Paragliding in Tenerife: Discover the Island from Above

Can you imagine admiring Mount Teide from above, soaring over ravines or discovering Tenerife’s coastline as you glide above the Atlantic Ocean? Paragliding in Tenerife is one of those experiences that lets you see the island from a completely different perspective.

Thanks to its diverse landscapes and the climate of the Canary Islands, Tenerife has several paragliding take-off sites across the island. From the hillsides of Adeje to the high-altitude landscapes of Izaña and the lush Orotava Valley, each area offers a different experience.

If you’re thinking about adding a paragliding flight in Tenerife to your holiday plans, here’s everything you need to know about where to fly, what landscapes you’ll discover and what to consider before setting off on your adventure.

Why Go Paragliding in Tenerife?

Tenerife is much more than sunshine and beaches. Its volcanic origins have shaped an island full of contrasts, with mountains, ravines, green valleys and a coastline that changes dramatically from one area to another. And one of the best ways to appreciate this diversity is from the air.

Some of the main reasons to go paragliding in Tenerife include:

Do You Need Experience to Go Paragliding?

Not necessarily! If it’s your first time, you can enjoy a tandem paragliding flight with a professional pilot who controls the paraglider throughout the experience.

Before take-off, you’ll receive all the instructions you need, including how to position yourself, what to do during take-off and how to prepare for landing. Once you’re in the air, all you have to do is enjoy the views.

Of course, it’s important to book your experience with qualified professionals and let them know about anything that could affect your flight.

Paragliding in South Tenerife: Taucho and Ifonche

South Tenerife is one of the island’s best-known paragliding areas, particularly around Adeje. Here, take-off sites are located on inland hillsides, offering sweeping views of ravines, the coastline and the ocean.

Two of the most popular locations are Taucho and Ifonche. Although both are in the south of the island, each offers a different landscape to discover.

Ifonche: Flying Over the Landscapes of Adeje

At approximately 1,000 metres above sea level, Ifonche offers a different perspective of South Tenerife, where mountain scenery and the island’s rural heritage take centre stage.

Here, scattered rural hamlets and terraced farmland sit alongside a natural landscape dominated by rock formations such as Roque de Imoque and Los Brezos. The nearby Barranco del Infierno, one of Adeje’s most distinctive natural landmarks, adds to the area’s dramatic scenery.

From the air, this contrast between nature and traditional farmland reveals a lesser-known side of South Tenerife, away from its main tourist resorts. It’s an experience where ravines, mountains and views towards the coast show just how much the island’s landscape changes as you gain altitude.

Paragliding Near Mount Teide: A High-Altitude Experience

One of the area’s greatest attractions is the possibility of flying above the sea of clouds, a phenomenon characteristic of the Canary Islands that, under the right conditions, creates an extensive white blanket beneath the mountain peaks. Seeing it from above, and sometimes even passing through it during your descent, can become one of the most unforgettable moments of the experience.

While Taucho and Ifonche offer views of Adeje’s ravines and hillsides opening out towards the southern coastline, Izaña lets you appreciate the scale of Tenerife’s volcanic landscape and how its mountains gradually descend towards the Atlantic.

Every area has its own charm. All you have to do is choose which landscape you’d like to discover from above… or come back to experience them all!

Paragliding in North Tenerife

North Tenerife offers a very different setting from the south for enjoying a paragliding flight. Here, vegetation-covered mountains, deep ravines and cliffs overlooking the Atlantic create a landscape where the green countryside contrasts with the blue ocean and black-sand beaches.

One of the best-known places to discover this side of the island from above is La Corona, in the municipality of Los Realejos, where you can admire some of the most characteristic landscapes of the Orotava Valley.

When Is the Best Time to Go Paragliding in Tenerife?

One of the great advantages of paragliding in Tenerife is that the island’s climate makes it possible to enjoy this activity throughout much of the year. However, there isn’t one ideal season for every location, as wind and weather conditions vary considerably between north and south, as well as between coastal areas and higher-altitude sites.

According to Tenerife Tourism, the period from October to May is particularly recommended for experienced pilots. However, each flying area has its own characteristics and most favourable seasons:

• Southwest – Taucho: September to May.
• North – La Corona: autumn, spring and summer.
• East – Ladera de Güímar: autumn to spring, with flying opportunities on many summer days too.
• Highlands – Izaña: throughout the year, weather permitting.

So, if you’re planning a paragliding flight in Tenerife, it’s best to check the weather forecast with the professionals organising your experience and keep some flexibility in your schedule. The season can help you decide when to visit, but the conditions on the day ultimately determine whether it’s safe to take off.

Wind and Weather Conditions Make All the Difference

In Tenerife, the weather can change significantly from one area to another. Conditions might be perfect for flying from Taucho but not from Ifonche, Izaña or La Corona. Every corner of the island has its own characteristics!

So don’t worry if your plans need to change. The professionals organising your experience will keep an eye on the wind, clouds and weather forecast to choose the best take-off site and route. And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, your flight may need to be postponed or cancelled.

Our tip: if you’d like to include paragliding in your Tenerife holiday plans, try to book it for the first few days of your stay. That way, you’ll have more flexibility to reschedule if the weather doesn’t allow you to fly.

Paragliding or Skydiving in Tenerife: What’s the Difference?

Although both activities let you experience the sensation of flying, paragliding and skydiving are not the same thing.

With paragliding, the flight usually begins from a hillside or elevated take-off area. After a short run, the paraglider lifts into the air and glides using air currents. The experience allows you to admire the scenery along the way and enjoy a gradual descent.

Skydiving in Tenerife, on the other hand, involves jumping from an aircraft, experiencing a period of freefall and then opening a parachute to descend towards the ground.

If you’re looking to discover Tenerife’s landscapes at a more relaxed pace, enjoy the views and experience the sensation of gliding above the island, paragliding could be the perfect choice. If you prefer the adrenaline rush of freefall, skydiving offers a completely different adventure.

Where to Stay in South Tenerife for Paragliding

Tips Before Going Paragliding in Tenerife

Ready to give it a try? Before booking your experience, there are a few things worth keeping in mind to make sure you enjoy your flight with peace of mind.

• Book with qualified professionals: choose a specialised company, check what’s included in the activity and always follow your pilot’s instructions.
• Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes: even if it’s warm on the coast, temperatures can be cooler at higher-altitude take-off sites. A light jacket can come in handy.
• Check the meeting point: take-off and landing don’t always happen in the same place. Find out whether transfers are included.
• Keep the weather in mind: conditions may mean changing the time, flying location or even the date of your activity.
• Ask about flight duration and included services: not all flights follow the same route or include the same extras, such as photos or videos.
• Leave some flexibility in your itinerary: booking your paragliding experience near the beginning of your holiday gives you more options if you need to postpone it.

And above all, enjoy the moment. After all, it’s not every day you get the chance to see Tenerife from above!