Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

Short trip, big sea life. A speedboat takes you off Puerto Colón for about 50 minutes of snorkeling in warm, clear water, with the chance to spot turtles and stingrays close to shore. It is run in a small group, so you spend less time waiting and more time looking down.

I really like how the tour handles the gear and coaching. You get a wetsuit, mask, and fins onboard, then a short intro so you know what to do before jumping in. One lead instructor named Élisa gets specific praise for staying calm and reassuring, which matters if you are not fully confident in the water.

The main drawback is that conditions can change. If wind and waves affect visibility, the underwater experience may feel less impressive, and you could even get nudged toward a different plan. Also, language help at the shop can be uneven, so come with your questions ready.

Key things to know before your snorkel safari

• Small group (up to 9 people) keeps the guide attention focused on you, not on a crowd.
• Wetsuit, fins, and mask included means less packing and easier last-minute snorkeling decisions.
• About 50 minutes in the bay is the real highlight, not just a quick dip.
• 15 minutes each way by speedboat gets you out past the near-shore area without killing your day.
• Life jackets available for weaker swimmers, so you are not left guessing.
• Marine sightings are the goal: turtles, cuttlefish, stingrays, and more, with dolphins sometimes showing up during the trip.

Puerto Colón snorkel safari value: what you get for about $53

For roughly $53 per person, this tour hits a nice sweet spot between “quick and easy” and “actually worth getting wet.” You are paying for speedboat transport, snorkeling gear, and guided time in the water, which can be a better deal than trying to cobble together boat time plus equipment rental separately.

The math gets even more friendly when you factor in how much of the total 2-hour window is spent near the water. The trip is short enough for a cruise day or a late-morning plan, but long enough that your snorkeling time is meaningful, not a token 10-minute try.

Meeting point in Puerto Colón: Zero Gravity Tenerife, dock 3, back entrance

This one is simple once you know where to look. Go to Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 next to Café Black Pearl. The entrance to the diving center is in the back side of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

My practical tip: arrive a bit early and take 30 seconds to find that back entrance. When you are standing with a towel, swimwear, and a wetsuit bag, you do not want the last step of the day to turn into a hunt.

The 30-minute safety briefing that makes snorkeling easier

Before the boat even moves, there is a safety briefing at Puerto Colón that takes about 30 minutes. This is where the tour sets you up for success, especially if snorkeling is new to you.

In plain terms, you should expect:

• a quick run-through of how to snorkel comfortably
• guidance on using your mask and fins
• instructions for what to do once you are in the water

That briefing time matters because it helps you enjoy the water instead of fighting your equipment. If you tend to panic in unfamiliar gear setups, this is the moment to listen closely and ask questions.

Gear up onboard: wetsuit, mask, fins, and the comfort check

On arrival at the boat area, you will be fitted with snorkeling gear. You get a wetsuit, mask, and fins, plus a lifejacket if required.

Here is why I think this tour does a good job: you do not need to guess whether rentals will fit or whether the weather will be comfortable. The wetsuit also gives you a bit more confidence, especially in breezier moments.

Bring:

• swimwear
• a towel

Everything else is handled for you, which is a big value when you are traveling light.

The speedboat ride: 15 minutes of coastline views and possible dolphins

Once you board, there is about 15 minutes by speedboat before your snorkeling bay. You cruise along Tenerife’s southern coast, which gives you a break from the resort streets and a chance to see the shoreline from a different angle.

One neat bonus is wildlife spotting en route. In the experience details people share, dolphins have shown up during the outbound trip and sometimes you even pause for photos if conditions allow.

Also, keep your expectations flexible. A speedboat ride is fast and lively, so it is not a “sit quietly” experience. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking the usual precautions before boarding.

The snorkeling bay: warm, clear water close to shore

The real show happens in a secluded bay only about 15 minutes from shore. You are looking at around 50 minutes of snorkeling in crystal-clear water, which is long enough to settle in, not just rush through one pass.

The setup works like this:

• you jump in once the team has you equipped and briefed
• you snorkel along the ocean surface
• you watch for movement below, not just pretty scenery

If you want a mental picture, think of it as an easy, guided “look and learn” outing in calm water. You are not expected to do anything technical. You focus on breathing, staying relaxed, and enjoying the view underwater.

What you might spot: turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, and more

The tour’s mission is marine wildlife. The highlights call out turtles, cuttlefish, stingrays, and other colorful fish, and that matches the kind of sightings people hope for on Tenerife.

A practical way to improve your odds is to slow down your scanning. Move your attention from near the surface to slightly deeper zones, and pause when you see a change in sand or rocks. Stingrays often show up as motion in the right habitat, not as a big obvious highlight like in aquarium tanks.

And yes, keep your eyes open from the surface. People mention potentially seeing octopuses and cuttlefish, and you are not required to go hunting underwater. Your best moments come from steady observation rather than chasing.

First-timer comfort: small group attention and patient coaching

This is a small-group activity with a cap of 9 participants. That number matters because it changes how the guide can work with you when something feels confusing.

If you are snorkeling for the first time, the staff style can make or break the day. One person’s experience described an instructor taking extra time to explain the basics to their daughter and staying close as she learned. You can expect similar “do it with you” support during the in-water period.

Even if you are experienced, having a guide keep an eye on the group helps you spend less time fiddling and more time watching.

Safety and wind reality: when visibility drops

A key thing to know is that the sea decides how good it will look that day. Wind and waves can affect underwater visibility, and in some cases the team may adjust the plan if conditions are not ideal.

So, if you show up and the ocean looks a little rough, do not treat that as a wasted trip. The tour still has value because the experience is structured around safety, equipment, and guided time on the water.

If you want the best chance of clear viewing, aim for a day when the water looks calm from the dock. That is not always under your control, but your eyes are your best forecast tool.

Photos and videos: plan for extra cost if you want them

Photos and videos are available to purchase, but they are not included in the base price. If you love action shots, decide ahead of time whether you want that add-on, because it can turn a “cheap and cheerful” outing into a more expensive souvenir hunt.

If you do not want to pay for media, that is totally fine. With snorkeling time in clear water, you can always focus on your own mental memory and phone pics from dry moments.

Price check: included gear plus boat time is where the value lives

What you pay for, in plain terms:

• speedboat transport
• snorkeling gear (wetsuit, mask, fins)
• lifejacket if needed

What you do not pay for:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• photos and videos

That means you should budget for getting yourself to the meeting point on your own. If you are staying near Puerto Colón, that is usually easy. If you are coming from farther away, the lack of pickup could be a cost and time factor, even if the tour price looks low.

Who should book this Puerto Colón snorkel safari

This tour fits best if you want:

• guided snorkeling without a lot of preparation
• a short day plan that still includes real water time
• a good chance of marine wildlife sightings near Tenerife

It is also a solid match if you have mixed experience levels in your group, since the small-group setup supports newcomers better than big tours.

If you are the kind of traveler who needs perfect, world-class visibility every day, then treat the ocean like the variable it is. Your experience will depend on conditions, and some days will feel better than others.

Should you book it?

Yes, I think you should book this if you want a practical snorkeling outing with included gear and a clear timeline, not a vague “maybe you swim, maybe you don’t” afternoon. The small-group size, guided setup, and the focus on a secluded bay make it a good value for the money.

I would only hesitate if:

• you hate boats and speed rides
• you cannot be comfortable with possible visibility changes
• you expect hotel pickup and do not want to handle your own transport to Puerto Colón

If you can handle those tradeoffs, this is an easy way to turn Tenerife’s sea into a real, guided wildlife search, with snorkeling time that lasts long enough to enjoy.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Colón snorkel safari?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

What snorkeling gear is included?

Snorkeling gear is included, including a wetsuit, fins, and mask. A lifejacket is provided if required.

Do I need to know how to swim?

The tour notes that life jackets are available for weaker swimmers. If you are unsure, ask the team during the briefing.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Where is the meeting point in Puerto Colón?

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

What marine life does the tour try to spot?

The highlights mention turtles, cuttlefish, stingrays, and other colorful fish.