Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

Tenerife’s south coast gives you two good reasons to leave the beach: wild dolphins and turtles viewed from a quiet kayak, plus a swim stop in a bay that you cannot reach on foot. The animals set the schedule, so this is nature watching rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

I like the comfortable kayaks with back support, the included wetsuit and photos, and the careful approach used by Tenerife’s only eco-certified kayaking company. I also like the price: $35 for three hours is strong value when equipment, a guide, insurance, and snorkeling are covered. The catch is simple: you must swim confidently, and no one can promise that a turtle or dolphin will appear.

Key points before you paddle

• Dolphins may travel in pods of up to 30, with bottlenose dolphins among the species most often seen.
• Green turtles are common sightings, while loggerhead turtles may also appear.
• Snorkeling takes place in a secluded bay, with fish, turtles, or bull rays possible below you.
• Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, David, Daniel, and other guides are praised for clear instruction, calm handling, and good humor.
• Short wetsuits, snorkeling gear, accident insurance, and photos are included, but you bring water, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.
• You must be at least 14 and under 100 kilograms, and minors aged 14 to 17 need a parent with them.

What this Tenerife kayak trip really offers

This is a gentle wildlife outing rather than a high-speed watersports session. You paddle from Playa de Los Cristianos along the coast, keeping an eye on the open water for dolphins and on the sea below for turtles.

The kayaks are designed for comfort, with supportive seats and backrests. That matters because three hours on the water can feel long if you are perched on a hard plastic seat. You still need to paddle, though, and one participant described the activity as physically tiring even while calling it fun.

The company takes an eco-friendly approach. Guides do not chase, corner, or frighten the animals. If dolphins approach, you watch from the kayak. If they do not, you continue along the coast and make the most of the scenery and snorkeling stop.

That distinction is important. The experience advertises a 90 percent chance of seeing dolphins or turtles, but wild animals do not follow a timetable. Some outings produce dolphins, turtles, or both. Others bring fish and a pleasant paddle without the headline sighting. You should book it for the whole experience, not only for a photograph of a turtle.

Starting at Xplore Tenerife in Los Cristianos

You meet at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking, in the Cristianmar building. The office is on the ground floor, to the left when you face the building from the sea.

The first formal part is a 15-minute safety briefing. This is where you learn how to handle the kayak, work with your partner if you are sharing, and behave around marine life. Guides speak Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French, so communication should be manageable for a wide range of visitors.

After the briefing, you walk for about five minutes to Playa de Los Cristianos. Changing rooms and lockers are available, which is useful when you need to leave dry clothes and personal items behind. Bring flip-flops for the short walk, since the beach transfer is not the place for your best walking shoes.

You will need swimwear, sunscreen, a sun hat, a towel, and water. Wetsuits are supplied, but swimsuits and towels are not. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the operator can refuse participation if conditions make the trip unsafe.

The first hour from Playa de Los Cristianos

The opening paddle lasts about an hour. This gives you time to get used to the kayak before the trip reaches its main wildlife areas.

The coast and mountains of Tenerife provide the backdrop. From the water, you get a different angle on the island than you do from a road or hotel terrace. The sea-level view also makes the scale of the coast easier to appreciate, while the guide points out marine life and helps the group watch the water.

This is where patience helps. Dolphins can appear suddenly, sometimes in groups of up to 30, and may jump high from the water. Bottlenose dolphins are among the easier species to spot, while rough-toothed, striped, and common dolphins also live in the surrounding Atlantic waters.

The kayak is well suited to quiet observation. It makes less noise than a motorboat and allows the group to sit low on the water. You will not have the speed or range of a powered excursion, but you gain a closer connection to the sea and avoid turning the wildlife encounter into a chase.

Guides such as Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, and David receive especially warm praise for their manner on the water. The useful pattern is clear: they explain things well, keep the mood relaxed, and help first-time paddlers feel safe. David is also singled out for taking good photos and choosing a strong snorkeling area, while Carlos is often praised for being calm and friendly.

Cueva de los Enamorados and the coastal return

The route reaches Cueva de los Enamorados, or the Cave of the Lovers, for a short 15-minute section. Here you continue kayaking and watching for dolphins and other marine life.

The stop is brief, so do not picture a long cave visit or a land excursion. Its value is the change of setting along the coast and the chance to look for wildlife in another stretch of water. It also breaks up the paddle before you return toward Playa de Los Cristianos.

The second kayaking section lasts about another hour. By now, you should have a better feel for steering and paddling, though the return can still be tiring if you are not used to kayaking. This is one reason the back support matters, especially for people who want an active outing but do not normally spend time on the water.

The guide remains the key to the experience. A good guide spots movement before you do, explains what you are seeing, and keeps the group together without making the trip feel rigid. Daniel is praised for keeping participants safe while sharing information about the animals and the surrounding coast. Barbara is often described as cheerful and helpful, while Gonza is noted for clear English and strong ocean experience.

Snorkeling in a bay reached only by boat

The snorkeling stop is the other major part of the outing. The group pauses in a secluded bay that cannot be reached by land, allowing you to leave the kayak and swim in clearer, calmer water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as is a short wetsuit. The suit helps with comfort in the Atlantic and removes one common expense from the day. You should still bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and water.

The underwater life can include different fish species, turtles, and bull rays gliding across the seabed. Several outings have produced plenty of fish even when no turtle appeared. That makes the snorkeling worthwhile on its own, but you should remain realistic: this is not a guaranteed encounter or a controlled animal exhibit.

Swimming ability is mandatory. You may be comfortable in a pool yet still find open water more demanding, particularly after paddling. If you are not a confident swimmer, this is the wrong activity. The operator can decide that conditions are unsafe, and you will not be able to take part if you cannot meet the swimming requirement.

You should also leave your phone at the meeting point unless it is securely protected. One participant carried a phone in a waterproof case and made clear that this remains your responsibility. The included photos are the easier choice if you want memories without worrying about dropping a device.

How much wildlife can you expect?

The advertised target is dolphins and turtles, with a stated 90 percent chance of seeing them. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee, and the wording should not be treated like a promise.

Green turtles are encountered often, and loggerhead turtles are also possible. You may see a turtle near the kayak or below you while snorkeling. Dolphins may pass at a distance, circle the group, or jump into view. In some cases, you might see a mother and baby dolphin together.

On another outing, you might see no turtles and no dolphins. The sea is not a zoo, and the responsible approach means the guides do not force an encounter. I consider that a point in the company’s favor, even if it creates uncertainty for anyone booking mainly for a particular animal.

Your best attitude is to value three separate experiences: a coastal paddle, a guided snorkel in a boat-only bay, and a chance to watch wild animals. If all three come together, you have had an exceptional morning or afternoon. If only the first two do, the activity can still be good value at $35.

Why the $35 price is attractive

At $35 per person, this is one of the easier adventure activities to justify in a Tenerife budget. You get a three-hour outing, a kayak, snorkeling equipment, a guide, accident insurance, a short wetsuit, and photos.

You are not paying extra for a separate equipment rental or an additional snorkeling session. The photos matter too, since carrying a camera on a kayak can be awkward and risky. Check the current booking details before committing, but on the supplied price, the package offers a lot for the money.

The main extra costs are small but easy to overlook. You need to provide water, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. If you are staying far from Los Cristianos, transport to the meeting point is also your responsibility, since no transfer is listed.

The three-hour length works well for a half-day plan. You can fit it around other Tenerife activities without losing a full day. It also gives enough time for both wildlife watching and snorkeling, rather than reducing the experience to a short beach rental.

Who will enjoy it, and who should skip it

I would choose this for an active couple, a group of friends, or a family with older teenagers who want to see Tenerife from the sea. It suits first-time kayakers because guides give clear instructions and several have a calm, reassuring style.

The minimum age is 14. Anyone aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent, so this is not a drop-off activity for independent teenagers.

You should skip it if you cannot swim, are pregnant, have back problems, have a pre-existing medical condition, or weigh more than 100 kilograms. The weight limit is tied to kayak stability, not a casual suggestion.

Think carefully about the physical side, too. Kayaking for around two hours, with a snorkeling stop in the middle, requires steady effort. Comfortable seats help, but they do not remove the need to paddle. If you want a completely passive boat ride, book a different type of excursion.

Practical ways to have a better morning on the water

Arrive ready to change quickly. Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel and flip-flops, and bring sun protection even if the day begins cloudy. Water is not supplied, so carry enough for the three-hour outing.

Listen closely during the safety talk. It is short, but it covers the points that make the trip safer and more enjoyable, especially how to handle the kayak and how to behave around animals.

Do not spend the whole paddle scanning only for turtles. Watch the coastline, look for fish during the snorkel, and enjoy the mountain views. The wildlife is a bonus within a broader sea outing.

If you want photos, use the supplied service rather than risking your phone. A waterproof case can work, but anything you bring is your responsibility if it sinks.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability when you choose your date.

Should you book this kayak and snorkel trip?

Book it if you can swim, enjoy a little physical effort, and want a reasonably priced chance to see Tenerife’s marine life without a noisy motorboat. The eco-friendly approach, supportive kayaks, included wetsuits, and strong guides make the package easy to recommend.

Do not book it solely because you expect to swim with turtles. You may see green turtles, loggerheads, dolphins, rays, and plenty of fish, but nature controls the schedule. For $35, the coastal kayaking and secluded-bay snorkeling already provide a fair return, and a dolphin or turtle encounter turns it into something special.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife kayak tour start?

It starts at Xplore Tenerife Kayaking and Biking in the Cristianmar building in Los Cristianos. The office is on the ground floor to the left when you face the building from the sea.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours. The schedule includes a 15-minute safety briefing, a short walk to Playa de Los Cristianos, kayaking, wildlife watching, and a snorkeling stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, accident insurance, a guide, and photos are included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim to participate. The operator may also decide that you cannot take part if conditions make the activity unsafe.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 14. Participants aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The limit is 100 kilograms per person, or about 220 pounds, for kayak stability.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, sunscreen, a sun hat, and flip-flops. Water, swimsuits, and towels are not included.

Can I expect to see dolphins and turtles?

The stated chance of seeing dolphins or turtles is 90 percent, but sightings are not guaranteed because these are wild animals. You may also see fish or bull rays during the snorkeling stop.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.