Tenerife: Puerto Colon Snorkel Safari by Speed Boat

Turtles may be closer than you think. From Puerto Colón, this small-group speedboat trip takes you along Tenerife’s southern coast to a secluded bay where you can snorkel in warm, clear water. I like the short boat ride and the chance to spot turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, and colorful fish without committing to a full-day cruise.

I also like the nine-person maximum, which gives the guide room to help nervous swimmers or first-time snorkelers. The main drawback is that sea conditions affect visibility, and one detailed report found the snorkeling site less impressive than other spots around Tenerife. Equipment quality may also vary.

Quick points before you book

• Only 15 minutes from shore: The boat reaches the snorkeling bay quickly, leaving more time in the water and less time sitting on a vessel.
• Small group, maximum nine people: This is a calmer setup than a large catamaran excursion, with more personal help from the guide.
• About 50 to 60 minutes in the water: The full outing lasts two hours, including briefing and the return boat ride.
• Marine life is possible, not promised: Turtles, stingrays, cuttlefish, octopuses, fish, and even dolphins have been seen, but wildlife sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.
• Gear is supplied: Wetsuits, fins, masks, and lifejackets when needed are included.
• A practical meeting point matters: Find Zero Gravity Tenerife at Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3 and next to Café Black Pearl.

What this Puerto Colón outing is really like

This is a compact snorkeling trip rather than a full-day marine safari. You meet at Zero Gravity Tenerife, near the marina’s dock 3, and prepare at the diving center before boarding the speedboat.

The total time is two hours. Around 30 minutes is set aside for arrival, equipment, and safety instructions. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes each way, leaving roughly 50 minutes to an hour for swimming and snorkeling.

That timing works well if you want to fit another activity into your day. It also means the trip does not drag if your main goal is simply to see what lies beneath the surface. You get a proper water session, but not a long coastal cruise with hours spent aboard.

The speedboat adds a little fun and gives you open views of Tenerife’s southern coast. It is also a useful way to reach a bay that is not easy to access on your own. The tradeoff is that a speedboat offers less shade and space than a larger boat, so bring only what you need and be ready for a more active outing.

Finding Zero Gravity Tenerife at Puerto Colón

The meeting point is one of the details worth handling carefully. Go to Zero Gravity Tenerife in Puerto Colón, in front of dock 3, beside Café Black Pearl. The entrance to the diving center is at the back of the commercial center, behind Café Victoria.

That last detail matters because the center is not simply found by walking straight up to the front of the shopping area. Give yourself enough time to find the rear entrance, especially if you are unfamiliar with Puerto Colón.

The activity provider is Zero Gravity Tenerife. Staff support is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The team works in English, Spanish, French, and Italian, and several reports praise the friendly, calm approach of the instructors.

One particularly useful example involved a first-time snorkeler in a very small group. The guide took extra time to explain the basics and help the beginner feel comfortable. That kind of attention is valuable because snorkeling can feel awkward at first, especially when you are trying to breathe through a tube, clear your mask, and keep your fins moving at the same time.

The 30-minute preparation and safety briefing

At the center, you are fitted with a wetsuit, mask, fins, and, if necessary, a lifejacket. You should arrive with swimwear and a towel. The wetsuit is useful even in warm weather because you may spend close to an hour in the water.

The briefing covers the basics of snorkeling and what to expect once you reach the bay. Life jackets are available for weak swimmers, so you do not need to be a confident swimmer to consider the trip. Still, you should tell the staff clearly if you feel nervous or lack water experience.

The staff praise is deserved, but there is one caution. A detailed report described the initial explanation as limited and found some of the snorkeling equipment worn or awkward. In particular, the snorkel strap was described as less comfortable than a standard adjustable design.

I would ask the guide to check your mask seal and snorkel position before leaving the marina. If the mask leaks or the mouthpiece feels uncomfortable, say so immediately. A small adjustment on land can make the water session much easier.

The 15-minute speedboat ride along Tenerife’s south coast

Once the group is ready, the speedboat heads out for about 15 minutes. This is not a long sightseeing cruise, but it gives you a pleasant view of the coast and a quick change from marina life to open sea.

The boat ride also creates a chance for wildlife sightings before the snorkeling begins. Dolphins were seen during one outing, and the boat stopped briefly for pictures. That is a happy extra, not part of the guaranteed program, so book this for the snorkeling rather than for dolphin watching.

The small boat is part of the appeal. With no more than nine participants, you get a closer, less crowded trip than you would on a large excursion vessel. The boat crew can also respond more easily if someone needs help or wants to ask a question.

The speedboat format may not suit you if you want a quiet, slow cruise. It is better for people who like a short burst of movement before getting into the water.

The secluded bay and nearly one hour of snorkeling

The boat reaches a secluded bay roughly 15 minutes from shore. The main attraction is access. You are not snorkeling directly beside the busy marina, and the bay is difficult to reach independently.

The water is described as clear and warm, with the best viewing done from the surface. You will receive fins and a mask, so you can move slowly while looking down for marine life. The guide can help you with basic technique and point out things that are easy to miss when you are new to snorkeling.

Possible sightings include:

• Turtles
• Stingrays
• Cuttlefish
• Octopuses
• Colorful fish

Do not treat this as an aquarium with guaranteed animals in fixed locations. Sea conditions, wind, light, and luck all affect what you see. One report found the snorkeling area fairly ordinary compared with other snorkeling locations around Tenerife, though it still valued the fact that the bay was not easy to reach without a boat.

That is the fairest way to judge the site. It may not be the most dramatic underwater location on the island, but it gives you a convenient, guided session in a quieter place. If you have snorkeled at several top sites before, you may find the marine scenery modest. If you are new to the activity, the clear water, included equipment, and guide support make it a sensible introduction.

The official timing allows about 50 minutes in the water, while the itinerary describes the swimming and snorkeling portion as about one hour. In practical terms, expect roughly that range rather than counting on a precise minute-by-minute schedule.

Why the small group makes a difference

The maximum group size is nine, and that is one of the best reasons to choose this trip. Small groups make it easier for the guide to watch weaker swimmers, answer questions, and keep beginners from feeling rushed.

This matters particularly for families. A 15-year-old joined one outing where the staff calmly explained the basics and offered reassurance. The guides have also been praised for staying close to nervous participants during water activities and for handling safety in a patient, professional way.

The small group does not guarantee a private tour. You may share the boat with snorkelers and people taking part in other water activities. One outing had four snorkelers and four scuba participants, which still left plenty of room for personal attention.

If you want a completely private experience, this is not described as a private charter. If you want to avoid a packed vessel and prefer a guide who can actually see you in the water, the size is a strong advantage.

Equipment, comfort, and what to bring

The price includes the speedboat, wetsuit, mask, fins, and a lifejacket if required. That keeps the cost straightforward and means you do not need to rent basic snorkeling gear separately.

Bring swimwear and a towel. The supplied information does not list hotel pickup, so plan to reach Puerto Colón independently. Photos and videos are not included, but they may be available to purchase after the session.

Equipment condition deserves a little attention. Most of the comments about staff and organization are positive, but one report raised concerns about worn gear and a snorkel strap that did not work like a typical adjustable strap. This does not mean every participant receives poor equipment, but it is a reasonable point to check before departure.

Tell the staff if the mask leaks, the fins feel loose, or the snorkel sits badly. You are paying for time in the water, so you should use the briefing to get the fit right.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, the trip offers reasonable value if you want a short, organized snorkeling outing with transport to a harder-to-reach bay. The price includes the boat and equipment, and the nine-person limit gives it a more personal feel than a budget group cruise.

The value is strongest for first-time snorkelers, families, and anyone staying near Costa Adeje or Puerto Colón who does not want to spend a whole day at sea. You get about two hours of activity, with close to an hour in the water, rather than paying for a long boat excursion where snorkeling is only a small part of the day.

The value is less certain if your main goal is outstanding underwater scenery. One report found the site less special than other Tenerife snorkeling locations. You may prefer a longer or more specialized marine trip if you have already explored several strong snorkeling areas.

The possible dolphin sightings and the friendly guides add appeal, but neither should be treated as guaranteed. Think of the cost as payment for access, equipment, a small group, and supervision, with wildlife as an added possibility.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip to:

• First-time snorkelers who want basic instruction
• Families with older children or teenagers
• Weak swimmers who would feel better with a lifejacket available
• Couples who prefer a small boat to a large cruise vessel
• Visitors with only two hours to spare
• Anyone who wants a guided route to a less accessible bay

You may want to choose something else if you dislike speedboats, need a long, slow sightseeing cruise, or expect guaranteed turtle and dolphin sightings. Strong swimmers who want to explore independently may also find the guided format restrictive.

The activity is not presented as a private tour, and the water session is fairly short. It is best understood as an easy coastal outing with a good chance of seeing marine life, not as a major expedition.

How the experience is handled on the day

The strongest pattern is friendly, reassuring staff. Elisa, a dive master praised in one report, was especially good at helping a nervous participant regain confidence. Other comments describe patient instructors, careful guidance, and a warm approach in the water.

That human side matters more than fancy equipment for many beginners. A good guide can show you how to relax, adjust your breathing, and look below the surface without panicking. The activity is also offered in four languages, which helps if you need instructions in English, Spanish, French, or Italian.

Still, service can be uneven. One report found that some staff at the center spoke very little English and that the first briefing could have been clearer. The guide on the boat and in the water was described more positively than the initial reception experience.

I would arrive ready to ask questions and confirm the plan. Ask how long you will stay in the bay, where your belongings go, and how the group will be managed once you enter the water. Clear communication is especially useful if your swimming ability is limited.

Final verdict: should you book it?

Book this Puerto Colón snorkel safari if you want a short, small-group introduction to Tenerife’s coastal waters. The easy boat ride, supplied equipment, helpful instructors, and secluded bay make it a practical choice, especially for beginners and families.

Keep expectations sensible. Wildlife sightings are possible rather than guaranteed, and the snorkeling site may not impress experienced snorkelers as much as Tenerife’s best locations. Equipment quality and the first briefing may also be less polished than you hope.

For $53, I think the trip is good value when access and guidance matter as much as the underwater scenery. Choose it for convenience, personal attention, and a manageable two-hour schedule. Skip it if you want an all-day cruise or a guaranteed close encounter with turtles and dolphins.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Colón snorkel safari last?

The activity lasts two hours. This includes the preparation and safety briefing, about 15 minutes by speedboat each way, and roughly 50 minutes to one hour of swimming and snorkeling.

Where is the meeting point?

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

What equipment is included?

The experience includes a wetsuit, mask, fins, and speedboat transport. A lifejacket 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.

Can beginners join the snorkeling tour?

Yes. The activity includes a basic snorkeling briefing, and the guides can help beginners in the water. Lifejackets are available for weak swimmers.

What marine life might I see?

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

What languages are offered?

The instructors speak English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.