Paragliding in Tenerife

Tame the trade winds and become, for a few minutes, a bird: this is the incredible adventure you can experience while flying over Tenerife in a paraglider.

Not only is it one of the most beautiful destinations for this activity because of the unforgettable views, it is also one of the safest and most fun. Here is a complete guide to the best paragliding flights in Tenerife and everything you need to know. It's your turn to jump!

See Tenerife from the sky and marvel at its beautiful landscapes, beaches and cliffs: this is the unique experience offered by this paragliding flight over Costa Adeje.

What it consists of

After being picked up from your hotel, you will be taken to the take-off area and equipped with harness, helmet, and GoPro camera to film your flight, and you will receive an instruction session on the process of take-off, flight and landing.

Together with your pilot, you will fly up to a height of 800 metres, secure your harness and, when you find the airflow, you will jump in tandem with your pilot who will be in charge of navigating the winds at all times to prolong the flight as much as possible.

He will also guide you where to look so that you don't miss the views, and explain how to handle the paraglider and you can even try to steer it yourself if you feel like it.

You'll circle around Costa Adeje and land on the beach of La Caleta, at which point you'll realise what an incredible experience you've just had.

Why I recommend this experience

This paragliding flight has everything you're looking for in an activity of this kind if it's your first time: a very adequate duration, beautiful views of Tenerife, the possibility to record everything on GoPro and take home the best possible souvenir of your trip, and above all a great feeling of safety and comfort.

Details about the flight

Alex's Traveller Tip

If it's your first time paragliding or you tend to get dizzy easily or suffer from vertigo, I recommend you choose the shorter flight to ensure you enjoy this amazing experience.

This is the premium paragliding experience in Tenerife. Mind-blowing views of Mount Teide, extended duration and a height of 2,200 metres from which you'll soar through the air currents over the island. If that's not enough to convince you...

What it consists of

You'll be picked up in Puerto de la Cruz, a town on the north coast of the island, and taken to the top of the Teide National Park on an excursion lasting about an hour, during which you can enjoy the scenery that you'll later see from a bird's eye view.

Once you arrive at the take-off point, you will receive an instruction on all the steps of the experience and you will be provided with the necessary equipment: helmet, harness and, as in the other option, a GoPro camera to record this incredible adventure and be able to relive it whenever you want.

You will take off and, accompanied by your pilot, you will jump out of the plane to enjoy incredible views of the Teide and the Orotava Valley, with Puerto de la Cruz and the immensity of the sea at your feet. The total duration of the flight is about 30 - 40 minutes, depending on wind and weather conditions. You will land back in Puerto de la Cruz at the end of the flight.

Why I recommend this experience

Compared to the other experience, the advantage of this flight is that the views are much better. The price is a bit higher, but the extra minutes of flight time will make it worth it (as long as you don't get dizzy easily, as in this case it is advisable to take a shorter paragliding flight).

Details about the flight

Whether it's your first time paragliding or you're a paragliding pro, here are a few things that are always good to know before a paragliding experience.

What is paragliding like?

When it comes to paragliding, there are several categories that are established according to CEN (EN) regulations. The paragliders used in the two experiences I have recommended to you are class A (bronze), which are the most suitable for first-time pilots as they offer a very low level of difficulty and the highest level of safety.

This means that if you've flown paragliding before, the experience may not be the most thrilling but, in all honesty, the views you'll get of Tenerife's scenery are more than enough.

On the other hand, if this is your first time in this type of experience, you have the peace of mind of flying in a paraglider that is completely safe and adapted to increase control and reduce sudden wind movements.

Will I fly alone or accompanied by a pilot?

The two activities that I recommend are done with a pilot, that is, an expert in paragliding will be attached to your harness handling the wing, and will make sure that you have all the equipment correctly positioned before jumping from the plane.

Much of the risk involved in paragliding comes from not knowing the weather and the area, which is why the company that operates both activities, Airsports Tenerife, specialise in safety both through experience and the care they take in studying the island's weather patterns.

Is it safe to paraglide?

It is necessary to have a separate insurance policy in place before paragliding, in case you need an emergency medical evacuation on landing. The two activities I have recommended above include such insurance in the price.

Is there a risk of vertigo or dizziness?

One thing that can happen in paragliding is vertigo and dizziness, especially on longer flights. If you are prone to either, I recommend choosing the first option as it has a shorter duration and is the safest and most recommended if it is your first time.

On the other hand, the advantage of using class A gliders is that the wind movements will not be too sudden and it is much more difficult to get dizzy.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Paragliding requires optimal weather conditions. If it rains or storms on the day of the experience, it will be cancelled and your money will be refunded or you will be contacted to see if it is possible to postpone the experience.

Not recommended if

If you have back problems, are pregnant or have a heart or respiratory condition, I recommend you choose another experience. There are plenty of awesome activities to enjoy in Tenerife, and you can read all about them in this guide:

An activity that complements a paragliding flight over Tenerife very well is a whale, dolphin and other marine animal watching experience. For me, this is an absolute must on any trip to the Canary Islands as it is one of the places in Europe where it is easiest to see cetaceans in their natural habitat, whatever the time of year. Continue reading here: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in Tenerife.

You can also take a trip to El Hierro (read my guide here: Best Day Trips to El Hierro from Tenerife) or La Gomera (all the information here: Day Trips to La Gomera from Tenerife). Both islands offer a perfect day trip to discover the wild and rural side of the Canary Islands.

And finally, if you like to do activities that include a bit of physical activity, how does a kayaking trip around Tenerife with snorkelling sound? You'll combine exploring sea caves by paddle with discovering the vastness of the island's marine wildlife. Find out more about Adventure and Nature Activities in Tenerife's top experiences here.