El Puertito

El Puertito's green turtles made this modest cove one of Tenerife's most requested dives, and that fame is now its central management problem. A handful of turtles took up residence over the sandy bay years ago, grew habituated — partly through illegal feeding — and drew crowds of snorkelers and divers that authorities have since worked to calm. Sightings remain possible but are no longer the near-guarantee social media suggests, and responsible operators brief hard: no food, no touching, no blocking an animal's path to the surface. Beyond the turtles, rays and trumpetfish work the quiet shallows.

اللحظة التي جئت من أجلها: Green turtle encounters when luck cooperates, calm shallow water, easy snorkel access

التضاريس: Sheltered sand bay with low volcanic reef arms

نقطة الدخول: Small cove west of Costa Adeje, Tenerife, with a walk-in sandy entry; also reached by boat and kayak tours.

المخاطر: Heavy snorkeler and kayak traffic on summer days.

الحفاظ على البيئة البحرية: Feeding and touching turtles is illegal and harmful; interaction rules are actively enforced and encounters must stay on the animals' terms.