Tenerife: Tandem Paragliding Flight

The best part of this Tenerife adventure is the quiet once you leave the hillside. You are not packed into a noisy aircraft or rushing through a busy attraction. You run a few steps with your pilot, lift into the air, and float above southern Tenerife with the Atlantic below and the mountains behind you. I like the small groups of up to four and the calm, clear instruction from pilots such as Martin, Mike, Simon, Orlando, and Lucas.

I also like the soft beach landing at Playa la Enramada when conditions allow. It gives the flight a satisfying finish, often with the sound of the waves and nearby beach music. The main consideration is the weather: paragliding depends on wind and flying conditions, so do not schedule this too close to your flight home.

Key points to know before booking

• Beach landing: Touch down on the sand at Playa la Enramada when weather and flight conditions permit.
• Small group: The experience is limited to four participants, which allows more personal attention.
• Hotel pickup: Transport is included from hotels in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas.
• Pilot-led flight: Your pilot manages takeoff, steering, and landing, with a chance to try the controls if conditions allow.
• GoPro footage: Photos and video are available for an extra €30, not included in the $125 price.
• Weather matters: Leave room in your schedule in case strong or unsuitable conditions require a change.

Flying above southern Tenerife

Tandem paragliding is a good way to see Tenerife from a very different angle. You are attached to a qualified pilot, so your job is mostly to follow instructions, sit back, and take in the view. The glider catches the air from a hillside launch, and the flight becomes a slow, open-air ride rather than a frantic thrill attraction.

From above, southern Tenerife gives you two strong visual anchors: the Atlantic Ocean in front and the island’s higher ground behind. The changing height and direction let you see more than you would from a beach or road. Your pilot also provides a running commentary, pointing out things of interest while looking for rising air that can keep the glider aloft longer.

I would describe the sensation as smooth and exposed, not like a roller coaster. You can feel the air, but the activity is controlled by the pilot. Several pilots are multilingual, with instruction available in English, Polish, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and German.

The drive to the launch site

The experience begins with either pickup from your hotel or a meeting point at a beach bar. Hotel pickup is offered within Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas. Give the hotel name when booking, then watch for a WhatsApp message confirming the exact pickup time if it differs from the scheduled time.

The drive is part of the setup. You meet the team, travel toward the takeoff area, and have time to get comfortable before the serious part begins. The group limit of four keeps this from feeling like a large bus excursion. It also means the timing can shift slightly depending on pickup arrangements and flight conditions.

You can also go directly to the meeting point if that suits your plans. If you choose that option, confirm the exact location carefully before setting out. Actual pickup and flight times may vary, so keep your morning or afternoon fairly open rather than scheduling another tight appointment immediately afterward.

Getting ready with a harness, helmet, and GoPro

At the launch area, the team fits you with the required equipment. That includes a harness and helmet, along with a GoPro camera that can record the flight. Jackets are available for colder flights, while sports shoes and sunglasses are provided if needed. You should still bring sturdy sports shoes and wear practical clothing.

The briefing covers the three moments that matter most: takeoff, the flight itself, and landing. The instructions are simple, but you need to listen. Takeoff normally involves moving with the pilot as the glider fills with air, so do not freeze or sit down unless you are told to do so.

This preparation is also where a good pilot earns your trust. Mike is described as informative and polite, while Martin is noted for straightforward instructions and a calm manner. Those qualities matter more than a theatrical personality when you are standing at the edge of a hillside preparing to run.

Takeoff and the first few minutes in the air

Once you are connected to the glider and pilot, you move away from the hillside and begin the takeoff. The exact motion depends on the wind and the launch area, so follow your pilot’s commands rather than trying to improvise.

The first moments can feel intense simply because the ground falls away. After that, the ride usually settles into a gentle glide. Your pilot remains in charge of the route and speed, and keeps talking you through what is happening. You can ask questions, look around, and enjoy the view without needing to operate the equipment.

For anyone nervous about heights, the open view may be easier than expected. You are not looking straight down from a narrow ledge for the whole activity. Instead, you are seated in the harness and moving through the air with a broad view in front of you. The pilots are used to first-time flyers and adjust their manner to the person in front of them.

A chance to steer the glider

If weather and flight conditions allow, your pilot may let you take the controls for a short time. This is optional. You do not need any prior paragliding experience, and you remain under close guidance throughout.

This small piece of participation can make the experience feel more personal. Still, do not book it expecting a long solo lesson. This is a tandem flight, not a training course. The pilot handles the important decisions, including the flight path, use of rising air, and landing approach.

Some flights may include more active turns or playful maneuvers, depending on the chosen flight type and conditions. The experience offers four different flight options, but the supplied details do not spell out each option’s duration or exact style. Check the available choices and prices before booking if you want a particular level of motion.

The views, the silence, and the Atlantic below

The appeal here is not only speed. Paragliding gives you stretches of near silence, broken by the pilot’s voice and the sound of the air. That makes it easier to notice the shape of the coast, the slope of the hills, and the meeting point between Tenerife and the sea.

You may also get a useful running tour from the air. Pilots point out places of interest while searching for updrafts. These rising currents can help extend the flight, although no pilot can promise a precise time in the air because conditions control the route.

The view is the strongest reason to choose this over a standard high-adrenaline activity. You get height without an engine roaring beside you, and you see southern Tenerife at a slower pace. If you prefer constant tricks and hard turns, ask about the more active flight options. If you want a peaceful first flight, tell the pilot that before takeoff.

Landing on Playa la Enramada

When conditions allow, the flight ends on the soft sand at Playa la Enramada. The landing is designed to be gentle, with your pilot guiding the final approach and telling you when to touch down with your legs.

This beach finish is a real advantage. You do not simply return to a parking area and walk away in a helmet. You may finish beside the Atlantic, with breaking waves and beach music providing a pleasant last scene. The location also gives you a natural place to relax after the flight, though food and drinks are not included.

The landing area can change if wind or other conditions require it. Treat Playa la Enramada as the planned finish when possible, not a guarantee. After landing, return transport to your hotel is not included. This is important if you arrived by hotel pickup, so ask the team about your onward arrangements rather than assuming the vehicle will take you back.

What the $125 price includes

At $125 per person, this sits in the typical special-occasion part of a Tenerife holiday budget. The price includes the tandem flight, pilot, safety briefing, equipment, transport to the launch site, liability and accident insurance, and pickup within the listed southern resort areas.

That is a fair package if you value the transport and the small group. You do not have to arrange your own route to a hillside launch site, and you receive direct support from the team from pickup through landing. Jackets, sports shoes, and sunglasses are also available, which can help if you arrive without every piece of outdoor gear.

The cost does not include GoPro photos and video. Those are available for €30. If recording the flight matters to you, add that amount when comparing the total price with other activities. One practical tip: keep meals and drinks light before flying. A recent participant specifically advised this to reduce nausea, especially if the pilot adds turns or more active maneuvers.

Who will enjoy this flight most

This is a strong choice for a first paragliding experience, couples marking a birthday, and anyone who wants a memorable view of southern Tenerife without committing to a full course. The pilots are accustomed to nervous beginners, and the activity can be gentle when you request a calm flight.

It can also suit families with older children, subject to the stated rules. Children under four are not accepted, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. The maximum stated weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

You need to be comfortable wearing a harness and following takeoff and landing instructions. High heels, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed. Sports shoes are required, so wear them from the start or confirm what is available before pickup.

Planning around Tenerife weather

Tenerife is known for workable flying conditions, but no paragliding company can control the wind. Cancellations caused by weather are described as rare, yet they remain possible. If conditions are unsuitable, the team may contact you by telephone, through your hotel reception, or in person at the meeting point.

I would book this early in your stay rather than on your final day. That leaves room to move the experience if weather interrupts the original plan. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your daily schedule is still changing.

Allow about two hours for the activity, but do not treat that as an exact flight duration. Pickup, driving, preparation, weather checks, and the flight all fit into the scheduled experience, and the actual pickup and flight times may vary.

Should you book this Tenerife paragliding flight?

Book it if you want a small-group adventure with strong sea and mountain views, professional pilot support, and a chance to finish on a beach. The calm handling from pilots such as Martin, Mike, Orlando, Simon, and Lucas is especially useful for first-timers or anyone uneasy about heights.

Skip it if your schedule cannot tolerate a weather change, if you need hotel drop-off included, or if you dislike open-air activities and harnesses. Also budget for the €30 GoPro package if you want your flight recorded.

For me, the combination of quiet air time, personal instruction, and a possible Playa la Enramada landing makes this one of the more distinctive ways to see southern Tenerife. Book it early, wear proper shoes, eat lightly, and leave the final day of your holiday free for something less weather-sensitive.

FAQ

How long does the tandem paragliding experience last?

The scheduled activity lasts about two hours. Pickup, transport, preparation, briefing, flight, and landing are included in that time, but actual pickup and flight times may vary.

How much does the flight cost?

The listed price is $125 per person. GoPro photos and video are not included and are available for an additional €30.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

Is transportation back to the hotel included?

No. Transportation to the launch site is included, but hotel drop-off is not included.

Can I choose a language for the briefing?

The available languages are English, Polish, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and German.

Can I control the paraglider?

You may be allowed to try the controls for a short time if you want to and if weather conditions make it suitable. Your pilot remains in close control and provides guidance.

Where does the flight land?

When conditions allow, the flight lands on the sand at Playa la Enramada beach. The exact landing location can depend on weather and flying conditions.

What should I bring and who cannot take part?

Bring sports shoes. High heels, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people over 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, or children under four.