Sea Turtles in Tenerife: Where and How to See Them

Loggerhead sea turtles are year-round residents of Tenerife's warm south-west waters. A handful of sheltered bays host a resident population, and with a little patience — and the right boat trip — you have a very good chance of spotting one.

Where the turtles gather

The clear waters around El Médano and the south coast are the most reliable spots. The bay between the Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas breakwaters is a classic feeding ground, and guided snorkeling tours regularly meet turtles there at dawn, before the boats arrive.

How to watch responsibly

A few rules keep both you and the turtles safe: keep a distance of at least 5 metres, never touch or feed them, and avoid chasing them with fins — turtles need to surface to breathe, and a stressed turtle will abandon the bay. If you see one surfacing, stay still and let it pass; the best encounters are the ones where the turtle decides to come to you.

The best season and time of day

The turtles are present all year, but visibility peaks between May and October, when the trade winds drop and the water clears. Early morning is the quietest window, before the excursion boats churn up the shallows. Winter still works — the turtles simply stay deeper and surface less often.

Boats that respect the wildlife

Choose operators that run small groups and keep engines low near the feeding bays. Many south-coast fishing villages now run marine-life excursions with certified guides who log every sighting. Combine a turtle trip with a visit to the sea life of the island, and round it out with the best beaches — most turtle bays double as excellent swimming spots.