Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the short ride to a quiet bay where you can swim away from the marina. In clear, warm water, you search for turtles, stingrays, octopuses, and cuttlefish while a guide stays nearby.

I like the small group of no more than nine and the fact that wetsuits, fins, masks, and life jackets are supplied. The boat ride also adds a little excitement, and dolphins have been spotted along the way. The main drawback is that the snorkeling site can feel modest if you have already explored Tenerife’s better-known coastal waters.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-minute speedboat ride takes you from Puerto Colón to a secluded bay.
• About 50 minutes in the water gives you a decent amount of time to snorkel.
• Turtles, dolphins, stingrays, cuttlefish, and octopuses are possible sightings, not guarantees.
• Groups are capped at nine, making it easier to get help and personal attention.
• Wetsuits, masks, fins, and life jackets are included at no extra charge.
• The snorkeling location matters: it is quiet and not easy to reach independently, but it may not be Tenerife’s most dramatic site.

A compact sea trip from Puerto Colón

This two-hour experience is built around simplicity. You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, near dock 3 and next to Café Black Pearl. The entrance is on the rear side of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria, so allow a few minutes to find the actual diving center rather than stopping at the first marina entrance you see.

The price is $53 per person. That is fair for a small-group boat trip with equipment included, especially since you are not just walking into the sea from a beach. Your payment covers the boat transfer, snorkeling equipment, instruction, and supervision in the water.

You should think of this as an easy marine-life outing rather than a full-day water adventure. The total time is two hours, with about 15 minutes each way on the speedboat and roughly 50 minutes snorkeling. The remaining time covers arrival, equipment, and the safety briefing.

Getting ready at Puerto Colón

At the meeting point, the crew fits you with a wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel. A life jacket is available if you are not a confident swimmer. You will also receive basic instructions before boarding, which is useful if you have not snorkeled before or if you want a quick refresher.

The group limit of nine is one of the strongest features here. A small boat means less crowding when you put on your equipment and more room for a guide to keep an eye on everyone. It also gives first-time snorkelers a better chance to ask questions without feeling lost in a large group.

The standard language options are English, Spanish, French, and Italian. That range is helpful, particularly for families or mixed-language groups. One especially positive detail is the care given to beginners. A guide named Elisa was praised for her calm manner and for taking extra time with a first-time young snorkeler. That kind of patience matters more than a polished sales pitch when you are about to put your face in open water.

Still, do not expect a long classroom session. One account describes the initial explanation as limited, and equipment quality has not always felt consistent. Some snorkel gear was described as worn, with an awkward strap arrangement. If your mask does not fit properly, speak up before leaving the marina. A poor seal can turn a pleasant swim into a frustrating one.

The 15-minute run along Tenerife’s coast

Once aboard, the boat heads out from Puerto Colón. The ride is short enough that you do not lose much of your two-hour booking to transport, but long enough to give you a good look back at the southern coast.

The speedboat is part of the fun. You get a brisk ride rather than a slow harbor cruise, and the open-water journey makes the outing feel more substantial than a beach-based snorkel. Hold on when the boat picks up speed, especially if the sea is choppy.

Keep your eyes open during the crossing. Dolphins have been seen on the way to the bay, and the boat has stopped for photographs when they appeared. That sighting is never promised, but it is a welcome bonus if the animals happen to be nearby.

Conditions can change the character of the trip. Wind and waves affect water clarity, comfort, and safety. When conditions are poor, the center may suggest changing the plan, including switching to a scuba experience. That option is not the same activity, so make sure you understand what is being offered and what you are agreeing to before changing plans.

Fifty minutes in the secluded bay

The boat reaches a sheltered bay around 15 minutes from shore. The location is valuable because it is not an easy place to reach on foot, and the boat lets you get there without arranging your own transport along the coast.

You then spend about 50 minutes snorkeling. The usual pattern is to enter the water, stay near the surface, and move along while looking down through the clear water. The guide is present to help you, point out wildlife, and keep the group together.

Tenerife’s southern waters can offer a good mix of sea life. You might spot turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and smaller fish. Cuttlefish are particularly fun to watch because they can change color and shape, while a stingray may sit quietly on the seabed before gliding away.

The important phrase is might spot. Wildlife is not scheduled, and visibility depends on the weather, water movement, and the animals themselves. You should book this for the chance to see marine life, not for a guaranteed turtle encounter.

The bay has also received mixed assessments. It is peaceful and relatively secluded, but one account found the underwater scene less special than other snorkeling locations around Tenerife. That is a fair warning for experienced snorkelers. If you have already visited the island’s strongest snorkeling sites, this may feel more like a convenient, guided outing than a major underwater spectacle.

For a first snorkeling session, though, the bay can work well. You do not need to find the place yourself, the equipment is supplied, and the time in the water is long enough to get comfortable. A guide can help you adjust your mask, use your fins, and stay calm if open water feels unfamiliar.

The return ride and finish

After the water session, you return to the speedboat and ride back to Puerto Colón. The return trip takes about 15 minutes, bringing the full boat time to roughly half an hour.

Photos and videos may be available to buy afterward. They are not included in the $53 price, so treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the package. If you want a personal record, ask about the cost before purchasing.

The whole experience finishes at the same Zero Gravity Tenerife center where you started. Since there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón. That is easy enough if you are staying near the marina, but it is a point to factor in if your accommodation is elsewhere in Tenerife.

How the $53 price holds up

At $53, this is not the cheapest possible swim in Tenerife, but it includes more than a simple beach rental. You are paying for the speedboat, a guided trip to a harder-to-reach bay, a small group, equipment, and supervision.

I see the best value for people who want a tidy two-hour activity with little planning. You do not need to rent fins or a mask, figure out where to enter the sea, or arrange a boat separately. The short duration also makes it easy to fit around another Puerto Colón activity.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is exceptional underwater scenery. The bay is secluded, but secluded does not automatically mean spectacular. Experienced snorkelers may prefer a longer trip that reaches a more distinctive site, while beginners may find this outing’s simple structure exactly right.

The flexible booking terms help. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That is useful for a sea-based plan, since wind and waves can affect the day.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to first-time snorkelers, families with older children, couples staying near Costa Adeje or Puerto Colón, and anyone who wants a small boat ride without giving up a full day.

It is also a good fit if you are unsure about snorkeling. The crew provides a wetsuit and can supply a life jacket for weaker swimmers. A patient guide can make the difference between a nervous first attempt and a pleasant one.

The trip may suit you less if you want a long day on the water, serious underwater photography, or a highly varied reef site. The snorkeling portion is about 50 minutes, and the bay has been described as fairly ordinary compared with other Tenerife options.

Children and adults who are new to the water should listen closely during the briefing and tell the crew about their comfort level. The small group makes it easier for the guide to offer help, but you still need to be honest about swimming ability.

What to bring and what to check

Bring swimwear and a towel. Wetsuits and the main snorkeling equipment are provided, so you do not need to pack fins or a mask unless you strongly prefer your own.

Before the boat leaves, check that your mask seals comfortably and that your snorkel sits correctly. This is especially important because equipment condition may vary. Ask for another size or replacement if something feels loose, uncomfortable, or difficult to use.

You should also confirm the meeting point carefully. Go to Zero Gravity Tenerife at Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 and next to Café Black Pearl. The entrance is behind Café Victoria, on the back side of the commercial center. This is more precise than simply searching for the marina.

The activity is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Photos and videos cost extra. Hotel transfers are not included.

My verdict on the Puerto Colón snorkel safari

I like this tour for its manageable length, small group, and easy access to a quiet bay. The speedboat adds energy, while the supplied equipment and available life jackets remove some of the usual hassle. The chance of dolphins on the crossing is a pleasant extra, and the marine life can be rewarding when conditions are right.

The caution is simple: do not book it expecting Tenerife’s finest underwater scenery every time. Wildlife sightings are never certain, the gear may not be perfect, and the snorkeling area has been judged ordinary by at least one experienced participant.

Book it if you want a friendly, guided first taste of snorkeling, especially near Puerto Colón and with a two-hour limit. Skip it if you are an experienced snorkeler chasing the island’s most impressive underwater sites. At $53, it is a sensible, compact outing, provided you value convenience and personal attention more than a guaranteed dramatic seascape.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón snorkeling tour last?

The activity lasts two hours, including the safety briefing, boat rides, and snorkeling time.

Where does the tour meet?

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

How far is the snorkeling bay from shore?

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

How long do I spend snorkeling?

You spend around 50 minutes snorkeling in the bay. The listed itinerary also describes the swimming and snorkeling portion as about one hour.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Wetsuits, masks, fins, and a life jacket when required are included.

Can a weak swimmer join?

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

What marine animals might I see?

Possible sightings include turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, colorful fish, and dolphins during the boat ride. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What languages are spoken by the instructors?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

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