Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

Tenerife’s southern coast looks different from a speed boat, but the real prize comes when you stop at a quiet bay and slip into the water. In clear conditions, you can look for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and small colorful fish close to shore.

I like the small group of no more than nine and the fact that the boat reaches a swimming spot in about 15 minutes. I also like that wetsuits, masks, fins, and lifejackets are supplied, so you can pack lightly and focus on the sea.

The main caution is water visibility. Wind and waves can affect the snorkeling, and one recent outing changed plans because conditions were poor. The bay is pleasantly secluded, but it may not be the most impressive snorkeling site you find in Tenerife.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-minute speed boat ride: You reach the swimming area quickly, with views of Tenerife’s south coast along the way.
• About 50 minutes in the water: The main activity is surface snorkeling in a sheltered bay.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Keep watch for turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, fish, and sometimes dolphins from the boat.
• Small groups matter: With a maximum of nine people, the guide can give more attention than on a large boat excursion.
• Gear is included: You receive a wetsuit, mask, fins, and a lifejacket if needed.
• Easy booking terms: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

A short boat ride from Puerto Colón

This outing starts at Scuba Point, operated by Zero Gravity Tenerife, in Puerto Colón. Finding the office takes a little care. Go to Zero Gravity Tenerife in front of dock 3, beside Café Black Pearl. The entrance is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

That location puts you right beside the marina, but it is not simply a matter of walking onto the first boat you see. Give yourself time to locate the diving center entrance, especially if Puerto Colón is busy.

The first part takes about 30 minutes and covers registration, equipment, and safety instructions. You are fitted with a wetsuit, mask, and fins, with a lifejacket available if you are not a confident swimmer. The staff can assist in English, Spanish, French, or Italian.

That language range is useful for a water activity, where clear instructions matter. One Italian guide, Elisa, received particular praise for her calm manner and for helping a nervous participant feel at ease. Another guide took extra time with a young first-time snorkeler. Those details tell me that the quality of the briefing depends partly on the staff member assigned to your group, but the small group format gives you a fair chance to ask questions.

Why the speed boat makes a difference

Once everyone is ready, you head out in a small speed boat. The ride to the bay takes about 15 minutes, followed by another 15 minutes back to Puerto Colón after the swim.

This is a useful balance. You are not spending most of a half-day on the water just to reach a snorkeling site, yet you still get a proper coastal ride. From the boat, you can enjoy the south coast of Tenerife from sea level, where the cliffs, resorts, and volcanic shoreline take on a different shape.

Keep your eyes open during the ride. Dolphins were seen on some outings, and the boat stopped for photographs. That is a welcome bonus, but it should remain a bonus in your planning. The advertised focus is snorkeling, and no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

A speed boat also means a more active ride than a large sightseeing vessel. If you prefer a quiet, steady cruise, this may feel brisk. If you like a little motion and want to reach the bay quickly, it works well.

The secluded bay and the main hour in the water

The boat reaches a bay roughly 15 minutes from shore. The setting is one of the strongest parts of the trip because it is not an ordinary beach stop that you can easily reach on foot. You get to swim from the boat in a spot that feels more removed from the main resort area.

You can expect close to 50 minutes of snorkeling, or around an hour allocated for swimming and snorkeling depending on the day’s timing. The water is described as clear and warm, though actual visibility depends on wind, waves, and sea conditions.

Your guide should explain how to use the mask and snorkel, then help you get comfortable in the water. You remain at the surface while looking down for marine life. This is a gentle way to begin if you have never snorkeled before, and a lifejacket is available for weak swimmers.

The wildlife list is appealing: turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and colorful fish may all appear. Cuttlefish and octopuses can be easy to miss, so move slowly and look toward rocks and the seafloor rather than only scanning the open water. Turtles are exciting to see, but they are wild animals, not a scheduled part of the program.

One point deserves a fair warning. The bay is secluded, but it may not give you Tenerife’s most dramatic underwater scenery. On one outing, the snorkeling spot seemed ordinary compared with other local tours. That does not make the stop poor, but it means you should book this for the combination of boat ride, easy access, and a chance to see wildlife, not because the site is certain to be spectacular.

Equipment, instruction, and comfort

The cost includes the basic equipment you need: wetsuit, fins, mask, and a lifejacket if required. That is a real saving if you are visiting Tenerife without your own gear, and it avoids carrying bulky equipment through Puerto Colón.

The wetsuit has two jobs. It helps with comfort in the water and provides some protection from the sun and chill. You should bring swimwear and a towel, since neither is listed among the included items.

Equipment quality can vary. Most of the feedback about the staff is positive, but one person found some of the snorkeling gear worn and awkward, including a snorkel strap that did not sit well. I would not treat that as proof that every set is poor, but it is a useful reason to check your mask seal and snorkel position before the boat leaves.

If the mask leaks, speak up at once. A small adjustment on the boat is much easier than trying to fix it while you are already in the water. The guide is there to help, and the limited group size should make it possible to get attention without a long wait.

When sea conditions change the plan

The sea has the final say. Wind and waves can reduce visibility, even when the day looks sunny from Puerto Colón. On one occasion, the staff suggested a different underwater activity because conditions were not suitable for good snorkeling, and a family accepted the change.

That flexibility can be helpful, especially if you are open to trying something new. It also means you should not approach this as a guaranteed turtle-watching trip. The team may adjust the plan for safety or for better water conditions.

The safety side receives strong praise. Guides have been described as patient, calm, and reassuring, including with people who felt nervous in the water. That matters more than a polished sales pitch. If you are anxious, tell the instructor before leaving the marina so the team can set expectations clearly.

Children and first-time snorkelers may do well here when they are comfortable in the sea. A guide has taken extra time to explain the basics to a young beginner. Still, this is an ocean activity from a speed boat, not a pool lesson. You and your family should be ready for waves, changing conditions, and a boat transfer into the water.

What the $53 price includes

At $53 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a two-hour coastal activity. The price covers the speed boat, equipment, staff, and the main snorkeling stop. You are paying for a compact experience rather than a full-day boat trip.

I see the best value in the short travel time and included equipment. You do not lose several hours getting to the site, and you do not need to rent a mask or wetsuit separately. For a visitor staying near Costa Adeje or Puerto Colón, it can fit neatly into a morning or afternoon.

The value is less certain if you are looking only for the richest underwater scenery. The stop is pleasant and hard to reach without a boat, but it may not match the best snorkeling locations around Tenerife. You are also not buying photos or videos. Those can be purchased afterward, so bring your own waterproof phone setup only if it is safe and practical to use.

The group limit of nine improves the price calculation. A cheap boat trip with dozens of people can feel crowded once everyone enters the water. Here, the guide has a better chance of keeping track of the group and helping beginners.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want a short, organized sea outing with a small group. It suits you if you are staying in southern Tenerife, want to try snorkeling without buying equipment, or prefer a guide nearby while you learn.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. Confident swimmers can look for fish and turtles, while less confident swimmers can use a lifejacket and stay close to the guide. The staff’s ability to speak four languages may help families and couples who do not all speak the same language.

You may want another option if your main goal is serious underwater exploration or a long snorkeling session. This activity gives you about 50 minutes in the water, not an all-day marine expedition. It also depends heavily on the sea state, and the bay can be modest rather than extraordinary.

The outing is less suitable if you strongly dislike speed boat movement or need a completely predictable schedule. Sea conditions can alter the plan, and wildlife sightings are naturally uncertain.

Practical details before you book

Wear your swimwear under clothes that are easy to change. Bring a towel, and arrive ready for a wet activity. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

The meeting point is Zero Gravity Tenerife, in front of dock 3 near Café Black Pearl. Look for the entrance behind Café Victoria, at the back of the commercial center. This is the sort of detail that can save you a rushed walk around the marina.

The tour lasts two hours from start to finish. The rough pattern is 30 minutes for preparation and instructions, 15 minutes out to the bay, about 50 to 60 minutes in the water, and 15 minutes back.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Tenerife plans are still moving around. Check the available start times before committing, since the exact schedule is not fixed here.

Should you book the Puerto Colón Snorkel Safari?

Book it if you want a well-organized two-hour outing with a small group, included equipment, and a quick ride to a more secluded swimming spot. The calm instruction, especially from guides such as Elisa, is a strong reason for beginners and nervous swimmers to consider it.

Skip it if you need guaranteed turtles, dolphins, or exceptional underwater scenery. The best reason to choose this trip is the package: speed boat, warm water, a guided swim, and the chance to see marine life without giving up a whole day. At $53, that is fair value when the sea is calm and clear.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón snorkeling tour last?

The activity lasts two hours. This includes the safety briefing and equipment preparation, the 15-minute ride to the bay, the snorkeling session, and the 15-minute return journey.

Where does the tour meet?

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

How long is the speed boat ride to the snorkeling site?

The ride to the bay takes about 15 minutes. The return trip also takes about 15 minutes.

How much time do I spend snorkeling?

You can expect about 50 minutes of snorkeling, with the swimming and snorkeling portion lasting roughly one hour depending on the timing.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a wetsuit, mask, fins, and a lifejacket if required. Bring your own swimwear and towel.

Can weak swimmers take part?

Lifejackets are available for weak swimmers. You should tell the instructor about your swimming ability during the briefing.

What animals might I see?

You might see turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and colorful fish while snorkeling. Dolphins have also been seen from the boat, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point at Puerto Colón.