Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

Tenerife’s south coast gives you a fine chance to see wild dolphins and turtles without joining a noisy motorboat chase. You paddle in a quiet kayak, then stop at a secluded bay for a swim and snorkel among fish, with the cliffs and mountains of Tenerife rising behind you.

I like the eco-certified approach, which keeps the focus on watching marine life without deliberately frightening or surrounding it. I also like the practical setup: short wetsuits, snorkeling gear, insurance, and photographs are included for $35, a strong price for a three-hour outing.

The main catch is simple: wild animals make their own schedule. The company gives a stated 90 percent chance of seeing dolphins or turtles, but you can still have a trip with only fish and sea views. You also need to swim confidently, and the activity is not suitable for people with back problems, pregnant women, certain medical conditions, or anyone over 100 kilograms.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphins from a low kayak: You may watch pods of up to 30 dolphins from the water without a motorboat crowding them.
• Turtle sightings are possible, not guaranteed: Green turtles are commonly sought, with loggerhead turtles sometimes seen too.
• Snorkeling in a boat-only bay: The swim stop offers clear water, fish, and the chance to see a turtle or bull ray below.
• Experienced guides set the tone: Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, and Daniel are among the guides praised for calm instruction, safety, humor, and good photographs.
• Good value at $35: Kayaks, gear, wetsuits, accident insurance, a guide, and pictures are included.
• Swimming ability matters: The tour is for ages 14 and up, and anyone under 18 must come with a parent.

A low-key way to watch Tenerife’s marine life

This is not a staged animal encounter. You are not taken to an aquarium or asked to touch a turtle. The idea is to paddle out from Playa de Los Cristianos and look for animals in the Atlantic, where they follow their own routes and habits.

That distinction matters. A kayak sits low on the water and makes far less noise than a powered sightseeing boat. The company says its kayaks are designed to avoid frightening or disturbing the animals, so the experience is built around patient observation rather than pursuit.

The waters around Tenerife are home to five species of dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins are among the easiest to identify, but rough-toothed, striped, and common dolphins may also pass through the area. You might see a single animal, or you might find yourself near a pod of up to 30, with dolphins jumping clear of the water.

Turtles are another draw. Green turtles are the species most often encountered on this route, while loggerhead turtles are possible. At the snorkeling stop, you may also see fish and, if conditions cooperate, a turtle or bull ray moving along the seabed.

I would treat the wildlife promise as a good possibility, not the sole reason to book. Several outings have seen dolphins and turtles, while others have produced dolphins, fish, or no turtles at all. The kayaking and snorkeling still give you a full activity, even when the animals stay out of sight.

From Cristianmar to Playa de Los Cristianos

You begin at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor, on the left side when you face the sea. This is worth locating before your start time because the meeting point is not described as a large waterfront kiosk.

The tour ends at the same place, which keeps the plan easy if you are staying in or around Los Cristianos. Changing rooms and lockers are available, so you can arrive in ordinary clothing, change before going out, and store some belongings while you paddle.

The session starts with about 15 minutes of safety instruction. For first-time kayakers, this is important rather than filler. You need to learn how to handle the paddle, keep the kayak stable, and respond to the guide’s directions before heading out.

A short five-minute walk takes you toward Playa de Los Cristianos. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, a sun hat, and flip-flops. Water is not supplied, and neither swimsuits nor towels are included.

The first hour on the water

The main kayaking section begins at Playa de Los Cristianos and lasts about an hour. The pace combines paddling with marine-life watching, so do not expect three straight hours of hard exercise.

Your guide leads the group along the coast, keeping an eye out for dolphins and turtles while pointing out the scenery. You get views of the Tenerife shoreline and mountain backdrop that are difficult to appreciate from a road or hotel terrace.

The kayaks have comfortable seats and back support, a useful detail when you are sitting on the water for a substantial part of the morning or afternoon. Even so, paddling can be tiring. One person described the activity as physically demanding despite having a very enjoyable time, so you should be ready to work your arms and keep a steady rhythm.

The most praised guides are the people who make this part feel manageable. Carlos is repeatedly described as calm, friendly, and a good teacher. Barbara is known for clear instruction, warmth, and a cheerful manner. Gonza receives similar praise for his English and his feel for the sea, while David is singled out for calm directions, good photographs, and finding promising snorkeling locations.

Those details are useful if you are nervous about kayaking. You do not need to arrive as an expert, but you do need enough swimming ability to take part safely. A first-time kayaker can manage the basics with instruction, provided they are comfortable following directions and being on open water.

Cueva de los Enamorados and the return paddle

After the first coastal stretch, the route reaches Cueva de los Enamorados for roughly 15 minutes of kayaking and marine-life watching. This is a short stop, not a long land visit or a cave exploration.

The attraction here is the combination of rock scenery and open-water viewing. Your guide may use the area as another chance to look for dolphins, turtles, and other sea life while giving you a different angle on the coast.

The route then returns toward Playa de Los Cristianos for about another hour of kayaking, wildlife watching, and views. By this point, you will have had time to settle into the kayak and understand how the group moves together.

This return section can feel different depending on the sea and the wildlife. On a good outing, dolphins may appear during the paddle back, sometimes including a mother and calf or a group jumping nearby. On another day, the value may come mainly from the coast, the exercise, and the quiet of being offshore.

Snorkeling in a bay reached only by boat

The snorkeling stop is one of the best reasons to choose this excursion instead of a simple kayak rental. You stop in a secluded bay that is accessible only by boat, put on the included equipment, and swim in clear water.

The guide helps direct you toward areas where marine life may be easiest to spot. You can expect fish, and you might see turtles or bull rays gliding along the seabed beneath you. The water clarity gives you a better chance to notice smaller fish and movement below the surface.

A short wetsuit is included. That adds comfort in the Atlantic and means you do not need to rent one separately. Snorkeling equipment is also included, so you only need to bring your swimwear and towel.

This stop is not a guaranteed turtle encounter. The activity description sets up turtle and dolphin sightings as likely, but the supplied experiences show the natural variation clearly: some outings see turtles right beside the kayak, while others see many fish but no turtles. I would enjoy the snorkeling on its own terms and count any turtle as a bonus.

The guides can make a real difference here. David has been praised for taking the group to strong snorkeling areas and for photographing the outing. Daniel is also noted for keeping the group safe while sharing information about the animals and the surrounding coast.

What the wildlife watching is really like

The phrase up close needs a little context. You are close enough to see dolphins from a kayak and, in some cases, watch a turtle swim near you. You are not guaranteed a close encounter, and you should not expect to touch, feed, or chase anything.

The best approach is to stay patient and keep your eyes moving. Dolphins surface quickly, and turtles can appear beside a kayak or below the water during the snorkeling stop. A guide who knows the area can improve your odds, but no guide can control where wild animals go.

A group of up to 30 dolphins would be the spectacular version of this trip. Smaller sightings can still be memorable, including the report of a mother and baby dolphin. The five dolphin species found around Tenerife also add interest for anyone who likes identifying marine life rather than simply collecting a photograph.

The eco-certified status is a meaningful part of the outing. The low-noise kayaks allow observation with less disruption than a powered craft, and the activity encourages you to watch rather than interfere. You should still follow the guide’s instructions closely, especially around animals and during the water stop.

Photos, equipment, and comfort

The package includes a kayak, snorkeling equipment, a guide, accident insurance, a wetsuit, and pictures. At $35, that is unusually complete for a three-hour coastal activity.

The included pictures are especially handy because you may not want to manage a phone while paddling or snorkeling. You can bring a waterproof phone case if you wish, but your own device remains your responsibility. One useful caution is to avoid treating the phone as essential: the outing is easier when you can focus on the water.

The kayaks have comfortable seats and back support, but this is still a seated paddling activity. If you have back trouble, the tour is specifically not recommended. The 100-kilogram limit applies per person for kayak stability, and anyone above it cannot participate.

Changing rooms and lockers make the practical side easier. Still, bring your own towel, water, sunscreen, hat, swimwear, and flip-flops. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Guides who help first-timers feel safe

The guide quality is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Carlos is often praised for being friendly, calm, and encouraging. Barbara is described as both funny and clear, which is a good combination when a group includes first-time kayakers.

Gonza is noted for strong English, ocean experience, and an easy manner. David receives praise for professional instruction, calm explanations, photos, and knowing where to take the group for snorkeling. Daniel has been praised for keeping a group safe while making the outing fun and informative.

Dani and Carol have also led larger groups with detailed but lighthearted instructions. That matters because kayaking is more enjoyable when you understand how to move with the group instead of bumping into other boats or paddling in the wrong direction.

Instruction is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French. The exact guide depends on the departure, but the range of languages makes the activity practical for many visitors.

Who should book this $35 excursion

I think this works best for active adults, older teenagers, couples, and families with children aged 14 or more who want a short outdoor activity rather than a full-day boat cruise. It is also a good first kayaking experience if you can swim and do not mind moderate physical effort.

The price is a strong point. You get three hours, equipment, wetsuit rental, insurance, guide service, snorkeling, and photos for $35. A disappointing wildlife day does not erase the value because the basic outing still includes the kayak route, coastal views, and swim stop.

You should think twice if you are booking only to guarantee a turtle photograph. Wild animals may not appear, and even a stated 90 percent chance is not a promise for your particular departure.

You should also skip it if you cannot swim, are pregnant, have back problems or a pre-existing medical condition, or weigh more than 100 kilograms. The minimum age is 14, and anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Tenerife turtle kayak tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced mix of kayaking, snorkeling, sea views, and a respectful chance to see dolphins or turtles. The guides, especially Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, and Daniel, add much of the experience’s appeal through calm instruction and friendly group management.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed wildlife encounter or cannot swim comfortably. For everyone else, this is a well-priced way to get onto Tenerife’s Atlantic waters, with enough included that you can arrive with a towel, water, sunscreen, and a willingness to paddle.

FAQ

How long does the Tenerife kayak and snorkel tour last?

The activity lasts three hours. Start times vary, so you need to check availability when choosing a departure.

Where does the activity begin and end?

It begins and ends at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor to the left when you face the sea.

Are wetsuits and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, short wetsuits, accident insurance, a guide, and pictures are included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim to take part, and the supplier may refuse participation if it considers conditions unsafe.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 14. Anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, sunscreen, a sun hat, and flip-flops. Swimsuits, towels, and water are not included.