Snorkeling with wildlife is the plan here. This Abades guided tour is a practical, small-group way to see fish over the reef in Playa Abades, with professional gear, caring instruction, and free underwater photos and videos to take home. I especially like the focus on safety for real life swimmers (and non-swimmers) plus the chance to spot turtles, stingrays, and octopuses when conditions line up.

One consideration: turtle sightings aren’t guaranteed, and the tour itself notes that you generally need stronger swimming ability to look for them.

I also like the small-group feel, limited to 6 participants, and the clear pre-water guidance so you know what to do with your mask and body position. The guides include German, Spanish, and English, and the names Andre and Natalie show up often in the feedback for being kind, hands-on, and attentive. My only real caution is that this is open ocean work, so if you’re sick with a cold or you’re using a wheelchair or need mobility support, this one isn’t a match.

Key points

• Small group (up to 6 people): more attention in the water.
• Photos and videos included: you don’t have to risk your phone gear.
• Strong guide support: even nervous swimmers can be guided along.
• Turtles, stingrays, and octopus possible: sightings depend on season and effort.
• Gear plus wetsuit provided: long or short wetsuit depending on conditions.

Playa Abades in Tenerife: why this snorkel area works

Playa Abades sits on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and the whole idea of this tour is to get you over a reef where fish are easy to spot. You’ll be exploring underwater life off the coast, with coral reef and lots of colorful fish described as the main, reliable payoff.

What makes this spot practical is depth. The tour experience is set up so beginners and mixed ability groups can still enjoy the views without needing advanced skills. One review specifically calls out the use of nearby snorkeling spots with good depth for observation, which matches what you want if you’re trying snorkeling for the first time or you’re not super confident in open water.

You also get that Atlantic feel. A review mentions volcanic rock formations under the water, and that kind of rocky bottom can create great “homes” for marine life—so you may see more than just fish darting past.

Meeting at Restaurant Magilu: easy to find, quick to start

The meeting point is straightforward: restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. You’ll meet by white banks before you reach the ocean, and there’s parking nearby, which helps if you’re driving yourself or renting a car.

Plan to show up ready to go. The tour has you gear up at the beach after meeting your guide, and you’ll leave personal belongings in their car. That keeps the group moving and reduces the hassle of storing bags on-site.

If you’re thinking about bathroom breaks: there isn’t a dedicated changing room/toilet listed for the tour. One review notes a nearby cafe was helpful, so I’d build in a little buffer for that.

Gear up: wetsuits, masks, and how the guide sets you up

After you meet the guide, you’ll put on snorkeling equipment plus a wetsuit (long or short). That wetsuit piece is a big deal in Tenerife because even when the weather feels warm, water can still be cool in the Atlantic. Having the suit provided also means you’re not hunting for rental gear at the last minute.

Then comes the most important part for peace of mind: the brief you get before you go in. Multiple reviews describe clear explanations and continuous checks that everyone is okay. That matters because snorkeling success is mostly about confidence and calm body positioning, not fancy gear.

A few practical details to remember:

• If you wear glasses, you can’t put them under the mask.
• Sun hat plus swimwear plus a towel are worth bringing, because you’ll transition from beach to water and back.
• You’ll be in open ocean, so you’ll want to follow the guide’s pacing and not try to freestyle ahead.

The guides are also described as working with children and anxious people, with a long track record (more than 20 years is mentioned). So even if you’re nervous, the setup is designed for reassurance.

The snorkeling flow: reef fish first, then the “maybe” species

The tour is built around exploring underwater life off Playa Abades. After gearing up, you head into the water to explore the coral reef area with hundreds of colorful fish. In other words, the baseline plan is fish and reef scenery, and that’s what you’re likely to enjoy even if you don’t see rarer animals.

From there, the guide helps you try for the “maybe” list:

• Turtles: the tour notes that there are sea turtles living in the area (six are mentioned at the time of writing), but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Stingrays: you keep an eye out, and reviews do mention ray sightings.
• Octopus: the highlight list says to look under stones for octopuses.

Here’s the key realism: the tour explicitly warns that non-swimmers may not be able to see turtles because it’s a lot of swimming to reach them. That doesn’t mean non-swimmers get nothing. Reviews describe non-swimmers still enjoying lots of fish and sea life, with additional aids provided and the guide holding hands or staying close to help people keep pace.

So I’d frame this tour like this:

• If you want the reliable experience, snorkeling + fish is the main win.
• If you dream of turtles, go with the mindset of trying your best, but accept that you might come away with rays, squid, or just great fish views instead.

A note on turtles and effort

If turtle sightings are your top goal, treat it as a fitness-and-comfort question. You don’t just need to float—you need to be willing to swim enough to get where turtles are likely to show up. That guidance is directly stated in the tour information, and it lines up with the mixed feedback: many people see turtles, and some don’t, with one review calling out that the odds are limited if time around the feeding spot is short.

Underwater photos and video: the memory-making part you’ll actually use

One of the biggest reasons this tour gets such a high rating is simple: photos and videos are included for free. That means no stress about waterproof phones, no awkward “hold my camera while I hold my breath” moments.

The tour says it includes photos and videos, and reviews repeatedly bring up that they got excellent pictures and free sharing afterward. That’s a big value play. Snorkeling souvenirs can get pricey fast—this one builds the souvenir into the price.

Also, if you’re trying snorkeling for the first time, you’ll likely forget your best moments while you’re focused on breathing and movement. A good set of photos/video helps you actually remember the sequence: gear on, reef views, then the surprised wildlife moment if it happens.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This tour is designed to work for families, mixed ability groups, and people who are new—or even nervous—to snorkeling. The guide team includes support for non-swimmers, and the tour information is clear that they can guide you even if you’re a bad swimmer (with the right help).

That said, there are limits:

• Not suitable for children under 5.
• Not suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments.
• Not suitable for people with a cold.
• Pregnant women can do snorkeling, according to the tour information.

So it’s a good fit if:

• You want a guided, low-stress way to see reef fish.
• Your group includes at least one confident swimmer and one person who’s less comfortable.
• You care about getting solid photos without effort.

It’s not a good fit if you need mobility accommodations. It’s also not the right move if you’re under the weather. In open water, even small physical discomfort can turn the experience into stress.

Price and value: getting more than just a swim

At $35 per person for about 2 hours, this tour is priced for real value. You’re not just paying for a guide and equipment—you’re paying for the guide, wetsuit + snorkeling gear, and then photo/video delivery after.

Look at what people usually pay separately:

• If you rent gear on your own, it’s often not cheap.
• Photos on tours are frequently an add-on.
• A private guide that can handle mixed ability is usually much more expensive.

Here, the included gear and free photos/videos make the math easier. Plus, the small-group size (up to 6 people) suggests you’re paying for attention, not just for access to the water.

I’d call it especially good value for families and couples in Tenerife who want a memorable activity that doesn’t require deep experience or advanced confidence.

Practical tips that can make or break your experience

If you want this to go smoothly, focus on the boring stuff first.

1) Don’t rely on turtle odds.

The tour tells you turtles may not be spotted, and non-swimmers may struggle to see them due to how much swimming is involved. If you come expecting fish and reef views first, you’ll feel happy even on low-wildlife days.

2) Bring what you need for the beach.

Sun hat, swimwear, towel, and beachwear are specifically listed. It sounds basic, but it avoids the “we forgot the towel” moment.

3) Skip the glasses trick.

If you wear prescription glasses, remember you can’t put them under the mask. Plan for contact lenses if you use them, or accept that your view will be limited underwater.

4) Expect no dedicated changing room.

A review flags this as a minor issue. If you need to change, use the nearby cafe option mentioned, or just plan to dress appropriately before you arrive.

5) If weather changes, don’t assume the tour is ruined.

One review says it was great even when weather wasn’t ideal. The guides keep the experience moving, which is exactly what you want if Tenerife decides to put on some clouds.

Should you book Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos?

I’d book it if you want:

• A guided snorkeling experience off Playa Abades with equipment and wetsuit included.
• The main win of fish and reef viewing, plus a real chance at stingrays or turtles.
• The big bonus of free underwater photos and videos.

I would hesitate if:

• Turtle sightings are the only thing you care about and you’re not comfortable swimming.
• You need wheelchair access or have mobility impairments, or you’re dealing with a cold.

If your group includes kids and adults with different comfort levels, this tour looks like it’s built for that. Andre and Natalie are repeatedly mentioned for being friendly, clear, and attentive, and that matters more than most people expect when you’re managing masks, breathing, and staying close to the guide.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling tour in Abades?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

What is included in the price?

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

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. The meeting spot is by the white banks before the ocean.

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

Non-swimmers can join and the guides can support you, but the tour also states that non-swimmers will not be able to see turtles because it’s a lot to swim. Non-swimmers should still see fish and sea life.

What animals can we see?

The highlights mention colorful fish and coral reef, with possible sightings of turtles, stingrays, and octopus depending on the season. The tour also notes there are sea turtles in the area, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

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