Tenerife Water Activities: Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Diving Beyond Whale Watching

I Tried Every Tenerife outdoor activities and tours Tour in Tenerife outdoor activities and tours, Here's What Happened

After 12 years leading hikes up Teide and through the Anaga laurel forests, I started looking for a way to recover without losing the adventure. Tenerife has 342 km of coastline, and most visitors never get past the resort beach. I spent three weeks testing every water activity I could find, from glass-bottom kayaks to deep-sea freediving spots. Here’s what I learned.

The first thing that surprised me: the clarity. Water visibility reaches 20–30 metres in summer, and the Canary Current brings nutrient-rich water that attracts rays, turtles, and schools of barracuda. But the best spots aren’t the ones on the hotel activity boards. The Abades Marine Reserve, on the southeast coast, has the densest fish population on the island and is protected from boat traffic. I booked a snorkeling session in Abades Marine Reserve and saw more marine life in two hours than I’d seen in a year of diving off Los Cristianos.

I also tried kayaking along the Los Gigantes cliffs. Those basalt walls rise 600 metres straight from the Atlantic, and you can only see them properly from the water. The morning departures are calm, the sea turns glassy around 08:30. I went with a small group and we paddled into sea caves where the light turns electric blue. The catch: you need a guide who knows the tides. Without one, you’ll end up fighting the swell.

Product 1: Kayak & Snorkel Combo at Los Gigantes

I also tested a sunset kayak tour from Playa de la Arena. The light hitting the cliffs at golden hour is striking, but the wind picks up around 17:00. If you’re not a confident paddler, stick to the morning slot. I saw two groups get blown off course during my trip.

The Best Value Pick for Tenerife outdoor activities and tours enthusiasts

After a 6-hour Teide hike, your knees will thank you for a float in the Abades reserve. The best value water activity on the island isn’t a tour at all, it’s a self-guided snorkel at Abades. But if you want gear and guidance, the Abades Marine Reserve snorkeling tour costs about the same as a rental set and includes a marine biologist who points out species you’d miss on your own. I learned that the volcanic arches there are nursery grounds for damselfish and that the kelp forests hide octopus.

Another value winner: the Garachico natural pools. They’re free, formed by volcanic rock, and fill with crystal-clear seawater at low tide. I spent an afternoon there after hiking the nearby Malpaís de la Rasca. The pools are protected from waves, so even weak swimmers can float safely. Just check the tide tables, at high tide they’re submerged and dangerous.

Product 2: Abades Marine Reserve Snorkeling Tour

I also recommend the snorkeling guide on this site for a full breakdown of the best spots. For a budget day, bring your own mask and fins to Abades, the entry is free and the fish don’t care if you’re on a tour.

Worth the Splurge: Product 3

If you’re going to spend money on one water activity in Tenerife, make it a private diving trip to the Las Palomas seamount. It’s a submerged volcano about 20 km off the south coast, and the marine life there is on another level, I saw a manta ray, three turtles, and a school of amberjack in one dive. The visibility was 25 metres, and the basalt formations look like an underwater cathedral.

Most dive shops offer this as a two-tank trip for around €130–€150, including gear and lunch. It’s not cheap, but it’s the kind of dive you’ll talk about for years. I went with AquaMarina Diving in Los Cristianos, they’re one of the few operators with a permit for the seamount. The catch: you need at least 10 logged dives and must be comfortable with drift diving. The current can be strong.

Product 3: Private Diving Trip to Las Palomas Seamount

For non-divers, the splurge option is a private boat tour along the Los Gigantes cliffs. You’ll have the captain to yourself, and you can stop anywhere for a swim. I did this with a friend and we spent an hour floating in a cove that’s inaccessible from land. Cost about €250 for a half-day, but split between four people it’s reasonable.

What I Wish I'd Known Before I Went

I made mistakes so you don’t have to. Here’s the shortlist:

• Book morning departures. The sea is calmest between 08:00 and 11:00. Afternoon wind makes kayaking and snorkeling miserable. I learned this the hard way on a choppy afternoon trip to Los Gigantes.
• Don’t book the cheapest whale watching tour. They pack 50 people onto a boat that spends 20 minutes near a pod and then heads back. I recommend the whale watching guide on this site for vetted operators.
• Check the Teide webcam before driving up. I once drove to the cable car in a cloud, wasted 2 hours. Same logic applies to water activities: check wind and swell forecasts. Use Windy or the official AEMET marine forecast.
• Underestimating how cold it gets at 3,500m is a classic mistake. For water activities, the opposite applies: the water is colder than you think. Even in August, the Canary Current keeps the sea at 19–21°C. Bring a 3mm wetsuit or you’ll be shivering after 30 minutes.
• Garachico natural pools are best at low tide. I went at high tide once and the pools were completely submerged. Check the tide tables, low tide exposes the volcanic rock pools with clear, calm water.

One more thing: if you’re a hiker like me, plan rest days around water activities. After a 6-hour Teide hike, your knees will thank you for a float in the Abades reserve. The saltwater buoyancy takes the load off, and the marine life is a bonus. I now schedule every hiking trip with a snorkel recovery day after.

Who is this guide NOT for? If you’re looking for jet skis, parasailing, or party boats, this isn’t your article. These activities are for people who want to connect with the marine environment, quietly, respectfully, and with a bit of effort. If you can’t swim confidently, stick to the Garachico pools or a glass-bottom boat tour. The open-water snorkeling and diving spots require comfort in deep water.