Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is the quick ride from harbor to open water. In about 15 minutes, you leave the marina behind and reach a quieter bay where you can look for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and shoals of fish from the surface. The small group limit of nine keeps the outing personal, not like a crowded beach lesson.

I like two things right away: the gear is included, and the boat gets you to a snorkeling spot that is not easy to reach on foot. The warm water and roughly 50 minutes in the sea give you enough time to settle in and search properly. The main caution is that wildlife and visibility can change with wind and waves, and one recent snorkeler found the equipment and briefing less polished than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast access to a quiet bay: The speed boat reaches the snorkeling area in about 15 minutes.
• Small groups: A maximum of nine participants makes it easier to hear the guide and get help in the water.
• Useful equipment included: You receive a wetsuit, fins, mask, and a lifejacket if needed.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Keep watch for turtles, rays, cuttlefish, octopuses, dolphins, and fish.
• About 50 minutes in the water: The full experience lasts two hours, including briefing and boat travel.
• Good value at $53: The price covers the boat, equipment, and instruction, but photos and videos cost extra.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s southern coast

This tour begins at Puerto Colón, one of the main boat harbors in Tenerife’s south. You need to find Zero Gravity Tenerife in front of dock 3, beside Café Black Pearl. The entrance is at the rear of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria, so allow a few extra minutes to get your bearings.

Once checked in, you are fitted with a wetsuit, mask, and fins. A lifejacket is available if you are not a confident swimmer. That last point matters because snorkeling is meant to be relaxing, not a test of your open-water skills.

The group size is capped at nine people. That is a useful limit on a small speed boat, where space is naturally tight. It also means the guide can keep a closer eye on weaker swimmers and spend more time helping a first-timer adjust a mask or snorkel.

The listed safety briefing takes about 30 minutes. That may sound long beside the actual boat ride, but it is where you learn how to use the equipment and what to expect once you enter the sea. One parent particularly appreciated the patience shown to a daughter snorkeling for the first time. That kind of calm instruction can make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the whole session fighting your mask.

A 15-minute speed boat ride with room for wildlife spotting

The ride to the bay takes about 15 minutes. You get views of Tenerife’s southern coast along the way, and the boat trip adds a little excitement without taking up most of the outing.

Keep your eyes open during the crossing. Dolphins have been spotted from the boat, and the crew has stopped briefly for photographs when they appeared. This is not a dolphin-watching trip, so you should treat any sighting as a lucky extra rather than part of the promise.

The speed boat is important for another reason. It allows the group to reach a more secluded swimming area rather than simply walking into the water beside the harbor. That gives you a more natural setting and avoids spending your snorkeling time around marina traffic.

Still, a fast ride can feel bumpy if the sea is unsettled. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual precautions before setting out. The tour depends on sea conditions, and the best snorkeling will come when the water is calm and clear.

Around 50 minutes in a secluded bay

The main water session lasts about 50 minutes, with the broader schedule allowing close to an hour for swimming and snorkeling. You remain near the surface, scanning the water below as the guide points out possible marine life.

The bay may produce a varied list of sightings. Turtles and stingrays are the headline possibilities, while cuttlefish, octopuses, and smaller fish reward a slower search. You may need to pause and look carefully rather than expecting large animals to appear at once.

This is where the guide matters most. A good guide helps you notice movement, keeps the group together, and makes sure nervous swimmers do not feel left behind. Guides work in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Elisa, a dive master praised for her gentle manner, was especially reassuring with a nervous participant, though the specific guide on your departure may be different.

The clear water is a major reason to book this instead of a basic shore swim. You can observe the sea floor from the surface without needing an advanced water skill. At the same time, clear water is not guaranteed every day. Wind and waves can lower visibility, and a recent participant found the chosen snorkeling site less impressive than other spots around Tenerife.

That is the honest trade-off. The location is convenient by boat and difficult to reach independently, but it is not necessarily the island’s finest marine site on every departure. You are paying for easy access, equipment, instruction, and a chance to see wildlife, not a guaranteed wildlife show.

What the included wetsuit and fins mean for you

The price includes a wetsuit, fins, mask, and boat transport. You only need to bring swimwear and a towel. That keeps the outing simple, particularly if you are traveling with limited luggage or do not own snorkeling equipment.

A wetsuit is useful even in Tenerife’s generally mild climate. You can spend longer in the water without getting chilled, and it provides a little extra comfort for people who are not used to ocean swimming. The fins help you move with less effort, while a properly fitted mask is essential for seeing anything below the surface.

Equipment quality can vary. Most of the feedback about the staff and kit is positive, but one snorkeler found the gear worn and the snorkel attachment awkward. It is reasonable to ask for a better-fitting mask or replacement equipment before entering the water. A few seconds of adjustment on the boat is far better than repeatedly clearing a leaking mask in the bay.

If you are a weak swimmer, tell the staff clearly at the start. Lifejackets are available when required. You should still be comfortable entering the sea, since this is an active water outing rather than a boat ride with a viewing window.

The return ride and the full two-hour schedule

After the water session, you return to the speed boat and ride about 15 minutes back to Puerto Colón. The complete activity lasts two hours, including check-in, the safety briefing, the outward journey, snorkeling, and the return trip.

The schedule is compact, which works well if you want to fit another activity into the same day. It is also short enough for children or first-time snorkelers who may not want a full-day boat trip. You get a real taste of Tenerife’s coastal water without giving up an entire morning or afternoon.

Do not expect the boat ride and snorkeling to fill two full hours on their own. The briefing takes a substantial share of the time, and the water portion is about 50 minutes. That is still enough for a worthwhile session, but people looking for a long marine outing may find it brief.

Photos and videos are available to purchase after the activity. They are not included in the $53 price. If you want pictures, ask about the cost before the trip so you are not surprised afterward.

Is $53 a fair price for this Puerto Colón outing?

At $53 per person, the value is solid if you need equipment and want boat access to a quieter bay. You are paying for the speed boat, wetsuit, fins, mask, safety instruction, and guide support. Renting gear separately and arranging transport to a suitable swimming site could easily reduce the apparent saving.

The value is strongest for beginners, couples, families, and anyone staying near Puerto Colón. You can arrive with swimwear and a towel, receive the rest of your kit, and be back at the harbor two hours later. The nine-person limit also gives the trip a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.

The value is less certain if your main goal is guaranteed turtle spotting or exceptional underwater scenery. Wildlife sightings depend on conditions, and one participant felt the bay was ordinary compared with other snorkeling locations in Tenerife. If marine life is your top priority, think of this as a convenient chance to see animals, not a sure thing.

The free cancellation window helps reduce the risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is handy while your Tenerife plans are still taking shape.

Who will enjoy this speed boat snorkeling trip?

I would recommend this for a first snorkeling experience. The staff provide the essential equipment and a briefing, and the small group makes it easier to ask questions. A patient guide can also help a nervous swimmer get comfortable, as happened with one young first-timer.

It suits families with older children who can manage swimwear, mask, and fins. The exact minimum age is not supplied, so check before booking if you are bringing children. The lifejacket option is useful, but it does not remove the need for basic comfort in the sea.

It is also a good match for people who want a short activity near the resort areas of southern Tenerife. You do not need a full day, a private charter, or your own equipment. The harbor meeting point keeps the logistics straightforward once you locate the entrance.

I would be more cautious if you are a serious snorkeler seeking a large reef, long water time, or a specific animal encounter. The location is selected for access and conditions, and the marine life may be modest on a given day. You should also allow for changes if wind or waves affect visibility.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Bring swimwear and a towel, and wear something easy to change out of after the boat returns. Since the meeting point is near a commercial center, arrive early enough to locate the rear entrance rather than searching around the front of the marina.

Tell the staff about your swimming ability before the briefing begins. Ask for help with the mask strap and snorkel placement, especially if you have never used this kind of equipment. The purpose of the briefing is to make the water session easier, so use that time well.

Keep watching during both boat rides. Dolphins have appeared on the route, and the southern coast provides a pleasant change from viewing Tenerife only from land. Just remember that the dolphins are an unexpected bonus, not the central activity.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. The best moments may be a turtle gliding past, a ray resting below you, or the simple relief of floating in clear water away from the harbor. On another day, you may see fewer animals but still enjoy a well-run short trip out to sea.

Should you book this Tenerife snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want an easy, small-group introduction to Tenerife’s coastal water. The strongest reasons are the 15-minute boat transfer, included equipment, multilingual instruction, and access to a secluded bay. At $53, it is a fair package for a two-hour outing, especially if you do not have your own gear.

Think twice if you expect guaranteed turtles, perfect visibility, or a standout snorkeling site. Conditions can change, and equipment quality may not please everyone. Ask for a good mask fit, tell the guide if you are nervous, and treat the wildlife as a welcome possibility rather than a promise.

For a short, practical sea adventure from Puerto Colón, I would book it, especially for a first-timer or a family that wants a manageable activity between beach time and other Tenerife plans.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón snorkeling tour last?

The activity lasts two hours in total. This includes the safety briefing, two 15-minute speed boat rides, and about 50 minutes of snorkeling and swimming.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 next to Café Black Pearl. The entrance is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes speed boat transport, a wetsuit, fins, and a mask. A lifejacket is available if you need one.

What should I bring?

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

Can weak swimmers join?

Lifejackets are available for weak swimmers. Tell the staff about your swimming ability during check-in so they can provide suitable support.

What marine life might I see?

You might see turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and fish. Dolphins have also been seen during the boat ride, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What languages do the guides speak?

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve your place and pay later.