Snorkeling in Tenerife: Boat vs. Shore Access, What You Really See

How boat and shore snorkeling differ

I've spent more than a decade in the waters of Tenerife. From kayaking in Los Gigantes to boat excursions through the pilot whale channel. And if there's one question people ask me every week, it's this: is it worth paying for a boat tour, or can I see the same thing by getting in from the shore?

The short answer: no, you don't see the same thing. But the long answer, the one that matters, depends on what you want to see, how much time you have, and whether you're willing to walk over sharp volcanic rock to reach a good spot.

I've done both dozens of times. In January, with the water at 18°C and numb fingers. In August, with the sea flat as a board and 30 degrees of air temperature. And I'm going to tell you exactly what happens in each scenario.

Luxury snorkel and dolphin watching excursion on a luxury catamaran from Kailua-Kona, The Experience

Okay, I have to be honest upfront: this particular tour is in Hawaii, not in Tenerife. I mention it because when I started researching snorkel tours for this comparison, I came across similar offers in the south of Tenerife that promise the same experience: catamaran, dolphins, snorkeling in open water. And the reality is that here, in our waters, the dynamic is different.

I've done the catamaran tour in Tenerife, the local equivalent, half a dozen times. The last one was in July 2024, leaving from Puerto Colón at 09:00. The boat had capacity for 50 people, but there were 28 of us on board. On-time departure, briefing in English and Spanish, and a 20-minute sail to the sighting area west of Los Gigantes.

We saw pilot whales after 15 minutes. A group of 8 or 9, including two calves. The captain cut the engines and let us drift while the animals passed about 30 meters from the hull. People were taking photos, kids were pointing. Then we anchored in a cove near Punta de Teno for snorkeling. The water was at 22°C, visibility about 15 meters. I saw a couple of salema, a sargo bream and, with luck, a loggerhead turtle that passed beneath the boat.

Was it a good experience? Yes. Did I see more marine life than getting in from the shore? Also yes. But the price, around 60€ per person, and the fact of sharing the water with 28 people, means it's not for everyone.

Who this is NOT for: Travelers looking for intimacy, who are on a tight budget, or who want an active experience. If you'd rather paddle yourself and have the animals approach on their own terms, this isn't your plan.

Why the shore nearly wins me over

I've spent hours in the natural pools of Garachico, in the rock pools of El Caletón, and in hidden coves east of El Médano. And I have to say that shore snorkeling done well, with a bit of local knowledge, gives you moments that no boat can replicate.

In July 2025, I went to Punta de Teno. I took the shuttle at 08:30, the first departure, and arrived at the lighthouse when there was still nobody there. From there, there's a small rocky cove reached by climbing over volcanic blocks for about 100 meters. The water is deep blue immediately: the bottom drops to 15 meters just 10 meters from shore. I put on my gear and spent 45 minutes watching a loggerhead turtle (shell about 70 cm), a school of barracudas, trumpetfish and a moray eel in a crevice. Zero other people.

That morning cost me 0€. Just the shuttle (3.50€) and the walking time. But here's the catch: you need to know where to go, wear rock shoes (basalt cuts like blades), and be willing to get up early. Most people stay at Las Teresitas or Las Vistas, which are sandy beaches with sandy bottoms and minimal marine life. The prime spots require effort.

Another day I remember well: November 2022, in Los Cristianos. The water was at 19°C, the official "comfortable" threshold. I lasted 8 minutes before my hands went numb. A guy in a 3mm wetsuit was still in the water when I got out, snorkeling next to the breakwater. He found a turtle. He stayed 45 minutes. That day I understood that the difference between a 20-minute session and a 2-hour one in winter is a wetsuit. Most kayak tours include one, but if you go on your own, bring one or rent one.

Kayak tour to see turtles and dolphins in Tenerife with snorkel and wetsuit, The Experience

This is, for me, the most interesting option. In June 2015, I was in a sit-on-top kayak in the Los Gigantes channel, paddle resting on my lap, when a pilot whale about 4 meters long surfaced 3 meters off my starboard side. The blow sounded like a punch. I could smell it: fish, heat, life. The calf was right beside it, half the size, mimicking every movement. My paddle was dripping. Neither of us moved for about 20 seconds. Then they sounded, tails up, and disappeared.

That day I stopped recommending large boats. In a kayak at water level, you're not an observer: you're another creature in the channel. The whales decide whether it's worth approaching. On an 80-person catamaran, they have no interest at all.

We earn a commission when you book through our links on Viator (PID P00303273), at no extra cost to you. This is how we keep the site free. More information →

The Tenerife: Turtle and Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel and Wetsuit, which I've tried several times, departs from the Los Cristianos area. It's 2-3 hours of paddling, with a stop for snorkeling in a cove where resident turtles are usually found. Wetsuits are included, essential in winter, and the snorkel gear is decent. The group is small, usually 8-12 people. The last time I did it, in May 2024, we saw a group of bottlenose dolphins about 50 meters away, and two turtles during the snorkel stop.

But be careful: you need to be physically fit. This isn't a boat ride. It's 2-3 hours of paddling, and if there's wind, which there almost always is from 11:00 onward, the return trip becomes a serious shoulder and arm workout. I've seen couples where one paddled and the other rode along as a passenger end up arguing halfway through. If you're not in good physical shape, this isn't your plan.

Who this is NOT for: People with back problems, weak arms, or who want a fully relaxed experience. Also not for families with young children who can't paddle. If you want to see whales without lifting a finger, the catamaran is the better option.

The moment I made up my mind

After years of doing both, I'm clear on when to recommend each one. But there was one particular day that sealed my position.

February 2021. I was at the base of the Teide cable car with 4 clients who had flown in from the UK specifically to go up to the peak. Wind was blowing at 95 km/h, cable car closed. They were devastated. I pulled up the weather map on my phone. Anaga was clear, the cloud layer on the north coast was at 900 meters. We drove 50 minutes east, parked at Cruz del Carmen, and hiked the Bosque de los Enigmas trail through laurel forest dripping with lichen. By 13:00 we were eating papas arrugadas with mojo at a guachinche in Tegueste that didn't appear on any map.

That afternoon, after lunch, one of the clients, a German named Klaus, told me: "Alejandro, this was better than Teide." It wasn't entirely true, but I understood his point. The standout experience isn't always the most expensive or the most famous one. It's the one that fits the conditions of the day and what you're looking for.

The same goes for snorkeling. If you have a flat-sea day in summer, the catamaran will take you to spots where the water is clearer and there are more fish. If you have a day with a north wind, the sheltered coast of Garachico or the coves of Punta de Teno will give you a better experience than a boat pitching around.

My final decision: if you can do both, do both. But if you only have time for one, and you have at least a minimum level of fitness, choose the kayak. The connection with the sea is real. If you're traveling with young children or want maximum comfort, choose the catamaran. But in either case, get up early. The difference between a 09:00 departure and a 13:00 one is enormous: the wind picks up, the animals retreat, and the experience suffers.

What I wish I'd known before going

Here are the lessons I've learned by getting it wrong, so you don't have to:

• A wetsuit is not optional in winter. The water in January-March is at 18°C. A 3mm wetsuit turns a 20-minute session into a 2-hour one. Most kayak tours include one, but confirm it when booking. If you go on your own, rent one at any dive center in the south (about 10-15€ a day).
• The prime spots require walking. The accessible beaches (Las Teresitas, Las Vistas) have sandy bottoms and little life. The rocky coves with difficult access, Punta de Teno, the coves east of El Médano, the coves near Alcalá, have the biodiversity. Bring rock shoes. Basalt cuts.
• Check the tide tables for Garachico. The natural pools of El Caletón are full only at high tide. At low tide they're empty black holes. Search for "Garachico tide table" before you go.
• Don't underestimate the sun on the water. Sunlight reflecting off the sea multiplies UV exposure. On a morning of kayaking or snorkeling, you can burn even if it's cloudy. Use water-resistant sunscreen, and apply it 30 minutes before getting in.
• A small boat is better than a large one. The 20€ boats that carry 80 people are a poor experience. You see whales from behind 4 rows of people with selfie sticks. The 40-60€ boats with small groups (8-12 people) and a marine biologist on board are a different thing. The Tenerife: Turtle and Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel and Wetsuit is an example of a well-managed small group.
• Timing matters more than the operator. The 09:00 departures have calmer seas. By 13:00 the wind picks up and the channel gets choppy. This isn't marketing, it's physics: the trade winds intensify with the heat of the day.
• Bring your own mask if you can. Tour masks are usually generic and many leak. If you have a mask that fits you well, bring it. The snorkel (tube) too, though tour equipment is usually decent.
• Don't swim at Playa del Bollullo without checking conditions. This beautiful black-sand beach on the north coast has strong rip currents. There's no lifeguard outside of summer. There have been drownings. Stay in the marked areas or swim in the protected pools.