Tenerife: Kayak & Snorkeling Tour – Small Groups

The best part of this Los Cristianos kayak tour is the chance to see dolphins and sea turtles from a low, quiet position on the Atlantic, then stop for a swim among volcanic rocks. I like the small groups, capped at 10, and the warm, practical help from guides such as Justas and Manuel. I also like that the office provides a place to change and store your things.

The main caution is that wildlife is never promised, and climbing back into a kayak from the water can be tiring. The Atlantic may also feel cold, especially for children, though optional wetsuits are available.

Key points to know before you book

• Dolphin and turtle sightings are possible: The route passes local fish farms, an area where dolphins and sea turtles are often seen, but nature sets the schedule.
• The group stays small: With no more than 10 participants, the guide can give closer help to beginners and nervous swimmers.
• Snorkeling comes halfway through: You get about 30 minutes in the water, with masks, snorkels, and instruction provided.
• The office makes the start easy: You can change clothes, use the toilet, store belongings, and collect water before walking five minutes to the beach.
• Expect real paddling: The outing lasts three hours and includes roughly an hour of kayaking split before and after the wildlife and snorkeling stops.
• Photos cost extra: A guide takes pictures and videos during the outing, but you purchase them separately if you want them.

Starting at SeaThru-Kayaks in Los Cristianos

You begin at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. To find it, look for the office next to a real estate office, with the Ricoche cafe directly opposite. This meeting point is useful because you do not need to arrive at the beach already dressed for the water.

The office has a changing area, toilet facilities, and a secure place for personal belongings. That may sound like a small detail, but it makes the tour much easier. You can leave your phone, wallet, and dry clothes behind instead of trying to protect everything in a kayak.

The staff provide a life jacket, paddle, and snorkeling mask with breathing tube. High-quality double RTM kayaks are used, and wetsuits are available if you want one. Water is included, while sunglasses straps and dry bags may also be provided during the outing.

After everyone is ready, you walk about five minutes to Los Cristianos Beach. The kayaks are prepared there, so you are not carrying equipment across town or waiting for a boat transfer.

A clear safety talk before the first paddle

Before you enter the water, your guide gives a safety briefing of about 10 minutes. You learn how to handle the paddle, how to sit in the double kayak, and what to do if you need help.

This part matters most if you have never kayaked. The tour is designed for beginners as well as people with experience, and the guide keeps the instructions direct. Justas has been praised for being patient with first-time snorkelers, while Manuel is known for keeping people calm and involved during the trip.

The kayaks launch from the shallow beach. You should still expect to get wet while getting in. The first few minutes are about finding a steady rhythm with your partner, so do not worry if your first strokes feel clumsy.

The double-kayak setup is good for couples, friends, and families who want to stay together. It also means you share the work. If one person is much stronger or more experienced, that person may end up doing more of the paddling.

Paddling beside Los Cristianos and Montaña Guaza

The first kayaking section lasts about 30 minutes. You move along the coast with views back toward Los Cristianos, Montaña Guaza, and, on a clear day, Mount Teide in the distance.

From kayak level, the coast feels different than it does from a beach promenade. You are close to the water, with a clear view of the volcanic cliffs and shoreline. The pace is relaxed rather than competitive, though you still need a reasonable level of fitness to paddle for much of the three-hour outing.

This is not a short photo ride with a few strokes. The total schedule includes about an hour of kayaking, split between the outward and return legs. You will probably appreciate the breaks, but you should not book this if you dislike repeated upper-body effort.

The guide keeps the group together and helps set the pace. In a small group, you can ask for help without shouting across a crowded boat. That is especially useful if you are learning how to steer a double kayak.

Looking for dolphins and turtles near the fish farms

After the first paddle, the group spends around 30 minutes watching for dolphins and other sea life. The route passes local fish farms, where food in the water can attract marine animals.

Dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen in this area, but you should keep your expectations sensible. No responsible wildlife outing can promise an appearance, and the guide cannot control how close animals come. The strongest sightings have included groups of dolphins swimming near the kayaks, with some animals jumping close to the boats, as well as several turtles.

The low position of a kayak is a real advantage here. You are not looking down from a high deck or through a boat window. If dolphins appear, you may see them at water level, but you also need to stay alert and patient.

The wildlife stop can be exciting, but it may also be the least predictable part of your day. If the animals stay away, the coastal views and time on the water still make up part of the experience. I would book this for the setting and the activity first, with wildlife as a welcome bonus.

Snorkeling over volcanic rock for about 30 minutes

About an hour into the tour, the kayaks are anchored and you enter the Atlantic for the snorkeling stop. You receive a mask and snorkel, and the guide explains how to use them. This is helpful if you are new to snorkeling or uneasy about breathing through a tube.

The underwater area includes volcanic rock formations and several types of fish. You may see parrotfish, trumpet fish, green fish, schools of barracudas, crabs, and other marine life. The water is described as clear, but visibility can still depend on the conditions of the day.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes, enough time to get comfortable and look around without turning the tour into a full snorkeling session. If you are a first-time snorkeler, that length is useful. You can work past the initial awkwardness and enjoy the water without needing to stay in for hours.

Getting back into the kayak is the part to take seriously. You climb from the water into a boat that moves beneath you, and several people have found this effort difficult. Your guide helps you, so stay calm, listen carefully, and do not rush. Water shoes can make the process more comfortable, although they are not required.

The Atlantic can feel cold, particularly for children. Wetsuits are optional and worth considering if you get cold easily. Children under 11 share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. A child with kayaking experience who is large enough and capable of paddling must join as an adult.

The return paddle and freshwater rinse

After snorkeling, you climb back into the kayak and paddle gently toward Los Cristianos Beach. The return leg lasts around 30 minutes and gives you a quieter stretch after the wildlife and swimming stops.

You then walk back to the office, stopping at the beach showers to rinse off salt water. Having a place to change and use the toilet at the end is a practical advantage, especially if you have other plans in Los Cristianos afterward.

The tour takes about three hours from start to finish. Starting times vary, so check the available slot when booking. The guide team can operate in English, Spanish, Italian, and Lithuanian.

What the guides add to the experience

The staff are a major part of the outing. Justas has been praised for patiently helping a nervous first-time snorkeler become comfortable with the breathing technique. Manuel is described as friendly, energetic, and attentive, with a knack for keeping the group engaged.

The guides do more than steer the kayaks. They explain the safety rules, help with the water entry and exit, watch the group during snorkeling, and point out marine life. If you are anxious about open water, that support can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and an uncomfortable one.

Families also receive practical help. One group with four children and two adults had a guide take one child in his kayak. That does not mean every family arrangement can be handled the same way, so you should explain your group size and ages when booking.

Is the $37 price good value?

At $37 per person, this is a strong value if you want several activities in one outing. You get three hours on the water, a guided kayak trip, a wildlife search, a snorkeling stop, equipment, water, office facilities, and a small group capped at 10.

You would pay more for a specialist wildlife boat trip or a longer guided snorkeling excursion, though those options would offer a different experience. Here, the appeal is the mix of paddling, animal spotting, coastal scenery, and time in the water.

The price does not include pictures or videos. A guide takes them during the tour, and you can buy them afterward for an extra fee. I like this arrangement because you can keep your phone safely stored and concentrate on the sea. Just remember that the advertised price is not the final cost if you decide to purchase the images.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are helpful if your Tenerife plans are still moving around.

Who should book this Los Cristianos tour?

I would recommend it to first-time kayakers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants an active half-day near Los Cristianos. The small group and patient guides make it less intimidating than a large water-sports operation.

You should have a basic level of fitness and be comfortable spending time on the ocean. You do not need previous kayaking or snorkeling experience, but you should be willing to paddle, get wet, swim or float during the snorkeling stop, and climb back into the kayak.

This is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, people prone to seasickness or motion sickness, people with low fitness, or anyone weighing more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. It is also not suitable for people over 95 years old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Bring beachwear, flip-flops, a sun hat, sunglasses, water, and biodegradable sunscreen. Avoid eating too much before the trip if you tend to feel queasy. You may also want water shoes for the kayak exit, though the company does not require them.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want active time on the Atlantic and like the idea of combining kayaking, snorkeling, and wildlife watching in one affordable outing. The small group, office facilities, and attentive guides make it especially appealing for beginners.

Do not book it solely because you expect dolphins or turtles. Sightings can be excellent, but they remain wild animals. Book it for the coastal views, volcanic underwater scenery, friendly instruction, and the chance of seeing marine life at close range. If you are reasonably fit and comfortable getting in and out of a kayak, this is one of the better-value ways to spend three hours around Los Cristianos.

FAQ

Where does the kayak and snorkeling tour meet?

You meet at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. It is next to a real estate office, with the Ricoche cafe directly opposite.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts three hours. It includes a 10-minute safety briefing, kayaking, about 30 minutes of wildlife watching, and about 30 minutes of snorkeling.

Are dolphins and turtles guaranteed?

No. Dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen along the route, but sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and breathing tube are included, along with a life jacket and paddle. Wetsuits are available as an optional extra part of the equipment.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 11 must share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. A child with kayaking experience who is big enough and capable of paddling must join as an adult.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.