Tenerife: Tandem Paragliding Flight

Southern Tenerife looks different from a paraglider: one moment you are on a hillside, the next you are floating quietly above the coast, with mountains behind you and the Atlantic ahead. Your pilot handles the flight, explains takeoff and landing, and may let you try the controls if you want and the weather permits.

I especially like the small group, limited to four participants, and the pickup from Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas, which takes some hassle out of reaching the launch site. The main consideration is weather: flights depend on conditions, so leave room in your schedule for a possible change of date.

At a glance

• Takeoff starts on a hillside: After a safety briefing and equipment fitting, you run into the air connected to your pilot and glider.
• The views pair mountains with the Atlantic: The route is shaped by flying conditions, with the pilot pointing out sights along the way.
• A beach landing may be possible: The planned landing is at Playa la Enramada when conditions allow.
• Your pilot may hand over the controls: You can try steering under close guidance if you wish and the weather allows.
• GoPro footage costs extra: A camera films the flight, but photos and videos are available to buy for €30.
• The activity takes about two hours: That includes pickup or meeting the team, the drive, and the flight experience. Exact times can vary.

From the pickup to the launch hillside

The experience begins either with pickup in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or Las Americas, or with a direct meeting at a beach bar. If you book pickup, provide the name of your hotel in the offered area. The team will send the exact pickup time by WhatsApp if it differs from the time you booked.

The drive to the launch site is part of the outing, not just a transfer. You get to meet the team and ask questions before you are asked to run toward the sky. The group is limited to four participants, which keeps the outing small, though your pilot and any accompanying team members are separate from that participant limit.

The total activity lasts about two hours, but that is not two hours in the air. It covers the pickup or meeting, transportation, preparation, and flight. The exact pickup and flight times can vary, so avoid scheduling another tight appointment immediately afterward.

Getting ready for takeoff

At the launch area, the team fits you with a harness and helmet, then explains how to take off, fly, and land. Sports shoes are required, and they are included if needed. Leave sandals and flip-flops behind, and do not wear high heels. Jackets and sunglasses are also supplied.

The takeoff involves moving with your pilot as the glider fills and lifts. You do not need to manage the equipment yourself, but you do need to follow your pilot’s instructions. That clear division of jobs is reassuring: the pilot handles the flight, while you focus on the simple steps explained in the briefing.

If you are nervous about heights, the flight may feel less alarming than standing near a drop. Once airborne, you are seated in the tandem harness and gliding rather than climbing or walking along an exposed edge. That is not a promise that everyone will feel calm, but first-timers have found the team’s steady instructions helpful.

Floating above southern Tenerife

After takeoff, the pace changes. The launch is the active part; in the air, you can settle into the harness and watch the coast and hills pass below. The pilot steers and looks for updrafts that can extend the flight, while offering a running commentary about points of interest.

The draw is the contrast between the island’s inland heights and the sea. You are not looking at Tenerife from a road or a viewpoint with other people nearby. You are moving quietly through the air, with the pilot choosing a route according to the conditions.

If you want a more hands-on moment, you may be able to take the controls briefly under the pilot’s close guidance. This is optional and depends on the weather. You do not need to ask for an acrobatic flight to make the experience worthwhile; the basic appeal is the sensation of gliding and the open views.

The team includes pilots named Simon, Martin, Mike, Orlando, and Lucas, among others. Your pilot may be someone else, and there is no guarantee of a particular person. What matters most is that the pilot stays in charge and explains what you need to do, especially at takeoff and landing.

Landing at Playa la Enramada

The flight heads toward a landing area, with Playa la Enramada beach as the preferred finish when conditions allow. A beach touchdown can make a memorable end to the flight, with the sound of Atlantic waves nearby. But the wording matters: the landing site depends on conditions, so treat the beach as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

Your pilot guides the landing and tells you when to bring your legs down. The aim is a soft touchdown, not a dramatic stunt. Wear practical shoes and listen carefully to the final instructions, even if the flight has felt easy up to that point.

There is no hotel drop-off included. Pickup is offered within the named southern resorts, but after the flight you should not assume transportation back to your hotel is part of the service. Check your onward plans before booking, particularly if you have a flight or other appointment the same day.

What the €125 price gets you

At $125 per person, the listed price covers a tandem flight with a professional pilot, transport to the launch site, safety equipment, a briefing, and liability and accident insurance. Pickup is included in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas. Sports shoes, sunglasses, and jackets for colder flights are also provided.

That makes the price more than a fee for time in the air. The included transportation and equipment matter if you do not have a car or do not want to sort out gear yourself. The small group can also make the preflight process feel more personal than a large outing, though this is still a weather-dependent activity with a schedule that may shift.

The GoPro camera films the flight, but the photos and videos are not included in the base price. They cost €30. If you want a record of the experience, budget for that extra charge rather than assuming the camera being present means the footage comes free.

There are four flight experiences offered at different prices, but the details and prices for each option are not specified here. Check the available choices when booking and compare what each one includes before you choose. Do not assume that a higher-priced option includes a particular flight length or acrobatic maneuver unless its details say so.

Comfort, nerves, and what to bring

Wear sports shoes with a secure fit. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and high heels are unsuitable. The team supplies safety gear and can provide a jacket for colder flights, so you do not need to bring a helmet or harness.

A practical tip: keep food and drink light before the flight if you are prone to nausea. One passenger found that advice useful, and it makes sense for an activity where you are suspended in the air and movement depends on wind. This is a suggestion, not a stated requirement.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people over 220 pounds (100 kilograms), or children under four. If any of those details might apply to you, check with the operator before booking rather than arriving and hoping for an exception.

The flight can be exciting without being a high-adrenaline ride. The pilot may be able to add more dynamic maneuvers, but conditions and your comfort matter. If you prefer a calm glide, say so. The team can adjust the experience where conditions allow, and you are not required to try the controls.

Weather, timing, and booking sense

Paragliding relies on suitable weather, so the flight can be canceled or rescheduled if conditions are not right. Cancellations are described as rare in Tenerife, but they remain possible. If the operator needs to cancel, they will contact you by phone, through your hotel reception, or in person at the meeting point.

Give yourself some flexibility and avoid booking too close to your departure date. That way, if weather forces a change, you have a better chance of moving the flight to another day. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

The stated two-hour duration is useful for planning, but it is not an exact appointment window. Pickup and flight times can vary. If you are meeting the team directly, the meeting point is a beach bar; if you are using pickup, confirm the final time and location with the operator.

Who will enjoy this flight most

This is a good fit if you want a memorable view of southern Tenerife without piloting a craft yourself. It suits first-timers who are comfortable following instructions and want a guided experience, as well as people who enjoy the idea of trying the controls briefly under supervision.

It may also suit someone who is nervous about heights but curious. A few people have found the calm glide easier than expected, and the pilots are described as reassuring and supportive. Still, no one can promise that fear will vanish once you are airborne, so book because you want to try, not because someone else says you should.

The GoPro option is useful if you want footage, but decide whether it is worth €30 to you. One sensible balance is to ask the pilot to capture a few images, then spend most of the flight looking at the island rather than concentrating on the camera. The view is the main event, and you only get that time once.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a guided flight with striking views, transport from the main southern resort areas, and a small group rather than a crowd. The strongest reasons to go are the combination of mountain and sea scenery, the pilots’ clear support for first-timers, and the chance of finishing on the beach.

Think twice if your schedule is rigid, you need a hotel drop-off, or you are uncomfortable with the activity’s physical and health restrictions. Keep the GoPro fee in mind, wear proper shoes, and leave some flexibility for weather. If those details work for you, this is a well-rounded way to see Tenerife from a perspective no coastal road can offer.

FAQ

How long does the activity take?

The experience lasts about two hours. The exact pickup and flight times can vary.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is included within Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas. You need to provide your hotel name when booking.

Can I meet the team instead of using pickup?

Yes. You can go directly to the stated meeting point at a beach bar.

Is GoPro footage included in the price?

No. Photos and videos are available to purchase for €30.

What should I wear?

Wear sports shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Can I try the controls?

You may be able to take the controls briefly under your pilot’s close guidance, if you want and the weather allows.

Where does the flight land?

The flight is planned to land at a landing area, preferably Playa la Enramada beach when conditions allow.

Who is the activity not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems or mobility impairments, people over 220 pounds (100 kilograms), or children under four.