and the small group makes it easier for the instructor to keep an eye on everyone.

The tour is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or anyone with a cold. Pregnant women can take part in snorkeling according to the activity information, but each person should still judge their own comfort and condition.

Equipment, photos, and the practical beach details

The price is $35 per person for two hours, including the guide, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, photos, and videos. That is strong value if you want a short, supported introduction to snorkeling and would otherwise need to rent equipment separately.

The equipment has received good marks for fit and quality. You get a choice of long or short wetsuit, along with different fin options. Proper fit is not a minor detail: fins that are too loose make swimming awkward, while a mask that does not seal can become a constant nuisance.

The underwater photos and videos add real value. You do not need to hold a phone in a waterproof case or worry about missing the best moments while trying to frame a shot. The images also give families a way to share the experience afterward.

There are a few basic limitations at the beach. No dedicated changing room or toilet is provided, although a nearby café helped one group. Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, and a sun hat. You will leave personal belongings in the provider’s car, so bring only what you need and avoid carrying valuables.

The meeting point is easy to identify: Restaurant Magilu is directly in front of the beach, with white benches by the ocean. That is more useful than a vague beach address, especially if you are driving.

Is the small-group promise worth paying for?

The normal limit is six participants, and that changes the feel of the outing. The guide can spend more time helping a nervous swimmer and can keep the group together without turning the tour into a crowded procession.

There is a qualification. The provider says groups are usually kept very small, but occasionally groups may need to be combined. If having exactly six or fewer people is essential, ask when you book rather than assuming the group will always be private or tiny.

For families, the format is especially practical. Children aged six and nine have managed the activity, and guides have adjusted the outing to suit their abilities. Children under five cannot join, and adults remain responsible for making sure the children are comfortable and able to follow instructions.

For couples or friends, the free photos make this a pleasant shared activity rather than a lesson that one person has to document. You can focus on finding fish and octopus while the guide handles the underwater recording.

How the tour compares with a boat-based snorkeling trip

This activity suits you if you want a direct, low-fuss introduction to Tenerife’s sea life. You walk to the beach, receive equipment, and explore from shore. There is no hotel transfer and no boat time included.

The shore access also means the outing can feel more personal. You spend your time looking at the local rock and reef rather than traveling to a distant site. If you are prone to seasickness, avoiding a boat may be a major advantage.

The limitation is range. A shore tour cannot promise the same access as a boat that moves between offshore locations. The turtle area is also a longer swim, so non-swimmers should focus on the fish and nearer sea life.

The tour’s flexibility helps offset that limit. Different spots along the coast have been used, with depths suited to observing marine life. The guide can choose an area that fits the group and the conditions, rather than forcing every person into the same route.

Who should book the Playa Abades snorkeling tour?

I would recommend this to first-time snorkelers, families with children aged five and older, couples, and anyone who wants patient help in the water. It is also a good fit for people who can swim but feel uneasy in the open sea.

You should book it if free photos matter, since many paid water activities charge extra for images. The equipment, wetsuit, instructor, and small group are all included in the $35 price.

I would be more cautious if you are booking only to see a turtle. The chance is real, and some outings have produced memorable turtle encounters, but no guide can control wildlife. Choose this for fish, volcanic rock, rays, octopus, and a well-supported sea experience first.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Tenerife schedule depends on weather or if you want to wait before committing.

My verdict: a friendly, fairly priced first snorkel

I like the balance here. You get proper equipment, patient instruction, a maximum group size of six, and free underwater photos for $35. The guides have shown they can work with children and non-swimmers, which is more valuable than a promise of exotic wildlife.

The activity is not a guaranteed turtle encounter, and the basic beach facilities are limited. Still, if you arrive with realistic expectations, Playa Abades offers an easy way to see Tenerife’s underwater life without spending half a day on a boat.

Book this tour if you want a calm, guided introduction and are happy to count turtles as luck. Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, full changing facilities, or a route suitable for wheelchair users.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly in front of Playa Abades. The meeting area is near white benches facing the ocean.

How long does the activity last?

The snorkeling experience lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

What is included in the $35 price?

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

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles currently visit the beach, but this is open ocean and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can non-swimmers join?

Non-swimmers can join and may see fish and other sea life with the available support. They cannot expect to reach the turtle area, since it requires a longer swim.

What languages are spoken?

The instructors speak German, Spanish, and English.

How many people are in each group?

The usual maximum is six participants. Groups are normally kept small, though they may occasionally be combined.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Personal belongings are left in the provider’s car during the activity.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with a cold. Pregnant women can take part in snorkeling according to the activity information.