Kayaking in Los Cristianos – Sailing with Dolphins and Turtles in South Tenerife

Kayaking with dolphins and snorkelling with turtles in Los Cristianos

The kayaking and snorkelling adventure off the volcanic coast of Tenerife is an exciting experience that will take you to explore the wonders of the ocean. This 2.5 hour excursion gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world full of life and beauty, above and below the sea.

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Itinerary of the excursion

1. Meeting and Preparation: The adventure starts at the shop in Edificio Cristianmar, located on the promenade of Los Cristianos beach. Here, you will be provided with all the necessary equipment, including double kayaks (approved for two adults and one child), life jackets, wetsuits and high quality snorkelling equipment. You’ll also receive basic training to ensure you’re ready for the experience.
2. Starting the Kayak Trip: From the beach of Los Cristianos, you will enter the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, skirting iconic places such as Playa de los Cristianos. During this trip, you can enjoy the view of colossal volcanic cliffs and even enter a sea cave.
3. Turtle and Fish Snorkelling: After exploring the sea cave, it’s time to get your snorkelling gear ready. Under the guidance of experts, you will dive to swim among fish and turtles in the crystal clear waters around the caves. This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and magical parts of the excursion.
4. Dolphin and Red Crab Search: Upon returning to the kayaks, you will continue exploring the coastline in search of free-swimming dolphins and red crabs. Although the chance of spotting these animals varies depending on the season, it generally ranges between 80% and 90%.
5. Finishing and return to land: Once you have enjoyed the wonderful marine fauna, you will return to the beach of Los Cristianos. At the centre, you’ll be welcomed with free water and a small snack such as a cereal bar or a banana. In addition, you will receive free photos and videos of the experience, taken with underwater cameras.

Important information

The kayaking activity in Los Cristianos is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, weighing more than 100 kg or with pre-existing medical conditions.

In addition, it is essential to bring a swimming costume, towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes.

The kayak and snorkel tour with turtles in Los Cristianos is an unbeatable way to connect with nature and live an unforgettable experience on the wonderful coast of Tenerife.

Marine wildlife you can see kayaking in Los Cristianos

Here are some interesting facts about the species that you can see on a kayak excursion to Los Cristianos, so that you can get to know them a little better:

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

1. Bottlenose dolphins live in dynamic groups that can vary in size, and within these, there are subgroups such as calf groups, juveniles and adult males.
2. Their ability to solve problems and refine behaviours demonstrates their remarkable intelligence, both in captivity and in the wild.
3. They can rest one side of their brain while the other remains active, allowing them to breathe and remain “conscious” while resting.
4. They exhibit epimetic behaviour, assisting in the recovery of injured dolphins, even holding them at the surface of the water.
5. Each dolphin has its own characteristic whistle that it retains throughout its life, which allows them to recognise each other, and they also navigate using echolocation.
6. They live between 40 and 60 years, and females give birth to a calf every 3 to 6 years, with a gestation period of 12 months.
7. They consume a variety of foods, including fish, squid and shrimp, eating up to 6-7 kg of food per day.

Green turtle (Chelonia Mydas)

1. Its name comes from the colour of its subcutaneous fat, not its shell.
2. It is the only sea turtle that switches to a herbivorous diet as an adult, using its serrated beak to cut plants and algae.
3. The sex of the young is determined by the temperature of the sand in the nest, with warmer temperatures favouring females.
4. It is ecologically important, helping to distribute nutrients in its habitat and contributing to the balance of the marine ecosystem.
5. Listed as “Endangered”, it reflects the urgent need for protection and conservation. Treat it with respect while keeping a safe distance.

Mutt (Dasyatis stingray)

1. Like sharks, stingrays belong to the category of chondrichthyan fishes with a cartilaginous skeleton. Its long, filamentous tail is distinctive, and it lacks dorsal fins.
2. They prefer to be buried in sandy bottoms and are usually found along the coast, up to 200 metres deep. They can live in brackish water, with intermediate salinity.
3. They are carnivorous animals that consume fish, crustaceans and molluscs, using their sandy habitat to ambush their prey.
4. Unlike some stingray species that are more active at night, the stingray is a diurnal animal.
5. A cultural curiosity is that there was a belief that if the sting was removed from a live stingray and placed in the navel of a pregnant woman, it would facilitate childbirth.
6. They can reach a length of 1 to 2 metres, making them one of the largest rays.

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