Snorkel With Turtles Tenerife

For relaxed snorkelling from the beach, calm spots like Abades are quiet and free with your own gear. If your goal is turtles, they live in offshore feeding areas that can only be reached by boat, which is why a guided boat snorkel gives you a better chance than a busy beach. Keep your expectations realistic though: snorkelling in Tenerife is a natural Atlantic experience, not big colourful coral like the Red Sea, and turtles are a bonus rather than a promise.

Yes, but it is not likely on any single trip. Turtles are seen on roughly 1 in 3 boat snorkel trips, about a 30% chance. They live in specific offshore areas where they feed, reached by small, controlled snorkelling boats, not close to the beach. Because they are wild animals, sightings are never guaranteed. You should be a confident swimmer, and touching turtles is not allowed. Turtles come up to breathe every few minutes, so you can often watch them calmly from the surface too.

In most cases, no. Many regular boat trips and private yacht charters stop in open blue water where there are no reefs, few fish, and nothing special to see underwater. These boats are also not allowed to access protected snorkeling areas and usually don’t have instructors or safety supervision for snorkeling. Alcohol is often served on board, which makes snorkeling unsafe and not recommended. If snorkeling is your goal, it’s always better to book a dedicated snorkeling trip with proper locations, equipment, and supervision instead of trying to snorkel during a leisure boat trip.

For the calmest and most personal experience, a private snorkeling trip is the strongest option. You get personal guidance, a flexible pace, and a guide who can focus on your group. On private trips with Club Canary, you can even add a diver or two if some of your group want to try diving instead of snorkelling, as long as it is arranged in advance. It is ideal for families, mixed groups, or nervous swimmers who want a calm, well-supervised day. Keep in mind that turtles are still wild animals, so even on a private trip a sighting is a bonus, roughly a 30% chance, and never guaranteed.

Maybe, but it is not likely. Turtles are seen on roughly 1 in 3 trips, so about a 30% chance. They are wild animals in the open ocean, so no one can promise them, and there is no refund if they do not appear. Book this as an ocean snorkel where a turtle would be a lovely bonus. If seeing a turtle is a must for you, the kayak trip has a better chance.

It depends what you want. This is a real Atlantic Ocean snorkel over a natural reef, with fish and sometimes rays, and a small chance of a turtle. It is not the Red Sea, so do not expect big colourful coral gardens. If you enjoy being in the sea, it is a fun, relaxed trip, especially for a first snorkel or with family. If you only want guaranteed turtles or bright coral, it may disappoint you.

Yes. This is snorkeling in the open ocean, where there can be waves and swell, so you should be a confident swimmer and comfortable in the sea. The guide watches the group but does not give one-on-one lessons. If you are a nervous swimmer or unsure, book the private trip for a calmer pace and more personal help.

Yes, trips run all year. But in winter, roughly November to March, the water can feel cold and turtles are often less active, so the chance of seeing one drops further. Wetsuits are provided. If you feel the cold or want the easiest conditions, spring and summer are better.

It is 45€ per person for the shared boat trip, or from 345€ for a private trip for your own group. You book with a small deposit and pay the rest on the day. The trip leaves from a harbour in the south of Tenerife with a licensed local dive school, and your exact meeting point is confirmed on your e-ticket.