Tenerife: Snorkel with Turtles

Swimming beside a sea turtle in open water is the main reason to book this Tenerife outing. You leave Marina del Sur by speedboat, reach the protected Malpais de Rasca area, and spend about an hour snorkeling with an instructor who keeps the group close and reminds you to give the animals room.

I like the small-group format, which makes the water session feel more personal than a crowded boat trip. I also like that the price includes the boat, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, insurance, instruction, and photos. The main caution is simple: turtles are wild animals, and poor visibility or cold water can make the experience much less rewarding.

Key points at a glance

• Turtle sightings are likely but never guaranteed: You are visiting animals in their natural environment, not an aquarium.
• The boat ride takes 25 minutes each way: The route passes through the protected Malpais de Rasca area.
• You get about one hour in the water: An instructor gives safety guidance and points out marine life.
• The group stays small and respectful: The goal is to watch the turtles without chasing or touching them.
• The price covers the basics: Equipment, insurance, instruction, boat transport, and photos are included.
• Swimming ability is essential: The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or children under eight.

Meeting the turtles off Las Galletas

This is a short sea outing with one clear goal: to see turtles in the water around southern Tenerife. You meet at Marina del Sur in Las Galletas Harbour, at dock 5, then board the speedboat for the trip toward the snorkeling site.

The setting matters. Malpais de Rasca is a natural protected area, and you see its volcanic coastline from the sea as you travel. The boat ride is not just a transfer from the marina to the swimming spot. It gives you a different view of Tenerife, with the coast unfolding at water level rather than from a road or lookout.

The ride takes about 25 minutes each way. That leaves roughly an hour for snorkeling during the two-hour activity. If you are hoping for a long boat cruise as well as a full-length snorkeling session, this may feel brief. If you want a focused half-day plan that leaves room for lunch or another activity, the timing works well.

What happens before you enter the water

Ocean Friends Buceo and Freediving supplies the equipment and handles the safety briefing. You receive a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins, plus guidance from an experienced instructor who speaks Spanish and English.

The provider contacts you by WhatsApp or email the day before to ask for your equipment sizes. This small step is useful because the fit of a wetsuit and mask can shape the whole experience. Reply promptly and arrive 20 minutes before departure so the fitting and boarding do not feel rushed.

You need to bring swimwear and a towel. You must be able to swim, but previous snorkeling experience is not required. That makes the activity suitable for a first-time snorkeler who feels comfortable in open water, not just for people with formal snorkeling skills.

The instructor explains how to use the equipment and how to behave around the turtles. Expect a safety-first approach, with attention to staying together and watching the animals without crowding them. The experience is described as personalized, and the small groups help the guide keep an eye on everyone.

One hour above the seafloor

At the snorkeling site, you spend about an hour in the water. The attraction is not only the chance to see turtles. The area can also contain other marine life, including rays, fish, and whatever appears on the day.

Some outings have produced clear water, calm conditions, several turtles, and rays moving along the bottom. Those are the conditions that make this activity memorable. You might find yourself floating quietly while a turtle moves past at its own pace, which is very different from seeing one behind glass.

The instructor helps you notice animals you might miss on your own. A guide can point toward a ray on the seafloor or direct your attention to a turtle before it moves away. The aim is not to chase the animals for a closer photograph. It is to let you see them while keeping a respectful distance.

The open-water setting also means nature makes the final call. A turtle sighting has a high probability, but it cannot be promised. Visibility may vary, too. One poor outing had water so cloudy that the seafloor was hard to see, and the cold became a major issue. That is a useful warning for anyone booking mainly for underwater photography.

Why the protected setting matters

Malpais de Rasca gives the boat trip a stronger sense of place. You are not simply heading out to a generic swimming platform. The route passes a protected section of Tenerife’s coast, and you can view its volcanic scenery from the water.

The protection status does not guarantee perfect snorkeling conditions or a turtle encounter. It does help explain the emphasis on careful behavior. The instructor asks you to avoid disturbing the animals, and the activity is designed around observation rather than touching, feeding, or pursuing them.

That approach is worth paying attention to. A good wildlife outing should leave the animals in charge of the encounter. If a turtle swims away, the correct response is to let it go, even if that means your photograph is not perfect.

Equipment, warmth, and comfort

The $81 price includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins, so you do not need to rent the basic kit separately. The equipment has been described as being in good condition, and the provider asks for your sizes ahead of time.

Still, do not assume that a standard wetsuit will feel warm for everyone. Water temperature and personal comfort vary, and one very poor experience centered on feeling cold for much of the activity. You may be allowed to wear your own wetsuit, as one early-morning group did, but you should confirm details with the provider rather than count on it.

Bring a towel and wear practical swimwear. You may also want to think carefully about your own underwater camera policy. The supplied information confirms that photos are included, but one customer received pictures taken on the boat rather than underwater images. If underwater photos matter to you, ask what will be photographed before departure and bring a personal camera only if it is permitted and safe to use.

The value of $81 per person

At $81, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours by the sea. The value comes from having several separate costs bundled together: speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, an instructor, insurance, and photos.

You are also paying for access to a guided wildlife experience in a protected coastal area. A self-guided swim would cost less if you already owned the equipment and knew the area, but it would not provide the same level of direction or group supervision.

The price makes the most sense if you want a simple package and do not own snorkeling gear. It is also a reasonable choice if you are new to snorkeling and prefer an instructor to explain the equipment and keep the session organized.

The value drops if your main goal is guaranteed turtle photography. No wildlife operator can promise that the animals will appear, and visibility can change. Think of the price as payment for the boat trip, instruction, equipment, and a strong chance of a wildlife encounter, not as a guaranteed private turtle show.

Photos, personal space, and group size

Free photos are included, which is a pleasant extra after an activity where you may not want to handle a camera. They give you something to remember the day without adding a separate photography charge.

Set your expectations carefully. The photo details are not fully consistent. The experience includes photos, but at least one outing produced only boat photographs rather than underwater pictures. Ask whether the package includes underwater shots on your departure date.

The small-group setup is one of the strongest features. It gives the instructor a better chance to watch individual swimmers, explain what you are seeing, and help everyone get a look at the animals. It also supports the low-impact approach, since fewer people in the water should make it easier to avoid crowding the turtles.

There is no information giving an exact maximum group size, so do not assume that every departure is private. You can ask the provider for the group size when you confirm your booking.

Who will enjoy this most

You should consider this tour if you:

• Can swim comfortably and want a guided introduction to snorkeling
• Like wildlife encounters that take place in the animals’ own environment
• Prefer a small, focused activity rather than a full-day boat excursion
• Want equipment, insurance, and instruction included
• Are comfortable accepting that nature can be unpredictable
• Enjoy watching marine life without touching or chasing it

Families should note the minimum age of eight. Children must still be able to swim, and an adult should judge whether they are comfortable in open water. This is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Experienced snorkelers may appreciate the access to a protected area and the chance to see turtles and rays, but they should not expect a technical session or a long independent exploration. The instructor-led format keeps the emphasis on safety, wildlife awareness, and staying with the group.

Languages, timing, and useful preparation

The activity is offered in Spanish and English. You should receive equipment-size instructions a day beforehand by WhatsApp or email, so keep an eye on both channels after booking.

Arrive at dock 5, Marina del Sur, 20 minutes before the start time. The exact departure time varies, so check availability for your chosen date. The full outing lasts two hours, including the outward and return speedboat trips.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

The best preparation is modest: bring swimwear and a towel, answer the sizing request, and arrive early. If you are sensitive to cold, raise the question of wetsuit thickness and conditions before you go. If underwater photography is important, ask specifically about the included photos.

Should you book this turtle snorkeling tour?

I would book it if you want a compact, guided wildlife outing and you are happy with a high chance of turtles rather than a promise. The turtles, rays, protected coastline, and small-group format give the activity real appeal, and the included equipment keeps the planning simple.

I would think twice if you dislike cold water, need guaranteed visibility, or expect a long boat cruise and professional underwater photography. The two-hour schedule is efficient, but it leaves little room for poor sea conditions.

For a confident swimmer who wants to see Tenerife from the water and watch marine life responsibly, this is a worthwhile choice. Go in with realistic expectations, and the day can deliver a memorable encounter without turning the animals into a staged attraction.

FAQ

Where does the turtle snorkeling tour begin?

It begins at Marina del Sur in Las Galletas Harbour, at dock 5.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts two hours. The speedboat ride takes about 25 minutes each way, leaving about one hour for snorkeling.

How long is the boat ride to the snorkeling area?

The outward speedboat trip takes about 25 minutes, and the return trip takes another 25 minutes.

What equipment is included?

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

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No. Previous snorkeling experience is helpful but not required. You must be able to swim.

Are turtle sightings guaranteed?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is the activity suitable for children?

Children under eight cannot take part. Everyone must be able to swim.

Are photos included?

Yes, photos are included. The available information does not guarantee underwater photographs, so ask the provider what type of photos will be supplied for your departure.