Abades: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos

Tenerife snorkeling, with free photos, is a smart plan. This Abades guided tour takes you in with a trained guide off Playa Adabes, where you can spot colorful fish and coral reef life, plus the chance of turtles, stingrays, and even octopus. You also get your underwater photos and videos to keep.

What I really like is the small group feel, limited to just six people, so the guide can actually check on you in the water. I also like that the team is set up for real beginners, including nervous swimmers and families, with the right gear and hands-on guidance. The one drawback to keep in mind is that turtles and stingrays are never guaranteed, especially for non-swimmers who do not cover much distance.

Key points before you go

• Small group snorkeling limited to 6 participants, with occasional group merging if needed
• Professional wetsuits and snorkeling equipment plus clear instruction before you get in
• Free underwater photos and videos, so you are not stuck trying to shoot through your mask
• Beginner-friendly support, including for people who cannot swim well
• Open-ocean reality check: turtles are possible, not guaranteed, and sighting depends on conditions
• Meeting point is simple: the restaurant Magilu, right in front of the beach

Snorkeling off Playa Abades: what the 2-hour outing feels like

This tour is built around a straightforward goal: get you into the water safely and help you see what lives there. From the start, the team sets expectations that the ocean is open water, so sightings depend on conditions and effort. That honesty is useful, because it stops you from imagining a guaranteed turtle encounter.

I love that it is not just a casual swim. You are moving through a guided experience, where the guide helps you find the fish, reefs, and other marine life at the right pace, for your comfort level.

The whole thing runs about two hours, which is long enough to get good time underwater but short enough that even kids can handle it without turning it into a marathon. If you are planning a day on Tenerife, this is a nice chunk of time that still leaves room for lunch and a relaxed beach walk after.

Meeting at Restaurant Magilu and getting your gear on fast

Your meeting point is easy to find: the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. The instructions say you should look for the white banks before the ocean, because that is where you meet.

Parking is mentioned as plentiful, which matters more than people think. A smooth start makes the whole experience feel calmer, especially if you are traveling with a family or someone who is nervous about the water.

Once everyone arrives, you leave your personal stuff in the team car. That helps keep the beach area less chaotic and makes it easier to focus on the important part, getting your gear fitted and listening to the safety basics before you enter.

The guide setup: freediving experience, mini groups, real support

The provider behind this experience is Meerjungfrau Apnoe Akademie ES. In plain terms, this is a team with a serious background in teaching water skills and helping people feel safe.

The tour info makes it clear that they also work as freediving instructors. That shows in the way they frame support for people who are not strong swimmers, because the guides say they can guide participants even if you are not a great swimmer. They also emphasize more than 20 years of experience, and they mention they work with children and people who feel afraid of the ocean.

In the reviews, I see that approach reflected again and again. Many people describe guides as friendly, attentive, and very good at giving clear explanations. One review specifically says the guide adjusted the excursion based on the children’s abilities, which tells me the tour is flexible rather than one-size-fits-all.

Language is another practical win. The tour lists German, Spanish, and English, so you should be able to get instruction without the usual guessing game.

Underwater time: coral, fish, and where creatures actually show up

After you meet, put on your professional snorkeling equipment and a wetsuit. The wetsuit is listed as long or short, which is helpful in Tenerife since conditions can vary by season and time of day.

Then you head underwater to explore the area off Playa Abades. The description focuses on a coral reef with hundreds of colorful fish, which is exactly what most people want from a first snorkeling trip: lots to see without needing to be a swimmer for miles.

This is the kind of snorkeling where you are not stuck staring at your own flippers. Guides are there to help you stay oriented, find the reef life, and keep pace with what you can handle. Several reviews also mention that the reefs and fish are easy to find, and that the guide knows where the best sights are.

One more detail that can make or break an outing: this team appears to choose a setting where they say there is nothing dangerous in the water at this beach. That does not mean the ocean is risk-free, but it does tell you they are picking a local spot where safe snorkeling is realistic.

Turtle, stingray, and octopus chances: realistic expectations in open water

Here’s the honest part, and I think it is actually a plus: turtles, stingrays, and octopus are possible, but not guaranteed. The tour description directly notes that in open ocean, they might not be able to spot turtles.

They even give a specific local detail that there are six sea turtles living on the beach area right now, but then add that it might be that you cannot see them. One review also highlights the odds: turtles might be limited because sightings often depend on a feeding spot and time spent there.

Non-swimmers should pay extra attention to this. The tour’s own info says non swimmers cannot see turtles because it is a lot to swim to see them. In contrast, non-swimmers will still see fish and sea life, which is a key point if you are booking for someone who is less confident.

For stingrays and octopus, the chances sound similar: you keep an eye out, but you are also accepting that marine animals follow their own schedule. Octopus are described as hidden under stones, which means your success may depend on the guide pointing out the right spots and the water conditions.

In several reviews, people say they saw a turtle, a ray, or other wildlife. But at least one review reports no turtle, which is a reminder to book with curiosity, not promises.

Underwater photos and videos: why the free add-on matters

Free underwater photos and videos are a big part of the value here. You do not have to rent an action camera, and you do not have to wrestle with how to hold your phone in a way that works with a mask.

A lot of snorkeling fails for one reason: you get distracted trying to capture the moment instead of watching the reef. Here, the guide team handles the photo and video part, so you can focus on staying comfortable and letting the sights come to you.

In the reviews, this gets called out repeatedly as excellent, with people describing that pictures were done and shared for free. If you are going with friends or family, those photos also make it easier to share the experience without trying to explain where exactly your best fish sighting was.

Also note that the team offers both photos and videos, which is great if you have multiple people in your group. One person might get the perfect still shot, while another might appreciate a short clip of a turtle or ray as it moves past.

Who this tour suits (and who should skip it)

This tour is described as amazing for the whole family, and the reviews back up that family-friendly feeling. Many visitors mention bringing kids, including a parent describing a trip for a seven-year-old. There is also mention of children aged six and nine having a blast.

That said, there are clear limits. The tour is not suitable for children under 5. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and it is not suitable for people with a cold.

Pregnant women can do snorkeling, according to the tour info. That is worth flagging because not every operator makes a clear statement like this, and it suggests the team expects to adapt to different needs.

If you cannot swim at all or you are out of shape, you can still consider it, and the reviews suggest you might be fine. One review explicitly says the person felt secure and supported even as a non-swimmer. Still, keep the turtle expectation realistic, since non-swimmers may have trouble reaching the spots where turtles are easiest to spot.

If you wear glasses, there is an important warning: if you use glasses, you cannot put them under the mask. That can affect comfort, so it is smart to plan ahead.

Price and included gear: value for families on Tenerife

The price is $35 per person for a roughly two-hour guided snorkeling tour, and the includes list matters. You get the snorkeling tour, guide, snorkeling equipment, wetsuit (long or short), plus photos and videos.

That combination is what makes the math work for many families. You are not paying separately for a guide, gear, and a media add-on that you would normally have to figure out yourself. For first-timers, that reduces stress because you only need to bring swim basics, not a bundle of rental decisions.

Also consider the group size. Limited to 6 participants means more attention. When someone in your group is a beginner or nervous, more time with the guide is not a luxury, it is the difference between an OK time and a great one.

And yes, weather can affect animal sightings. One review mentions the weather was not good, but the tour still felt great. In other words, you are buying the guidance and safe access to the reef, not a fixed guarantee of turtles.

Practical tips for a smoother snorkel at Playa Abades

Bring the basics the tour lists: sun hat, swimwear, towel, and beachwear. This sounds simple, but it is the stuff that keeps you comfortable while you change and wait your turn.

You might also want to plan for limited on-site changing convenience. One review notes there is no changing room or toilet with the tour, and that a nearby cafe helped. If that matters to you, you can treat the cafe as your backup plan before you head to the meeting point.

For a smoother time in the water, think about comfort first. The guide can support you even if you are a weak swimmer, and they say they are used to helping children and afraid people. Still, you will enjoy it more if you tell them upfront about your swimming ability, because they can adjust your approach.

If you get cold easily, check the suitability note: people with a cold should skip this activity. In Tenerife, water temps and wind still vary, so being honest about how you feel helps everyone.

Finally, expect the ocean to set the pace. The tour is in open water, so sightings like turtles might come and go. If you go in with the mindset of fish, coral life, and a guided safe experience, you will likely leave happy even on a day without a turtle sighting.

Should you book this Abades snorkeling tour with photos?

Book it if you want a guided snorkeling experience that is built for real people, not just confident swimmers. The combination of professional equipment, wetsuit, strong guide support, and free photos and videos makes it a solid value, especially for families and first-timers.

You should think twice or adjust expectations if your main goal is a guaranteed turtle encounter. The tour itself sets the expectation that turtle spotting is not assured, and the info even says non-swimmers may not see turtles due to the swimming distance. If you are okay with that, you will still likely get a lot out of the reef fish and marine life.

If you are in Tenerife and want an easy meeting point, Playa Abades access, and a small group feel, this is a very reasonable choice. Go in curious, listen carefully, and you will probably come out with more than one memory worth sharing.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the snorkeling tour?

The meeting point is at the restaurant Magilu, directly in front of the beach. The instructions say you should look for the white banks before the ocean where you meet.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 2 hours.

What is included in the price?

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

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.

Can non-swimmers join?

Non swimmers can join, but the tour info says non swimmers cannot see turtles because it is a lot to swim to see them. Non swimmers will still see fish and sea life.

What should I bring?

You should bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and beachwear.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor is listed as German, Spanish, and English.

Can I wear glasses under the snorkeling mask?

The info says if you wear glasses to see, you cannot put them under the mask.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 5 years, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people with a cold.