Underwater scooters make snorkeling feel like flying. I love the easy control and the chance to see sea turtles, rays, and octopus, all while you’re collecting real photos and video from the water. One catch: turtle sightings are likely but not guaranteed, and the swim happens in deeper water (about 2–15 meters).

You start at Abades Beach, in a protected natural area, with a licensed guide who explains the safety stuff and how the scooter works. After you get in a wetsuit, mask, snorkel tube, and fins, you practice in the shallower edge and then slide into the main route.

The scooter time is about 40 minutes, and the full tour lasts around 2 hours, including roughly 60 minutes in the water as you search for sea life. This is a great setup for photos, but it’s also not the kind of activity you should pick if you get easily uncomfortable in open water.

Key highlights at a glance

• Underwater scooter cruising that feels simple even if you’re not super fit
• Turtle-focused route in a known sea-life area, with a real chance of spotting them
• Rays, octopus, sepia, and lots of colorful fish depending on conditions
• Small group of up to 3 for clearer help and less waiting around
• Photos and video delivered after the tour by drop-off or WhatsApp
• No touching marine life, with a focus on observing calmly

Abades Beach: the protected starting point you’ll want before you gear up

Abades Beach is the launchpad for this scooter snorkel, and that matters more than you might think. You’re heading into a protected natural park area, so the tour’s whole rhythm is built around calm water, wildlife viewing, and controlled movement.

You meet in front of the restaurant Magilu, then the guide does a short talk so you know what to expect. This isn’t a long lecture. It’s the kind of quick briefing that helps you relax faster: how the scooter is used, what the safety rules are, and how the group will move through the water.

From there, you get equipped: wetsuit, mask, snorkel tube, and fins. Even if you’re confident in the water, it’s nice when everyone starts with the same gear and the guide keeps an eye on spacing. One reason this tour feels smooth is that it’s set up for a small group, capped at 3 participants.

If you like structure (briefing, practice, then action), you’ll probably appreciate the way this is run. If you hate rules, take note: there’s a clear no-touch policy for marine life. It’s not negotiable, and it’s part of why the experience stays respectful and safe.

Underwater scooter 101: why this is easier than regular snorkeling

The main event here is the underwater scooter, and the best part is that it reduces the main challenge of snorkeling: getting your body moving comfortably in the water. Instead of fighting buoyancy and kick fatigue, you can focus on staying steady, breathing normally, and following the guide’s instructions.

The tour includes time to try the scooter and get photos. That first practice phase is a big deal. It’s not only about learning the controls—it’s also about getting your confidence back before you’re focused on wildlife.

In-water technique (the practical bit)

• You wear fins, so you still have control.
• You also use the scooter to glide and move along with less effort.
• You can keep yourself stable and hold on as needed, which helps a lot if your stamina isn’t great.

One guest even pointed out that the scooter felt perfect if they were less conditioned, because you’re not constantly doing hard swimming. That’s the real value of this format: it makes the water accessible without turning the experience into a slow, boring slog.

What you’ll like most

• The learning curve feels short.
• You can spend more attention on what’s around you, instead of just how hard it is to stay afloat.

What to consider

• You should be comfortable staying in the water for about an hour, and you should be okay in deeper water.
• The tour is not meant for people with poor comfort in open water. The guide makes this distinction for a reason.

The full 2-hour flow: 40 minutes of scooter plus a turtle search

This is one of those tours where timing actually helps the experience make sense. You’re not just renting a scooter and “good luck.” The schedule is built around scooter fun first, then wildlife hunting.

Here’s how the tour typically unfolds:

1) Meet, quick chat, and gear up

You meet at Magilu, get a short explanation, and then suit up with wetsuit, mask, snorkel tube, and fins. If you’re used to snorkeling gear being a bit random, you’ll probably like how organized this feels.

2) Practice with the scooter and get your first shots

The experience starts with learning and a photo/video moment. This is where you should tell yourself: get your basics right, then relax. Your first minutes underwater set the tone.

3) Scooter time: about 40 minutes

That’s the “fun part” slot—gliding, photographing, and moving through the water with less effort than traditional snorkeling.

4) Turtle and sea life search continues

After the scooter time, the tour keeps going as you look for turtles in the area. Finding them isn’t guaranteed, but there’s a strong chance because the goal is set to where turtles live.

5) Back to Abades Beach and media delivery

At the end, you return to the beach. Then you get your photos and videos, either by drop-off or via WhatsApp.

Two details worth respecting

• The time in the water is at least 60 minutes.
• You’re in deep water, roughly between 2 and 15 meters.

If you’re comfortable with that, great. If you’re not, the scooter can’t fix anxiety about depth. You’d be safer choosing something more shallow and beginner-friendly.

Sea life in the turtle area: what you might see and why it’s worth it

The official goal is turtles, and that shapes everything. If you come for turtles, you’ll probably also enjoy the “support cast,” because even on days when turtles don’t show up, the water can still be packed with life.

Based on what the guide team commonly focuses on, you may see:

• Sea turtles (not guaranteed, but possible and a real focus)
• Rays
• Lots of colorful fish
• Other marine life such as octopus and sepia

The “why it’s valuable” part is simple: an underwater scooter changes your ability to watch. When you’re not exhausted from swimming, you can slow down mentally and actually track movement—fish darting patterns, the glide path of a ray, or the stillness when a turtle is close.

Also, visibility matters. When the water is clear, your chances of spotting wildlife—and getting great photos—go up fast. One visitor noted that water visibility was excellent and still enjoyed the tour even when turtles weren’t spotted.

And yes, there are days without turtles. That’s the trade for choosing a living-wildlife experience. But the upside of this format is that you’re not waiting around for a single animal to appear. You’re moving, gliding, and scanning the whole time.

A final note: there’s a strict rule about not touching marine life. You’ll get more wildlife and better photos by staying hands-off and letting the animals do their thing.

Photos and videos: how you leave with proof of the underwater fun

This is a tour where the media part isn’t an afterthought. From the start, you’re set up for photos and videos during the scooter time and practice period.

At the end, you’ll receive the footage directly—either by drop-off or through WhatsApp. That’s helpful because it keeps the whole experience moving: you don’t have to go hunt files later or wait weeks to see what happened.

If you’re traveling with someone who loves pictures, this is also a nice way to avoid the usual snorkeling problem: one person is responsible for taking shots, and the other person is busy dealing with gear and balance. Here, the tour is designed so everyone can enjoy the experience while still ending up with underwater content.

What I like about this setup is that it supports both goals:

• fun in the water
• memories you can actually share

And because the guide is running a structured scooter route, your photos and video are more likely to capture real motion and close sea life moments, not just random blue water.

Price and value: is $41 worth it?

At about $41 per person for roughly a 2-hour outing, the value is tied to what you get bundled in.

You’re paying for more than “equipment rental.” The price covers:

• Full snorkeling equipment (wetsuit, mask, snorkel tube, fins)
• The underwater scooter
• Photos and videos
• An experienced, licensed guide

Then there’s the human factor: the small group size (up to 3) means you’re not fighting crowds underwater. You also get real coaching in the water. One guest specifically praised guides like Natalie and Andres for explaining everything clearly, then helping them once they were actually in the sea.

Is $41 cheap? Not really “bargain” cheap. But it’s fair for a guided, gear-based wildlife experience with scooter support and media included.

If you tried to recreate this yourself—buying or renting a scooter, arranging a guide, and paying for underwater media—it would likely cost more and be much less relaxed. That’s the value: you’re buying convenience plus a guide who knows where the sea life is, and who can keep the group safe and moving.

So who gets the best value?

• People who want wildlife viewing without intense swimming
• Couples and friends who want shared photos and video
• Families with older kids who can handle time in deeper water (age 6+)

Who might feel it’s not worth it?

• If you’re hoping for a beginner-only, shallow-water snorkel. This tour is in deeper water and expects you to handle around an hour in it.

Practical fit: who should book, and who should rethink it

This is listed as suitable for everyone, and in spirit it’s family-friendly. But you still need to match the physical side of the plan.

Best fit

• You want a guided wildlife outing with lots of color and movement
• You like the idea of scooter gliding instead of constant kicking
• You’re okay with deeper water and staying calm while scanning for animals
• You want real photos and video at the end

Age and comfort limits

• Children can join from 6 years old and up.
• Not recommended if you have a cold.
• Not recommended for non-swimmers with bad conditions. The tour involves swimming time and being able to hold on for about an hour in the water.

One more rule to respect

• Touching marine life isn’t allowed. This is a hands-off experience by design.

Here’s a helpful way to decide: ask yourself if you can comfortably spend about an hour in deeper water without panicking. If the answer is yes, you’ll likely have a blast. If the answer is “probably, but I’m nervous,” consider whether a more beginner-friendly option would feel safer.

Should you book this scooter snorkel in the turtle area?

If your priority is sea turtles plus an easy-on-your-energy way to enjoy snorkeling, this tour is a strong pick. The scooter changes the experience from “workout snorkeling” to “wildlife watching with less effort,” and the small group size helps you feel guided without crowds.

I’d book it if:

• you’re comfortable with deeper water (2–15 meters)
• you can handle at least an hour in the water
• you want photos and videos delivered right after

I’d skip it if:

• you’re sick (like a cold)
• you’re under 6
• you’re not a confident water person or you expect to struggle with depth

The honest bottom line: turtle sightings aren’t guaranteed, but the tour is built so you still get a fun underwater experience. Between the scooter glide time, the chance of turtles and rays, and the included media, it’s a smart way to spend a short Canary Islands outing when you want both movement and wildlife.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet in front of the restaurant Magilu.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

How much time will we spend in the water?

The tour includes at least 60 minutes in the water.

Is seeing turtles guaranteed?

No. Turtle sightings are not guaranteed, but there is a good chance to see them.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes full snorkeling equipment plus an underwater scooter, and you also get photos and videos from your adventure.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Non swimmers can join only if they are not afraid of water and can hold on for about one hour in the water. If you have bad conditions, it’s not recommended.

How old do children need to be?

Children can join from age 6 and up. It’s not suitable for children under 6.

How deep is the water?

The snorkeling is done in deep water between 2 and 15 meters.

Are we allowed to touch marine life?

No. Touching marine life is not allowed.

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