December through May brings warmer water and calmer seas, which matters if you're planning serious snorkeling days at Los Túneles or Cabo Rosa. June through November can be choppy, though you'll see more marine life and fewer crowds. Check weather patterns before booking your specific tour dates.

Popular snorkeling trips and the Sierra Negra volcano hikes can fill up during peak season, so book 1-2 weeks ahead if you're visiting December through April. Outside those months, a few days' notice usually works fine.

Group snorkeling tours to Los Túneles and Cabo Rosa run daily and give you solid marine life encounters at a fraction of the cost. Private tours shine if you want to customize your volcano experience or move at your own pace - and they're handy if you're traveling with someone who gets seasick easily.

The town itself is walkable, but you'll need a tour operator to reach snorkeling sites, the volcano, and Tintoreras islet - they handle all transport. If you prefer independence, check what the tour you're booking includes before you book.

Reef-safe sunscreen, a wetsuit or rash guard (the water's cold enough that most people wear one), and good hiking shoes if you're doing Sierra Negra. Most tour operators provide snorkeling gear, but confirm this when you book.

The snorkeling tours work for confident swimmers of most ages, and some operators offer shorter or gentler options - ask when booking. The volcano hikes are moderate to strenuous with uneven terrain, so check the difficulty level and ask if your group can handle the pace.