Tenerife: Tandem Paragliding Flight

Southern Tenerife looks different from the air. You leave the hillside with a few running steps, then the ground drops away and the Atlantic opens in front of you. The best part is the quiet: apart from the wind and your pilot’s voice, you are simply hanging beneath a canopy and moving with the air. Simon, Martin, Mike, and Orlando are among the pilots praised for calm instructions and friendly company.

I like the small limit of four participants, which keeps the outing personal rather than turning it into a conveyor belt. I also like the choice to let you briefly handle the controls if the weather and pilot permit. The main catch is that paragliding depends on the wind, and the listed price does not include the €30 GoPro photo and video package or a ride back to your hotel.

Key points

• Mountain-to-ocean views: Look across southern Tenerife, with high ground behind you and the Atlantic below.
• Small groups of four: Expect a more personal outing and direct contact with the pilot team.
• Professional, reassuring pilots: Guides including Martin, Mike, Simon, and Orlando focus on clear instructions and a smooth ride.
• Optional hands-on flying: You may try the controls under close guidance when conditions are suitable.
• Possible beach finish: Flights can end on Playa la Enramada beside the breaking Atlantic waves.
• GoPro footage costs extra: The camera is used during the flight, but photos and video are available to buy for €30.

Why Tenerife works so well for a first paragliding flight

This is not a leap from an aircraft or a fast free-fall. Tandem paragliding begins on a hillside, with you connected to the pilot and the glider. After a short takeoff run, the canopy carries both of you into the air.

That makes it a good introduction if you want the sensation of flying without handling the full technical side yourself. Your pilot manages the glider, reads the air, and chooses the route. You can sit back, ask questions, and watch Tenerife pass below.

The setting adds much of the appeal. From the southern part of the island, you can look toward the coast and the Atlantic while the mountains rise behind you. The pilot gives a running commentary and points out things of interest as you glide. It is an active experience, but it also has calm stretches when the glider simply rides the air.

You should still expect some motion. The pilot may seek rising air to keep the flight going or make turns across the hillside. If you are prone to nausea, keep food and drinks light beforehand. One participant gave this exact practical tip after finding that a lighter meal helped avoid discomfort.

From hotel pickup to the launch site

The full activity lasts about two hours, although actual pickup and flight times can vary. Pickup is available in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas if you provide your hotel name when booking. The team sends the exact pickup time by WhatsApp when it differs from the time shown during booking.

You can also meet the team directly at the stated beach bar meeting point. This may suit you if you are staying outside the pickup area or prefer to make your own way there, but remember that the included transportation covers the trip to the launch site, not a hotel drop-off afterward.

The ride to the hillside is part of the preparation. You meet the team, sort out equipment, and get a sense of the day before reaching the takeoff area. The group size is limited to four, so you are not likely to be lost in a large busload of people. The small format also gives you a better chance to speak directly with the pilot assigned to you.

The team speaks English, Spanish, German, Italian, Polish, Swedish, Russian, and other listed languages. That broad language range is useful for an activity where clear instructions matter, especially during takeoff and landing.

Harness, helmet, and a proper safety briefing

At the launch site, you receive the essential equipment: a harness and helmet, with sports shoes and sunglasses available as part of the supplied gear. Jackets are available for colder flights. You should still bring sports shoes, since sandals, flip-flops, and high heels are not allowed.

The briefing covers three key moments: takeoff, the flight itself, and landing. Listen closely, even if you feel excited or nervous. Your role is not complicated, but following the pilot’s instructions helps the launch go smoothly.

The most reassuring part of the setup is the direct partnership with your pilot. The pilots are described as highly experienced, and the strongest praise focuses on their calm manner and clear directions. Martin was singled out for being straightforward and easy to follow. Mike was praised for explaining what was happening and keeping the passenger comfortable from lift-off to landing.

That tone matters. A first flight can feel intimidating before the run begins, especially if you are uneasy with heights. The experience is not designed to test your nerve for its own sake. The pilot sets the pace, and several participants found that the fear eased once the glider was airborne.

The takeoff: a short run into open air

Takeoff is the moment when the activity feels most physical. You are connected to the glider and your pilot, then move down the hillside as instructed. The canopy catches the air, and the ground begins to fall away.

Do not expect a dramatic jump. The aim is a controlled launch, not a stunt. Your pilot handles the technical work while you concentrate on the instructions. Once the glider is carrying you, you can settle into the harness and start taking in the view.

This is also where proper shoes matter. Sports shoes give you a firm footing for the short run. Sandals or flip-flops are not suitable, and the activity does not allow high-heeled shoes.

If you are nervous, say so. The pilots have experience with first-timers and with people who arrive convinced they are afraid of heights. The feedback about Mike, Martin, Lucas, and Orlando repeatedly points to a patient approach, with pilots using conversation and simple directions to help passengers relax.

Quiet airtime over southern Tenerife

Once airborne, the experience changes from effort to observation. You glide above the southern part of Tenerife, with views toward the Atlantic and the island’s higher ground. The pilot keeps up a commentary and points out features below while looking for updrafts that may prolong the flight.

The feeling is less like a noisy amusement ride and more like being carried by the air. You may hear the wind, the pilot, and little else. That quiet is one of the activity’s strongest features, but it also means you should not expect constant action every second.

The flight can be gentle and smooth, as Martin’s passenger described it, or it can include more active turns if conditions and the chosen flight option allow. There are four different flight experiences, with prices set to suit different preferences. The information provided here does not list each option or its individual cost, so check the available choices before paying if you want a particular flight style.

You can ask questions during the ride. Your pilot can explain what you are seeing and how the glider is working. For many people, this turns the experience from a simple scenic ride into a useful introduction to the sport.

Try the controls if weather permits

One special feature is the chance to take the controls for a short time. This is not independent flying. Your pilot remains in charge and gives close guidance, and the option depends on the weather and flying conditions.

If you want this, mention it before or during the flight. The pilot can tell you when it is safe and suitable. It gives you a small taste of what active paragliding involves without asking you to manage the full flight.

This option will appeal to adventurous people who want more than a passive ride. If you would rather focus on the view, you can simply let the pilot fly. The experience works for both approaches, provided you communicate what you want.

Some stronger flight maneuvers may also depend on conditions and on your comfort level. One participant noted that full acrobatics were not possible, with a refund provided for that part. That is a useful reminder: weather and safety take priority over a promised trick or extra.

Landing near Playa la Enramada

The final approach can bring you toward the coast and, when conditions allow, onto the soft sands of Playa la Enramada. Landing beside the sound of breaking Atlantic waves gives the activity a memorable finish, especially after seeing the coast from above.

Your pilot tells you how to position your legs for touchdown. The aim is a soft landing, and the experience details specify that you finish by touching down with your legs. Good instruction matters here as much as it did at takeoff.

The beach landing is not guaranteed. The pilot chooses the landing area according to the weather and flying conditions. You might instead land elsewhere, so treat Playa la Enramada as a welcome possibility rather than a fixed promise.

The beach can also affect your plans afterward. There is no hotel drop-off included, and food and drinks are not part of the price. If you have a flight home or another tight appointment, leave extra time and confirm the end arrangements with the team.

What the $125 price really covers

At $125 per person, the experience is priced as a guided adventure rather than a simple sightseeing ride. The fee includes the tandem flight, pilot, transportation to the launch site, safety briefing, safety equipment, liability and accident insurance, and pickup within the stated southern Tenerife areas.

You are also provided with the practical items that can make the outing easier, including sunglasses, sports shoes, and jackets for colder flights. The small group limit of four adds value because you are not sharing the activity with a large crowd.

The main extra is the GoPro package. A camera is used to record the flight, but the photos and videos cost €30 if you want to take them home. One participant praised the number of angles and the quality of the footage, while another felt the camera sometimes distracted from simply looking at the scenery.

My advice is simple: decide before takeoff. If you know you want a permanent record, budget the extra €30. If you would rather watch the coast and mountains without thinking about the camera, skip it. The flight itself does not depend on buying the footage.

Food, drinks, and hotel drop-off are not included. Those exclusions are easy to manage, but they matter when you work out the real cost and timing of the morning or afternoon.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for adults and older children who want a serious first taste of paragliding with a pilot doing the technical work. The activity also suits couples and small groups who want a shared experience without spending a full day on an excursion.

It can work well for a person who is unsure about heights, provided they are physically suitable and willing to follow instructions. Several accounts describe nervous passengers settling once airborne, helped by calm pilots and a smooth flight.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. Children under four cannot take part. These limits are important because you need to run at takeoff, sit in the harness, and follow the landing instructions.

You should also avoid the activity if you are intoxicated. Wear sports shoes and comfortable clothing. Do not arrive in sandals, flip-flops, or high heels.

Weather planning matters in Tenerife

Paragliding is weather-dependent, even in a place known for reliable conditions. Cancellations are described as rare in Tenerife, but they can happen. The team may contact you by telephone, through your hotel reception, or in person at the meeting point if the flight needs to be changed.

I would not book this on the final possible day of your holiday. Give yourself room to move the activity if wind or other conditions make flying unsuitable. The experience allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps keep your plans flexible.

Actual pickup and flight times may vary. Keep your schedule open around the two-hour duration, especially if you have dinner, transport, or a flight arranged soon afterward.

What the strongest praise gets right

The clearest strength is the pilot team. Names such as Simon, Marcin, Lucas, Martin, Mike, Orlando, Olendy, Alona, and Lyona appear in the feedback, with particular praise for friendliness, clear safety guidance, and steady handling.

The human side begins before takeoff. Alona was praised for a warm hotel pickup and for helping arrange a landing point closer to the passenger’s hotel because of a same-day flight. That kind of flexibility cannot be guaranteed, but it shows why it is useful to explain your timing problems early.

The flight itself receives the strongest praise for feeling smooth and safe. People who expected fear found the air calmer than imagined. Takeoff and landing were often described as gentle, and the beach finish added a festive touch when it happened alongside live music.

The only recurring caution is about the camera. The footage can be excellent, but handling or posing for a camera may pull your attention away from the scenery. You are paying for a flying experience first, so do not feel obliged to buy the package or spend the whole flight performing for it.

Should you book this flight?

Book it if you want a memorable view of southern Tenerife, prefer a small group, and like the idea of a professional pilot guiding you through your first paragliding experience. The combination of mountain launch, Atlantic views, possible beach landing, and optional control time gives the two-hour outing more substance than a quick photo stop.

I would book early enough to allow a weather change, wear proper sports shoes, keep food light, and decide about the €30 GoPro package before you arrive. I would skip it if you need a guaranteed landing spot, a fixed end time, or a completely motionless ride.

For the right person, $125 buys more than a thrill. It gives you a quiet view of Tenerife that buses and beaches cannot provide, with a trained pilot beside you and just three other possible participants in the group.

FAQ

How long does the tandem paragliding activity last?

The activity lasts about two hours. Pickup and flight times can vary, so allow some flexibility around the scheduled time.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is included from hotels in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas. You need to provide your hotel name when booking so the team can arrange the pickup.

Can I meet the team at the activity location?

Yes. If you come directly, the meeting point is at the specified beach bar. The supplier provides the meeting point details when you book.

Is the GoPro footage included in the price?

The flight includes use of a GoPro camera, but the photos and videos are not included. The complete package is available to purchase for €30.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring sports shoes. High heels, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed. Jackets, sunglasses, and other necessary safety equipment are provided as needed.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

The activity may be changed or canceled because paragliding depends on weather conditions. Cancellations are rare in Tenerife, but the team will contact you by telephone, through your hotel reception, or at the meeting point if needed. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.