Tenerife: Kayaking & Snorkeling Turtle Bay with Equipment

Paddle Past Palm-Mar Cave & Snorkel Turtle Bay in Tenerife

You paddle a guided kayak through Turtle Bay for two hours, snorkel in a sheltered spot full of fish and marine life, and return with coffee included. All equipment (kayaks, vests, paddles, snorkel gear, neoprene) comes with the tour, as does an expert instructor who speaks Italian, English, French or Spanish. The route stays relaxed and suitable for beginners, though experienced paddlers find it satisfying too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided kayaking and snorkeling tour

• Receive kayaking and safety briefing
• Kayak past Palm-Mar Cave
• Observe natural caves and rock formations
• Spot marine life like turtles and dolphins
• Stop for snorkeling in sheltered area
• Enjoy relaxed kayaking pace

The experience

Our guide Marco met us at the beach twenty minutes before start time, already checking equipment and asking if anyone had paddled before. He was Italian, spoke English without effort, and had that easy confidence of someone who'd done this hundreds of times. The kayaks were lined up on the sand (bright yellow, stable, nothing fancy), and he walked us through the basics: how to hold the paddle, how to brace yourself if the water got choppy, where the life vest actually clips. It took maybe ten minutes. Then we pushed off into water so clear you could see the sand beneath us, even in the deeper parts.

The kayaking tour of Turtle Bay follows a gentle route that takes about two hours total, and the pace never feels rushed. We paddled past the Palm-Mar Cave, a dark mouth in the volcanic rock that Marco pointed out without making a big speech about it (just "there, that's the cave"), and then we moved into the shallower turquoise zones where the water changes color so noticeably it almost doesn't look real. The cliffs rise up on one side, black and jagged, and you're floating between them and the open sea. We saw fish in schools, a couple of turtles moving slowly below us, and Marco said if we were lucky we might spot dolphins, though he didn't promise it. We weren't lucky that day, but honestly the turtles were enough.

The snorkeling stop happens in a sheltered area where the water stays calm and shallow. They give you a mask and snorkel (both included, along with a neoprene vest if you want one), and you slip in from the kayak. The seabed is right there, maybe fifteen feet down, and it's full of small colorful fish, rock formations, and things moving that you don't immediately recognize. Marco stayed in the water with us, not hovering, just present. After about thirty minutes of that we paddled back to the beach, and there was coffee or tea waiting, which sounds small but felt good after being in the water. They have lockers if you need to store a phone or keys, and they give you the key so you're not handing anything over.

The whole thing is built for mixed ability: Marco said he'd guided everyone from people who'd never been in a kayak to people who paddled regularly, and the route doesn't change. You're not racing, you're not doing anything technical. It's two hours on the water with equipment handled for you, a guide who knows what he's doing and speaks your language, and the actual Tenerife coastline doing most of the work. If you're staying in the area and have a free morning or afternoon, this fills it without requiring you to arrange transport separately or figure out where to rent gear.

What’s included

• Kayaks, paddles, and life vests.
• snorkel mask, tube, and neoprene vest.
• expert instructor in Italian, English, French, or Spanish.
• locker storage with key.
• coffee and/or tea after the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 10:00 and 14:00

Ages11 to 75 years · 5 to 10 years · Under 5 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “The Menceyes building is the brown color, when you see the door, between and up stairs on the left.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventure Time

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle and snorkel Tenerife's coast without arranging your own equipment or worrying about safety. The guide handles instruction and the route, leaving you free to focus on the water and what's in it.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

5 to 10 years. Under 5: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the kayaking tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours on the water, including the snorkeling stop.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No. The tour is designed for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced paddlers. The guide gives a safety briefing and instruction before you start.

What's included in the price?

Kayaks, paddles, life vests, snorkel mask and tube, neoprene vest, locker storage with key, and coffee or tea after the tour. An expert instructor is also included.

Will we definitely see dolphins or turtles?

Marine life sightings depend on the day. Turtles and fish are common. Dolphins are possible but not guaranteed.

Is there a minimum age or fitness requirement?

The tour is open to families and children. Specialized infant seats are available. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and any personal items you want to keep dry. Sunscreen is a good idea. Lockers are provided to store phones, keys, and valuables.

Can I take photos or videos?

Yes. The tour is designed to capture moments, and you can bring a waterproof camera or phone case.