Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

The best part of this Abades outing is the chance to see Atlantic sea life from a calm, guided starting point, with colorful fish close to shore and the occasional turtle, ray, or octopus. I like the small groups of up to six and the fact that your guide adjusts the pace for children, nervous swimmers, and first-timers.

I also like that underwater photos and videos are included, not sold as an extra afterward. The main caution is simple: turtles are possible, not promised. Six turtles are said to visit the beach area, but this is open ocean, and non-swimmers will not make the longer swim to the turtle area.

Key points at a glance

• A gentle introduction to snorkeling: Professional guides provide equipment, wetsuits, and patient help before you enter the water.
• Marine life near Playa Abades: Expect colorful fish and volcanic underwater rock, with possible rays, octopuses, squid, barracudas, and turtles.
• Good for nervous swimmers: The guides work with children and people who are afraid of the sea, and can bring extra flotation support.
• Free underwater memories: Photos and videos are included, a useful touch for families and first-time snorkelers.
• Small-group attention: The normal limit is six people, though groups may occasionally be combined.
• Easy beach meeting point: Meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly opposite the beach, with plenty of parking nearby.

What the Abades snorkeling tour is really like

This is a two-hour introduction to the sea rather than a long expedition. You meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly across from Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the ocean. The location is easy to find, and there is plenty of parking, but there is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there.

The experience is run by Meerjungfrau Apnoe Akademie ES. Guides speak German, Spanish, and English. Natalie and Andre are two of the guides associated with the experience, and the strongest thread running through the feedback is their calm, personal teaching style. That matters here. A mask that leaks or a first breath through a snorkel can make a beginner tense, and a patient guide can make the difference between enjoying the water and climbing straight back onto the beach.

You begin by meeting the guide, discussing your swimming ability, and choosing equipment. The package includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and a neoprene wetsuit in either a long or short style. The guides explain how everything works before you enter the water, then check that the equipment fits.

The wetsuit is practical in the Atlantic. Even in warm Tenerife weather, two hours in the sea can feel chilly, especially if you are standing still while looking at fish. You can also expect the guide to explain how to clear a mask, breathe through the snorkel, and move without kicking up sand or startling the animals.

Why the small group matters at Playa Abades

The standard group size is limited to six people. That is a major advantage over a crowded beach activity where the guide has to keep turning around to count heads. Here, the guide can watch how each person is coping and adjust the route or pace.

This is especially useful for families. Children aged six and nine have completed the outing successfully, and a seven-year-old joined with a parent and saw plenty of fish even in poor weather. The minimum age is five, so younger children cannot take part.

The group may occasionally be combined with another booking, despite the usual small-group format. That is worth knowing if personal attention is your main reason for booking. Even then, the provider’s stated limit and normal approach point toward a fairly intimate outing.

I would tell the guide about your swimming ability when you book, not only on arrival. The team has more than 20 years of experience working with children and people who feel nervous in the sea. Extra aids may be available for weak swimmers, and several participants who could not swim at all felt secure with direct help.

That does not mean every non-swimmer can go everywhere. You can see fish and nearby sea life with support, but the turtle area requires a longer swim. The practical rule is clear: join for the safe introduction and fish even if you cannot swim, but do not book solely on the hope of seeing a turtle.

Fish, volcanic rock, and the first underwater stop

The water off Playa Abades offers a mix of fish and volcanic rock formations. The rock gives small animals places to hide and creates something more interesting to inspect than a flat sandy bottom. You may find octopuses tucked beneath stones, so look carefully rather than simply swimming forward.

The fish are the most reliable part of the outing. You can expect schools of colorful fish close to the reef area, with visibility and sea conditions affecting how much you see. Some people have also seen squid and barracudas, but those are less predictable sightings.

The guides know the local spots and can point out movement that you might miss on your own. A beginner may swim past an octopus without noticing it, while a guide who knows the bottom can slow the group and show you where to look.

The tour may use different snorkeling spots along the coast. This keeps the experience from feeling like a single swim out and back, and it lets the guide choose areas that suit the group’s ability and the conditions. The exact route depends on the day, so you should not expect a fixed list of stops.

The turtle search, with realistic expectations

Turtles are the headline sighting, but they are not guaranteed. The provider says six sea turtles currently live around the beach, yet this remains open ocean. Animals move, weather changes, and a turtle may simply not appear during your two hours.

That honest distinction is important. Some outings have included close encounters with a turtle, including one that surfaced to breathe and another that stayed near the group for about ten minutes. Others have produced rays and plenty of fish but no turtle at all. You should treat a turtle as a lucky bonus, not as the product itself.

The turtle area also requires more swimming. Non-swimmers can enjoy fish and other sea life, but should not expect to reach this farther spot. If you are out of shape or nervous, tell the guide early so the group can work within your limits.

The guides may spend roughly 20 to 40 minutes around the turtle-feeding area when conditions allow, but that time does not create a guarantee. The best approach is to enjoy the rock, fish, rays, and smaller creatures first. That way, the outing still feels worthwhile if the turtles stay out of sight.

Rays, octopuses, and other possible sightings

A ray can be one of the most memorable animals here. Its broad shape moving over the bottom is easy to spot once the guide draws your attention to it. Several outings have included rays, but, like turtles, they are wild animals and cannot be scheduled.

Octopuses are a different kind of sighting. They hide under stones and blend into the bottom, so they reward patience. Your guide may ask you to scan the rocks or point out one that you would have missed.

Squid and barracudas have also appeared in the area. These sightings are not guaranteed, and the description should not be read as a wildlife checklist. The dependable experience is a guided look at fish and underwater rock, with a real chance of seeing something less common.

That is one reason I prefer this kind of local snorkeling to a purely equipment-based beach rental. You are not just handed fins and sent into the water. Someone is watching the conditions, reading the bottom, and helping you notice what is there.

Free photos and videos are a real benefit

The tour includes underwater photos and videos at no extra cost. For a first-time snorkeler, this is more useful than it may sound. You can concentrate on breathing and watching the fish instead of trying to operate a camera while swimming.

The images also help families share the experience with people who stayed on shore. The quality has been described as good, and the photos and videos are shared after the outing. Exact delivery timing and format are not specified, so ask the guide if you need the files quickly.

There is a small trade-off. If the guide is filming, that is one more task during the swim, and image quality will depend on visibility, light, and how close the animals come. Still, included underwater media adds value to a $35 experience, especially when a turtle, ray, or octopus appears.

Is $35 a fair price?

At $35 per person, the price is strong for a two-hour guided activity. You are getting the guide, snorkeling equipment, wetsuit, and photos and videos. You do not need to rent gear separately or pay another photographer after the swim.

The value is best for beginners and families. If you already own good equipment and are comfortable exploring alone, you may prefer a free beach swim. But that option does not provide local guidance, safety support, or the same chance of finding animals hidden around the rocks.

The price also reflects the small group rather than a mass outing. A six-person limit gives the guide more time to help with masks, fins, and nerves. For a family with mixed abilities, that personal support can be worth more than the equipment itself.

There are a few costs and inconveniences to plan for. Hotel pickup is not included. You also need to bring your own swimwear, towel, sun hat, and beachwear. One participant noted that there is no changing room or toilet supplied with the activity, though a nearby café was helpful. Do not arrive expecting a full beach-club setup.

You will leave personal belongings in the provider’s car, according to the instructions. Bring only what you need and avoid carrying valuables. This is practical, but you should be comfortable with the arrangement.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time snorkelers, families with children aged five and above, and people who feel uneasy in open water. The guides are used to helping nervous participants, and the outing can be adjusted to different abilities.

It also suits a mixed group where one person is confident and another needs close support. The stronger swimmer can enjoy looking for fish and turtles while the guide helps the less confident person stay comfortable.

Pregnant women can take part, according to the activity information. Still, you should consider your own medical advice and comfort before entering the sea. The tour is not suitable for people with a cold, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is guaranteed turtle viewing. The chance is real, but the animal may not appear, and the farther swim is not suitable for non-swimmers. Book this as a marine-life and snorkeling experience first, turtle search second.

Practical tips for a smoother morning or afternoon

Tell the guide your actual swimming ability. Do not worry about sounding inexperienced. The team can bring extra support and choose a pace that lets you enjoy the water.

Wear swimwear beneath your wetsuit and bring a towel, sun hat, and dry beachwear. If you wear glasses, you cannot place them under the snorkeling mask. Ask about your options before entering the water.

Arrive at the white benches in front of Restaurant Magilu, facing the ocean. There is plenty of parking, but no hotel transfer, so allow time to reach Abades on your own.

Keep your expectations flexible. The fish are the dependable reward, while turtles, rays, squid, barracudas, and octopuses depend on the day. Even poor weather has not prevented people from enjoying the outing, but sea conditions can affect what you see.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book the Abades snorkeling tour?

Yes, if you want a friendly, closely guided introduction to Tenerife’s Atlantic sea life. The strongest reasons are the patient instruction, small groups, equipment and wetsuit included, and free underwater photos and videos. Those details make the $35 price especially fair for beginners and families.

Book with realistic expectations about wildlife. A turtle might swim beside you, as it has for some participants, but it might not appear. If you can accept that uncertainty and tell the guide about any fears or limits, this is an easy, personal way to get into the sea at Playa Abades.

FAQ

How long is the Abades snorkeling tour?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your preferred date.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly in front of Playa Abades. The meeting area is by the white benches facing the ocean.

Are snorkeling equipment and wetsuits included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and a neoprene wetsuit, available in a long or short style.

Can a non-swimmer join?

Non-swimmers can join and see fish and nearby sea life with guidance and support. The longer swim to the turtle area is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. Six sea turtles are currently said to live around the beach, but this is open ocean and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Underwater photos and videos are included at no extra charge.