Tenerife: Snorkel with Turtles

The main draw is simple: you may find yourself swimming beside sea turtles in open water, not watching them behind glass. The trip leaves from Las Galletas and crosses the protected Malpais de Rasca area before giving you about an hour in the water with an experienced breath-hold instructor.

I like the small-group format and the careful approach to the animals. I also like that the price includes the boat, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, insurance, instruction, and photos. The main catch is that turtles are wild animals, and poor visibility, cold water, or rough conditions can make the experience less impressive than hoped.

Key points to know before booking

• Turtle encounters happen in the animals’ natural setting, so sightings are likely but never promised.
• The boat ride takes about 25 minutes each way, giving you a pleasant view of Malpais de Rasca from the sea.
• You get roughly one hour in the water, with an instructor nearby to help you spot marine life and stay comfortable.
• Small groups help keep the activity calm, with clear guidance about giving turtles plenty of space.
• The $81 price includes nearly all the essentials, including equipment, insurance, and photos, but not video.
• You must be able to swim, and the activity is not suitable for children under 8.

Swimming with turtles off Tenerife

This is a short marine outing built around one strong moment: entering the sea and looking for turtles moving through their own habitat. The setting is the protected Malpais de Rasca area, on Tenerife’s southern coast, where the view from the water adds something to the trip even before the snorkeling begins.

The experience is not a guaranteed wildlife show. You may see several turtles, rays, fish, and other marine life, or you may face cloudy water and fewer sightings. That uncertainty is part of the deal when animals are free, but it is also the reason this feels more meaningful than a controlled animal encounter.

The activity provider, Ocean Friends Buceo and Freediving, keeps the outing personal with small groups. An experienced instructor gives you basic instructions, helps you feel at ease in the water, and points out animals as they appear. The supplied information does not give the instructor’s name, so you should not expect a named guide unless the company confirms one before departure.

The tone of the trip is respectful rather than frantic. You are asked to avoid disturbing the turtles, which matters both for the animals and for the quality of the encounter. A calm swimmer who follows instructions will get more from the outing than someone who wants to chase every animal for a close photograph.

From Marina del Sur to Malpais de Rasca

Your meeting point is Marina del Sur at Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5. Arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled start. That extra time is useful because the operator contacts you one day before the activity by WhatsApp or email to ask for your equipment sizes.

The boat ride to the snorkeling area takes about 25 minutes. It is listed as a speedboat trip, but the ride is also part of the sightseeing. From the water, you can see the rocky coast and the protected Malpais de Rasca area from a different angle than you would on land.

There is one practical point here. The boat ride accounts for about 50 minutes of the two-hour outing, leaving about an hour for snorkeling. That is a reasonable balance for a short excursion, but it is not an all-day boat trip or a long water session. If you are paying mainly for time in the sea, keep that ratio in mind.

One French participant reported a much shorter ride and poor visibility on a particular outing. That may have been an isolated day or a change caused by sea conditions, but it is worth asking about conditions when you arrive. The quality of this experience depends heavily on water clarity, wind, and the decision about where to stop.

The one-hour snorkeling session

At the snorkeling site, the instructor explains how to use the mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit. Previous snorkeling experience helps, but it is not required. You do need to swim, and you should be comfortable being in open water.

The instructor’s role is more useful than simply leading the group to a location. A good guide helps you settle your breathing, keeps the group together, and signals when marine life appears. The supplied information describes an expert freediving instructor, but you do not need to hold any special certification or perform breath-hold techniques yourself.

You may spend time looking for turtles near the bottom, along with rays and smaller fish. Several outings included rays, and some people saw two or more turtles. Clear, calm water can make the marine life easy to spot, while murky water can reduce the experience to a few vague shapes.

You should also expect pauses between sightings. Wildlife snorkeling is not a nonstop parade. The best approach is to float quietly, watch the water, and let the instructor guide your attention. Chasing turtles is not appropriate, and it can make you tired quickly.

The session is described as taking place with respectful behavior toward the animals. That is an important strength. Turtles should not be touched, cornered, or followed too closely. The quieter the group, the better the chance of observing natural behavior.

What makes the small group useful

Small groups matter here for three reasons. First, the instructor can keep a closer eye on swimmers. Second, the group is less likely to spread out and create noise around the animals. Third, you have a better chance of getting a clear look when a turtle or ray appears.

The activity is designed to feel personal, not like a large boat dumping a crowd into the sea. The instructor remains attentive and helps people notice marine life. That is especially useful if you are new to snorkeling and are not sure what to look for.

Still, small group does not mean private tour unless the operator specifically confirms it. The exact group size is not provided. If having very few people is important to you, ask before booking.

The instructor speaks Spanish and English. That covers the main practical briefings and safety instructions for many visitors. Ask questions before entering the water if you are unsure about the equipment or the plan.

Equipment, comfort, and the cold-water question

The $81 cost includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. You also get the boat trip, instructor, insurance, and photos. The operator asks for your sizes in advance, which should help the crew prepare suitable equipment before you arrive.

Bring swimwear and a towel. You can use your own wetsuit if you prefer, as one early-morning participant did, but the tour supplies one. Since water temperature and personal comfort vary, tell the crew if the suit feels too loose or too thin before entering the water.

Cold is the most important comfort concern. One participant felt the equipment was not warm enough for the water and the length of the outing. That person also encountered very poor visibility. This does not prove that every session is cold or unclear, but it is a fair warning for anyone sensitive to low temperatures.

You should also keep your expectations practical. The wetsuit is part of the safety and comfort setup, not a promise that you will feel warm for the entire session. A towel and dry clothes for afterward are essential.

Photos are included, but ask what they cover

Photos are included in the price, which adds useful value. You can enjoy the water without worrying about holding a camera the whole time, and you leave with a record of the outing.

There is an important detail to clarify. One participant received photos on the same day, but only images taken on the boat, not underwater photographs. The activity description simply says photos are included, so the exact coverage may vary.

If underwater images are a major reason for booking, ask the operator whether they provide photographs from the snorkeling session on your date. A waterproof camera or GoPro may be useful if permitted, but the supplied information does not state the company’s camera rules. Follow the instructor’s directions and never let photography take priority over safe swimming or giving turtles space.

Video is not included. That is the one clearly stated photo-related extra.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get into the water, but the package includes most of what you need. You are paying for a speedboat, an instructor, insurance, equipment, a small-group format, and photos, rather than just access to a snorkeling location.

The value is strongest if you want a guided wildlife experience and do not already own snorkeling equipment. It is also useful for first-time snorkelers who want someone nearby to explain the basics and identify marine life.

The value is weaker if you are an experienced snorkeler with your own equipment and only want a long, independent swim. The tour gives you about one hour in the water, not several hours. You are also paying for the chance to see turtles, not a guarantee.

The price feels reasonable when the sea is calm, visibility is good, and turtles appear. On a cold or cloudy day, the same price may feel high. That is the unavoidable risk of any wild-animal outing, but the operator’s flexible cancellation policy helps reduce some booking risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to a confident swimmer who wants a short, guided look at Tenerife’s marine life. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged 8 or older who can swim and are comfortable in open water.

It is also a good fit for beginners. You do not need previous snorkeling experience, and the instructor provides the necessary instructions. You should still be honest about your swimming ability. This is not an activity for non-swimmers, and there is no indication that the boat carries a separate shallow-water program.

The trip may appeal to people who care about responsible wildlife contact. The group is instructed to respect the turtles and avoid disturbing them. That gives the activity a better feel than a rushed attempt to get as close as possible.

I would think twice if you dislike boat rides, get cold easily, or need guaranteed underwater photos. I would also avoid booking it solely because you want to see turtles. The chance is high, but wild animals do not follow an itinerary.

Timing, meeting point, and practical planning

Plan your day around a two-hour activity, but allow extra time for arrival at the marina. You need to be at dock 5 at least 20 minutes before departure. Check the exact starting time when booking, since several start times may be available.

The operator communicates by WhatsApp or email the day before to collect your equipment sizes. Check those messages carefully. If you miss the request, you may arrive without the crew having the information they need to prepare your gear.

English and Spanish are available. Bring swimwear and a towel, and consider wearing clothes that are easy to change out of after the session. The tour supplies the main snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack a mask or fins unless you prefer your own.

The activity has a rating of 4.2 from 71 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience with some real variation. That variation makes sense: sea conditions, visibility, water temperature, and animal behavior can change the day.

My verdict on the turtle snorkeling trip

I would book this tour if I wanted a short, well-supported chance to see turtles and rays from Las Galletas. The strongest points are the small groups, the attentive instructor, the included equipment, and the respectful approach to the animals.

I would book with realistic expectations. You get about one hour in the water, and the turtles cannot be guaranteed. Ask about current visibility, water temperature, group size, and whether the included photos are taken underwater. Those four questions will tell you more than any sales description.

Choose it for the chance to watch wild marine life in a protected coastal area, not for a guaranteed photograph or a full day at sea. If that sounds right for you, $81 is a fair price for the package.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The meeting point is Marina del Sur, Las Galletas Harbour, dock 5.

How long does the activity last?

The total activity lasts two hours. The speedboat ride takes about 25 minutes each way, leaving about one hour for snorkeling and sailing at the marine site.

Are turtles guaranteed?

No. There is a high probability of seeing turtles, but they are wild animals in their natural environment, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No. Previous snorkeling experience is helpful but not required. You must be able to swim.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. The operator contacts you one day before the activity to ask for your equipment sizes.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos are included, but video is not. The exact type of photographs is not specified, and one participant received boat photos rather than underwater images.

Can children join the activity?

Children under 8 cannot take part. Anyone joining must also be able to swim.