Tenerife: Tandem Paragliding Flight

The island looks different from the sky. This tandem flight gives you sweeping views of southern Tenerife, a quiet ride above the Atlantic, and the rare feeling of flying without an engine. I especially like the small groups of up to four people and the calm, professional handling praised by customers who flew with pilots such as Martin, Mike, Orlando, and Lucas. The main drawback is simple: this is weather-dependent, and the flight time and pickup time can shift.

I also like that pickup is included from Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas, so you do not need to arrange your own ride to the launch site. The optional GoPro package costs an extra €30, which is useful if you want a record of the flight, but it raises the total cost beyond the advertised $125.

Key points at a glance

• Beach landing at Playa la Enramada: When conditions allow, you finish on soft sand beside the Atlantic and the sound of breaking waves.
• Four flight options: The activity offers four different flight experiences, with prices intended to suit different budgets and levels of adventure.
• Experienced multilingual pilots: Instruction is available in English, Polish, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and German.
• Up to four participants: The small group keeps the transfer and preparation more personal than a large coach excursion.
• Optional pilot commentary and controls: Your pilot points out sights, searches for rising air, and may let you handle the controls under close guidance.
• Good first-flight choice: Clear instructions, gentle handling, and smooth landings are the qualities most often praised in the supplied feedback.

From southern Tenerife to the launch site

The activity lasts about two hours, including the pickup or meeting process, transport to the launch site, preparation, flight, and return to the landing area. The exact starting time depends on availability, and the actual pickup and flight times may change.

If you stay in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or Las Americas, you can request pickup from your hotel. You need to provide the hotel name at checkout, and the operator sends the exact time by WhatsApp if it differs from the booked time. If you prefer to meet the team yourself, the meeting point is a beach bar near the landing area.

That transfer is a useful part of the arrangement. You get to meet the team before takeoff, ask questions, and settle your nerves while riding to the hillside. With a maximum of four participants, the drive should feel more like a small outing than a standard bus tour.

The supplier is Airsports Tenerife paragliding. The team works in several languages, which matters when safety instructions need to be understood clearly. You may be assigned a pilot such as Simon, Marcin, Martin, Mike, Orlando, or Lucas, depending on the day and the group.

One practical point: pickup is included, but hotel drop-off is not. Plan on finishing at or near the landing area rather than being returned to your accommodation. One customer had a pilot help arrange a landing closer to the hotel because of a same-day flight, but you should not count on that as a standard service.

Getting ready with a harness, helmet, and briefing

At the launch area, the team fits you with a harness and helmet. Sports shoes are required, and the company can provide jackets for colder flights, along with sports shoes and sunglasses. Do not arrive in sandals, flip-flops, or high heels.

The safety briefing covers the three moments that matter most: takeoff, the flight itself, and landing. You will be told what to do as you leave the hillside and how to position your legs for touchdown. The supplied feedback repeatedly points to clear instructions and reassuring pilots, which is important because the first few seconds can feel more intimidating than the flight itself.

You are attached to the same glider as your pilot. This is not a solo lesson, and you are not expected to know how to control the equipment. The pilot manages the flight while you follow simple directions.

If you are nervous about heights, I would pay close attention to the briefing rather than trying to act brave. Several customers who expected to feel afraid found the flight calm once they were airborne. The pilots also appear comfortable adjusting the mood. Some keep things light and funny, while others use a quieter, more direct approach.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or children under four. The maximum stated weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. Intoxication is not allowed, so save the celebratory drink for after the flight.

The takeoff: a short run into the air

Takeoff begins on the hillside after you are connected to the glider and your pilot. You will usually need to follow the pilot’s instructions and run or move forward as the canopy fills, though the exact motion depends on the conditions at the site.

This is the most active part of the outing. The launch can feel quick and strange because the ground falls away and the harness takes your weight. The good news is that the pilot is right behind you, handling the glider and guiding the movement.

Once the canopy is carrying you, the sensation changes quickly. Instead of a noisy engine or a sudden drop, you are suspended in open air. The flight is powered by air currents, so the ride can be quiet and surprisingly smooth.

The activity is designed for first-timers, but that does not mean every flight feels identical. Wind and thermal conditions affect the route, duration, and amount of movement. The pilot decides what is safe and appropriate on the day.

Gliding above the Atlantic and southern Tenerife

The main reward is the view. From above, you can look across southern Tenerife toward the Atlantic while also seeing the mountains behind you. The combination gives the flight its sense of place: ocean in front, rising ground behind, and the island spread below.

Your pilot provides a running commentary and points out things of interest as you glide. You are not left alone to guess what you are seeing, although you should also give yourself time to look away from the camera and simply enjoy the view.

The flight can include a search for updrafts. These rising pockets of air help the glider stay aloft longer, and they give the pilot room to shape the route. The supplied information does not promise a fixed flight length, so you should treat the exact time in the air as dependent on conditions.

If the weather allows, your pilot may hand you the controls for a short period. This happens only under close guidance and is not guaranteed. It can be a memorable part of the flight, but you do not need to take control to get the full experience.

The pilots receive especially strong praise for making people feel safe. Martin is described as calm and straightforward, with clear instructions and a gentle flight. Mike is praised for being informative and polite from takeoff through landing. Lucas is noted for friendly commentary and a relaxed manner. Orlando received praise for both comfort in the air and photography.

Those details matter because tandem paragliding is as much about trust as scenery. A skilled pilot lets you enjoy the view without making you worry about every change in direction.

Gentle gliding or extra movement in the air

The activity can be peaceful. You may simply sit in the harness, listen to the wind, and watch Tenerife pass below. That quiet feeling is one of the best reasons to choose paragliding instead of a louder aerial activity.

The pilot may also offer more active maneuvers, depending on the flight option and conditions. The information provided does not give the names or exact features of all four options, so check the specific choice before booking if you want either a calm ride or a more energetic one.

One customer booked an acrobatic element but could not complete the full maneuver because conditions did not allow it, and received a refund for that part. This is a useful reminder: the pilot’s safety decision comes first, and special movements are never something you should assume will happen.

If you are prone to motion sickness, eat and drink lightly before takeoff. One customer specifically advised keeping meals and drinks light to reduce nausea. You may be looking down and moving through changing air, so a heavy breakfast is not a smart preparation.

The beach landing at Playa la Enramada

The flight ends with a glide toward the landing area. When conditions allow, you touch down on the soft sand of Playa la Enramada, beside the Atlantic and the sound of waves.

Landing is often the moment nervous beginners worry about most. The pilot gives clear instructions, and you finish by touching down with your legs. The supplied feedback repeatedly describes landings as smooth and easy, which should reassure anyone wondering how the final few seconds work.

A beach landing also gives the experience a pleasant finish. Some customers arrived to live music near the beach, adding a cheerful note after the flight. That music is not presented as a guaranteed part of every departure, but it can make the landing area feel festive.

Remember that your hotel drop-off is not included. From the beach, you will need to make your own onward plans unless the team has arranged something different with you. This is easy enough to manage, but it is worth knowing before you book a flight close to dinner, another tour, or an airport departure.

Photos and videos: useful, but an extra €30

A GoPro camera is provided during the flight, and the pilot or team records the experience. The photos and videos are not included in the $125 price. You can purchase the package for €30.

The feedback on the footage is generally positive. Orlando was praised for taking plenty of angles, and another customer received good-quality photos and videos the same day. If you want proof that you actually flew over Tenerife, the package may be worth the added cost.

There is one fair criticism to keep in mind. One customer felt the camera received too much attention and would have preferred more time looking at the scenery without holding or watching the camera. That is a personal preference, but it raises a good point: decide before takeoff how much you care about photos.

If you want the memories, buy the package. If you prefer to keep your hands free and watch the island, skip it. The flight itself does not depend on purchasing the footage.

Is $125 a fair price?

At $125 per person, the price covers the tandem flight, pilot, safety equipment, briefing, insurance, transport to the launch site, and pickup in the three listed resort areas. Jackets, sports shoes, and sunglasses are also available as part of the included equipment.

That is a fair package for a specialized activity with a professional pilot and a small group. You are paying not only for time in the air but also for the equipment, transport, safety arrangements, and staff who prepare you for takeoff and landing.

The value is better if you use the included pickup and are staying in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or Las Americas. It is less complete if you need to arrange your own return journey or want the photo and video package, which adds €30.

The four flight choices may offer different levels of time or excitement, but the supplied details do not list their names or individual prices. Check the exact option before payment so you know what is included in your selected fare.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife schedule.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to an adult or older child who wants a memorable outdoor activity without needing previous paragliding experience. It suits people who enjoy scenery, gentle adventure, and a small-group setting more than a loud, high-speed thrill ride.

It is also a good choice for a nervous first-timer. The team has a strong record of calming people before takeoff, and the pilots are praised for clear instructions, friendly conversation, and smooth handling. Couples can enjoy the same activity, but each person flies with a separate pilot rather than sharing one glider.

I would be more cautious if you dislike heights, motion, or open-air movement. You may still enjoy the flight, but do not book it simply because someone else wants an adrenaline activity. Ask about the gentlest available option, and remember that conditions control the route and maneuvers.

Choose another activity if you have a back problem, mobility impairment, are pregnant, weigh over 100 kilograms, or cannot wear sports shoes. The activity also does not accept intoxicated participants.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

Paragliding depends on safe flying conditions. Cancellations are described as rare in Tenerife, but they can happen. The team may contact you by phone, through your hotel reception, or at the meeting point if the flight must be canceled.

I suggest booking earlier in your stay rather than on your final day. That leaves room to move the activity if weather causes a change. Actual pickup and flight times may vary, so avoid scheduling something that begins immediately after the stated two-hour duration.

Bring sports shoes and wear clothing suitable for an outdoor activity. Jackets are available for colder flights, but you should still dress sensibly. Food and drinks are not included, and light eating before the flight is the safer choice if you are sensitive to motion.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 154 ratings, with the strongest praise focused on the pilots, safety, friendly staff, smooth takeoffs and landings, and striking views. That pattern gives me more confidence than a list of equipment alone, because the human side of tandem flying can make or break the day.

Should you book Tenerife tandem paragliding?

Book this flight if you want to see southern Tenerife from a fresh angle and like the idea of a calm, personal adventure rather than a crowded excursion. The professional pilots, small groups, included transport, and possible beach landing make the $125 base price reasonable.

Plan carefully for the extras and limits. GoPro photos cost €30, hotel drop-off is not included, flight times can change, and weather may force a reschedule. My best advice is to book early in your visit, eat lightly, wear sports shoes, and choose the flight option that matches your comfort level.

For a first paragliding flight, this looks like a strong choice. You get the thrill of leaving the hillside, then plenty of quiet time to enjoy the sea, mountains, and island below.

FAQ

How long does the tandem paragliding activity last?

The activity lasts about two hours. This includes the pickup or meeting process, transport to the launch site, preparation, flight, and landing arrangements. Starting times depend on availability.

How much does the flight cost?

The listed price is $125 per person. The exact price may differ if you select one of the other available flight experiences.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Hotel drop-off is not included. You should arrange your own onward transport after the experience unless the team agrees to a different plan.

Where is the meeting point?

If you do not use hotel pickup, the team meets participants at a beach bar near the landing area at Playa la Enramada.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Polish, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and German.

What should I bring?

You must bring sports shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Are photos and videos included?

No. A GoPro camera records the flight, but the photos and videos are available to purchase for an additional €30.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people over 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, children under four, or anyone who is intoxicated.