If you want sea life without the stress, this works. Abades is a short, guided snorkeling tour in Tenerife that pairs calm instruction with free underwater photos. You’re in the water with a professional team searching reefs for fish, and sometimes bigger wildlife like turtles, stingrays, and octopus.

What I like most is the safety approach. You get fitted with a wet suit and snorkeling gear, then guided at a pace that suits beginners and even nervous swimmers. The one real drawback? Turtle sightings are not guaranteed, and you may need extra swimming effort to spot them.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• Small group (up to 6) with hands-on attention and frequent check-ins
• Pro guide + long or short wet suit setup so you’re comfortable and warm enough
• Reef time with lots of fish, usually the surest payoff on this tour
• Wildlife search with realistic odds for turtles, stingrays, and octopus under stones
• Free photos and videos so you leave with memories you can actually share
• Experienced instruction even for weak swimmers, including support for people who feel uneasy

Why Playa Abades works so well for first-time snorkelers

Playa Abades sits on Tenerife’s Atlantic side, with sheltered conditions that make snorkeling feel approachable for most people. The reef area is known for colorful fish, and that matters because the best snorkeling tours aren’t only about the headline species. On this one, the day’s “default win” is fish and coral reef viewing, while the turtles and stingrays are the extra bonus.

A detail I appreciate: the guides treat the water like an open-ocean environment, not a fantasy aquarium. That honesty is important for your expectations. You’re not being sold a guaranteed turtle encounter; you’re being taken to the kind of coastline where sea life is regularly present, and you’re given the tools to look well.

Also, you’ll be using volcanic rock formations underwater, and you’ll often be hunting the “in-between” spots—like under stones—where octopus can hide. If you like the quieter side of wildlife watching (not just quick flashes), this tour fits your style.

Meeting at Restaurant Magilu and getting geared up quickly

Your start is at the restaurant Magilu, right in front of the beach. You’ll see white banks before you get to the ocean—this is where you meet your guide. The tour is small, so you’re usually not standing around forever waiting for the group to assemble.

From there, the setup is practical:

• You get snorkeling equipment fitted by the guide.
• You put on a neoprene wet suit (they offer long or short options).
• Then you’re guided straight toward the water.

What to bring makes the morning easier: swimwear, a towel, and a sun hat. You can keep your personal stuff in the guide’s car, which cuts down on what you have to carry. There’s also plenty of parking, which is a big deal on Tenerife if you’re driving yourself.

Two little “watch-outs” that save time:

• If you need glasses, you can’t put them under the mask. Plan to rely on the guide’s instruction and your own eyesight for reef spotting.
• There’s no mention of a proper changing room, so bring a plan for getting suited up and drying off. A nearby cafe has been useful for quick needs.

The 2-hour plan: reef fish first, then a careful wildlife search

The whole tour runs about 2 hours, and it’s paced for real-world bodies: different comfort levels, different swimming ability, and changing ocean conditions. In that time, you’ll spend the main focus at coral reef zones where fish are easier to find.

In other words: you shouldn’t rely on one species to make the trip worthwhile.

Coral reef time with lots of fish

Once you’re in, you’ll look over reef areas with hundreds of colorful fish. This is where most people get their main “wow” photos—bright fish near the rocks, clear enough to watch them move between hiding spots.

Some guides use more than one spot along the coast, which helps you keep the water-time interesting without feeling like you’re stuck in one flat patch. Even if the rarer animals don’t show up, reef viewing still gives you plenty to look at and talk about.

The turtle, stingray, and octopus hunt (and why it’s not guaranteed)

You’ll also keep an eye out for turtles, stingrays, and octopus. The tour description is straightforward that these sightings depend on the open-ocean situation and the time of year.

There’s also a specific expectation you should set up front: in this area, only a handful of turtles are known to feed. One participant noted that the feeding spot doesn’t hold turtles the whole time, so the odds are real—but not certain.

For octopus, the instruction is to look for them under stones. That’s smart: octopus don’t float around for you. They hide, and the guide’s job is to help you slow down and search where they actually are.

Non-swimmers and weak swimmers: what you can realistically expect

This is important enough to say plainly. If you can’t swim, you’re more likely to enjoy the fish and sea life than turtles. The tour team explicitly notes that seeing turtles can take more swimming effort to reach the right spot.

That said, non-swimmers are still welcome. The value here is that you’re not left behind. You’ll get the support and gear so you can still enjoy the reef.

Safety-first guiding: support for nervous swimmers and kids

The biggest reason people rate this tour so highly is the way the guides manage comfort. The team includes freediving and snorkeling instructors, and they’ve been working for over 20 years with children and people who feel anxious around the ocean.

What that means for you in practice:

• You get close guidance rather than a loose “follow the leader” vibe.
• The guide can bring extra aid for people who struggle in the water.
• If you’re nervous, they’ll help you build confidence step-by-step.

A couple of guide styles come up in the experience notes. People mention Andres and Natalie (the guide team) as friendly, clear, and attentive. You’ll also hear that they check on everyone repeatedly during the session, which matters because snorkeling can look simple until you’re actually wet, breathing underwater air, and watching your footing.

One more pro-level note: the tour states it is possible even for people who are not great swimmers. That doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. It means the guide is trained to work with different abilities and keeps the group within a workable range.

Who should be cautious: the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and it’s not recommended for children under 5. It also says people with a cold shouldn’t join.

Free underwater photos and videos: why it changes the value

On a snorkeling tour, gear and instruction are only half the deal. The other half is documentation, especially if you’re traveling with family or you want proof that the day was real.

Here, photos and videos are included. That’s not a gimmick. When you’re snorkeling, it’s hard to take clear shots without a waterproof setup. Having the guide capture your moment means you can focus on the reef, not on holding a phone in your hands.

People also describe the underwater views as amazing, and they say the materials are shared freely afterward. For you, that’s practical value: you’ll actually have shareable images for family and friends, and you won’t end up with the usual blurry “we were there” photos.

Price vs. what you get (and why $35 can make sense)

At $35 per person for about 2 hours, the math works best when you compare like-for-like.

You’re paying for:

• the guide
• snorkeling equipment
• a wet suit (long or short)
• photos and videos included

You’re not paying for hotel pickup, so if you’re staying far away, you’ll factor in transport. But the core experience is packaged tightly. With small groups (up to 6), included gear, and free photo/video output, it can feel like a fair deal—especially if you’d otherwise rent equipment and try to DIY photos.

For families, the value is even easier to see. Many families spend more just on rental gear and end up with nothing good to show afterward. This tour gives you instruction plus a built-in memory pack.

Who should book this snorkeling tour (and who might not)

I’d point you here if you match one of these profiles:

• You want an easy, guided way to see reef fish on Tenerife.
• You’re traveling with kids (5+), and you want a guide used to helping young swimmers.
• You’re a weak swimmer or nervous in open water, and you want a team that’s practiced at support.
• You care about getting good underwater photos without bringing your own setup.

I’d think twice if:

• You’re expecting a guaranteed turtle sighting. The odds are season- and timing-dependent, and a single species shouldn’t be the reason you book.
• You need perfect photo transparency but rely on glasses under the mask. The tour is clear you can’t place glasses under the mask.
• You have mobility limitations that make uneven beach access or getting into the water difficult.

Practical tips to get the best day possible

A few small moves can make the snorkeling smoother:

• Tell the guide when you’re a non-swimmer or weak swimmer before you get in. The tour team can adjust support, but you need to flag your comfort level early.
• Bring swimwear under your clothes so you don’t waste time once you arrive.
• Pack a towel and a hat. Tenerife sun shows up fast, even on cloudier days.
• Keep your expectation flexible: fish and reef life are the surest payoff; turtles and stingrays are the lucky extras.

What could disappoint you (so you don’t get surprised)

There’s only one big potential disappointment: no turtles. The tour specifically warns about turtle odds and swimming effort. One person noted the area has only a limited number of turtles feeding and only a short time window around a spot, which naturally limits sightings.

Other smaller frictions to know:

• There may not be a changing room/toilet on site, so plan on using a nearby cafe if needed.
• If weather is rougher than hoped, the guides may adjust what you can safely do.
• Sometimes groups may be combined even when the tour aims for tiny numbers, so you could have a bit more company than you expected.

None of these ruin the experience, but they’re the stuff you should plan for.

Should you book Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos?

Book it if you want a guided snorkeling outing that’s built for real people: beginners, families, and nervous swimmers. The inclusion of wet suit + equipment + guide + free underwater photos/videos is the value hook. And the way the guides support non-swimmers (so you can still enjoy reef fish) is exactly what makes this tour practical.

Skip it or temper expectations if you’re booking mainly for turtles. You might see one. You also might not. The tour is honest about open-ocean variables and limited feeding patterns. If you can enjoy fish and reef wildlife as your main goal, you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth either way.

If you tell me your group’s ages and swimming comfort, I can help you decide if you should go now or pair it with a different water activity on Tenerife.

FAQ

What’s included in the Abades snorkeling tour?

It includes the snorkeling tour, guide, snorkeling equipment, a wet suit (long or short), and underwater photos and videos.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. There are white banks before the ocean, and that’s where you meet.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

Non-swimmers can take part, and you should still see fish and sea life. The tour notes that non-swimmers may not be able to see turtles because it can require more swimming.

Can kids join?

The tour is not suitable for children under 5 years old. There are examples of families bringing children on the tour with good results.

Can people with colds or respiratory illness join?

No. The tour is listed as not suitable for people with a cold.

What should I bring to the beach?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel (plus beachwear).

What languages are the guides?

The instruction is available in German, Spanish, and English.

Do I need to have my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment and a wet suit are included. The tour also notes that if you wear glasses, you can’t put them under the mask.