Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is the short ride to a quiet bay that is hard to reach from land. You get a taste of Tenerife’s south coast from a small speedboat, then spend about 50 minutes looking below the surface for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish. I like the small group of up to nine and the fact that wetsuits, fins, masks, and a life jacket if needed are included. The main caution is that sea conditions can affect visibility, and the snorkeling site may feel modest if you have already visited Tenerife’s better-known marine areas.

I also like how the staff can take time with first-timers. One recent outing included only four snorkelers and four people taking another water activity, allowing the guide to give a nervous young swimmer careful help. On another trip, Elisa, the dive master, was praised for her calm, gentle manner. A dolphin sighting on the ride out is possible, but it is a bonus, not the point of the booking.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-minute speedboat ride reaches the snorkeling bay, keeping the outing active rather than turning it into a long boat trip.
• About 50 minutes in the water gives you enough time to get comfortable and search for marine life.
• Turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and dolphins are possible sightings, but no wildlife encounter is guaranteed.
• Groups are limited to nine people, useful for beginners who want more personal help.
• Wetsuits, masks, fins, and life jackets are provided, so you only need swimwear and a towel.
• The $53 price is fair for a two-hour trip if you value the boat ride, equipment, and small-group guidance.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 beside Café Black Pearl. The entrance can take a little hunting because the diving center is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria. Give yourself enough time to find it without rushing.

The activity is operated by Zero Gravity Tenerife, while the meeting point may also be identified as Scuba Point: Diving Tenerife. That can sound confusing, so use the dock and café landmarks rather than looking only for one business name.

At the center, staff fit you with your equipment and explain how the outing works. You receive a wetsuit, fins, and mask, plus a life jacket if you need one. You should bring swimwear and a towel. Photos and videos are not included, but they may be available to buy afterward.

The group limit matters here. A boat carrying no more than nine participants feels more manageable than a large excursion with people spread across the water. It also gives the guide a better chance to notice if you are unsure, tired, or having trouble with your mask.

The briefing is useful for first-time snorkelers

The safety and equipment briefing is listed as taking about 30 minutes. That includes getting fitted, learning the basic snorkeling technique, and preparing for the boat ride. If this is your first time, do not be shy about asking for the instructions again. Clear communication makes a big difference once you are in open water.

The available languages are English, Spanish, French, and Italian. The level of explanation may vary depending on who is working that day. One participant found the initial briefing too limited and felt that some of the equipment was worn. In particular, the snorkel strap was described as awkward. That is useful to know, since mask comfort and snorkel fit can shape the whole outing.

At the same time, the strongest pattern in the feedback is attentive help once people are in the water. Elisa was singled out for helping a nervous participant feel safe, and another Italian guide took extra time to teach a child who had never snorkeled before. That makes this a reasonable choice for beginners, provided you speak up if the equipment does not fit properly.

Weak swimmers can use a life jacket. You should still be comfortable entering the sea and following the guide’s instructions, but you do not need to be an experienced swimmer.

A lively 15-minute ride along Tenerife’s coast

Once everyone is ready, the speedboat heads out from Puerto Colón. The ride to the bay takes about 15 minutes, which is just long enough to enjoy the coast without spending most of your two hours in transit.

This is one of the outing’s better features. You are not simply driven to a beach and handed a mask. The boat gives you a different view of the southern coast and adds a little speed and fresh air to the day. If the sea is calm, the ride itself can be a fun part of the experience.

Keep your eyes open on the way. Dolphins were seen from the boat on at least one trip, and the crew stopped so people could take pictures. You should treat this as luck rather than a promised part of the program. Wildlife in the open sea follows its own schedule.

The boat ride can also reveal the day’s conditions. Wind and waves may affect what you see below the surface. On one occasion, staff suggested changing to another underwater activity because snorkeling visibility was expected to be poor. That shows the crew may adjust plans when conditions are not suitable, though it also means your exact experience can depend on the weather.

The secluded bay and about 50 minutes in the water

The boat reaches a secluded bay roughly 15 minutes from shore. Its appeal is access. You cannot easily reach this spot on foot, so the speedboat lets you snorkel away from the ordinary beach crowd.

The water is described as clear and warm, though clarity will always depend on wind, waves, and recent sea conditions. You enter with your mask, fins, and wetsuit, then stay near the surface while looking down into the water.

The planned snorkeling time is about 50 minutes, while the full water session may run closer to an hour. That is plenty of time to get past the first few minutes of adjustment. You can test your breathing, settle your mask, and begin searching instead of feeling that the activity is over just as you get comfortable.

The guide’s role is important. Rather than expecting you to identify everything alone, you can follow the group and watch for movement below. Turtles may appear, along with stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and smaller fish. These are possibilities, not guarantees. The most honest way to view the wildlife is to enjoy the search itself and let any special sighting become a bonus.

The setting is not necessarily Tenerife’s most dramatic snorkeling location. One participant felt the bay was less special than other snorkeling spots around the island. If your priority is the richest marine life possible, you may want to compare locations carefully. If you want a short, guided trip to a quiet place that is difficult to reach independently, the bay has a practical advantage.

What the equipment and guidance are really worth

At $53 per person, this is not just a swim. The price covers speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, instruction, and a small group. You avoid buying or carrying your own mask, fins, and wetsuit, and you do not need to arrange a boat separately.

That makes the cost reasonable for a visitor who wants an easy half-day addition to a Tenerife itinerary. The activity lasts two hours, so it does not swallow the whole day. You can fit it around other plans in Puerto Colón or the south coast.

The value is strongest for beginners and occasional snorkelers. You pay for convenience and supervision as much as for the actual time in the water. If you already own high-quality gear and know the local coast well, the price may feel less attractive, especially if visibility is limited or marine life is quiet.

Equipment quality is one point to check at the start. Most of the supplied gear does the basic job, but one participant found some items worn or less comfortable than expected. Ask for a different mask or snorkel if the fit is poor. It is far better to solve that at the dock than after the boat reaches the bay.

How the small group changes the experience

A limit of nine participants is a real advantage here. The guide can keep an eye on the group, answer questions, and spend a little more time with someone who is uneasy.

This matters most for families. A first-time child can receive individual instruction instead of trying to copy a guide from a distance. The experience involving a young beginner showed the benefit of patient teaching, and the group size made that personal attention possible.

The small format also makes the boat ride less crowded. You can hear instructions more easily, move around the boat with less fuss, and get back together faster after the water session.

There are limits. A small group does not guarantee a private charter, and the exact mix of snorkelers and other participants can vary. The guide may also need to balance strong swimmers with people who need more assistance. Still, nine people is a manageable number for this type of outing.

Conditions can change the plan

Sea activities always have a weather factor. Wind and waves can reduce underwater visibility, making a wildlife search less rewarding. The crew may suggest another activity if conditions are poor, as happened on one occasion when people originally booked snorkeling.

That flexibility can be helpful, especially if you are open to trying something different. It can also frustrate you if snorkeling is the only activity you want. Before booking, think about how much you care about the exact format. The advertised plan is a speedboat trip followed by surface snorkeling, but the sea gets the final say.

If you are prone to seasickness, the speedboat ride is worth considering. The ride to the bay is only about 15 minutes, followed by a similar return trip, so you are not committed to a long voyage. Still, conditions may make the boat feel lively.

The timing is also approximate. The complete activity is two hours, with about 30 minutes for preparation and briefing, 15 minutes each way by boat, and roughly 50 to 60 minutes in the water. Bring only what you need, since the outing is built around quick preparation and a compact schedule.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Colón outing

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time snorkelers who want instruction and a guide nearby
• Families with older children who can follow water-safety directions
• Couples who want a short sea excursion rather than a full-day boat trip
• People staying near Puerto Colón who want an activity with simple planning
• Anyone interested in turtles and other marine life but unwilling to arrange equipment alone

I would be more cautious if you want guaranteed wildlife, a long time in the water, or a famous snorkeling site with exceptional visibility. The bay is convenient and secluded, but it may not be the best choice for an experienced snorkeler comparing several locations around Tenerife.

The activity is also not a sightseeing cruise in the usual sense. You get coastal views during the boat ride, but the main purpose is getting into the water. Book it because you want to snorkel, not because you want a leisurely boat tour.

Practical details before you book

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility when your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

The activity is available with instructors speaking English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Puerto Colón yourself.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Wetsuits, fins, masks, and a life jacket when required are supplied. Photos and videos cost extra if you choose to purchase them.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 84 reviews, with especially strong praise for friendly staff, patient instruction, safety, and small groups. The less positive points concern equipment condition, limited initial explanations, and a snorkeling spot that may feel ordinary beside Tenerife’s top sites. Those are fair tradeoffs to weigh against the easy access and short duration.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a compact, guided introduction to snorkeling from Puerto Colón, especially if you are new to the activity or traveling with a beginner. The small boat, included equipment, and chance of seeing turtles or dolphins give it good holiday value at $53.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed wildlife encounter or Tenerife’s most impressive underwater setting. In that case, compare other coastal locations and wait for a calm-weather day. For an easy two-hour outing with kind, attentive guidance and a little speedboat excitement, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

Meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 next to Café Black Pearl. The entrance is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about two hours. This includes the briefing and equipment fitting, a 15-minute boat ride to the bay, roughly 50 to 60 minutes in the water, and a 15-minute return ride.

How long is the speedboat ride?

The boat ride takes about 15 minutes each way between Puerto Colón and the snorkeling bay.

What equipment is included?

You receive a wetsuit, fins, and mask. A life jacket is available if you need one, including for weak swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What marine life might I see?

You may see turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish while snorkeling. Dolphins have also been seen from the boat, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity includes a snorkeling briefing, and the small group allows the guide to offer personal help. Life jackets are available for weak swimmers.

What happens if sea conditions are poor?

Wind and waves can reduce visibility. The crew may recommend changing to another activity when snorkeling conditions are not good.