Tenerife: Kayak & Snorkeling Tour – Small Groups

The best part of this Los Cristianos kayak tour is the chance to look for dolphins and sea turtles from a low seat on the Atlantic, not from a crowded sightseeing boat. You paddle beside Tenerife’s volcanic coast, stop in clear water for snorkeling, and may see marine life close to the kayaks.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and get help when you need it. I also like the practical setup: an office for changing and storing belongings, toilets, water, dry bags, and staff who take photos so you can concentrate on the sea.

The main caution is physical rather than financial. You need to paddle for roughly an hour in total, climb in and out of the kayak from the water, and manage the Atlantic conditions. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, low fitness, motion sickness, or anyone over 100 kilograms.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin and turtle spotting: The route passes local fish farms, an area where bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are often seen.
• Small boats, small group: High-quality double RTM kayaks and a maximum of 10 participants make the outing more personal.
• A real snorkeling stop: Expect about 30 minutes in the water with provided masks, snorkels, and optional wetsuits.
• Strong beginner support: Guides such as Justas and Manuel explain the basics clearly and help nervous swimmers or first-time paddlers.
• Useful office facilities: Change clothes, use the bathroom, store belongings, and collect your equipment before the five-minute walk to the beach.
• Good value at $37: Three hours of kayaking, wildlife watching, snorkeling, equipment, water, and a guide make this a fairly priced half-day activity.

Starting at SeaThru-Kayaks in Los Cristianos

You begin at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. Look for the office beside a real estate office, with the Ricoche café directly opposite. This meeting point matters because you do not arrive at the beach carrying every bag and towel you brought from the hotel.

At the office, you can change clothes, use the toilet, and leave personal belongings in a secure place. The team provides water, life jackets, paddles, snorkeling equipment, and dry bags for items you need near you. Sunglasses can be secured with straps, which is a small but useful touch on open water.

You then walk about five minutes to Los Cristianos Beach. The kayaks are already waiting there, so the start is simple. Bring beachwear, flip-flops, a sun hat, sunglasses, water, and biodegradable sunscreen. If you tend to feel queasy at sea, eat lightly beforehand. That advice is especially useful here because you will be sitting low in a moving kayak for several hours.

The 10-minute safety briefing

Before anyone enters the water, the guide explains how to handle the double kayaks, use the paddles, wear the life jacket, and respond on the water. This is not a rushed formality. First-time paddlers need to know how to keep the kayak steady, how to move with a partner, and what to do when the group stops.

The guides are a big part of the experience. Justas is described as patient and reassuring, including for someone nervous about breathing through a snorkel. Manuel has a lively, friendly manner and explains the sea life as you go. Other guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, and Lithuanian.

Families also receive close attention. Children under 11 ride in the same kayak as a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. If an older child is large enough and experienced enough to paddle, the booking is treated as an adult place. This is worth clarifying before you reserve if your family includes children near that age or ability line.

Paddling out from Los Cristianos Beach

The tour launches directly from the shallow beach. You do not need previous kayaking experience, but you should be comfortable working with another person in a double kayak. A steady rhythm is more useful than brute strength. Let the guide set the pace, especially at the beginning.

The first kayaking section lasts about 30 minutes. From the water, you get broad views back toward Los Cristianos, Montaña Guaza, and, on a clear day, Mount Teide in the distance. The volcanic scenery gives the outing a strong Tenerife feel. You are not simply exercising on a generic stretch of coast.

The kayak also puts you close to the water without the noise or height of a motorboat. That makes it easier to watch the surface and listen for the guide’s instructions. It also means you feel the movement of the Atlantic more directly. On a calm day this is pleasant. If you are prone to seasickness, the low, bobbing position can be uncomfortable, which is why motion sickness is listed as a concern.

Watching for dolphins near the fish farms

The next part of the route focuses on marine life. You paddle alongside local fish farms, where bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen. These animals are wild, so the guide cannot promise a sighting. That uncertainty is part of the deal, and you should book this for the full mix of kayaking and snorkeling rather than as a guaranteed dolphin show.

Still, the possibility of seeing dolphins from a kayak is a strong reason to choose this outing. You are at water level, with no glass windows or high railings between you and the sea. One particularly fortunate outing included around 20 dolphins swimming close to the kayaks, with some jumping nearby. Other participants saw turtles at close range, sometimes alongside fish and crabs.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife may appear early, later, or not at all. The route and the guides improve your chances, but nature sets the timetable. A good guide will help you watch without turning the experience into a chase. The supplied details emphasize animal searching, not feeding or handling wildlife.

This 30-minute section can also be the most exciting and least predictable part of the tour. You may spend time scanning the water, then suddenly have a dolphin surface nearby. Keep your sunglasses secured, your camera protected, and your attention on the guide.

The 30-minute snorkeling stop

About an hour into the outing, the kayaks anchor and you enter the Atlantic for the snorkeling stop. The tour provides a mask and breathing tube, and wetsuits are available if you want one. The guide shows you how to use the equipment and helps you feel comfortable before you set off to look beneath the surface.

The underwater setting is made up of volcanic rock formations. Fish mentioned for this area include parrotfish, trumpet fish, green fish, and schools of barracudas. You may also find smaller sea life around the rocks, including crabs. The point is not a long technical swim. It is a relaxed look at Tenerife’s coastal waters with a guide nearby.

This is where the tour’s suitability rules matter most. You must be able to swim, and you should be ready to enter and leave the kayak from the water. One useful tip is to wear water shoes if you have them. They are not required, but they can make the rocky or wet entry area more comfortable.

Getting back into a kayak is harder than getting out. Use the guide’s instructions, stay calm, and take your time. A participant who struggled to climb back into the kayak received direct help from the guide, which shows why a small group and an attentive leader matter. If you have shoulder, back, or mobility concerns, this is the moment to think carefully before booking.

The water may feel cold, particularly for children. Optional wetsuits help, but you should still bring a towel and dry clothes for afterward. Snorkeling takes around 30 minutes, giving you enough time to see fish without turning the activity into an endurance test.

The paddle back to Los Cristianos

After snorkeling, you climb back into the kayak and paddle toward the beach at an easier pace. This final 30-minute section lets you settle into the rhythm of the boat and enjoy the coast without trying to cover ground quickly.

You may still be watching for dolphins or turtles, but the return is also a chance to appreciate the quiet side of the tour. The route combines physical activity with pauses, so it feels more varied than three straight hours of paddling. Even so, your arms may feel worked by the end. This is a better choice for someone with moderate fitness than for someone seeking a completely passive boat ride.

Back at Los Cristianos Beach, you walk to the office. Freshwater beach showers let you rinse off before changing and collecting your belongings. That final stop is practical and helps the day finish without saltwater, sand, and wet equipment following you straight into a taxi or café.

What the $37 price really buys you

At $37 per person, this is a strong value for a three-hour activity. You receive a double RTM kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling gear, optional wetsuit, water, office facilities, and a guide. You also get two different ways to experience the coast: from the kayak and beneath the surface.

The price is especially fair if you would otherwise pay separately for a short kayak rental and a snorkeling excursion. Here, the equipment, safety briefing, route, and wildlife search are organized together. The small group limit adds value because the guide can pay attention to individual paddlers.

Photos and videos are not included. A guide takes them during the trip, and you can buy them afterward for a small fee. I like this arrangement because you can leave your phone behind and enjoy the water. If you prefer to take your own pictures, protect your device carefully and do not let photography distract you from paddling or wildlife.

The flexible booking terms also help: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around this three-hour outing.

Who should book this adventure

I would recommend it to first-time kayakers, couples, active families with suitable children, and anyone who wants a short ocean outing rather than a full-day expedition. You do not need advanced paddling skills, and the guides make a clear effort to keep beginners relaxed.

It also suits people who care about wildlife but understand that sightings are not guaranteed. Dolphins and turtles are possible highlights, not promised attractions. The snorkeling stop adds value even if the sea remains quiet because you still have the volcanic rocks and local fish to explore.

This is not a good choice for non-swimmers, people with back problems, people with low fitness, or anyone who regularly gets motion sickness or seasickness. The operator also excludes people over 100 kilograms and people over 95 years old. Those limits are important because the activity involves lifting yourself into a kayak and staying active in open water.

For families, remember that children under 11 share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not paddle. The water may feel cold for young children, even with wetsuits available. Parents should also be comfortable helping a child stay calm in the water.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring a change of clothes. Flip-flops work for the walk, while water shoes may be more useful around the kayak and snorkeling entry.

Use biodegradable sunscreen, and apply it before you leave the office. A sun hat and sunglasses are worthwhile because there is little shade once you are on the water. Secure your sunglasses with the provided straps if available.

Do not eat a heavy meal just before the tour. The combination of paddling, floating, and saltwater can upset your stomach if you start too full. Bring water, though the company also provides it.

Listen closely during the safety talk, even if you have kayaked before. Double kayaks work best when both people paddle together, and the guide can show you how to avoid tiring yourself out. If you feel anxious about snorkeling, say so early. The staff can explain the breathing technique and help you approach the water at your own pace.

Should you book the Los Cristianos kayak tour?

Book it if you want a good-value three-hour sea adventure with kayaking, snorkeling, and a real chance of seeing dolphins or turtles. The small group, office facilities, multilingual guides, and hands-on help make it friendlier for beginners than a large boat excursion.

Skip it if you want guaranteed wildlife, dislike getting wet, or have trouble with swimming, sea motion, or climbing out of the water. For everyone else, $37 buys a well-rounded slice of Tenerife’s coast, with enough activity to feel earned and enough quiet time to enjoy the Atlantic.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. The office is beside a real estate office, with the Ricoche café directly opposite.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts three hours. The schedule includes a safety briefing, two kayaking sections, marine life viewing, and a snorkeling stop.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

What equipment is included?

You receive a double RTM kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling mask and breathing tube, and water. Wetsuits are available as an option.

Do I need previous kayaking experience?

No specific kayaking experience is listed as a requirement. The guide gives a safety briefing and explains what you need to know before launching.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 11 must share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. A child with enough size, ability, and kayaking experience may need to join as an adult participant.

Are dolphins and turtles guaranteed?

No. The route is an area where bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Guides take photos and videos during the experience, and you can purchase them afterward for a small additional fee.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, water, biodegradable sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear. A change of clothes and a towel are also practical choices for the return to the office.

Who should not take this activity?

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, people over 100 kilograms, people prone to seasickness or motion sickness, people with low fitness, or people over 95 years old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.