Abades Tenerife Snorkeling Trip: A Review of Turtles and Rays

If you are thinking about seeing some incredible marine life, well, Tenerife might be just the spot. You can almost picture it: crystal-clear waters, gentle sea turtles gliding by, and rays dancing beneath the surface. Snorkeling in Abades, Tenerife, promises all that. Yet, a real trip can come down to more than just the sea itself. Let’s go through what makes this particular snorkeling experience special, offering you the lowdown before you consider booking your ticket.

First Impressions: Getting to Abades

To get to Abades, you could, like your friend did, find that it is this rather charming little village located on Tenerife’s southeastern coast. The drive, so your friend recounts, is pretty straightforward, whether you’re coming from the south tourist hubs or even from Santa Cruz up north. As you near Abades, notice how the landscape begins shifting away from resorts to show more of a volcanic coastline, as your friend observed. Then there’s this stark, natural beauty to it that starts preparing you, in some respects, for the adventure ahead. Also, parking could be a bit tricky, especially in the busy times, but it usually sorts itself out. It is almost a part of the adventure, that!

The Snorkeling Experience: Turtles and Rays Aplenty

Once you are ready to actually slip into the water, right, that’s when the magic could start. The snorkeling trips in Abades typically, that is if you’re like we were, head towards specific spots known for turtle and ray sightings. The instructors usually give you a quick briefing, like about how to use the gear and, clearly, a rundown of how to behave responsibly around the sea life. That’s a must! What is amazing, as one person we chatted to described it, is just how calm and clear the water is. Then it is easy to spot these gentle giants just cruising along.

As you move along the reef, typically turtles appear before too long. Now, seeing these creatures in their spot, that truly brings a special kind of peace, you know? Yet, always remember to keep your distance. It’s important, clearly, to admire them without disturbing their behavior. The rays, for instance, are just as mesmerizing. Spotting them gliding along the sea floor is like watching an underwater ballet – that’s certainly how someone on our trip described it! Snorkeling here generally, in some respects, feels like an encounter, and that’s what makes it such an unforgettable thing, you know?

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

Now, there are a few tour operators offering snorkeling trips in Abades, and the services, in fact, might be different from one to another. When you are looking for the right one, find out if their groups tend to be rather large or not, and that gives you a personalized experience. You want a smaller group so you have the right amount of attention, in other words. The quality and the upkeep of the gear matter, too. Then ensure that they provide well-maintained masks, snorkels, and fins, so that’s all smooth and worry-free. Another thing we did: looked for a company emphasizing sustainability and conservation – because it just adds a layer of purpose, does it not? Find one following eco-friendly practices and also educating snorkelers on how to protect the marine environment.

Do check reviews and ratings online. I mean, people love to give their honest opinion. Actually, see what kind of past experiences people had with each operator, and see if anything pops out as concerning. Did people find them safe? Was there adequate assistance? That kind of thing could very, very well save a vacation – so better to find out sooner rather than later, right?

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Being ready for your snorkeling trip, right, well, that might turn a good time into a fantastic one. Sunscreen is essential – a high SPF, so you protect yourself, yet one that’s also reef-safe. Very important. A rash guard or wetsuit also protects from the sun and, yet, the cooler water temps at depth. That’s almost key for enjoying a long snorkeling session. And of course, hydrate! Make sure, actually, you’re drinking loads of water prior to the activity and have more on hand, you know?

It could also be, that if you tend to get seasick, so take some motion sickness pills beforehand. This is something your friend learned, unfortunately, the hard way – they weren’t having too much fun at first. Yet, for beginner snorkelers, it’s helpful, clearly, to practice in a pool first, to grow familiar with breathing through a snorkel and just floating comfortably. Then again, many tour operators start with shallow water acclimatization, but it really just all helps, as I was saying. After this, consider bringing a waterproof camera like your friend did. Those photos turned out rather amazing and it gave them the opportunity to just capture the turtles gliding under them – great reminder for the future!

Other Activities in Abades

Abades has some attractions that could be fun even aside from the snorkeling, really. There’s, arguably, a very laid-back beach scene which some love just to relax. The village also tends to be rather charming, having a few cafes where, clearly, you can get your fix of some local cuisine. Taking a walk around is pretty, in fact. People love the lighthouse, too. It presents rather pretty vistas. One could even simply explore more of the natural terrain or walk down into some neighboring villages.

Also, it is possible, that since Abades is near to other parts of Tenerife, you may wish to do longer day trips from here. The Teide National Park? Plenty of tourists like your friends did, who did snorkeling in the morning and found themselves looking at volcanic craters by sunset, for instance. Mount Teide, too, for the keen adventurers, can be good, because there’s so much unique ecology and geology, as it turns out.

Final Thoughts: Is Abades Worth It?

Seeing turtles and rays up close can be an unforgettable experience, no doubt. However, like a real, honest adventure, actually, some details matter! A smooth transfer and reputable company – not things you may tend to forget! Now you see those underwater animals of your dreams, while at the same time, know just how to take good care of our natural planet. In a way, maybe give this one a shot – just don’t overlook the details!

Key Takeaways:

• Abades in Tenerife gives awesome opportunities for snorkeling with turtles and rays.
• Doing due diligence prior to the choice of tour, as well as actually using eco-friendly practices, could make the entire outing more interesting and impactful.
• Think about doing additional outdoor activities for a full experience of Tenerife’s scenic wonders.

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