Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to watch wild dolphins and turtles from a quiet kayak, rather than from a noisy motorboat. You paddle out from Los Cristianos, pause at Cueva de los Enamorados, then stop in a sheltered bay for snorkeling among fish and other sea life.

I like the $35 price, which includes the kayak, wetsuit, snorkel gear, guide, insurance, and pictures. I also like the comfortable seats and back support, plus the calm, encouraging guides such as Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, and David. The catch is simple: marine animals are wild, so the advertised 90 percent chance is not a promise, and you must be a confident swimmer.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphins and turtles are possible, not guaranteed: Pods of up to 30 dolphins may appear, and green turtles are often seen, but nature keeps its own schedule.
• The snorkeling stop is reached by kayak: You swim in a secluded bay accessible only from the water, with fish, turtles, or bull rays possible below.
• The tour lasts three hours: Expect a 15-minute safety briefing, a short walk to Playa de Los Cristianos, roughly two hours and 15 minutes on the water, and the return walk.
• Wetsuits and photos are included: Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, water, and flip-flops.
• You must be at least 14 and able to swim: Minors from 14 to 17 must come with a parent. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, non-swimmers, or anyone over 100 kilograms.
• The guides are a major part of the experience: Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, Daniel, Dani, and Carol are repeatedly praised for calm instruction, safety, humor, and good English.

Kayaking from Los Cristianos in search of dolphins

This is a marine-life trip first and a kayaking lesson second. You set out from Playa de Los Cristianos in a kayak that is quiet, low to the water, and less intrusive than a powered boat. That gives you a good angle for spotting fins, backs, and splashes without filling the sea with engine noise.

The waters around Tenerife are home to five dolphin species. Bottlenose dolphins are the easiest to recognize, while rough-toothed, striped, and common dolphins may also appear. A pod can number as many as 30 animals, and dolphins may leap or swim near the kayaks when conditions are right.

You may also meet green turtles, with loggerhead turtles possible at times. A turtle can surface near the group or glide below the kayak. That is the kind of sighting that makes this trip special, but you should book it as a sea outing with wildlife possibilities, not as a guaranteed animal show.

The company describes its approach as eco-certified and designed not to frighten or disturb the animals. That matters here. A kayak lets you watch quietly, and the guide can help the group keep a respectful distance. You should never expect to touch, chase, feed, or corner the wildlife.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

You begin at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building. Look for the office on the ground floor, to the left when you face the sea. This is also where the activity ends, and changing rooms and lockers are available.

The first formal part is a 15-minute safety briefing. Your guide explains how to handle the kayak, paddle as a pair if you are sharing, and respond on the water. This is where guides such as Barbara, Carlos, and David earn their keep. Several guests with no previous kayaking experience found the instructions clear and reassuring.

After the briefing, you walk for about five minutes to Playa de Los Cristianos. It is not a long transfer, but wear something easy to walk in and use flip-flops or similar footwear. Once you reach the beach, you get into the kayaks and begin the main outing.

The kayaking and wildlife-watching section around Playa de Los Cristianos takes about an hour on the way out. This is when you scan the water for dolphins and turtles, while also enjoying views toward the Tenerife coast and mountains. The pace is guided rather than competitive, so you do not need to be an experienced paddler.

The route then reaches Cueva de los Enamorados, where you spend about 15 minutes kayaking, watching marine life, and taking in the coastal scenery. The name gives the stop a little romance, but the real attraction is the setting and the chance to pause in a different part of the route.

You return toward Playa de Los Cristianos for another hour of kayaking and wildlife watching. The snorkeling stop is part of this water time, in a bay reached by boat rather than by road. The exact order can vary with conditions and the guide’s judgment, but you should expect a mixture of paddling, looking for animals, and time in the water.

Snorkeling in a bay reached only by water

The swim stop is a useful change of pace. After paddling, you can put on the included short wetsuit and snorkeling equipment, then look below the surface for fish and other sea life. The water is described as crystal clear, which helps you see more without needing to swim far.

Green turtles or loggerhead turtles may pass through, and bull rays can sometimes be seen gliding along the seabed. Fish are the more realistic expectation. Several outings have produced plenty of fish even when turtles did not appear, so the snorkeling still has value on a quiet wildlife day.

You need to be able to swim before booking. This is not a trip where you can simply remain in the kayak during the water portion if the guide considers swimming necessary. The supplier can decide that conditions are unsafe and stop the activity, so listen carefully to the briefing and follow the guide’s instructions.

The wetsuits are short rather than full-length. They add some warmth and protection, but you still need to bring your own swimsuit. You also need a towel for afterward. Do not count on water being supplied, so bring a bottle.

The guides make a real difference

The strongest part of this experience is often the human one. Carlos is repeatedly singled out for being calm, friendly, funny, and a good teacher. That combination is useful when a group includes first-time kayakers, because clear instructions matter more than a flashy speech.

Barbara is praised for her cheerful manner, helpfulness, and ability to make beginners feel welcome. Gonza is noted for strong English, ocean experience, and an easy way with people. David is valued for calm explanations, good photography, and choosing strong snorkeling spots.

Daniel, Dani, and Carol have also led groups with detailed but light-hearted instructions. You may not get to choose your guide, but the range of positive comments about different staff members suggests that the company has a consistent approach: explain the basics, keep an eye on the group, and make the outing enjoyable without treating wildlife as a performance.

That last point is worth keeping in mind. A guide can improve your chances by knowing where dolphins and turtles are often seen, but no guide can control the sea. One outing may produce a mother and baby dolphin, several jumping dolphins, and a turtle close to the kayak. Another may bring fish and good views but no turtles. Both are normal results for a wildlife trip.

Kayak comfort, physical effort, and practical limits

The kayaks have comfortable seats and back support, which is good news for a three-hour activity. Still, you will be paddling for a substantial part of the outing. One person described the activity as physically tiring, even while finding it very enjoyable.

You should expect repeated paddle strokes, time on the water, and a swim stop. The guide can teach you the technique, but the trip is not a passive boat ride. If your back is troublesome, this activity is specifically not recommended. Pregnant people and anyone with a pre-existing medical condition should also choose another way to see Tenerife’s coast.

The weight limit is 100 kilograms per person, or about 220 pounds. This limit is given for kayak stability, and the supplier may not allow participation above it. Treat that as a firm booking condition, not a rough suggestion.

The minimum age is 14. Anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent. Children under 14 cannot take part, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What is included for $35

At $35 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to get onto the water near Los Cristianos. The price covers:

• Kayak use
• Snorkeling equipment
• Short wetsuit
• Guide
• Accident insurance
• Pictures

The inclusion of pictures is handy because carrying a phone on a kayak is risky. You can bring a phone in a waterproof case, but you are responsible for it if it is lost. The guide’s photos let you focus on paddling and watching the sea instead of worrying about getting the perfect shot.

The price does not include water, swimwear, or towels. Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, a towel, water, swimwear, and flip-flops. Changing rooms and lockers are available at the meeting point, which makes the before-and-after routine easier.

For the cost, you are not just paying for equipment. You are getting a guided coastal route, a wildlife search, a snorkeling stop, safety support, and a chance to learn how to handle a kayak. If you see turtles and dolphins, the value is excellent. If the animals stay out of sight, the kayaking, scenery, and snorkeling need to be enough for you to feel the price was worthwhile.

How to set your wildlife expectations

The stated chance of seeing dolphins or turtles is about 90 percent, but that figure should not be treated as a guarantee for your particular departure. Wild animals move, weather changes, and visibility is never identical from one trip to the next.

You might see dolphins from the kayaks and turtles below the surface. You might see only one of those. You might see neither, but still find fish in the snorkeling bay and enjoy a peaceful paddle beneath Tenerife’s mountains.

I would avoid booking this if your entire holiday depends on a turtle encounter. I would book it if you want a reasonably priced, low-impact way to spend three hours at sea and would be pleased by wildlife sightings without demanding them.

The viewing style also matters. You are not promised a close encounter in the sense of touching an animal. The appeal is seeing wild creatures behave naturally, sometimes surprisingly close to your kayak, while the group remains unobtrusive.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife outing most

This trip suits confident swimmers, first-time kayakers, couples, older teenagers with a parent, and anyone who prefers a small-scale outdoor activity to a large boat excursion. You do not need prior kayaking experience, and several guides are especially good at helping beginners find their rhythm.

It is also a good choice if you want photographs without handing your phone to the sea. The included pictures are a practical extra, especially during the paddling and snorkeling sections.

You may want to skip it if you dislike physical activity, cannot swim, have back problems, are pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, or weigh more than 100 kilograms. The three-hour duration is not extreme, but the paddling can leave you tired.

The multilingual instruction is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French. That gives you a better chance of understanding the safety talk and wildlife guidance in a language you are comfortable using.

Booking, cancellation, and the small details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting.

Check the available start times before you book, since the activity runs for three hours and the time of day may affect how it fits with your other plans. Arrive knowing the exact meeting point: search for Xplore Tenerife on Google Maps, then look for the Cristianmar building and the office on the ground floor to the left when facing the sea.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Bring water even though it is not included, and apply sunscreen before you reach the beach. A hat is useful during the paddle, while a towel becomes essential after snorkeling.

Should you book the kayak and turtle tour?

Book it if you want good value, friendly instruction, and a real chance to see marine life without a motorboat. The guides receive unusually strong praise for safety, humor, patience, and clear teaching, and the equipment and photos are already included in the modest price.

Do not book it solely because you expect a guaranteed turtle or dolphin encounter. The strongest reason to go is the whole three-hour package: a quiet kayak, Tenerife’s coastal views, a boat-only snorkeling bay, and the possibility of seeing wild animals on their own terms.

FAQ

Where does the kayaking tour begin?

It begins at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor to the left when you face the sea.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts three hours. It includes a 15-minute safety briefing, a short walk to Playa de Los Cristianos, kayaking, wildlife watching, and a snorkeling stop.

Are turtles and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The activity gives you about a 90 percent chance of seeing turtles or dolphins, but these are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What animals might I see?

You might see bottlenose, rough-toothed, striped, or common dolphins. Green turtles and sometimes loggerhead turtles may appear, and you might see fish or bull rays while snorkeling.

Is swimming ability required?

Yes. You must be able to swim to take part, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 14. Minors aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent, and children under 14 cannot participate.

Is a wetsuit included?

Yes. A short wetsuit is included, along with the kayak and snorkeling equipment.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, water, and flip-flops. Water, swimwear, and towels are not supplied.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.