Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

Tenerife’s best snorkeling here begins with a brisk speedboat ride from Puerto Colón rather than a long trip by road. In about 15 minutes, you reach a quieter bay where you can look for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish in clear, warm water.

I like the small maximum group of nine, which gives the guide room to help nervous swimmers and beginners. I also like that wetsuits, masks, fins, and lifejackets are supplied, so you do not need to pack a full kit. The main caution is that sea conditions affect visibility, and one account found the equipment worn and the first briefing too limited.

Key points

• 15-minute boat ride: Reach a secluded bay quickly, while enjoying views of Tenerife’s southern coast.
• About 50 minutes in the water: The main snorkeling session gives you enough time to settle in and search for sea life.
• Wildlife possibilities: Turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, fish, and occasionally dolphins may appear.
• Small group size: No more than nine participants makes personal help easier, especially for first-time snorkelers.
• Gear included: Wetsuits, masks, fins, and lifejackets when needed are provided at the center.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately.

Starting at Puerto Colón with the right expectations

This is a short coastal outing, not an all-day marine expedition. You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife, in Puerto Colón, and the total experience lasts about two hours from start to finish.

The meeting point takes a little care to find. Go to the diving center in front of dock 3, next to Café Black Pearl. The entrance is on the back side of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria. If you arrive at the marina and see only the café fronts, you are probably on the wrong side of the building.

The price is about $53 per person. For that, you get speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, instruction, and roughly an hour around the water, including the return ride. I consider that fair value if you want a simple sea outing without hiring or carrying your own gear. It is less compelling if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, since the boat ride, fitting, and safety talk take a significant part of the two-hour schedule.

A 30-minute briefing before the boat leaves

The first stage is fitting out at the center. You receive a wetsuit, fins, and mask, followed by basic instructions on how to snorkel. A lifejacket is available if you are not a strong swimmer or simply feel more comfortable with extra support.

The published timing allows about 30 minutes for the safety briefing and preparation. That may sound long for a short trip, but it matters. A mask that leaks, fins that pinch, or a wetsuit that is difficult to pull on can make the water session unpleasant. Use this time to ask for a different size and make sure you understand how the guide will keep the group together.

The staff can provide instruction in English, Spanish, French, or Italian. That is useful in a mixed group, particularly when explaining breathing through the snorkel, clearing a mask, and staying calm in open water.

One important point: the experience suits beginners, but you should be comfortable entering the sea. The guide can provide a lifejacket for weak swimmers, yet this is still an ocean activity rather than a pool lesson. If you are anxious, say so at the start. A small group gives the staff a better chance to keep an eye on you.

The 15-minute ride along Tenerife’s southern coast

Once the group is ready, the speedboat heads out from Puerto Colón. The trip to the bay takes about 15 minutes, then another 15 minutes brings you back after the water session.

That ride is part of the appeal. You get a quick look at Tenerife from the sea, and the boat reaches a spot that is not easy to access on foot. On some outings, dolphins have been seen along the route, with the boat stopping briefly for photographs. Treat this as a lucky extra, not a promised part of the trip.

A speedboat also changes the feel of the outing. You are not slowly touring the shoreline. You are moving quickly, with open water and coastal views on the way out, then reaching the snorkeling area without spending most of your morning in transit.

Bring swimwear and a towel. The supplied wetsuit helps with comfort in the water, but you will still want a towel for the boat ride back and the walk through the marina afterward.

About 50 minutes snorkeling in a secluded bay

The main activity takes place in a secluded bay roughly 15 minutes from shore. The water is described as clear and warm, and the planned session lasts around 50 minutes, although the broader timing is sometimes described as one hour.

You will stay near the surface and search below you as you move along with the group. That makes this suitable for people who want to see marine life without taking a formal underwater course. Look carefully around rocky areas and below the boat, since cuttlefish, octopuses, stingrays, and small fish can be easy to miss when the water is moving.

Turtles are one of the main hopes for this trip, but no wildlife sighting is guaranteed. The same applies to dolphins. Nature decides what appears, and wind, waves, and water clarity can change the experience from one departure to the next.

The bay’s location is a real benefit. You are not simply stepping into the water beside a crowded beach. The boat gives you access to a place that is harder to reach from land, which helps explain why the trip can be worthwhile even if the marine life is modest on the day.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. One account described the snorkeling site as less impressive than other snorkeling areas around Tenerife. That is a useful warning if you have already visited the island’s best-known marine sites or are choosing this specifically for exceptional underwater scenery. Its strength is convenience, a small group, and access by boat, not a guarantee of dramatic wildlife.

What the small group changes

With a maximum of nine participants, this should feel more personal than a large party boat. The guide can explain things at the surface, point out animals, and spend more time helping anyone who is new to snorkeling.

That smaller setting was particularly useful for a first-time young snorkeler on one outing. The Italian guide took time to explain the basics and offered reassurance instead of rushing the lesson. You should appreciate that if you are bringing a child, a cautious swimmer, or someone who has never used a mask and snorkel.

The group can include snorkelers and people taking another water activity from the same center. One outing had four snorkelers and four scuba participants on the boat, leaving plenty of space. Keep in mind that some comments about staff and instruction relate to the scuba option rather than this exact snorkeling route, so do not treat every detail as a direct description of your session.

Equipment and instruction: the practical weak spot

The use of wetsuits, fins, masks, and lifejackets at no extra charge is a strong part of the price. You can arrive with little more than swimwear and a towel, which is convenient for a holiday in Tenerife.

Equipment quality can vary. One person found the gear worn and disliked a snorkel strap that kept the tube in an awkward position behind the head. That sort of problem is small on paper but annoying in the water. Check your mask seal before leaving the marina, test the snorkel, and ask for replacement gear if anything feels loose or uncomfortable.

The same account found the initial explanation too brief, although the guide in the water was friendly and helpful. This suggests that you should not wait for every instruction to be offered automatically. Ask how deep the bay is, where you should stay, what signal means return, and what to do if your mask fills with water.

Other outings had warm, patient staff who gave calm step-by-step help. The picture is not perfectly uniform, but the small group and multilingual instruction work in your favor.

Conditions can change the plan

Sea conditions matter more than the printed schedule. Wind and waves can reduce visibility, making snorkeling less rewarding. If conditions are poor, the center may suggest a different activity instead.

A change of plan is not automatically a problem, but you should be clear about what you have booked. One group arrived for snorkeling and was offered scuba when the water conditions made visibility poor. The staff explained the alternative and guided the group through it carefully. That became a very positive experience for those participants, but it was a different activity from the one described here.

If you only want to snorkel, tell the staff clearly. If you are open to alternatives, ask about the time, price, instruction, and safety arrangements before agreeing. Conditions can also affect the quality of the boat ride and the length of time you feel comfortable in the water.

How the $53 price holds up

At $53, this is a mid-range short excursion rather than a budget beach activity. You are paying for the boat, fuel, equipment, staff, and access to a bay that is not easy to reach from land.

I think the value is strongest for visitors staying around Costa Adeje or Puerto Colón who want a tidy two-hour outing. You do not need to arrange transport to a distant beach, buy a mask and fins, or spend the day on a large boat. The small group also adds value for beginners.

The value drops if you want several hours in the water or a guaranteed turtle sighting. The ride and preparation are enjoyable, but they leave less than an hour for snorkeling. You may prefer a longer boat trip if your priority is wildlife rather than a quick taste of the coast.

Photos and videos are not included, though they may be available to buy afterward. Bring your own phone only if you can keep it safe and dry. Do not let the wish for a picture distract you from watching the water and following the guide.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Colón outing

I would choose this for:

• First-time snorkelers who want instruction and equipment supplied
• Families with older children who can follow water-safety directions
• Couples looking for a short sea activity between beach and sightseeing days
• Visitors who prefer a small group instead of a crowded boat
• Anyone staying near Puerto Colón who wants minimal transport time
• Swimmers interested in searching for turtles and other wildlife without a lengthy course

I would think twice if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking the island’s most remarkable underwater scenery. The location is convenient and pleasantly secluded, but the site may feel ordinary compared with Tenerife’s stronger snorkeling areas.

The outing also may not suit you if you dislike speedboat travel, are uncomfortable in open water, or need a fully predictable wildlife experience. A lifejacket is available for weak swimmers, but the staff cannot control waves, visibility, or which animals appear.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule depends on weather.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date. The activity is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to Puerto Colón.

The center is called Zero Gravity Tenerife, though the activity information also identifies the provider as Zero Gravity Tenerife and the starting point as Scuba Point: Diving Tenerife. Use the dock 3 and Café Black Pearl landmarks, then walk behind the commercial center to find the entrance.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a short, well-contained snorkeling outing with a quick boat ride, supplied gear, and a small group. It is especially useful for beginners and families who value patient help more than a long time in the water.

Skip it if your main aim is exceptional underwater scenery or several hours of snorkeling. The bay is convenient and can produce memorable sightings, including turtles and perhaps dolphins on the ride, but wildlife and visibility are never fixed. For $53, I see it as a good introduction to Tenerife’s coast, with enough practical support to make the first snorkeling experience comfortable, provided you check your equipment and keep your expectations realistic.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón snorkeling tour last?

The activity lasts two hours in total. This includes preparation and the safety briefing, a 15-minute speedboat ride to the bay, about 50 minutes of snorkeling, and a 15-minute return ride.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón. It is in front of dock 3, next to Café Black Pearl. The diving center entrance is behind the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, fins, and speedboat transport. A lifejacket is available if required, including for weak swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can beginners join the snorkeling tour?

Yes. You receive a briefing on how to snorkel, and the small group allows the guide to provide personal help. A lifejacket is available for weak swimmers.

Which languages are spoken?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

What marine animals might I see?

You may see turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish. Dolphins have also been seen during the boat ride, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the group large?

No. The group is limited to nine participants.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.