Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

At Playa Abades, the real prize is not simply putting on a mask and swimming out. It is having a patient instructor beside you while you explore volcanic rock, fish, rays, octopuses, and possibly one of the beach’s six sea turtles. Natalie and Andre have more than 20 years of experience working with children, nervous adults, and weak swimmers.

I like the small groups, limited to six people, and the fact that photos and videos are included rather than sold as an extra. I also like the practical care: proper wetsuits, good equipment, explanations before entering the water, and close support for anyone who feels uneasy.

The one important caution is the turtle promise. Turtles live near the beach, but this is open ocean, not an aquarium. You may see one, or you may see rays and plenty of fish instead. One recent account noted that the turtle area receives only a short visit, so the chance is real but not high.

Key points at a glance

• Six-person groups: The limited size allows the guide to adjust the pace and stay close to nervous swimmers and children.
• Photos and videos included: You receive underwater images afterward, a useful touch at a $35 price.
• A good choice for beginners: Instructors can use flotation aids and offer hands-on support, but non-swimmers will stay in the fish area and should not expect to reach the turtles.
• Wildlife is varied: Look for colorful fish, rays, octopuses, squid, barracudas, coral, and volcanic rock formations.
• Meet at Restaurant Magilu: The restaurant sits directly in front of Playa Abades, with white benches by the ocean.
• Two hours in the water: The timing includes equipment, preparation, instruction, and the guided snorkeling session.

What the two hours at Playa Abades are really like

You meet the guide in front of Restaurant Magilu, directly across from the beach. Look for the white benches facing the sea. This is a simple meeting point, and there is plenty of parking nearby, but there is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to Abades.

The first stage is getting comfortable with the equipment. You are provided with a mask, snorkel, fins, and a neoprene wetsuit, either long or short. The wetsuit matters even in Tenerife: it keeps you warmer and gives you a little extra comfort in the water.

Your instructor explains how to use the mask and snorkel, how to move without wasting energy, and what you may see below. This short briefing is especially useful if you have never snorkeled before. It also gives you a chance to say clearly if you are nervous, cannot swim, or need extra help.

The group then enters the sea from Playa Abades. The route can change with the conditions and the abilities of the people in your group. That flexibility is one of the stronger parts of this activity. A confident swimmer may cover more ground, while a child or nervous beginner can remain in shallower water with support.

The underwater setting includes coral, volcanic rock, and areas where fish gather. You might see schools of colorful fish close to the rocks, along with rays resting or moving across the seabed. Octopuses are harder to spot because they hide beneath stones, so the guide’s local knowledge helps you know where to look.

At other times, the area has produced sightings of squid and barracudas. These are wild animals, so there is no fixed checklist. The pleasure comes from searching slowly and noticing small movement in the rocks rather than racing from one sight to the next.

The turtle question, with realistic expectations

There are six sea turtles living around this beach at present, but that does not mean you will see one. They move through open water, and the tour cannot control their timing, position, or behavior.

If you are a strong swimmer, the guide may take you farther toward the turtle feeding area. The time spent there can be limited to roughly 20 to 40 minutes, and even then a turtle may not appear. One account described seeing a turtle for about 10 minutes, while another group saw none but enjoyed a ray and many fish.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the tour. It is simply the nature of wildlife watching. The important thing is to book this as a guided snorkeling trip with a chance of seeing turtles, not as a guaranteed turtle encounter.

Non-swimmers should be especially clear about this point. You can still see fish and other sea life with flotation support, and several people with little or no swimming ability have felt secure with the instructors. But you should not expect to swim the longer distance needed to reach the turtle area.

Why beginners and nervous swimmers are well served

The instructors’ background in freediving and instruction is useful here, but the experience is not aimed only at confident swimmers. The guides regularly work with children and people who are afraid of the sea. They can bring extra aids and may hold a nervous swimmer’s hand while moving through the water.

This does not remove the need for honesty. Tell the guide your ability before the session begins. The information specifically notes that non-swimmers can join, but the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. A cold is also listed as a reason not to take part.

The practical advantage of a six-person group is that you are less likely to feel lost in the water. The instructor can watch the group more closely and adjust the route. Families with children have found that the pace can work well for youngsters around six and nine, while children under five cannot join.

Pregnant women can take part, according to the activity information. If this applies to you, the same sensible rule remains: discuss your comfort and swimming ability with the instructor before entering the water.

A close look at the marine life

The fish are the most dependable attraction. You can expect to see many small, colorful species around the rocks, even if conditions do not cooperate for turtles. That makes the trip worthwhile for families, because children can enjoy constant movement underwater without needing a rare sighting.

Rays are another realistic possibility. Several outings have produced ray sightings, and they can be easier to spot than an octopus because they move across open sections of the seabed. Barracudas and squid have also appeared, though you should treat those as fortunate additions rather than expected stops.

Octopuses require patience. They hide beneath stones and blend into their surroundings, so a hurried swim can miss them entirely. Watch the guide’s hand signals and follow the direction of attention. The best moments may come from seeing an animal reveal itself slowly rather than from covering a long stretch of coast.

The underwater rock formations also give the trip a sense of place. This is the Atlantic around Tenerife, not a tropical resort pool. The volcanic formations and local marine life make the setting distinctly Canarian, even when the water is not perfectly calm or the weather is less than ideal.

Photos and videos add real value

Underwater photography is included in the $35 price, along with video clips. That is a strong practical benefit because taking your own phone into the sea often means dealing with a case, poor visibility, and the risk of losing it.

The images also preserve the parts of the experience you cannot easily describe later, such as a turtle surfacing, a ray passing below, or a bright fish close to the rocks. Several groups received photos they were happy to share with family and friends.

Keep your expectations sensible. The material is a bonus from a guided snorkeling session, not a private professional photo shoot. The main value remains the instruction, equipment, and access to the underwater area. Still, free photos and videos make the price feel especially fair.

Is $35 a good price?

At $35 per person, this is good value if you want a short, supported introduction to snorkeling. The price includes the two-hour activity, guide, equipment, long or short wetsuit, photos, and videos. You do not need to rent gear separately or arrange an additional photo package.

The small-group format strengthens the value. A cheaper, much larger outing might give you less personal help, which matters if you are anxious or traveling with children. Here, the instructor can pay attention to individual comfort and adjust the pace.

There are a few costs and inconveniences to remember. You arrange your own transport to Abades, and hotel pickup is not included. You should also bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, and a sun hat. There is no dedicated changing room or toilet with the tour, although a nearby cafe has helped some people.

The policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife plans may change, but they do not solve the wildlife uncertainty. You are paying for guided access and support, not a guaranteed turtle sighting.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Keep your kit simple. Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Beachwear
• A sun hat

The operator says you will leave personal items in their car. That is convenient, but you should still avoid bringing valuables you do not need. The meeting point is close to the beach, so there is no reason to arrive with a large day bag.

If you wear glasses, note that ordinary glasses cannot be worn under the snorkeling mask. You may need to manage without them in the water. This is worth thinking about before booking, especially if you rely heavily on glasses to see clearly.

No special swimming equipment is required. The tour provides the mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit. If you are a weak swimmer, tell the instructor in advance so suitable flotation support can be prepared.

Who should book this Playa Abades tour?

I would point families toward this activity, especially those with children aged five and above who are curious about the sea but may need a calm introduction. The guides are used to children, and the small group lets them keep the session manageable.

It also suits adults who have never snorkeled or who feel uneasy in open water. The strongest part of the experience is the steady support, not speed or athletic challenge. You can focus on breathing, floating, and looking below instead of trying to keep up with a large group.

Confident swimmers may enjoy it as well, particularly if they want local help finding rays, octopuses, or turtles. The route can include different snorkeling spots along the coast, with depths suited to watching marine life.

I would not book it if your entire plan depends on seeing a turtle. I would also reconsider if you need wheelchair access, have a cold, or cannot manage the beach and water entry. The activity is family-friendly, but it is still an ocean outing and requires some physical movement.

Language, group size, and guide support

Instruction is available in German, Spanish, and English. That matters because clear safety guidance is more important than fancy commentary when you are learning to use a mask and snorkel.

The guides named in the information include Natalie and Andre, and their approach is practical and personal. You can expect clear explanations, equipment help, checks during the session, and advice suited to the group’s ability. Some outings have been led by other instructors, so the exact guide may vary.

The normal group limit is six people. The operator notes that groups are usually kept very small, although groups may occasionally be combined. If a private-feeling session is important to you, ask about the group size when you book.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a reasonably priced, well-supported look at Tenerife’s underwater world, with equipment and photos included. It is particularly useful for families, first-time snorkelers, and nervous swimmers who want patient help rather than a large boat excursion.

Book it with the right expectation: fish and rock formations are the dependable reward, while turtles, rays, squid, barracudas, and octopuses are possible sightings. If you can accept that wild animals set the schedule, the combination of small groups, caring instruction, and free underwater images makes this a strong choice at $35.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Restaurant Magilu, directly in front of Playa Abades. Look for the white benches facing the ocean.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts two hours, including preparation, equipment, instruction, and time snorkeling in the sea.

Are turtles guaranteed?

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

Can non-swimmers join?

Non-swimmers can see fish and other sea life with assistance, but they cannot expect to swim the longer distance to the turtle area. Tell the instructor about your ability before the session.

What equipment is included?

The price includes snorkeling equipment, a neoprene wetsuit, a guide, photos, and videos.

Are photos and videos free?

Yes. Underwater photos and videos are included in the activity price.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five cannot join. The activity can suit older children, and the instructors have experience working with children and nervous participants.