REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife: Snorkeling Trip in a Turtle Habitat
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by DIVE CENTRE TRAVEL SUB · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Tenerife’s ocean is a front-row seat. This turtle-habitat snorkeling trip mixes a breezy speedboat along the coast with calm, coached time in the water, and the guides (including Fabi and Ale) are the kind who make you feel safe fast. The view from the boat is also a big deal, not just a warm-up.
I love that the experience is built for real beginners: you get full snorkeling gear (including a wetsuit), plus clear safety direction before anyone hits the water. And if you’re not up for snorkeling, you can still join for the speedboat views and the marine-life spotting. The only hiccup: turtle sightings are not guaranteed, and if you wear glasses, you’ll need contacts (or to remove your glasses) because you can’t use the mask with glasses.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- A 2-hour Tenerife snorkeling safari that actually feels doable
- Where the trip starts: PADI 5 Travel Sub center and Puerto Colón
- Stop 1 and Stop 2: the safety briefing that makes beginners comfortable
- Stop 3 and Stop 5: two quick speedboat rides with real coast views
- Stop 4: 50 minutes snorkeling in a turtle habitat
- What the guide actually does once you’re in the water
- Marine-life rules: how not to ruin your own sightings
- Equipment and comfort: what’s included, what’s not
- Weather and expectations: what happens if you don’t see everything you hoped for
- Price and value: why $41 can work for families
- Who this is best for (and who may feel annoyed)
- Small but helpful extras that make the day smoother
- Tips to maximize your turtle chances (without getting stressed)
- Should you book this Tenerife turtle snorkeling trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the Tenerife turtle habitat snorkeling trip?
- Where do I meet the tour?
- What happens during the 2-hour schedule?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I bring with me?
- Are turtle sightings guaranteed?
- Can I use the snorkeling mask if I wear glasses?
- What languages are available for the live guide?
Key things to know before you go
- Turtle time isn’t promised: you’re snorkeling in a turtle area, but nature decides.
- Guides keep it stress-free: expect patient coaching, especially if you’re nervous.
- Gear is included: wetsuit, fins, mask, and tube are part of the price.
- Boat views are half the fun: short speedboat hops bookend your snorkeling.
- Small-group support: you’ll be watched closely while you learn.
- No touching the animals: you’ll be taught to keep a respectful distance.
A 2-hour Tenerife snorkeling safari that actually feels doable
This isn’t the kind of excursion where you wonder if you’re in over your head. It’s short, structured, and designed to get you into the water quickly without rushing you. You spend about 50 minutes snorkeling, but you’ll feel like you “earned” that time because there’s a long-ish safety briefing first. That’s great for families and anyone who gets anxious around open water.
The best part for me is the balance. You’re not only chasing turtles. You’re also learning how to look for marine life in motion, with a guide who helps you notice things you’d otherwise miss.
And yes, you’ll likely hear guide names like Fabi, Ale, Max, Alina, Jasmine, Julia, and Naty—because different instructors often get called out for being funny, patient, and very on top of safety.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Where the trip starts: PADI 5 Travel Sub center and Puerto Colón
You meet at the Travel Sub center reception in a building called ESCUELA NAUTICA, right in front of pier 5, in the private parking area of Puerto Colón. The main practical tip: go inside first and check in at reception. This is one of those tours where being five minutes late can shake up the whole group schedule, since the safety briefing happens before you ever board.
Once you’re checked in, it’s a straightforward flow from base to boat. You won’t need to hunt around for meeting points outside or guess which staff member is yours—your start is designed to be obvious.
Stop 1 and Stop 2: the safety briefing that makes beginners comfortable
Before the boat ride, you get a safety briefing that runs about 30 minutes. This matters more than people expect. You’re not just being told general rules; you’re being guided on how to snorkel with the equipment you’ll use (mask, tube, fins), plus how to stay calm and move as a group.
If you’ve seen snorkeling tours where people thrash around, you can thank the “teach first” approach here. This one feels organized. Even if someone in your group is nervous, the instruction is built to bring everyone along instead of leaving the scared folks to figure it out alone.
Stop 3 and Stop 5: two quick speedboat rides with real coast views
You get a 15-minute speedboat ride out, then another 15-minute ride back. Don’t treat those as filler. The boat is where you get the big-picture Tenerife feeling: coastline views from the Atlantic, open-water air, and a break from the equipment fitting and waiting.
One reviewer detail that’s worth keeping in mind: the captain may pause to watch dolphins if they appear. So you could get more than the “get there, get back” experience. Even if you’re mainly focused on snorkeling, these boat segments help the trip feel like a mini adventure instead of a swim session with paperwork.
Stop 4: 50 minutes snorkeling in a turtle habitat
The snorkeling itself is about 50 minutes in the water at the turtle area. The goal isn’t to have you perform. It’s to have you float, breathe, and look. Your guide will help you where to look and how to move so you don’t waste time fighting the basics.
What you can realistically expect to see:
- Colorful reef fish
- Rays and other marine life that can show up depending on conditions
- Turtles sometimes, including smaller ones reported by past guests
- Dolphins sometimes, often on the boat segments, but sightings can happen around the route
Turtles are the headline, but the honest reality is that you’re snorkeling with wildlife in a natural habitat. That’s why the tour’s own info is clear: turtle sightings can’t be guaranteed. Still, the advantage here is that you’re in the right area, with a guide helping you maximize your odds.
What the guide actually does once you’re in the water
Your guide isn’t there to point vaguely at the sea. They’re there to help you look properly.
Here’s what that usually means in practice:
- They help you get comfortable with the mask and tube setup.
- They manage the pace so new snorkelers don’t get swamped by everyone else’s speed.
- They guide where to swim and when to pause, so you can watch animals rather than chasing them.
I also like that the experience includes strong beginner support. Many people feel shaky at first with snorkel gear. When instruction is clear and instructors stay close, the whole vibe improves fast. It’s also why nervous adults can still have a good time, even if they don’t become confident swimmers instantly.
Marine-life rules: how not to ruin your own sightings
This tour makes one thing very clear: don’t touch marine life and don’t touch animals. It’s not just an ethics thing. It affects what you see.
When people poke at animals or grab for photos, it spooks wildlife and stirs up the water. That makes it harder for the group to spot what’s already there. So follow the rule and let the animals come to your line of sight.
A simple approach helps:
- Keep your movements slow
- Watch first, then adjust
- Move as your guide instructs, not as instinct tells you
It sounds basic, but calm snorkelers almost always have more fun.
Equipment and comfort: what’s included, what’s not
Included snorkeling gear:
- Wetsuit
- Fins
- Mask
- Tube
Life jacket:
- Available on request.
What’s not included:
- Towels
- Swimming costumes (wet suits are provided)
Glasses / prescription viewing:
- You can’t use the snorkeling mask with glasses.
- You’ll need contact lenses or you’ll need to remove your glasses for the experience.
If you’re the type who hates fiddling with gear, this is still a good fit. You’ll be fitted and supported, and you won’t need to bring your own snorkeling kit. Just show up with the right basics.
Weather and expectations: what happens if you don’t see everything you hoped for
The tour is built around a turtle habitat, but it’s still the ocean. Conditions can change plans, and even on perfect days you might not spot every star animal on your wish list.
That said, the structure helps. Even if turtles don’t show up during your 50 minutes, you’re still in a guided habitat with marine life to watch. And you may also get dolphins on the boat route or other wildlife sightings depending on what’s around.
This is the kind of tour where you’ll enjoy it more if you go in with two goals:
1) Enjoy the water time and guidance.
2) Treat turtle sightings as a bonus, not a guarantee.
Price and value: why $41 can work for families
At $41 per person, this trip is priced as a value option for a guided boat-and-snorkel experience. You get a lot inside that number:
- Boat trip to the site
- Snorkeling guide
- Snorkeling equipment (wetsuit, fins, mask, tube)
- Life jacket on request
- Full insurance
- Baby sitter option if needed
- Water
What’s extra:
- Photo and video footage (if you choose to buy)
- Towels and swimming costumes
- Prescription snorkeling goggles (not provided)
From what I see in the feedback, one of the biggest reasons people feel it’s worth it is the combination of support + gear + guidance*. You’re not paying extra for someone to hold your hand, and you’re not arriving to deal with missing equipment. Plus, guides often take and share photos and videos afterward, so you get something tangible beyond memories.
Who this is best for (and who may feel annoyed)
This is a strong match if you:
- Want a beginner-friendly snorkeling experience
- Travel with kids and want an organized outing
- Appreciate safety instruction before getting wet
- Want boat views even if you’re on the fence about snorkeling
You can also join even if you don’t snorkel, as the tour is suitable for people who want the ocean and coastal views.
It may be less ideal if:
- You need a snorkeling mask with glasses (since the mask with glasses isn’t possible)
- You’re expecting guaranteed turtle sightings (the tour is clear about that not being guaranteed)
- Your group has very advanced snorkelers who want a fast, independent experience (this is managed and beginner-focused)
Age notes: it’s not suitable for babies under 1 year, and minors need adult supervision on the boat.
Small but helpful extras that make the day smoother
A few practical things that can upgrade your experience:
- Staff photos and videos are often mentioned as a plus, with some guests receiving them quickly.
- The team keeps the group feeling supported, even when a few people are nervous about masks and breathing.
- Some groups even mention small end-of-trip refreshments like muffins.
Those details don’t sound huge on paper, but in real life they help the outing feel cared for.
Tips to maximize your turtle chances (without getting stressed)
You can’t control whether turtles show up. But you can control how effectively you look:
- Listen to your guide’s instructions right away during the safety briefing.
- Don’t rush. Slow movement helps you stay quiet and notice movement around you.
- Give turtles time. Many sightings are brief, so don’t swim off the moment you pause.
- If you wear glasses, plan your solution before you arrive so there’s no last-minute scramble.
And remember: the tour’s strongest promise isn’t turtles on demand. It’s a well-run snorkeling experience in the right habitat, with people who know how to help you see what’s there.
Should you book this Tenerife turtle snorkeling trip?
Book it if you want a guided, beginner-friendly snorkeling outing that mixes boat views with real time in the water. The included gear, the safety-first briefing, and the way instructors stay close make it a solid family choice. And even when turtles aren’t spotted, you still get a guided look at Canary Islands marine life plus a fun speedboat ride.
Skip it (or adjust expectations) if turtle sightings being uncertain would stress you out. Nature runs the show here. But if you can enjoy wildlife watching as the main event, this is an easy, good-value way to spend a couple of memorable hours off the south coast of Tenerife.
FAQ
How long is the Tenerife turtle habitat snorkeling trip?
The total duration is about 2 hours.
Where do I meet the tour?
Meet at the reception of Travel Sub Dive Center Tenerife, inside the building ESUELA NAUTICA in front of pier 5, in the private parking area of Puerto Colón.
What happens during the 2-hour schedule?
You’ll get a safety briefing, take a short speedboat ride, snorkel for about 50 minutes, then take another short speedboat ride back to the center.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes the boat trip to the site, a snorkeling guide, snorkeling equipment (wetsuit, fins, mask, tube), life jacket on request, full insurance, baby sitter if needed, and water.
What should I bring with me?
Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.
Are turtle sightings guaranteed?
No. Turtle sightings cannot be 100% guaranteed.
Can I use the snorkeling mask if I wear glasses?
No. It isn’t possible to use the snorkeling mask with glasses. You’ll need contact lenses or you’ll need to remove your glasses for the experience.
What languages are available for the live guide?
The live tour guide is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, and Russian.
