Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is the quick ride from the marina to a quiet bay that is hard to reach from land. In clear, warm water, you can look for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and colorful fish without spending half the day on a boat.

I like the small group limit of nine, which makes it easier to get help in the water. I also like that the price includes the wetsuit, fins, mask, and a lifejacket if you need one. The main consideration is that sea conditions affect visibility, and the snorkeling site may feel modest if you have already visited Tenerife’s best-known coastal spots.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat reaches the snorkeling bay in about 15 minutes, leaving you more time in the water and less time sitting offshore.
• You get around 50 minutes of snorkeling, though the full activity takes about two hours with fitting, instructions, and the return ride.
• The group is limited to nine people, a useful size for beginners who may need close guidance.
• Marine life can include turtles, rays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• The meeting point is easy to miss, behind Café Victoria and next to Café Black Pearl at dock 3.
• Dolphins have sometimes been spotted from the boat, but this is not a dolphin-watching tour.

A fast start from Puerto Colón

You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife, the diving center in Puerto Colón. The entrance is not directly on the main front of the commercial center. Go behind Café Victoria, near dock 3 and Café Black Pearl, and look for the Scuba Point entrance.

Allow a little extra time to find the office. Puerto Colón has several businesses around the marina, and the meeting point can be confusing if you expect a storefront facing the water. Once inside, the staff fit you with your equipment and explain the basics before you board.

The outing lasts about two hours from start to finish. That includes roughly 30 minutes at the center for registration, equipment, and safety instructions, a 15-minute speedboat ride each way, and about 50 minutes to an hour in the water.

This is a good length for a holiday morning or afternoon. You get a real taste of snorkeling without giving up an entire day at sea. At the same time, the total time in the water is limited, so you should not book it expecting an all-day coastal expedition.

The equipment and safety briefing

The center provides a wetsuit, fins, and mask. A lifejacket is available if you are a weak swimmer or simply feel more comfortable with extra flotation. Bring your own swimwear and towel.

The wetsuit is useful even in warm Tenerife water. You may also appreciate it for comfort during a longer surface swim. Equipment quality can vary, and one account described an awkward snorkel strap and worn gear, so do not hesitate to ask the staff to adjust or replace anything that does not fit well.

The briefing is important, especially if this is your first time snorkeling in open water. You learn how to use the mask and snorkel, how to move with fins, and what to do before entering the sea. If you are new to snorkeling, tell the guide clearly. A first-time snorkeler in a recent group received patient, step-by-step help from the Italian guide, which is exactly the sort of support that can make the difference between relaxing and struggling.

The instructors speak English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Communication may be less smooth in the office than on the boat, so ask questions before leaving the marina. If you are unsure about your swimming ability, say so early. Lifejackets are available, and the small group makes it easier for the guide to keep an eye on you.

A 15-minute speedboat ride along Tenerife’s south coast

The ride to the bay takes about 15 minutes. That is short enough to be comfortable, but long enough to give you a fresh view of Tenerife’s southern shoreline from the water.

The speedboat is part of the fun. You feel the movement of the sea and get a brisk trip away from the marina instead of a slow transfer on a large excursion boat. Hold on, follow the crew’s instructions, and expect some spray depending on the conditions.

Keep watch during the ride. Dolphins have been seen from the boat, and the crew may pause if a group appears nearby. That is a welcome extra, but you should treat it as luck rather than a promised part of the trip. The purpose of the outing is snorkeling, not wildlife watching from the boat.

Sea conditions matter here. If wind or waves make the water cloudy, the staff may suggest changing plans, including trying a scuba session instead. That option was offered to one group when visibility looked poor. You should only accept a change if it suits your comfort level, schedule, and ability. The advertised activity is snorkeling, and a different water activity requires a different decision.

Snorkeling in the secluded bay

After the boat stops, you enter a bay about 15 minutes from shore. The appeal is access. This is not necessarily the most spectacular snorkeling spot in Tenerife, but it is a place you cannot reach as easily from the beach.

You spend roughly 50 minutes on the surface, with some schedules describing the water portion as close to an hour. That gives you time to settle your breathing, get used to the mask, and search the rocky areas for movement below.

The water is described as clear and warm, but clarity depends on wind and waves. On a calm day, you might spot cuttlefish, octopuses, stingrays, turtles, and smaller fish. Look slowly rather than swimming quickly from one point to the next. Cuttlefish and octopuses can blend into the bottom, while rays may be easy to miss if you only scan the open water.

Turtles are a possible sighting, not a guarantee. The same goes for every animal listed. Wildlife sightings depend on the season, the water, and plain luck. The guide can help point out creatures, but no responsible operator can promise a particular animal.

The bay itself may feel less dramatic than Tenerife’s best snorkeling areas. One assessment found the site ordinary compared with other snorkeling trips on the island. That is a fair warning if you have already snorkeled around Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, or another favored coastal area. The value here is the combination of transport, equipment, a guide, and access to a quieter spot, not a promise of a world-class reef.

Why the nine-person limit matters

The group limit is one of the strongest practical features of this tour. A small boat with no more than nine participants gives the guide a better chance to notice who is confident and who needs help.

That matters most for beginners. You are not left to figure out the mask, fins, and open-water conditions entirely on your own. The staff can explain the basics, watch the group, and help you adjust your equipment.

The small format also keeps the outing from feeling like a crowded water-sports session. You can ask questions without trying to get the attention of a guide across a packed boat. Families should find this useful, especially if a teenager or child is snorkeling for the first time.

Still, small group does not mean private tour. Other participants may include stronger swimmers, first-timers, snorkelers, or people taking part in another water activity through the same center. Stay close to the guide and follow the safety instructions rather than heading off alone.

What the service is like in practice

The staff generally come across as warm and reassuring, with particular praise for patient instruction and careful handling of nervous participants. Elisa, a dive master at the center, has been singled out for a calm manner and gentle support. Another Italian guide took extra time to help a first-time young snorkeler understand the equipment.

That kind of patience is worth more than polished sales talk. Water activities can feel intimidating when a mask leaks or your breathing feels strange through a snorkel. A guide who stays nearby and explains things calmly helps you relax faster.

The service is not perfectly consistent. English communication at the center may be limited at times, and one account described the initial explanation as too brief. Equipment may also show wear. I recommend checking the mask seal, snorkel fit, and fins before boarding, then asking for a change if anything feels wrong.

The crew can also take photos and videos for purchase. These are not included in the $53 price. If you want a record of the outing, ask about the cost before you leave the center rather than making the decision at the end.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour outing if you value convenience and instruction. You are paying for the speedboat transfer, the equipment, the guide, and access to a bay away from the immediate marina.

The value is strongest for first-time snorkelers and people without their own gear. Renting a mask, fins, and wetsuit separately, arranging transport, and finding a suitable swimming spot would take more effort. Here, those pieces are bundled into one short activity.

The value is less clear for experienced snorkelers who already have equipment and know where to go. If your main goal is to spend hours in the water or see a large range of sea life, a longer trip may suit you better. This tour is compact and easy to fit into a holiday schedule, but it does not promise a large reef system or a full-day exploration.

The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if you are still arranging your Tenerife plans. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Check the available departure time when booking, since starting times vary.

Who should book this Puerto Colón outing?

I would suggest this activity to:

• First-time snorkelers who want instruction and equipment included
• Families with older children or teenagers who can follow water-safety directions
• Couples who want a short boat trip and a chance to see coastal wildlife
• People staying near Puerto Colón who do not want hotel transport
• Swimmers who prefer a small group and a guide nearby
• Visitors with only a half-day available for a water activity

I would think twice if you want guaranteed turtle sightings, a long session in the water, or a highly dramatic snorkeling site. The bay is reached by boat and can feel pleasantly quiet, but the sea life and visibility vary.

You also need to be comfortable with a speedboat ride and open-water swimming. A lifejacket is available for weak swimmers, but you should still tell the crew about any concerns before the boat leaves.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Wear your swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. You do not need to pack fins, a mask, or a wetsuit, since those are supplied.

Arrive at Zero Gravity Tenerife with enough time to find the entrance. Use dock 3, Café Black Pearl, and Café Victoria as your landmarks. The center is behind the commercial area rather than directly on the main waterfront.

Check your mask before entering the water. A good seal makes the whole outing more enjoyable. If water gets inside, ask the guide to help you fix it rather than battling with the mask for 50 minutes.

Tell the instructor if you are nervous or have never snorkeled. There is no prize for pretending to be confident. The guides can explain the basics again, provide a lifejacket, and help you stay comfortable.

Keep your expectations flexible. You might see a turtle or dolphins on the way out, but you might also spend the session watching smaller fish and searching the rocks. That uncertainty is part of any wildlife outing.

Should you book it?

Book this Puerto Colón snorkel safari if you want a short, guided introduction to Tenerife’s coastal waters with transport and equipment handled for you. The small group, multilingual staff, and patient help for beginners are real advantages, and $53 is fair for the package.

Skip it if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking Tenerife’s most impressive underwater site, or if you want a full day on the water. The bay may be quiet and accessible only by boat, but its marine life and visibility are not guaranteed.

For most beginners, families, and holidaymakers based near Costa Adeje or Puerto Colón, this is a practical way to get in the water without a major time commitment. Check the sea conditions, ask about the equipment, and go in expecting a pleasant wildlife search rather than a guaranteed animal show.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón snorkel safari last?

The activity lasts about two hours. This includes equipment fitting and safety instructions, a 15-minute speedboat ride to the bay, roughly 50 minutes to an hour of snorkeling, and the return boat ride.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a wetsuit, fins, and mask. A lifejacket is available if required, including for weak swimmers.

Where do I meet the tour?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Snorkeling equipment is supplied.

What animals might I see?

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

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.