Snorkeling Tour with Sea Turtles and Stingrays

Turtles and stingrays in Tenerife, fast. This 2-hour morning tour mixes a boat ride along the coast with a guided swim in protected waters near Malpais de Rasca, where you can see sea turtles up close. I especially like the small-group setup (described as max 6, with an overall cap of 8), and the fact that gear and photos are included. One drawback to plan for, though, is simple: wildlife is wild, so turtle and ray sightings are high probability, not a 100 percent guarantee.

What makes this tour feel different is the focus on space and respectful behavior. You snorkel for about one hour with an expert instructor, with instructions geared to help you stay comfortable and safe, even if you are not a confident swimmer. If you are prone to motion sickness, pay attention to how you feel on the boat, since one common tip that came up is taking biodramina if you know you get seasick.

It is offered in English, starts at 9:00 am, and runs back to the same meeting point at Marina South Torre de control (2ª planta), Las Galletas. The trip depends on good weather, and if conditions are poor, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Key things I’d plan around

• One-hour snorkeling window where the goal is close, calm wildlife viewing (not a quick in-and-out).
• Malpais de Rasca protected-area area seen from the boat first, then snorkeled from the water.
• Small-group feel with a stated max group size of 6 and a maximum of 8 travelers, so you are not fighting for space.
• In-water guidance and rules focused on staying safe and keeping distance from turtles.
• Gear plus photos included, with a separate paid option for video.

From Marina South at 9:00 am: getting set up and heading out

Your morning begins at Marina South, Torre de control, 2ª planta, in Las Galletas. The start time is 9:00 am, and you end back at the meeting point, so you are not looking at a long transfer day. The meeting point is listed as near public transportation too, which is handy if you are not renting a car.

Before you even hit the water, the tour’s layout tells you what matters here: time in the sea. The total duration is about 2 hours, so the schedule is built to get you to the snorkeling spot, gear up, and then spend your main block of time swimming. If you like activities that are short but focused, this fits.

A practical note: you can bring a towel and your swimsuit. You will be provided a wetsuit, plus mask, snorkel, and fins, so your “packing list” is mostly about staying comfortable on land before and after the swim.

The boat ride to Malpais de Rasca: why you see Tenerife from a different angle

A big part of the value here is that you do not just get dropped off. You start with a boat ride toward the snorkeling area inside the natural protected area of Malpais de Rasca. From the sea, Tenerife’s coast looks and feels totally different than from a viewpoint, especially around volcanic rock and rugged edges along the shoreline.

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you shuffle cameras for hours. The boat time is there to get you to cleaner, quieter water and the right kind of habitat for marine life. One of the nicest details from the experience style is that the group tends to go to a spot away from heavy foot traffic, which helps everyone snorkel without feeling crowded.

Keep in mind that the tour requires good weather. If the sea looks rough, expect the operator to act in your best interest rather than forcing the plan. That is worth it, because it also helps your safety and comfort in the water.

The one-hour swim: sea turtles first, stingrays if you are lucky

The heart of the tour is about one hour in the water. The description is clear: you swim and snorkel alongside marine life, with a strong chance of seeing sea turtles. The wording also suggests you might see stingrays, and other fish species like barracuda and tuna may be part of what you encounter.

Here is how to think about the turtle aspect. Because these animals are free in their natural environment, sightings are never 100 percent. Still, the tour specifically calls out a high probability, which lines up with how the snorkeling site is chosen. In other words, you are not “hoping” randomly. You are going to a place where turtles are expected.

The most practical thing you can do to improve your odds is also the simplest: stay calm and follow the instructor’s guidance right away. When you get into the water, the instructor’s job is not just safety. It is also about helping you use your time well, keeping you in the right water zone, and encouraging respectful behavior so wildlife is not startled or disrupted.

If you are hoping for stingrays, treat it like a bonus. One person did report only seeing a baby stingray was not as likely as they expected, which can happen depending on conditions and animal movement. So plan your mindset around turtles as the main goal, with rays and other fish as happy extras.

How the group size changes your experience

This tour is designed to be intimate. The highlights mention a maximum group size of 6 people, and the activity also lists a maximum of 8 travelers overall. Either way, it is small compared to the big-mass snorkel vibe.

For you, that means two real benefits. First, you spend less time “waiting your turn” to get into clear water and more time snorkeling. Second, small groups usually create less disturbance around wildlife, which is the difference between seeing animals quickly versus watching people bump around.

Meet your instructor and focus on respectful wildlife viewing

You go with an expert instructor who provides the necessary instructions so you feel safe and comfortable. The experience is described as guided by a freedive instructor, which matters because it often signals a coaching style built around breath control, staying relaxed, and moving efficiently in the water.

Even if you have snorkeled before, take the briefing seriously. The whole point is to keep the interaction natural, not forced. The tour emphasizes respectful behavior to avoid impact on turtles, and that is where small-group guidance becomes more than a nice extra. It directly affects what you see and how often you see it.

Two guide details stand out from the experience notes you can use as “what to expect” signals. One named instructor, Elío, was praised for being helpful and friendly, and another guide named Angela was also mentioned as doing an excellent job. Even if your guide is someone else, that is a good hint that the company puts care into instruction quality, not just equipment handout.

If you get nervous in open water, focus on this reassurance: you are not thrown in without help. You receive instructions, and you are there in a group setting with an instructor, which tends to make first-time snorkelers more confident.

Gear, comfort, and what you should bring

Good snorkeling gear makes the water time easier. Here, the tour includes wetsuit, mask and snorkel, and fins, plus insurance. That means you do not need to rent anything on your own, which can save you time and also helps you avoid sizing problems at the last minute.

What you should bring is simple: a towel and your swimsuit. If you are the type who likes a bit of extra comfort, consider bringing something dry for after, plus basic sun protection. You will be out early in the morning, but Tenerife sun can still catch you.

Also, get ready for the “water feels different than you expect” reality. Even with a wetsuit, water can feel cool, and equipment fit matters. Let the instructor adjust anything you are unsure about, like mask position and fin comfort, before you start swimming.

Motion sickness tip if the sea is choppy

A practical note that came up in one experience: if you know you get motion sickness, taking biodramina can help. The tour itself does not promise smooth sailing every time, and it does depend on weather. If you are sensitive to boat rides, plan for it rather than hoping for the best.

Photos are free, video is optional

One of the nicest value touches is that you receive free pictures at the end. That is helpful because snorkeling is not easy to document on your own, and it is safer to focus on breathing and staying close to the group.

Video is not included, but you can purchase it separately. Think of that as an upgrade if you really want a souvenir. If you prefer to travel light, skip it, since you are already getting photos.

How to judge the price, $82.90 per person

At $82.90, the price can look steep until you break down what you are getting. You are paying for the boat trip, provided snorkeling gear (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins), an instructor, insurance coverage, and free photos. When all those pieces are included, you are not just paying for “a place to swim.”

The small-group model also influences value. Less crowding usually means better wildlife viewing and a more personal pace. That is not guaranteed every day, but it is a key reason people rate this tour well.

If you compare this to tours that only include a quick snorkel with no gear, no instructor time, or no photos, this tends to be a fair deal. The free photos alone can make a difference in what you remember, especially if you end up with a handful of turtle sightings.

Who this snorkel tour is best for

This tour is best for people who want an outdoor morning activity that is not exhausting and still feels special. You need to be able to swim, and the minimum age is 8, with children needing an adult.

You are also going to enjoy this more if you like guided activities where rules matter. This is not the type of snorkel where you freestyle off on your own and hope for the best. The whole emphasis is respectful behavior so turtles remain calm and visible.

If you are a confident swimmer, you will likely feel comfortable in the hour-long water time. If you are not a strong swimmer, this may still work if you can follow instructions and stay relaxed, but the requirement that you must be able to swim is not a suggestion.

Practical timing and logistics that keep the day easy

You start at 9:00 am and return to the same meeting point at Marina South Torre de control. That makes the plan easy to plug into your Tenerife day. You do not need to figure out a complicated end location or another transportation handoff.

It also helps that hotel pick-up is available depending on location. If you are staying near Las Galletas or you can get picked up, you can keep the morning stress low. If you are farther out, you can rely on the fact that the meeting point is near public transportation.

Confirmation is received at booking time, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. So you can keep everything in your phone and avoid extra paperwork.

Weather, refunds, and what to do if the sea is rough

This tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is exactly what you want for a water-based activity.

If you are the type who needs a plan that fits a tight schedule, choose your tour date carefully. If you have other boat plans or day trips lined up, leave some flexibility. The sea controls this one more than you do.

Should you book this Tenerife sea turtle and stingray snorkeling tour?

I think you should book it if your top priority is time in the water with a real chance at seeing sea turtles close up, not just pretty fish. The small group size, the protected-area focus, and the included gear and photos make it good value for a short tour.

You should reconsider if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings. Even with a high probability, turtles and rays are animals in their natural state. Also, do not book this if you are uncomfortable swimming or if you are prone to motion sickness and you have no plan to manage it.

If you want a morning that feels personal, guided, and genuinely about the wildlife, this is a strong pick for Tenerife. The kind of trip that leaves you remembering the quiet moment when you see a turtle where it belongs, and you are not surrounded by a crowd.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:00 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Marina South, Torre de control, 2ª planta, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What is included in the price?

Included items are a wetsuit, mask and snorkel, fins, a boat trip, an experienced instructor, insurance, and free photos.

Is a video included?

No, video is not included. It is available to purchase.

What animals can you see?

The tour focuses on snorkeling with sea turtles, and stingrays are possible. Other marine life may also be seen.

Do you guarantee that you will see sea turtles?

There is a high probability of watching sea turtles, but it cannot be guaranteed 100 percent because they are animals in their natural state.

What are the age and swimming requirements?

The minimum age is 8 years, children must be accompanied by an adult, and you must be able to swim.