Kayaking and Snorkelling in Tenerife Review: Should Families Book It?

If you're considering a kayaking and snorkelling tour in Tenerife, you're probably wondering whether it's worth booking with children, how difficult the kayaking is, and whether you'll actually see any marine life.

Quick Answer: Is Kayaking and Snorkelling in Tenerife Worth It With Kids?

Yes, if your child enjoys being on the water and is reasonably confident swimming.

We booked this excursion during our October half-term family holiday in Tenerife with our 7-year-old son, Joshua. It ended up being one of our favourite experiences away from the hotel, combining wildlife spotting, gentle adventure and the chance to see a different side of the island.

In this Tenerife kayaking and snorkelling review, I'll cover exactly what the experience was like, how safe it felt, what we saw, who it's best suited to and whether we'd book it again.

If this sounds like the sort of experience your family would enjoy, you can check the latest tour details, availability and departure times here. We found there were several similar tours available, but the good reviews and family focus was one of the reasons we chose this one.

Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why We Chose a Kayaking and Snorkelling Tour

We wanted to do at least one activity away from the hotel during our week in Tenerife.

While we loved our stay at Bahia Principe Fantasia, we also wanted to explore the coastline, get some exercise and experience something a little different from pools and water parks.

We were particularly excited about the possibility of seeing wildlife. The tours often mention turtles and dolphins, and although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, the chance of seeing them in their natural environment appealed to all of us.

Most importantly, we wanted an experience Joshua would remember long after the holiday finished.

We booked a few activities during our stay, including Siam Park. You can read more in Best Things to Do in Tenerife With Kids

Booking the Tour

We booked this linked tour through GetYourGuide, although there are plenty of similar kayaking and snorkelling experiences available along the Tenerife coastline.

When researching options, we were specifically looking for a tour that felt suitable for families rather than experienced kayakers. This one stood out because it had consistently strong reviews, a smaller group size and a reputation for being welcoming to beginners. Another big advantage was the free cancellation policy, which is always reassuring when you're travelling with children and relying on good weather.

The tour included:

• Kayak hire

• Life jackets

• Snorkelling equipment

• Guided tour

• Light breakfast and coffee before departure

One thing we particularly liked was the small group size. There were no more than eight people on our tour, which made the experience feel much more personal. Joshua was actually the only child in the group, with the remaining participants being adults, but the guide was excellent at making him feel involved throughout.

Everything felt well organised from the start. We received clear joining instructions before arrival, check-in was straightforward and there was no pressure to rush once we got there. Having breakfast and a coffee included before setting off was also a nice touch and helped everyone settle in before heading out onto the water.

What to Expect When You Arrive

The meeting point was easy to find and there was plenty of parking available outside the dive shop.

After check-in, everyone was given equipment and a safety briefing covering:

• Sea conditions

• Basic kayaking instructions

• Snorkelling guidance

• Safety procedures

• Expectations for children

Life jackets were provided for everyone and remained on throughout the experience. The kayaks were already positioned near the shoreline, so after the briefing we walked down to the water wearing water shoes.

One thing I was glad we'd done was bring a waterproof phone pouch. Other than that, we left almost everything in the car.

The guides also provided water and took photos throughout the excursion using an action camera, which meant we could focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about carrying belongings.

The Kayaking Experience

The kayaking was probably the part of the excursion that surprised us most.

Before booking, I'd assumed it would be fairly gentle, with lots of floating around and wildlife spotting. In reality, there is a reasonable amount of paddling involved, particularly for the adults. This isn't an extreme activity by any means, but you're certainly not being towed along while doing very little.

Joshua sat at in the middle of our kayak and loved being chief navigator. He had a go at paddling occasionally, but if we're being honest, he wasn't contributing much to the forward progress. Like most families, the parents ended up doing the majority of the work while the child enjoyed the ride.

After setting off, it took us around 15-20 minutes of steady paddling to reach our first stop. During that time we followed the coastline, passed rocky cliffs and caves, and had plenty of opportunities to look out for marine life. It gave us a completely different perspective of Tenerife compared to sitting by the pool or visiting one of the island's bigger attractions.

One thing I enjoyed was that the tour felt active without being intimidating. There was a sense of adventure, but we never felt rushed or under pressure to keep up with experienced kayakers.

Was It Tiring?

Yes, particularly for adults.

You don't need to be super fit or regularly spend your weekends kayaking, but you should expect some physical effort. The paddling becomes repetitive after a while and you'll definitely know you've done some exercise by the end.

For us, it was enjoyable rather than exhausting, but I wouldn't describe it as a relaxing boat trip.

If you have back problems, shoulder issues or struggle with repetitive upper-body movement, it's worth thinking carefully before booking. There were plenty of opportunities to slow down and rest, but the adults were doing most of the work throughout the excursion.

What Were the Sea Conditions Like?

We were lucky with the weather and sea conditions.

The water was relatively calm on the day of our tour, which made the kayaking feel much easier and more enjoyable. There was some movement from the waves, but nothing that felt uncomfortable or difficult to manage.

My husband occasionally suffers from mild seasickness, so he took a travel sickness tablet before we left as a precaution. In the end, neither of us had any problems. Because you're actively moving through the water rather than sitting on a boat rocking in one spot, the feeling is quite different from a traditional boat excursion.

Of course, sea conditions can vary from day to day, so your experience may be different depending on the weather.

Is It Suitable for Children?

For confident children, absolutely.

Joshua was 7 when we did the tour and it suited him perfectly. He enjoyed being out on the water, looking for wildlife and taking in the scenery without having to do too much of the hard work.

I think the key factor isn't age but confidence. Children who are comfortable around water, happy wearing a life jacket and able to follow instructions will probably have a great time.

The paddling distance wasn't an issue for Joshua because he spent most of the trip sitting at the front enjoying the experience while we provided the power. If anything, he probably had the best deal out of all of us.

The Snorkelling Part

After around 20 minutes of paddling, we reached a small sheltered cove and this is where the snorkelling part of the excursion began.

The guide tied all of the kayaks together so they wouldn't drift away while everyone was in the water. Once everyone had their masks and snorkels on, we climbed into the sea and began exploring the area around the cove.

The water was reasonably clear during our trip and it was easy to spot fish swimming nearby. However, it's important to set expectations realistically. If you're imagining colourful coral reefs and huge schools of tropical fish, this isn't that type of snorkelling experience.

What you do get is the chance to swim in open water, look for marine life and experience a part of Tenerife's coastline that most visitors never see from land. For us, that was more than enough.

Joshua absolutely loved this section of the trip. He enjoys anything involving wildlife and spent most of his time peering through his mask looking for fish and anything else that moved. In many ways, the snorkelling was the highlight of the excursion for him.

Was the Water Cold?

We visited during October half term and found the water surprisingly comfortable.

It's definitely not bathwater warm, but it wasn't uncomfortably cold either. There was the usual shock when you first got in, but after a couple of minutes we stopped noticing it and were happy swimming around for a while.

The water was far too deep to stand in most places, which is something parents should be aware of. However, everyone wore life jackets throughout the snorkelling session and this made it feel much safer and more relaxed, particularly for children.

Joshua never seemed concerned by the depth and was happy floating around looking for fish.

If you're wondering what temperatures are typically like at this time of year, see Tenerife in October Half Term With Kids: Is It Worth It?

Did We See Dolphins, Turtles or Marine Life?

This is probably the question most families ask before booking.

Like many people, we were hoping to see both dolphins and turtles. Some tours do get lucky, but it's worth remembering that these are wild animals and sightings can never be guaranteed.

During our trip we saw a sea turtle bobbing in the distance, numerous fish while snorkelling. Unfortunately, we didn't see any dolphins.

While wildlife was one of the reasons we booked the tour, the kayaking itself ended up being a big part of the experience. The chance to paddle along the coastline, explore the cove and spend time together as a family was enjoyable regardless of what wildlife appeared.

The turtle sighting was still a memorable moment and easily enough to keep Joshua talking about the excursion long after we'd returned to the hotel.

My advice would be to book this tour because you like the idea of kayaking and snorkelling. If you happen to see dolphins or turtles too, treat it as a bonus rather than an expectation.

Is It Safe for Children?

Overall, yes. Safety was one of my biggest concerns before booking, but we felt reassured throughout the entire experience.

The guides were professional, everyone received a safety briefing before entering the water and life jackets were provided and worn at all times. The group was small enough that the guides could keep an eye on everyone, and at no point did we feel rushed or pushed beyond our comfort levels.

That said, suitability comes down more to confidence than age.

Before booking, I'd consider the following:

• Can your child swim confidently?

• Are they comfortable in open water?

• Will they happily wear a life jacket?

• Can they listen to instructions from guides?

• Will they stay calm if they can't touch the bottom?

Joshua was 7 when we did the tour and already comfortable being in the sea. That confidence made a huge difference and meant he could simply enjoy the experience rather than worry about being out on the water.

For confident children, I think this is an excellent family excursion. For nervous swimmers or children who dislike deep water, it could feel intimidating and may not be the most enjoyable way to spend a holiday morning.

What to Wear and Bring

I'd recommend bringing:

• Swimwear

• Rash vest

• Water shoes

• Sun cream

• Waterproof phone pouch

• Sea sickness tablets if needed

• Towel (leave in the car for afterwards)

• Dry clothes for the journey home

• Snacks and drinks for after the tour

For more packing advice, see Tenerife in October With Kids: What We Packed, Used and Wish We'd Brought.

Who This Tour Is Best For

While we enjoyed the excursion, I don't think it's for every family.

This tour is best suited to:

• Families with children aged 7 years and above

• Confident swimmers who are comfortable in open water

• Children who enjoy wildlife, nature and spotting marine life

• Families looking for something more active than a traditional boat trip

• Parents who don't mind doing a reasonable amount of paddling

• Families wanting a memorable experience away from the resort

• Children who enjoy snorkelling and trying new activities

For us, Joshua was the perfect age. He was old enough to enjoy the adventure, follow instructions and appreciate the wildlife spotting, while still getting excited about being out on the water.

Who Might Not Enjoy It

Although we thought the tour was fun, I can definitely think of some families who would be better choosing a different excursion.

I probably wouldn't recommend it for:

• Nervous swimmers

• Children who are uncomfortable in deep water

• Families looking for a completely relaxing activity

• Anyone with significant back or shoulder problems

• People who suffer badly from seasickness

• Families expecting guaranteed dolphin or turtle sightings

• Anyone uncomfortable wearing a life jacket and entering open water

The biggest thing to remember is that this is an active excursion. You're there to kayak, snorkel and explore the coastline. If that sounds exciting, you'll probably love it. If you want something more relaxed, a boat trip may be a better option.

Final Verdict: Would We Book It Again?

Yes, we would.

The wildlife wasn't quite as spectacular as we'd imagined, but that's the reality of nature. Dolphins and turtles are wild animals, and there's never a guarantee you'll see them.

What made the trip worthwhile was the overall experience.

Joshua loved being out on the water, enjoyed the snorkelling and still talks about spotting the sea turtle. We enjoyed exploring a different part of Tenerife, getting active as a family and doing something completely different from a typical hotel or pool day.

Would we do it every time we visit Tenerife? Probably not.

But as a one-off family adventure during a week on the island, we thought it was excellent value and one of the most memorable excursions we booked. If you're looking for an activity that combines wildlife, adventure and time on the water, this is one of the more memorable excursions we tried in Tenerife. You can explore the tour options and availability here and decide whether it's the right fit for your family.

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About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.