Reviewed · TENERIFE SNORKELING TOURS

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area

4.9 · 53 reviews 2 hours From $41 Operated by Meerjungfrau Apnoe Akademie ES · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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The best part of this underwater scooter tour is simple: you hold on, let the motor do much of the work, and cruise through the sea while looking for turtles, rays, octopus, and bright fish. It is less tiring than ordinary snorkeling, yet still gives you time to swim down and look closely.

I like the tiny three-person group, which means Natalie and Andres can give you plenty of attention. I also like that photos and videos are included, with the finished memories sent directly or by WhatsApp. The main thing to consider is stamina: you remain in the water for at least an hour, mostly in water between 2 and 15 meters deep.

Key points to know before booking

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Key points to know before booking

  • About 40 minutes on the scooter: The main scooter session includes practice, underwater photos, and a guided search for marine life.
  • Turtles are possible, not promised: Abades is a good area for turtles, but sightings depend on nature and conditions.
  • Small group, maximum three people: Natalie and Andres can keep the instruction personal and help you feel comfortable.
  • Suitable from age six: Children can join, while non-swimmers need to be comfortable in water and able to hold on for a long time.
  • Protected Abades Beach setting: The tour begins at a natural park where colorful fish, rays, octopus, and cuttlefish may appear.
  • Photos and video are included: You do not need to bring an underwater camera to have a record of the outing.

Getting started at protected Abades Beach

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Getting started at protected Abades Beach

You meet in front of Restaurant Magilu at Abades Beach. The beach is part of a protected natural park, so the setting is more about clear water and sea life than a busy resort activity zone.

The opening talk matters. Before entering the water, the guides explain how the tour works and show you how to use the scooter. You then put on a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. The equipment is included, so your packing list is short: bring beachwear and a towel.

Natalie and Andres are the named guides for the experience. The available instruction languages are English, German, and Spanish. That choice is useful for families and mixed-language groups, especially when the equipment and water-safety instructions need to be clear.

The group limit is three people. For a water activity, that is a real advantage. You are not trying to keep up with a large crowd, and the guides can watch how each person handles the scooter. It also makes the photo and video part more personal.

Learning to handle the scooter

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Learning to handle the scooter

The first few minutes are for getting used to the underwater scooter. You hold on while the motor pulls you through the water. The point is not speed. It is to make movement easier, so you can spend more attention looking around instead of working hard with your legs.

The scooters are also useful for people who are not especially fit. One participant described being able to hold on and let the scooter pull them through the water, which made the activity feel manageable. That does not mean the tour is effortless, but it does reduce the constant kicking required during normal snorkeling.

You can use the scooter to move along the surface and to go lower in the water if you are comfortable. The stated depth range is 2 to 15 meters, and the tour takes place in open water rather than a shallow enclosed pool. This is important for anyone who feels uneasy away from the beach.

The guides take photos and videos while you get comfortable. That gives you a chance to focus on the activity instead of trying to operate a camera. It also creates the more unusual images associated with this tour: you riding an underwater scooter in a wetsuit, surrounded by sea.

Forty minutes of scooter time

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Forty minutes of scooter time

The scooter portion lasts about 40 minutes. That is long enough to get past the first novelty and properly explore the area, but it is not an all-day water outing. The full activity lasts two hours, with time for the briefing, equipment, entry, scooter practice, marine-life search, and return to shore.

The schedule is not just a straight scooter ride. After you learn the controls and get your first photos, the guides continue looking for wildlife. This gives the outing two different moods. First, you are enjoying the machine. Then, you are slowing down and scanning the water for animals.

You might see schools of colorful fish, rays, octopus, and cuttlefish. The area is especially associated with sea turtles, and there is a good chance of seeing one. Still, no responsible wildlife tour can guarantee a turtle sighting. One outing may bring a small turtle and an octopus, while another may offer plenty of fish but no turtle at all.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. You should book this for the scooter and the overall sea experience, with turtles as a welcome bonus. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter, this is not the right type of activity.

Looking for turtles, rays, and smaller sea life

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Looking for turtles, rays, and smaller sea life

The turtle search gives the second half of the tour a clear purpose. You are not simply wandering around underwater. The guides point out places and animals as the group moves through the area, adding information about what you are seeing.

Turtles get most of the attention, but they are not the only reason to go. Rays can be graceful and easy to miss unless someone helps you notice them. Octopus and cuttlefish are less predictable, and their appearance depends on where they are and how well you are looking.

The fish may be the most dependable part of the wildlife experience. Several outings have included large numbers of colorful fish. Even without a turtle, clear water and plenty of fish can make the ride worthwhile.

You must not touch marine life. That rule protects the animals and keeps the encounter respectful. The best approach is to stay calm, keep your hands to yourself, and let the guides manage the search.

Same island, a completely different kind of day:

What the water time is really like

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - What the water time is really like

The activity description says the tour in the water lasts at least 60 minutes. The scooter portion is about 40 minutes, so the total water time includes the remaining snorkeling and wildlife search. This is not a quick 20-minute beach demonstration.

For swimmers, that length should feel reasonable if you are comfortable with a wetsuit, mask, fins, and open water. For non-swimmers, the requirement is stricter. You do not need to be a confident swimmer, but you must not be afraid of water and must have enough condition to hold on for about an hour.

That distinction is worth taking seriously. The scooter helps with movement, but it does not remove the need to remain calm and follow instructions. A non-swimmer with poor stamina or a fear of open water should skip this one.

You should also avoid the activity if you have a cold. The mask and snorkel can be uncomfortable when your breathing is restricted, and the tour cannot be adjusted into a dry-land experience.

Photos and video without carrying a camera

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Photos and video without carrying a camera

Photos and videos are included in the $41 price. That is useful because underwater photography can be awkward, especially when you are learning to control a scooter at the same time.

The guides take images of you during the activity, including the scooter practice and the underwater portion. At the end, you receive the photos and videos directly or through WhatsApp. Ask about the exact delivery method when you meet, particularly if your phone connection or storage is limited.

I consider this a meaningful part of the value. You are paying for the equipment, guide, wildlife search, scooter time, and visual record. If you already own a good underwater camera, the included media may matter less. For most people, though, having someone else handle the camera lets you enjoy the water.

Do not expect every image to be perfect. Underwater photography depends on visibility, movement, light, and how close the animals are. The best reason to welcome the photos is that they preserve the experience, not because they guarantee professional shots.

Is $41 a fair price?

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a two-hour activity with a licensed guide, full snorkeling equipment, an underwater scooter, and photos and video. You are not paying only for access to a machine. The price also covers instruction, a small group, equipment, and the guided search for sea life.

The small group improves the value. With no more than three participants, the outing should feel more personal than a standard boat or beach activity with a large crowd. It is also a practical choice for first-time scooter users who may need extra help.

The price is less attractive if you are booking only to see a turtle. Turtles are not guaranteed, and some outings may produce more fish than larger animals. I would judge the cost by asking yourself one question: would you be happy riding the scooter and seeing fish even if no turtle appears?

If the answer is yes, $41 is a sensible spend. If the answer is no, you are taking too much risk for a wildlife sighting that nature controls.

Families, couples, and first-time snorkelers

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Families, couples, and first-time snorkelers

The tour is open to children from age six. That makes it a useful family activity, but parents should think about the full water time rather than just the scooter itself. A young child needs to be comfortable wearing a mask and snorkel and staying in the water for at least an hour.

Couples and friends should enjoy the small-group format. You can share the unusual experience of riding scooters underwater, then compare what you saw. The included photos also solve the usual problem of having no one on shore to record the activity.

First-time snorkelers may find the scooter reassuring because it offers support while they get used to the mask and open water. Still, the machine is not a substitute for comfort in the sea. If you panic in deep water, the scooter will not fix that.

The tour also suits people who want to explore but do not have strong swimming fitness. One participant specifically found the scooter helpful because it provided something to hold on to. That is a good clue about the activity’s appeal: it adds assistance without turning the outing into a passive ride.

Booking details that matter

Scooter fun snorcel tour in turtle area - Booking details that matter

The tour lasts two hours, and starting times depend on availability. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Canary Islands plans are still shifting.

Bring beachwear and a towel. All core snorkeling equipment is supplied, including the wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and scooter.

The meeting point is in front of Restaurant Magilu at Abades Beach. Check the meeting instructions carefully before setting out, since arriving at the beach is not the same as finding the precise meeting spot.

The activity is provided by Meerjungfrau Apnoe Akademie ES. Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish. The guides are licensed, and the small group is limited to three participants.

Should you book the Abades scooter snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a playful way to explore the sea, appreciate having a motor assist, and are happy to treat turtles as a possibility rather than a promise. The best reasons to go are the easy scooter handling, personal instruction from Natalie and Andres, small group, and included photos and video.

Think twice if you dislike open water, have weak stamina, have a cold, or want a guaranteed turtle encounter. You will spend at least an hour in the water, including time in depths from 2 to 15 meters.

For $41, this is a strong choice for families with children six and older, couples, friends, and curious beginners who want more than ordinary snorkeling. Go for the scooter and the sea life. If a turtle appears, you have received the perfect extra.

FAQ

Where does the underwater scooter tour meet?

The meeting point is in front of Restaurant Magilu at Abades Beach in the Canary Islands.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts two hours. The underwater scooter portion lasts about 40 minutes, while the total time in the water is at least 60 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $41 per person.

Is seeing turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a good chance of seeing turtles in the area, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What sea life might I see?

You might see turtles, rays, colorful fish, octopus, and cuttlefish.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and underwater scooter. Photos and videos are also included.

What languages do the guides speak?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish.

Can children join the activity?

Children can join from age six. Children under six cannot participate.

Can non-swimmers take part?

Non-swimmers can join if they are not afraid of water and have enough condition to hold on for about an hour. The activity is not recommended for non-swimmers with poor stamina.

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