Tenerife: Snorkel with Turtles

Sea turtles are the main event here, and you have a good chance of seeing them in their own home waters rather than in an aquarium. The experience combines a 25-minute speedboat ride along Tenerife’s protected Malpais de Rasca area with about an hour in the water, where rays and other marine life may also appear.

I like the small-group format, which makes it easier for the instructor to watch everyone and remind you to give the turtles space. I also like that the price includes the boat, wetsuit, mask, fins, insurance, and photos, so you are not building the final cost from a pile of extras.

The catch is simple: these are wild animals, and sightings are not guaranteed. Water conditions can also change the day completely. One poor experience involved cold water, limited visibility, and a boat ride that felt much shorter than expected, so you should book this for the chance to see turtles, not as a promise of perfect underwater views.

Key points to know before booking

• Turtle snorkeling in open water: You swim with animals in their natural setting, so sightings are likely but never certain.
• Malpais de Rasca by speedboat: The trip includes about 25 minutes each way through a protected coastal area.
• One hour in the water: The actual snorkeling time is the heart of the tour, with possible sightings of rays and other sea life.
• Small groups and careful guidance: An experienced freediving instructor gives safety instructions and helps the group avoid disturbing the turtles.
• Equipment and photos included: A wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, insurance, boat trip, and photos are part of the $81 price.
• Swimming ability required: Children under eight and non-swimmers cannot take part.

Why the turtles make this Tenerife tour special

Tenerife offers plenty of ways to spend time at sea, but swimming near a turtle has a different feel from a standard sightseeing cruise. You are not simply looking over the rail. You are in the water, moving quietly while the animal carries on at its own pace.

That quiet behavior matters. The instructor explains how to stay respectful and avoid chasing or crowding the turtles. I see this as one of the strongest parts of the experience. It is not only about getting close enough for a photograph. It teaches you how to watch wild marine life without turning the encounter into a pursuit.

The tour also looks for more than turtles. Rays have been seen gliding across the seabed, and other fish and marine creatures may appear depending on conditions. The possibility of seeing a ray gives the hour in the water some variety, though you should keep your expectations sensible. Nature does not follow a checklist.

The advertised rating of 4.2 from 71 ratings reflects that balance. Many people have had a superb time, praising the professional staff, good equipment, calm water, and close turtle sightings. Yet one very poor outing shows why sea conditions and water temperature are important parts of the decision.

Starting at Marina del Sur in Las Galletas

You meet at Marina del Sur, at Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5. Plan to arrive 20 minutes before departure. That early arrival is not wasted time, since the crew needs to get you ready and confirm your equipment.

The provider, Ocean Friends Buceo and Freediving, contacts you the day before by WhatsApp or email to ask for your sizes. Reply promptly and accurately. A correctly fitted wetsuit is not a minor detail here. You may spend an hour in the water, and the ride back can feel chilly if you are wet and underdressed.

Bring swimwear and a towel. The activity includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins, but you should still tell the provider if you prefer to use your own equipment. One early-morning outing allowed participants to wear their own wetsuits after sharing their sizes in advance.

Spanish and English instruction is available. The operator keeps the group small and uses an instructor who can give the needed safety briefing before you enter the water. Previous snorkeling experience helps, but it is not required. You do need to be able to swim.

The 25-minute ride through Malpais de Rasca

The first part of the outing is a speedboat ride toward the snorkeling area. The listed timing is about 25 minutes each way, giving you roughly 50 minutes on the boat in addition to the hour in the water.

This ride is more than simple transport. From the sea, you can see the volcanic coast around the protected Malpais de Rasca area from a useful angle. The shoreline and rock formations are part of the experience, and the boat offers a quick change from marina life to open coastal water.

The exact feel of the ride depends on the sea. On a calm day, it can be a pleasant, scenic run. If the water is rough, you may find the boat ride less comfortable, especially if you are already nervous about snorkeling. A speedboat also does not guarantee a long or dramatic coastal cruise. One disappointing trip was described as spending only a few minutes outside the port, which shows that the actual route can be affected by conditions or the day’s operation.

I would treat the ride as a bonus rather than the reason to book. The turtle encounter is the main purpose. If you mainly want a coastal boat tour, choose an outing built around sightseeing instead.

One hour among turtles and marine life

At the snorkeling site, you have about an hour in the water. The instructor gives you the basic instructions needed to feel safe and comfortable, then helps direct your attention toward the animals and the best parts of the site.

The experience is suitable for a first-time snorkeler who can swim and is comfortable in open water. You do not need formal snorkeling training, but you should be able to float, kick with fins, and follow directions without constant hands-on help.

The group’s behavior affects what you see. Move slowly, keep your distance, and avoid trying to touch or follow the turtles. The instructor’s job is partly to point out marine life and partly to keep the group from putting pressure on the animals. That makes the outing more pleasant for everyone and more responsible for the wildlife.

You may see several turtles, rays, fish, and other creatures. Some outings have had clear, calm water and a great deal of marine life. Other conditions can produce poor visibility. One snorkeler reported that the seabed was hard to see beyond about a meter, making it impossible to spot fish. That is a serious consideration if underwater visibility is your top priority.

How the instructor shapes the experience

The instructor is not simply there to lead the way. This is an activity with an experienced freediving instructor, and the guide gives safety advice, explains what you are seeing, and keeps an eye on the group.

The best feedback about the experience focuses on three things: the staff create confidence, the instructions are clear, and the animals are treated with respect. The instructor has also been praised for pointing out marine life and making sure each person had a chance to see what was nearby.

I especially value the small-group setup. A large group can turn a turtle sighting into a crowd of fins, splashing, and cameras. With fewer people, you have a better chance of hearing the guide, keeping your position, and enjoying a calmer encounter.

Still, no instructor can control the sea, the temperature, or the turtles. A professional crew can choose a sensible location and protect the group, but it cannot guarantee clear water or animal sightings. That is the honest limit of any wildlife snorkeling trip.

Equipment, cold water, and comfort

The $81 cost includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, boat transport, insurance, an instructor, and photos. For a two-hour activity, that is a fair package if the sea conditions cooperate and you value the guided wildlife encounter.

The wetsuit deserves special attention. The water may feel cold, and one very unhappy participant felt the equipment was not suitable for the length of the activity or the water temperature. Even if you are comfortable swimming in warmer seas, an hour of snorkeling can leave you chilled.

Give the provider accurate size information when they contact you. A poor-fitting wetsuit can let in water and make it harder to relax. If you tend to feel cold, ask the operator about the suit and conditions before the activity, although the supplied information does not state the exact wetsuit thickness or water temperature.

The supplied mask, snorkel, and fins are described as being in good condition by several people who had strong outings. You can also ask in advance about using personal gear. The important point is to arrive ready to swim, not to expect a full scuba setup or a heated boat.

What the photos include

Photos are included, which is a nice touch at this price. You can enjoy the water without spending the whole hour trying to hold a camera steady.

Do not assume that the included pictures will be underwater images. One outing produced photos taken on the boat but not underwater, and that person had brought a personal GoPro. If getting a clear turtle photograph is essential to you, ask the provider what kind of images are normally supplied and bring your own waterproof camera only if you can use it without disturbing the animals.

The photo service should be treated as a souvenir, not the main product. The best memory may be the quiet moment of watching a turtle swim past, with no screen between you and the water.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing to a confident swimmer who wants a short, guided wildlife experience rather than a full-day boat trip. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged eight or older who are comfortable in the sea.

It is also a good match for someone with limited snorkeling experience. You receive instructions, equipment, and supervision, and the group is kept small. You do not need to arrive as an expert.

I would be more cautious if you are a weak swimmer, dislike cold water, or need guaranteed visibility. Non-swimmers cannot participate, and the operator does not promise turtle sightings. If you are bringing children, make sure they can swim confidently and will follow instructions in open water.

The tour may also disappoint photographers who need calm water and clear visibility every time. Wildlife is unpredictable, and the underwater view can change quickly.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, the value depends on what you want from the two hours. You receive a boat trip, an instructor, insurance, all basic snorkeling equipment, about an hour in the water, and photos. You do not need to hire gear separately or arrange your own transport by boat.

Compared with a simple beach snorkel, this costs more. You are paying for the boat access to the Malpais de Rasca area, the guide’s supervision, and the chance to see turtles in open water.

Compared with a longer cruise, the tour gives you less time on the sea and no promise of a full coastal sightseeing program. I would call it good value for a focused wildlife encounter, but not a bargain if your main goal is a long boat ride or guaranteed underwater photography.

The flexible booking terms improve the value. You can reserve now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That is useful when you are planning around weather and sea conditions, though you should still check the exact starting time when booking.

A practical plan for the day

Wear your swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. Arrive at dock 5 at least 20 minutes early, with enough time to find Marina del Sur and get fitted.

Keep the morning or afternoon around the tour fairly light. The activity itself lasts two hours, but the water can be tiring, especially if it is cool or conditions are choppy. The supplied schedule is simple:

• About 25 minutes by speedboat from Marina del Sur
• About one hour snorkeling and sailing in Tenerife
• About 25 minutes back to Marina del Sur

The operator checks equipment sizes by WhatsApp or email the day before. Watch for that message and respond. If you have your own wetsuit or camera, ask about using it before you arrive.

Most important, go with the right expectation. You are buying a chance to meet wild turtles, not a guaranteed animal show. If the water is clear and calm, the outing can be memorable. If visibility is poor, the experience may feel much less valuable, even when the crew handles it well.

Should you book the Tenerife turtle snorkeling tour?

I would book it if swimming with turtles is high on your Tenerife wish list and you are comfortable accepting some uncertainty. The strongest parts are the personal guidance, small groups, respectful approach, and the possibility of seeing rays along with turtles.

I would skip it if you are a non-swimmer, very sensitive to cold water, or unwilling to accept a changeable sea day. I would also ask about current conditions and the photo setup if underwater pictures matter to you.

For the right person, $81 is a reasonable price for a compact, well-supported wildlife outing from Las Galletas. Bring a towel, arrive early, answer the equipment message, and let the turtles set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

The meeting point is Marina del Sur, at Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts two hours. The schedule includes about 25 minutes by speedboat to the snorkeling area, about one hour snorkeling and sailing, and about 25 minutes returning to Marina del Sur.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $81 per person.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a high probability of seeing turtles, but they are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

Previous experience is helpful but not mandatory. You must be able to swim to participate.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, the boat trip, insurance, an experienced instructor, and photos.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. The provider contacts you the day before to ask for your equipment sizes.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in Spanish and English.

Can children join the activity?

Children under eight cannot participate. Non-swimmers are also not permitted to take part.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later. Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.