Paragliding in Tenerife - A Beginner's Guide to the Adventure in Tenerife

Several take-offs on different sides of the island enable paragliders to take thermal, thermodynamic, and pure dynamic flights between a height of 1000 - 1500 m  (up to 2000m on some days). So, you can fly almost anytime as weather conditions in Tenerife are favorable for practicing paragliding throughout the year. Tenerife offers the ideal conditions for paragliding on a broad selection of take-off spots between November to April. Notably, few landing areas, especially those on or near beaches, are available only during the winter season. So, if you want to land with your glider on a beach, you must plan your trip during the winter.

As paragliding is a weather-dependent sport, the take-off timing, flight duration, & landing locations are subject to the prevailing weather conditions. On a favorable day, paragliding trips take off from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The timings extend up to 6:00 PM during summer. The activity starts with the safety instructions about take-off, landing, and paragliding as a whole. Your flight duration will range from 15 to 30 mins, and the route varies as per the weather conditions.

Note: Due to the weather dependency, travelers are suggested to try not to book the paragliding in Tenerife activity too near to your departure day to have space for date changes, if any due to bad weather.

Here is a specially curated selection of some notable spots for Paragliding on this serene island:

Located southwest of Tenerife, Taucho is a paragliding site perched at an altitude of around 760 m above sea level. Taucho is the most popular take-off site for paragliding on the island, as it remains operational for a large number of days around the year. Notably, the take-off area in Taucho lies in the central region of the municipality of Adeje. The overall take-off ramp and preparation area span 5,600 sq m. 

Favorable Conditions - When the winds come from the west and the south direction. 
Level of Difficulty - In the early morning and late in the day, the difficulty level can be low, intermediate, or even high level. At midday, the difficulty level can be intermediate or high.
Correspondent Landing Point - The landing point for Taucho takeoff spot is the esplanade of Taucho-Armeñime or La Caleta beach (accessible in winter) in Costa Adeje. Here you can relax and adore the awe-inspiring landscape of this island from a different outlook.

Another take-off site located in southern Tenerife in Adeje is Ifonche which stands at a height of near around 1,000 m above sea level. The area that serves as a take-off ramp and preparation site extends to 750 sq m (approx). The Ifonche take-off point is nestled in an amazing environment that is within the Special Natural Reserve of Barranco del Infierno and it is circumscribed by a panoramic forest crown. Notably, the take-off at Ifonche calls for the thermal activity to begin. Hence, it is essential to wait until the slopes facing the south of Barranco del Agua become warm with the rays of the sun, which is usually around 11:00 AM.

Favorable Conditions: When the winds at Ifonche come from the North West, West, and South West.
Level of Difficulty: The take-off as well as the flight zone, both are suitable for intermediate and advanced-level paragliders. However, beginners can practice paragliding here in the mornings and in the late afternoon, when the thermal conditions are more suitable to their level.
Correspondent Landing Point: La Playa de la Enramada or the La Caleta beach in Costa Adeje.

The Fasnia Volcano offers one of the finest paragliding experiences on the island. It is situated in the southeast of Tenerife. The take-off site lies in the municipality of Fasnia, with a height of around 400 m above sea level, which makes it a very facilitative place to enjoy paragliding. The surface of the take-off ramp is also 400 sq m. 

Favorable Conditions: Fasnia is used as a take-off spot when the wind here comes from the Northwest, the South, and the East. 
Level of Difficulty: During the initial and late hours of the day the difficulty level remains low to intermediate, whereas at noon it goes from intermediate to advanced level.
Correspondent Landing Area: The esplanade at the base of the Fasnia volcano.

The slope of Guimar is situated in the eastern region of Tenerife. The take-off point is set in the central part of the municipality of Guimar, at an altitude of 725 m (approx.) above sea level. The take-off ramp and preparation area sprawl over 400 square m. The flight to Guimar offers a very mesmerizing view of the area, including Guimar valley and Arafo. Notably, paragliding in Guimar needs to be done with due care as there are power lines everywhere, so identifying the landings beforehand is a must. 

Favorable Conditions: When the winds at that height come from the east direction.
Level of Difficulty: It varies as per the time of the day. During the early or late part of the day, the difficulty level is lowest, i.e., ideal for beginners. Contrastingly, it is intermediate and sometimes even high level at midday.
Correspondent Landing Points: The esplanade of Guimar-Ladera and Playa Puertito de Guimar beach in Guimar.

Izaña is a noteworthy paragliding site from the perspective of views, lying in central Tenerife. The take-off point is nestled in the Teide National Park, and you will take off facing Mount Teide. Remarkably, it is a special flight because of the variation in altitude at the beginning and end of the flight. It is the highest glide in the entire Europe, at 2,200 m above sea level, with one of the largest drops. Moving down towards the sea it takes you over the charming Orotava valley. This spot is only two km from Teide Observatory. It is worth noting that paragliding is the sole sporting activity that is authorized across the National Park. 

Level of Difficulty: It is intermediate throughout the day, but can reach an advanced level in a couple of hours, being subject to the weather.
Correspondent Landing Points: Faro Puerto and an open esplanade by El Peñón football pitch, Puerto de la Cruz in northbound; and Güímar-La Ladera esplanade & Puertito de Güímar beach (accessible in winter) southbound.

Next is La Corona, a paragliding site whose take-off point is set in the north of the municipality of Los Realejos. This site stands at a height of around 765 m above sea level. The surface area of the take-off ramp and preparation area is 420 sq m.

Favorable Conditions: When the winds here come from the north and northeast. 
Level of Difficulty: During the early and late hours of the day, the difficulty level is beginner-friendly; whereas during midday it is appropriate for intermediate to advanced level paragliders.
Correspondent Landing Points: Finca Los Quintos and Playa del Socorro, Los Realejos.

Please Note: The take-off and landing point conditions may change due to multiple reasons (weather, renovation, etc.), so visitors should contact the Canary Islands' Paragliding Federation briefly in advance to get information on any last-minute changes or incidents at these sites.

HappyFly is a paragliding school in Tenerife situated in La Escalona. They have competent flight technicians who will guide you at all times and make you learn about the winds, thermal currents, aerodynamic laws, and significant information about the island that extends below you. Their instructors hold corresponding national and Canarian federation qualifications with considerable experience in the world of paragliding. They have different types of flights & courses for learners to expert-level gliders.

Fly Paragliding Tenerife is a paragliding school operating in Tenerife and El Hierro island. It offers a selection of courses, from the introduction to paragliding to comprehensive pilot license courses, along with a range of advanced pilot programs during the winters. Their team of guides offers instructions with a high safety standard and a personal approach for all levels. One to two-week lessons are available with professional supervision, and flights start from EUR 90.

Located in the south of Tenerife, Overfly Tenerife is a paragliding company set in Parking de la Playa de la Enramada in the popular Costa Adeje. With over 30 years of experience in organizing numerous flights, Overfly is one of the finest paragliding centers on this island. It aims to offer the most fun and memorable moments of your life to enjoy flying like a bird with a high grade of security and professionalism. Their team has much experience in providing tandem paragliding flights with personalized treatment. 

Almost everyone can enjoy paragliding in Tenerife, and no prior experience in the sport is necessary. You are fit to take a flight if you fulfill the following criteria:

*Visitors under 16 yrs will require parental consent for the activity.

Paragliding in Tenerife is not suitable for:

A paraglider must be mindful of what he should wear for this sport in any season to avoid inconvenience during the flight. 

Tenerife is truly one of the most spectacular locations in Europe to take off for a paragliding flight in the skies. Remarkably, Paragliding in Tenerife is becoming increasingly popular among visitors from different corners of the world. Paragliding is one of the best adventure activities on this canary island that everyone can enjoy. The island has different paragliding sites that offer distinctive flying experiences as they work with various wind directions and intensities. So, whenever you are listing things to do in Tenerife, you should surely include paragliding in Tenerife in your list!