Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is the quick ride to a quieter bay, where you can leave the marina behind and look for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish in clear water. You are not signing up for a long boat day. The total outing takes two hours, with about 15 minutes each way on the sea.

I like the small group limit of nine, plus the friendly, patient instruction described by guests who brought first-time snorkelers. I also like that the wetsuit, mask, fins, and life jacket when needed are included, which keeps the $53 price sensible. The main caution is that sea conditions can change the quality of the snorkel, and one account found the equipment worn and the bay less impressive than other Tenerife sites.

Key points to know before booking

• The bay is only about 15 minutes from Puerto Colón, so you get a real boat ride without losing most of the session to transport.
• Snorkeling lasts around 50 minutes to one hour, depending on how the schedule runs.
• The group is limited to nine people, a useful advantage for beginners who may need extra help.
• Wetsuits, masks, fins, and life jackets are supplied, but you need to bring swimwear and a towel.
• Marine life can include turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Wind and waves may affect visibility, and the operator may suggest another water activity if conditions are poor.

A short speedboat ride from Puerto Colón

This is a compact snorkeling trip built around time in the water, not a full coastal cruise. You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 near Café Black Pearl. The entrance is on the back side of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria, next to the Scuba Point center.

That location detail matters. Puerto Colón has several businesses and dock entrances, so do not simply walk to the first watersports desk you see. Allow enough time to find the entrance behind the shopping area and get checked in without rushing.

The staff fit you with a wetsuit, fins, and mask before you board. A life jacket is available if you are not a confident swimmer. You also get basic instructions on using the mask and snorkel, how to enter the water, and what to expect at the bay.

The group limit of nine is one of the strongest practical features here. A small boat and a small group make it easier to hear the guide, ask questions, and stay close to the person leading the session. That is especially useful if this is your first time snorkeling or if you are traveling with a teenager who needs calm, clear instruction.

What happens during the 30-minute preparation

The schedule allows roughly 30 minutes for the safety briefing and preparation at Puerto Colón. That sounds long for a simple snorkel session, but it includes fitting equipment, explaining the activity, and getting everyone ready.

You should arrive wearing or carrying your swimwear. Bring a towel, since one is not included. The operator provides the main water equipment, so you do not need to pack your own mask, fins, or wetsuit unless you prefer your personal gear.

The instruction seems especially helpful for beginners. One family account described an Italian guide taking plenty of time with a daughter who had never snorkeled before. That sort of patient start can make the difference between spending the session relaxed and spending it fighting with a leaking mask.

The quality of the equipment may not be uniform. One account described some gear as worn, including a snorkel strap that did not hold the snorkel comfortably. I would ask for a different mask or strap at the center if the first fit feels awkward. A good seal around your eyes is more important than getting on the boat quickly.

The staff speak English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Communication at the center may vary by staff member, but the water guides have been described as helpful and reassuring. If you are nervous, say so before leaving the dock. You will get more from the session if the guide knows your comfort level.

The 15-minute ride to the snorkeling bay

Once everyone is ready, the speedboat heads along the southern coast of Tenerife. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way, giving you a quick look at the coast from the water and a bit of the lively feeling that makes a small boat trip different from a beach snorkel.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a long commentary program. The boat ride is mainly transport to the swimming site, but it is still part of the appeal. You get open-water views, a brisk ride, and a break from the marina before entering the sea.

Dolphins have been seen during some boat trips, and the boat may pause if they appear. Treat that as a lucky extra, not part of the promised wildlife list. The planned focus is snorkeling, and animals in the open sea cannot be scheduled.

If you are prone to seasickness, the short crossing is easier than a long offshore excursion, but a speedboat can still move sharply over waves. Eat lightly beforehand and tell the crew if you are uncomfortable. The short distance means you are not committed to hours at sea.

Around an hour in the water

The main session takes place in a secluded bay about 15 minutes from shore. The water is described as clear and warm, and the advertised snorkeling time is about 50 minutes, with the full water stop sometimes running close to an hour.

You will stay near the surface and look down into the water rather than descend. This makes the activity accessible to people who are comfortable swimming but have no experience with specialist underwater equipment. A life jacket can be used by weak swimmers, though you should still be comfortable entering the sea.

The guide can point out what is moving below you. Keep your eyes open for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and smaller fish. Cuttlefish can be easy to miss because they blend into their surroundings, while a stingray may sit on the seabed and only become visible when it shifts.

The site is reached by boat, which gives it a more remote feel than a snorkel directly from a busy beach. That is a real advantage. You do not have to walk into shallow water with crowds around you, and the boat ride puts you in a less ordinary part of the coast.

The tradeoff is that a secluded bay is not automatically Tenerife’s finest snorkel location. One account found the site fairly ordinary compared with other snorkeling trips on the island, even while noting that it was not easy to reach independently. If your top priority is the richest possible underwater scenery, compare this with a specialist marine excursion before booking.

Visibility depends on wind and waves. One group was advised to change activities because conditions would make the water hard to see through. That sounds like a sensible safety decision, but it also means your planned snorkel could be altered. Ask about the day’s sea conditions if underwater visibility is the main reason you are booking.

A calm choice for first-time snorkelers

I would point beginners toward this trip because the time commitment is manageable and the equipment is supplied. You can try snorkeling without buying gear or committing to a full day on a boat.

The staff’s strongest quality appears to be their personal attention. A guide helped a first-time young snorkeler get comfortable, while another account praised the calm, step-by-step support given when a family switched to a different underwater activity. That is useful evidence of a team accustomed to handling nerves, even though your trip is specifically for snorkeling.

Families should check the age rules before booking, since no minimum age is provided here. The activity can suit older children and teenagers who swim comfortably, especially with a life jacket available, but the operator’s exact child requirements are not stated.

This is also a good fit if you want a small group rather than a packed boat. Nine participants is still enough for a social outing, but it should not feel like a mass water-sports operation. You can expect an instructor who stays involved instead of simply dropping everyone at the site.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, the value comes from combining boat transport, equipment, instruction, and roughly an hour in the sea. If you would otherwise need to rent fins, a mask, and a wetsuit, the included kit saves both money and preparation time.

You are also paying for access to a bay that is not simple to reach from shore. That matters more than the word secluded in the description. The boat gets you away from Puerto Colón quickly, and the small group makes the experience feel more personal than a large shared excursion.

The price does not include hotel pickup, so you need to reach Puerto Colón yourself. Photos and videos are available to buy separately. If you want a personal record of the session, budget for that extra cost rather than assuming it is part of the package.

I think the price is fair for a two-hour outing, provided the sea is calm and you value the boat ride and included equipment. It is less convincing if you already own snorkel gear and only want a long period in the water. The session is deliberately short and tidy, not an all-day marine safari.

Practical details that make the day easier

Book a start time that leaves you unhurried. The trip includes a briefing, equipment fitting, the 15-minute ride out, the snorkeling stop, and the return ride. You do not want to arrive at the last minute and lose part of the preparation.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That flexibility is useful in Tenerife, where wind and waves can affect the water conditions.

Bring only what you need for the boat and water. Swimwear and a towel are specifically required. Since the operator supplies the main gear, a small bag is more practical than carrying a full beach kit to the meeting point.

You should also tell the guide if you are a weak swimmer, uneasy in open water, or new to snorkeling. Life jackets are available, and early communication gives the staff a better chance to help you enjoy the session safely.

Photos, equipment, and the small drawbacks

Photos and videos can be purchased after the activity. That is handy if you want proof of a turtle or a family moment in the water, but it is an optional extra and not part of the $53 price.

The equipment deserves a realistic note. Most participants appear to receive the full kit they need, but one account found some items worn or poorly designed. If the mask leaks or the snorkel does not sit correctly, speak up at once. Spending the whole session adjusting bad equipment is avoidable.

The snorkeling bay may also feel modest if you have already visited one of Tenerife’s stronger marine sites. You could see excellent wildlife, but you might also find the underwater scene fairly quiet. The trip’s best qualities are its short transfer, small group, friendly support, and easy access to the sea, not a guarantee of dramatic marine encounters.

Should you book the Puerto Colón snorkel safari?

Book it if you want a two-hour introduction to snorkeling with transport, equipment, and guidance included. It is particularly suitable for beginners, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who prefers a small group over a crowded boat.

I would hesitate if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking a long session or a highly distinctive reef. You should also keep your expectations flexible about wildlife and visibility. The bay is convenient to reach by boat, but nature controls what you see.

For most visitors staying near Costa Adeje and Puerto Colón, $53 is a reasonable price for a compact sea outing. Choose a day with calm conditions, arrive early enough to find the meeting point, and speak up about equipment fit or swimming confidence. That gives you the best chance of a relaxed hour in Tenerife’s coastal waters.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

It starts at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 near Café Black Pearl. The entrance to the center is behind Café Victoria, on the back side of the commercial center.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts two hours. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes each way, with roughly 50 minutes to one hour spent snorkeling.

How far is the snorkeling bay from Puerto Colón?

The bay is about 15 minutes from shore by speedboat.

What equipment is included?

Wetsuits, masks, fins, and speedboat transport are included. A life jacket is available if required, including for weak swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour suitable for weak swimmers?

Life jackets are available for weak swimmers. You should still tell the staff about your swimming ability before entering the water.

What marine life might I see?

You may see turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instructors speak English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to nine participants.

Can I cancel the booking?

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