Tenerife: Kayak & Snorkeling Tour – Small Groups

The best part of this Los Cristianos kayak tour is the chance to see Tenerife from the water, with dolphins and turtles sometimes appearing near your boat. You also get a proper snorkeling stop above volcanic rock, not just a quick swim beside the beach.

I like the small groups, limited to 10 people, and the practical setup at the SeaThru-Kayaks office. You can change clothes, use the bathroom, store your things, and collect your gear before walking five minutes to the beach. Guides such as Justas, Manuel, and Juju are especially warm and attentive.

The main thing to consider is the physical work. You must paddle for roughly an hour in total and climb back into a kayak from the water after snorkeling. Non-swimmers, people with back problems, low fitness, or a strong tendency toward seasickness should choose another outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphins and turtles are possible, not promised: The route passes near local fish farms, an area where marine life is often seen, but nature sets the schedule.
• Small groups keep things personal: With no more than 10 participants, the guide can help nervous beginners and keep an eye on swimmers.
• The snorkeling stop lasts about 30 minutes: You receive a mask and breathing tube, with instruction before entering the water.
• The tour starts from shallow Los Cristianos Beach: The kayaks are ready on the sand, so there is no long transfer to a marina.
• You get useful facilities before and after: Changing space, toilets, secure storage, water, and beach showers make this easier than a bare-bones water trip.
• The price is strong for a three-hour outing: At $37 per person, equipment, instruction, a guide, and the snorkeling stop are included. Photos cost extra.

Why the Los Cristianos setting works so well

Los Cristianos is a practical launch point for a short sea adventure. You meet at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office, next to a real estate office, with the Ricoche cafe directly opposite. That landmark matters because the office may be easier to find by looking for the cafe than by relying only on a map pin.

The staff gets you organized before you reach the shore. You can change into beachwear, leave wallets and other belongings in the office, use the bathroom, and collect a life jacket, paddle, and snorkeling mask with breathing tube. Water is included, and wetsuits are available if you want one.

Then comes a short five-minute walk to Los Cristianos Beach. Your kayak is already waiting there. That saves time and keeps the morning or afternoon moving, an important benefit on a three-hour activity.

The kayaks are high-quality double RTM models. Most participants share a kayak, which gives you a partner to help with paddling and makes the boat steadier for beginners. It also means you need to coordinate your strokes. If you are paddling with someone of a very different size or pace, the guide may need to help you find a comfortable rhythm.

The 10-minute safety briefing

Before anyone launches, the guide explains how to handle the kayak, use the paddle, and behave on the water. This is not a rushed formality. It is your chance to learn how to keep the boat balanced and what to do if you feel uneasy.

Beginners get a useful introduction before reaching deeper water. The guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, and Lithuanian, so you can ask questions in one of those languages. The team has also helped first-time snorkelers who felt nervous about breathing through a tube.

Pay attention to the instructions for getting back into the kayak. This is the part that can feel awkward, especially after snorkeling. You may need to climb from the water while holding onto the boat, so listen carefully and ask the guide for help before you need it.

The tour is limited to 10 participants, which is a real advantage here. A guide has a better chance of seeing who is anxious, tired, or struggling with the kayak than on a large boat excursion.

Paddling along the coast for the first 30 minutes

The first paddle takes you along the coast from Los Cristianos. You get a different view of the town from the water, with Montaña Guaza and Mount Teide visible in the distance when conditions allow.

The route is not only about exercise. The guide can point out the volcanic character of the coast and help you watch the water for movement. Keep your sunglasses secure, since the sun can be bright and glare can make it hard to see what is happening around the kayak.

This opening section lasts about 30 minutes, but the full paddling time is closer to an hour because you return by kayak after snorkeling. The pace is described as relaxed, but you still need enough strength to handle a double boat.

You do not need advanced kayaking skills. The tour is designed for beginners and experienced paddlers. Still, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. If your fitness is low, the paddle may feel more demanding than the snorkeling itself.

Looking for dolphins and turtles near the fish farms

After the first paddle, the group spends about 30 minutes looking for marine life. The route passes alongside local fish farms, where bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles are frequently seen in the wider area.

This is the most exciting part of the trip, but it is also the part to approach with realistic expectations. The company cannot control wildlife, so a dolphin sighting is never guaranteed. Some outings have produced remarkable encounters, including groups of dolphins swimming close to the kayaks and jumping from the water. Other days may bring fewer sightings.

The same applies to turtles. They have been spotted close to the kayaks, but you should not book this as a guaranteed animal encounter. Book it because you want to spend time on the Atlantic and enjoy the possibility of seeing wildlife from a quiet, low boat.

That setting is a strong point. A kayak puts you close to the water without the engine noise of a large vessel. If dolphins appear, the experience can feel immediate and personal. You may also see seabirds or smaller marine life, but the exact sightings depend on the day.

Your guide plays an important role here. Manuel is described as lively and enthusiastic, while Justas has helped nervous participants settle into the experience. Juju is also praised for creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The guide does more than steer the group. They watch the water, manage the pace, and help you stay calm when the sea feels unfamiliar.

A 30-minute snorkeling stop above volcanic rock

About an hour into the tour, the kayaks are anchored and you enter the Atlantic for the snorkeling break. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, giving you enough time to get comfortable with the mask and breathing tube rather than taking a quick look and climbing straight back out.

The underwater scenery includes volcanic rock formations and fish such as parrotfish, trumpet fish, green fish, and schools of barracuda. The exact species you see will vary, but the area offers more to look at than a sandy swimming spot.

The guide supplies the mask, breathing tube, and optional wetsuit. You are also taught how to use the snorkeling equipment. That help is valuable if you have never snorkeled or dislike the sensation of breathing through a tube.

The water can feel cold, especially for children. A wetsuit may make the stop more comfortable, and it is available as part of the equipment choices. Remember that snorkeling is not suitable for non-swimmers. You should be able to remain calm and move through the water without relying entirely on the kayak.

Getting back into the boat is the main practical challenge. One couple on the outing had difficulty climbing back in, but the guide helped them and kept them calm. Expect to get wet from the waist up, and consider bringing water shoes if your feet are sensitive around the rocks. They are not required, but one participant found them useful.

The return paddle and beach showers

After snorkeling, you climb back into the kayak and paddle gently toward Los Cristianos Beach. The return section takes about 30 minutes. By this point, you may be pleasantly tired, and the pace gives you time to enjoy the coast rather than race back.

The full sequence is well balanced: safety briefing, first paddle, wildlife watching, snorkeling, and return paddle. You are not spending the whole trip in one position. That variety helps the three hours pass quickly, although people who dislike paddling may still find the activity tiring.

Once you reach the beach, you walk back to the office. Freshwater beach showers let you rinse off along the way. You can then change clothes and collect your belongings at the office.

The practical facilities are easy to overlook when comparing tours, but they make a difference. You do not need to carry a phone, wallet, towel, or spare clothes in the kayak. You also have a bathroom before and after the activity, plus a place to change.

What the $37 price includes

At $37 per person, this is good value for an active three-hour outing. The cost includes the double RTM kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, optional wetsuit, guide, office facilities, and water.

You are paying for more than a beach rental. The price covers instruction, a guided coastal route, a wildlife search, and a dedicated snorkeling stop. It also includes the support that first-time paddlers often need.

Photos and videos are not included. A guide takes pictures during the trip, and you can buy them afterward for a small extra fee. I like this arrangement because you can leave your phone behind and enjoy the water, but you should not assume a photo package is part of the advertised price.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one outing. A simple kayak rental may cost less, but it will not provide the safety briefing, wildlife search, snorkeling gear, or guide support. On the other hand, this may not be the best choice if you want a long, hard paddle or a full-day sea trip. Three hours gives you a taste of the coast rather than a major expedition.

Who should book this Tenerife kayak tour

This activity suits you if you:

• Want a first kayak experience with a guide nearby
• Like the idea of seeing dolphins or turtles but accept that sightings are uncertain
• Want kayaking and snorkeling in one compact outing
• Prefer a small group instead of a large boat excursion
• Can swim and manage moderate physical activity
• Appreciate changing space, toilets, storage, and showers
• Are comfortable getting in and out of a kayak from the water

Families can also consider it, with important limits. Children under 11 share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. If a child has kayaking experience, is larger, and can paddle safely, they must join under the adult arrangement.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with back problems, those prone to seasickness or motion sickness, people with low fitness, or anyone over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. It is also not suitable for people over 95 years old.

The age guidance for younger children is clear, but the water can still feel cold. If you bring children, prepare them for a wet activity, a paddle, and the possibility that wildlife may not appear.

What to bring for a more comfortable outing

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, water, biodegradable sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear. Secure your sunglasses well, since they are useful on the bright water but easy to lose if they are loose.

Biodegradable sunscreen is the responsible choice for a snorkeling stop. Apply it before leaving the office so you are ready when the group reaches the water.

Do not eat too much before departure. One participant specifically advised keeping the meal light to reduce the chance of feeling queasy. That is sensible advice for a kayak trip, especially if you are prone to motion sickness.

Water shoes are optional, but they can help when climbing in and out of the sea. You should also expect to get wet, so bring clothes that dry easily. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your preferred date.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, well-supported introduction to Tenerife’s coast, with a real snorkeling stop and a fair chance of seeing dolphins or turtles. The small group, helpful guides, office facilities, and included gear make it especially appealing for beginners.

Skip it if you cannot swim, dislike open-water activities, suffer badly from seasickness, or do not feel able to paddle and climb back into a kayak. Also keep your wildlife expectations in check. The sea may provide a memorable dolphin encounter, but it cannot be scheduled.

For most active visitors staying around Los Cristianos, $37 is a sensible price for three hours on the Atlantic. Bring sun protection, keep your meal light, listen closely to the safety briefing, and treat the animals as a lucky extra rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife kayak and snorkeling tour start?

You meet at the SeaThru-Kayaks and TenerifeExcursions office in Los Cristianos. It is next to a real estate office, with the Ricoche cafe directly opposite.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts three hours. The schedule includes a 10-minute safety briefing, about 30 minutes of initial kayaking, 30 minutes looking for dolphins and other marine life, 30 minutes of snorkeling, and about 30 minutes kayaking back.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is designed for beginners and experienced paddlers, and the guide gives a safety briefing before you enter the water. You still need enough fitness to paddle and get back into the kayak after snorkeling.

What equipment is included?

You receive a double RTM kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkeling mask with breathing tube, and water. Wetsuits are available as an optional part of the equipment.

Can I see dolphins and turtles?

Dolphins and turtles are frequently seen in the area, especially near the local fish farms, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. The tour provides the mask and breathing tube and teaches you how to use them.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 11 must share a kayak with a parent or guardian and do not use a paddle. A child with kayaking experience who is larger and capable of paddling must join under the adult arrangement.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the activity and pay later.