Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Las Teresitas Stand Up Paddle Course

Las Teresitas is one of Tenerife’s easiest places to learn stand-up paddleboarding. The calm, protected water gives beginners room to find their balance without fighting strong waves or currents, while the Anaga Mountains rise behind the beach.

I like the beautiful setting and the useful split between instruction and free practice. You get a 20-minute lesson, then roughly an hour to paddle along the shore at your own pace. The main thing to consider is that you must be able to swim, and there is no hotel pickup, food, or drink included.

Key Points at a Glance

• Sheltered water for beginners: Las Teresitas is protected from waves and currents, making it a forgiving place to learn.
• A 20-minute practical lesson: The instructor explains how to use the board before you head out on your own.
• About one hour of paddle time: After the lesson, you have time to practice, explore the beach frontage, or simply enjoy the view.
• Anaga Mountain scenery: You paddle beneath the Anaga Mountains, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Small groups of up to 10: The limited group size allows for a more personal start.
• A low-cost introduction: At $21 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to try the sport without committing to a longer course.

Why Las Teresitas Works So Well for First-Time Paddlers

The beach itself is a major part of the appeal. Las Teresitas stretches for about 1.5 kilometers near Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with pale sand and clear water. It is close to the capital but feels less urban once you are on the beach looking toward the Anaga Mountains.

For a first paddleboarding lesson, water conditions matter more than fancy scenery. A rough sea can turn a simple balance exercise into a tiring struggle. Las Teresitas is protected from waves and currents, so you can focus on standing, steering, and staying relaxed.

That calm setting also helps you learn at your own speed. You might spend the first part kneeling on the board, then try standing for a few seconds at a time. The point is not to perform tricks. It is to get comfortable with the board and enjoy being on the water.

The beach is close to San Andrés, a fishing town known as one of the attractive coastal communities in this part of Tenerife. That gives you a useful pairing for a half-day outing: paddle in the morning or afternoon, then visit the town or have a meal nearby on your own.

The 20-Minute Lesson With the Instructor

Your activity begins at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, located on Las Teresitas Beach. The instructor provides the paddleboard and gives you an introductory lesson lasting about 20 minutes.

This first session is short, but it serves the right purpose. You learn how to use the board before setting off independently. The instruction is aimed at beginners, so you can expect guidance on the basic technique rather than an advanced sports session.

The instructor listed in the feedback is Cao, also referred to as Caaho in one comment. Several details make his teaching style useful for a first attempt: clear explanations, patience, and help when a participant is struggling to find balance. One first-time paddler specifically found the lesson easy to follow and was able to start practicing quickly.

The instructor speaks English, German, and Spanish. One French-speaking participant also received help in French, though French is not listed among the standard activity languages, so you should not assume it is always available.

Wear your swimwear and bring a towel. You should also arrive ready to get wet. No food or drinks are included, so plan those separately if you need refreshments before or after the session.

About an Hour to Practice Along the Beach

After the lesson, you have about one hour to enjoy the paddleboard on your own. This is where the activity feels less like a formal class and more like a relaxed beach outing.

You can use the time to repeat the basics, work on steering, or paddle along the beach line. The sheltered water gives you a better chance of staying upright, although balance still takes effort. Stand-up paddleboarding uses muscles throughout the body, especially your legs and core, so even a gentle session can feel like a workout.

The activity has a pleasant balance between concentration and quiet time. At first, you may be thinking only about your feet and paddle. Once you feel steadier, you can look up and take in the mountain views. The clear water and open beach make it easy to pause, catch your breath, and enjoy the surroundings.

Do not feel pressured to stand for the entire hour. Kneeling or sitting on the board is part of learning, and it can make the session more enjoyable if your legs become tired. The goal is to leave with a feel for the sport, not to prove anything.

The water may be calm, but the experience is still weather-dependent. Conditions can change, and beginner-friendly does not mean completely effortless. If you want the smoothest start, use the first lesson carefully and follow the instructor’s advice before heading farther along the shore.

Anaga Mountains and the View From the Water

The Anaga Mountains form the backdrop to the activity. The range is a Biosphere Reserve, and seeing it from the water gives you a different view from the one you get on a road or beach walk.

You are not taking a mountain tour, and the activity does not include a land visit into the reserve. Still, the setting adds real value to a short water lesson. Instead of paddling beside buildings or a busy marina, you spend your time looking toward a dramatic mountain area and the coast around San Andrés.

The view is one reason this experience can be worth the short trip from Santa Cruz. One participant noted that the beach felt peaceful and had relatively few people during the session, making it possible to paddle along the shoreline without constant crowding. That will vary by date and time, but Las Teresitas gives you more room than a tightly packed urban beach.

I would treat the view as part of the experience, not as a separate sightseeing stop. You are there to learn a sport, but the setting makes the learning period more memorable.

How the $21 Price Measures Up

At $21 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to try paddleboarding in Tenerife. The price includes the board and the initial instruction, followed by about an hour of use.

That is good value if you are curious about the sport but do not want to book a long guided excursion. You get enough time to learn the basic movements and decide if you would like to paddle again. The small group limit of 10 also adds value, since the instructor is not handling a large crowd on the beach.

The price does not include transport, food, or drinks. You need to make your own way to Las Teresitas Beach, and that matters if you are staying elsewhere on Tenerife or relying on a planned day tour. The activity is inexpensive, but your total outing will cost more if you add transport and meals.

You also need to consider what kind of experience you want. This is not a full coastal adventure with a long route, sightseeing stops, or a meal. It is a short beginner course with free practice time. For that purpose, the price is fair.

Who Will Enjoy This Course Most

This activity suits you if you are new to stand-up paddleboarding and want a gentle introduction. The protected water removes one of the biggest problems beginners face: trying to learn while waves push the board around.

It is also a good choice if you want a break from museums, city streets, and organized sightseeing. You can reach the beach from Santa Cruz, spend 80 minutes on the water, and continue with your day. The short duration fits neatly into a wider Tenerife plan.

Couples and friends can enjoy it together even if only one person has tried paddleboarding before. One first-time participant was able to learn quickly with help from the instructor, while another described the lesson as suitable for a wife who had never tried the sport.

You should not book this course if you cannot swim. The activity is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers. You may also want a longer or more advanced session if you already paddleboard regularly, since most of the instruction is aimed at beginners.

The course can work for active families, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age. Check the booking conditions before reserving for children.

What to Pack and What to Arrange Yourself

Keep your packing simple:

• Swimwear
• Towel

The board is provided, and an instructor is included at the beginning. Food and drinks are not included, so bring or buy those separately according to your plans.

There is no pickup or drop-off service. You meet at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach. Give yourself enough time to reach the beach and find the meeting point without rushing into the lesson.

A towel is especially useful after the session, even if you plan to stay on the beach. You should also bring anything else you normally need for a beach visit, but the official requirements specifically name swimwear and a towel.

Group Size, Language, and Timing

The group is limited to 10 participants. That is small enough to keep the introduction focused without making the activity feel private or expensive.

The total duration is 80 minutes. About 20 minutes are used for the lesson, leaving around one hour for independent paddleboarding. Check the available start times when booking, since the schedule can vary.

Instruction is offered in English, German, and Spanish. The language choice is useful for mixed groups, and the instructor’s patient teaching style is especially important when you are learning a balance sport. Clear instructions at the start can save you a lot of frustration once you are on the board.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These policies are useful if your Tenerife plans may shift, though you should still check the final booking terms for your date.

The Main Drawbacks to Keep in Mind

The biggest limitation is the short format. Eighty minutes is enough for a first lesson and practice, but not enough for a long coastal journey or a detailed paddleboarding course.

The free-practice portion is also largely independent. The instructor starts you off, but you then have about an hour to enjoy the board on your own. If you want continuous coaching, ask about a private or more advanced lesson instead.

You must arrange your own transport and refreshments. That is not a serious problem for a low-cost beach activity, but it does affect the total price and planning time.

Finally, calm water improves your chances of learning, but nobody can promise perfect conditions on every day. If the sea becomes less friendly, listen to the instructor and keep the session within your comfort level.

Should You Book the Las Teresitas Paddle Course?

I would book this if you want a short, inexpensive first taste of stand-up paddleboarding in a scenic part of Tenerife. The protected water, clear views, small group, and patient instruction make it a practical choice for beginners.

You will get the most from it if you can swim, are happy to arrange your own transport, and understand that the activity is a lesson followed by independent practice rather than a long guided expedition.

The strongest reason to choose it is the setting. Las Teresitas gives you a beautiful beach, calm water, and Anaga Mountain views without demanding a full day. At $21, it is an easy activity to add to a Santa Cruz itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the paddleboarding course take place?

You meet at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach near Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts 80 minutes. This includes a 20-minute introductory lesson and about one hour of independent paddleboarding.

Is this course suitable for beginners?

Yes. The course is designed as a beginner introduction, with an instructor explaining how to use the board before you practice on your own.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the paddleboard and the instructor at the beginning of the activity. Food, drinks, pickup, and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.