Kayak and snorkel, or a first scuba dive?
Both go looking for turtles off Tenerife's south coast, and both take about three hours, but they are different mornings. The kayak trip paddles from Playa de Los Cristianos to a sea cave and a snorkel stop, from 38 euros; the try dive takes you underwater with a PADI instructor off Costa Adeje, then snorkelling, from 75 euros. Turtles are possible on both, and promised on neither.
Last checked: October 2026
Turtles, by kayakKayak and snorkel tour from Los Cristianos
From €384.7(12,400)Free cancellation
Three hours paddling from Playa de Los Cristianos under Montaña de Guaza to a sea cave and a snorkel stop, with wetsuit, locker and photos included, from 38 euros. Turtles and dolphins are possible, not promised. From 14, swimmers only.
A first diveA beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa Adeje
From €754.7(2,000)Free cancellation
A first scuba dive off Costa Adeje, hand in hand with a PADI instructor for every two beginners, then a snorkel, in a sea where loggerhead and green turtles are regularly present. From 75 euros. Read the dive medical form before you book.
Head to head
| Kayak and snorkel tour from Los Cristianos | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa Adeje | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosA guided sea kayak trip under Montaña de Guaza to a sea cave, with a snorkel stop | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeA first scuba dive with a PADI instructor, then a snorkel, from a speedboat |
| Where | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosPlaya de Los Cristianos: 11 to 14 minutes' drive from our Costa Adeje hotels | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejePuerto Colón, Costa Adeje: 8 to 11 minutes' drive from our Costa Adeje hotels |
| Price | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosFrom 38 euros | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeFrom 75 euros |
| Time | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosAbout 3 hours, most of it paddling | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeAbout 3 hours, with 20 to 25 minutes on scuba and 20 to 25 snorkelling |
| Depth | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosThe surface, with a snorkel stop | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeUp to 12 metres on GetYourGuide, 10 on the operator's page; 3 metres for children of 8 and 9 |
| Ages | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosFrom 14, under 18 only with a parent | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeFrom 8; under 15s with an adult |
| Health and fitness | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosYou must swim; 100 kg at most; not for back problems or anyone prone to seasickness | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeA medical questionnaire for all, and a doctor's certificate for asthma, heart or lung conditions, surgery, diabetes or epilepsy |
| Included | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosKayak, life jacket, snorkel kit, a wetsuit in winter, lockers, and photos and videos by email | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeSpeedboat, PADI instructor, full dive and snorkel kit with wetsuit, insurance and water; photos extra |
| Afterwards | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosNothing to plan around | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeNo flight and no trip up Teide for 12 hours |
| Turtles | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosPossible, not promised; dolphins too | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeA chance, not a promise |
| Rating on GetYourGuide | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los Cristianos4.7 from about 12,400 reviews | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa Adeje4.7 from about 2,000 reviews |
| Cancellation | Kayak and snorkel tour from Los CristianosFree up to 24 hours before on GetYourGuide | A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa AdejeFree up to 24 hours before on GetYourGuide |
Which one for you
Kayak and snorkel tour from Los Cristianos
Book the kayak if everyone is 14 or over, swims confidently and is happy to paddle for most of three hours, and you want the cliffs of Montaña de Guaza, a sea cave and a snorkel for 38 euros, with the photos included.
A beginner's try dive and snorkel off Costa Adeje
Book the try dive if you want to breathe underwater for the first time, with one instructor for every two beginners, if your children are 8 to 13 and too young for the kayak, and if you are not flying or going up Teide within 12 hours.
Or both
They make two different mornings, one on the surface and one below it. Put the dive on a day with nothing high or airborne for the next 12 hours, not on your last day.
The verdict
Both look for turtles off the south coast and neither can promise them, so let age and appetite decide: the kayak for fit swimmers of 14 and over who want three hours on the water for 38 euros, the try dive for a first breath underwater from age 8, for 75 euros.
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Questions people ask
Good questions about Kayak and snorkel, or a first scuba dive?
Is kayaking or scuba diving better for seeing turtles in Tenerife?
Neither can promise turtles: both operators describe them as a chance. The kayak trip snorkels from the surface off Los Cristianos; the try dive goes down to 10 or 12 metres off Costa Adeje, then snorkels. Both were rated 4.7 on GetYourGuide on 6 October 2026.
Can children do the kayak or the try dive?
The kayak is from 14, and under 18 only with a parent. The try dive takes children from 8, to 3 metres for children of 8 and 9, and under 15s need an adult with them.
What are the health rules for each?
The kayak asks that you can swim, weigh 100 kg at most and have no back problems or tendency to seasickness. The try dive starts with a medical questionnaire for everyone, and a doctor's certificate for asthma, heart or lung conditions, surgery, diabetes or epilepsy.
Can I go up Teide after a try dive?
Not within 12 hours of the dive, and the same goes for flying, so put Teide or your flight home on another day.
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