Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area

The clever idea here is simple: an underwater scooter pulls you gently through the sea, so you can explore for longer without working hard with your fins. At protected Abades Beach, guides Andrés and Natalie give you a short lesson, fit you with a wetsuit and mask, and help you get comfortable before the real fun begins.

I like the small group of three and the personal attention that comes with it. I also like that your $41 includes the scooter, full snorkeling gear, a licensed guide, and photos and videos, not just time in the water. The main thing to consider is stamina. You spend at least 60 minutes in the sea, much of it in water from 2 to 15 meters deep, so this is not a quick shoreline paddle.

Key points to know

• The scooter does much of the work: Hold on, steer, and let the motor carry you through the water.
• Turtle sightings are possible, not promised: The area has resident sea turtles, but wildlife follows its own schedule.
• You may see more than turtles: Fish, stingrays, octopus, and cuttlefish are part of the search.
• Andrés and Natalie keep the group personal: With only three participants, instructions and help are close at hand.
• Photos and videos are included: You receive the finished memories at drop-off or by WhatsApp.
• Non-swimmers need reasonable stamina: You must be comfortable in water and able to hold on for about an hour.

Why the underwater scooter changes snorkeling

Traditional snorkeling can be tiring. You kick with your fins, stop often, and may struggle to stay level while trying to look below you. The scooter offers a different approach. You hold on to the unit and let it move you through the water, using your hands and body position to guide it.

The attraction is not speed. It is the ease of moving steadily while looking for marine life. One participant who had limited fitness found the scooter especially helpful because it allowed him to hold on and be pulled through the water. That makes this activity appealing if you are not a strong swimmer, provided you are calm in the sea and have enough condition to remain in the water.

You can also use the scooter to reach lower points more easily. The stated water depth ranges from 2 to 15 meters, and the equipment can help you descend farther than you might manage with ordinary snorkeling. You still need to follow the guide’s directions and respect your limits. This is not a scuba lesson or a substitute for formal underwater training.

The scooter is also a good match for people who simply want something more playful than standard snorkeling. You can expect a short learning period, then plenty of time to get used to steering, moving around, and posing for pictures.

Meeting at Abades Beach and restaurant Magilu

The meeting point is in front of restaurant Magilu at Abades Beach. Allow enough time to find the restaurant and arrive ready for the water, since the activity begins with preparation and a safety talk.

Abades Beach is described as a protected natural park. That setting matters because the attraction is not only the scooter. You are entering a marine area where fish and other animals live, and the guide’s job includes showing you how to observe without interfering.

The first part is a talk covering the tour and the scooter. This is brief but important. You learn how the unit works, what to expect in the water, and how to handle the equipment. The guides speak English, German, and Spanish, which is useful for a small group that may include people with different language needs.

After the explanation, you put on the wetsuit, mask, tube, and fins. The equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate snorkeling rental. You should bring beachwear and a towel. No special clothing beyond that is listed.

The first minutes in the water

You enter from the beach with the guide, rather than being taken out on a boat. That keeps the outing simple and avoids a separate boat transfer, though it also means you should be ready to walk into the sea in your equipment.

The first water session is about learning the scooter. You get a chance to try it at an easy pace while the guide checks that you understand the controls and feel secure. This is where Andrés and Natalie’s close supervision matters. With a maximum of three people, the guide can give more direct help than is possible on a large commercial outing.

The scooter is intended to be easy to use. You do not need technical training, but you do need to pay attention to the instructions. Keep your body relaxed, hold firmly, and steer as shown. If you are nervous, the early practice gives you a chance to settle before the group begins looking for animals.

Photos and videos are also taken during this early portion. That gives you a record of the scooter itself, not only pictures of fish later in the tour. If you care about getting a clear image, listen when the guide positions you and avoid making sudden movements.

About 40 minutes on the scooter

The main scooter portion lasts about 40 minutes. That is long enough to get beyond a quick demonstration and enjoy the sensation of being carried through the water, but it is not the entire tour.

You will spend the time moving through the protected area and looking around you. The motor helps you cover more water than you might by finning alone, which increases the chance of finding different animals and gives you more time to watch the sea floor.

The scooter can also make it easier to reach lower water. The tour operates in water between 2 and 15 meters deep, so conditions may feel very different as the bottom drops away. The guides control the pace and can show you how to use the unit safely.

A useful point from the experience is that the scooter itself can be worthwhile even if wildlife is quiet. One person found it easier to go lower with the scooter and enjoyed the movement even without seeing many animals. That is a fair way to judge this activity. If you need a guaranteed turtle sighting to feel satisfied, no wildlife tour can promise that. If you enjoy trying new equipment and moving through the water, the scooter gives the outing a solid second reason to book.

Searching for turtles at Abades

The turtle search continues after the scooter portion. Sea turtles live in the area, and there is described to be a good chance of seeing them, but the tour clearly does not guarantee a sighting.

That distinction is important. Turtles are wild animals, not performers on a schedule. You may see one resting, swimming past, or keeping its distance. You may also spend the whole tour looking without success. The guide can take you through places where turtles are known to live, but cannot control the result.

If a turtle does appear, the best approach is quiet observation. Touching marine life is not allowed, and that rule protects both you and the animals. Keep your hands to yourself, follow the guide, and give any turtle room to swim naturally.

The search is not a wasted period if turtles stay away. The area also has colorful fish and may produce sightings of stingrays, octopus, and cuttlefish. The fish life receives especially strong praise from the available feedback, with one participant describing large numbers of fish in many colors. Another saw an octopus along with a small turtle.

Fish, rays, octopus, and cuttlefish

The variety here gives the tour more depth than a single-animal outing. Fish are the most likely supporting cast, and clear water can make them easy to spot. The German and Spanish comments also point to good visibility on at least some days, though water conditions naturally change.

Stingrays are another possibility. They can be hard to notice at first because they may rest near the bottom, so listen when the guide points out something that looks like part of the sea floor. Octopus and cuttlefish offer a different kind of sighting. Both can blend into their surroundings, making the guide’s eye useful.

This is one reason a small group helps. Andrés and Natalie can share extra information about what you are seeing instead of simply leading you from one point to another. The feedback specifically praises the underwater information provided by the guides, as well as Andrés’s attentiveness in the water.

Still, keep your expectations measured. One outing produced many fish and a turtle, while another had fewer animals and no turtles. That is normal for snorkeling. Visibility, weather, animal behavior, and the season all affect what you see.

Photos and videos to take home

Photos and videos are included in the $41 price. The guide takes images during the activity, including pictures of you using the scooter, and sends them at the end by drop-off or WhatsApp.

This adds real value. Underwater pictures are difficult to take well if you are busy holding equipment and watching where you are going. Having someone else handle the camera lets you concentrate on the sea life and enjoy the scooter.

The images also help if you are trying the activity with family or friends. You can share a picture of the group underwater rather than relying on a quick phone shot from the beach. The exact number and style of images are not specified, so book this for the experience first and treat the media as a useful extra.

Ask the guide how the files will be delivered if WhatsApp is not convenient for you. The stated options are direct handoff at drop-off or WhatsApp, so make sure your phone can receive them before you leave the beach.

Who should book this tour

This activity is aimed at a broad age range. Children can join from age six, making it suitable for families with older children who are comfortable in the water. It also works well for couples and friends who want something more unusual than a standard snorkel session.

The scooter may be particularly helpful if you have limited fitness but still want to see what is below the surface. It reduces the amount of fin work, although it does not remove the need to stay in the water and hold on for a long period.

Non-swimmers can join only if they are not afraid of water and have enough condition to hold on for about one hour. That is an important limit. You should not book if you are hoping to float casually for a few minutes or if you become distressed away from shallow water.

The activity is not suitable for children under six or people with a cold. A cold can make breathing through a mask and tube uncomfortable, and the tour requires sustained time in the sea. If you have doubts about your swimming ability, contact the provider before booking rather than guessing.

Price, group size, and practical value

At $41 per person for two hours, the price is reasonable for an activity that includes the scooter, full snorkeling equipment, an experienced licensed guide, and photos and videos. The equipment alone is not the only value. You are also paying for instruction, supervision, and help locating marine life in an unfamiliar area.

The maximum group size of three is a major advantage. You are not one face in a large line of snorkelers. The guide can explain the scooter, watch your comfort level, and point out animals more personally. A solo participant may even find the outing becomes almost private if the other places do not fill.

The tour includes at least 60 minutes in the water, with around 40 minutes on the scooter. The whole appointment lasts two hours, allowing time for the talk, changing, equipment, entry, photos, and the animal search.

The flexible booking terms also reduce risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning the rest of your day.

What to bring and what not to expect

Bring a towel and beachwear. The wetsuit, mask, tube, fins, and scooter are supplied.

Do not expect a guaranteed turtle encounter. Do not expect the activity to stay in shallow water. The tour takes place in water from 2 to 15 meters deep, and the water portion lasts at least an hour.

You should also avoid touching anything you see. This is both a stated rule and good marine etiquette. Watching an octopus change position or a ray move across the bottom is rewarding enough without trying to handle it.

Conditions can affect what you see, even when the guides do everything right. Clear water has been reported, but no precise visibility guarantee is given. Think of the outing as a guided chance to explore, not an aquarium visit.

Is the underwater scooter tour worth booking?

I would choose this tour if you want a small, personal snorkeling experience and like the idea of being pulled through the water instead of relying only on your fins. The scooter makes the outing accessible to people with modest fitness, while still offering something new for confident swimmers.

Book it especially if you value the included photos and the chance to see more than one type of marine life. The strongest reasons to go are the tiny group, the hands-on instruction from Andrés and Natalie, and the combination of scooter time with a longer search for turtles, fish, rays, octopus, and cuttlefish.

I would skip it if you dislike open water, cannot hold on for about an hour, or need a guaranteed animal sighting. For everyone else, $41 buys a well-rounded two-hour activity with a fun piece of equipment and a genuine chance to see the sea life around Abades Beach.

FAQ

Where does the underwater scooter tour meet?

The meeting point is in front of restaurant Magilu at Abades Beach in the Canary Islands, Spain.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts two hours. You spend at least 60 minutes in the water, including about 40 minutes using the underwater scooter.

How deep is the water?

The tour takes place in water between 2 and 15 meters deep.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Sea turtles live in the area and there is a good chance of seeing them, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What marine life might I see?

You might see sea turtles, colorful fish, stingrays, octopus, and cuttlefish.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, tube, fins, an underwater scooter, and an experienced licensed guide.

Can non-swimmers and children join?

Children can join from age six. Non-swimmers may join if they are not afraid of water and have enough condition to hold on for about one hour. The activity is not recommended for non-swimmers with poor condition.