The best Water-sports in Tenerife

Tenerife is a complete paradise for water-sports enthusiasts. With its year-round warm climate, diverse coastline, and ideal conditions , Tenerife offers an exceptional environment for both beginners and seasoned pros to enjoy water-sports. Whether you're into surfing, kiteboarding, diving, or paddle boarding, Tenerife’s beaches, coves, and crystal-clear waters provide the perfect setting.

Whether you a seasoned water-sport enthusiast, semi professional or beginner then Tenerife has something for you.

Jet ski Tenerife

One of the most exciting ways to explore the island's coastline is by jet skiing; an exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping experience that combines speed, freedom, and breathtaking scenery. It doesn't matter if you're a first-timer or an experienced rider, Tenerife offers an ideal environment for jet skiing, with plenty of rental services, guided tours, and calm waters to enjoy.

The Tenerife coastline is dotted with numerous spots that are perfect for jet skiing, each offering its own unique landscapes, views, and experiences. The most popular areas for jet skiing are generally located in the south and west of the island, where you’ll find a range of rental options and organised tours.

Playa de las Américas Jet Skis

One of the most popular places to go jet skiing in Tenerife is Playa de las Américas, located in the south of the island. This vibrant, bustling beach area is a tourism hotspot, and its calm waters are ideal for both beginners and more experienced riders. Several rental companies are based here, offering jet skis for hire, as well as guided tours along the coast. The area is well known for its lively atmosphere and proximity to bars, restaurants, and shops, making it an easy place to combine with a day of sightseeing or relaxation on the beach.

Los Cristianos Jet Skis

Los Cristianos is another great location for jet skiing, and it offers some of the island's best scenic views. From here, you can enjoy rides along the south coast of Tenerife and experience beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and even the chance to spot dolphins or whal

Tenerife Jet Ski Tours

If you’re new to jet skiing or simply want to explore the island with the guidance of an expert, guided jet ski tours are a great option. Most rental companies in Tenerife offer these tours, which can range from short, 30-minute rides to longer excursions of up to 2-3 hours or more. These tours are usually led by experienced instructors who will show you the best spots to visit, ensure your safety, and provide all necessary equipment, including life vests and safety briefings.

Stand Up Paddle, Tenerife

Tenerife’s calm waters and varied coastlines make it an excellent destination for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Whether you’re paddling along the coast, exploring sea caves, or navigating tranquil bays, Tenerife offers plenty of options for Stand Up Paddle boarding enthusiasts. Popular spots for Stand Up Paddle in Tenerife are El Médano and La Caleta.

El Médano is a great place for Stand Up Paddle in Tenerife due to its gentle waves and steady winds, allowing for both flatwater paddling and small wave surfing. La Caleta and the surrounding areas in the south offer flat, serene waters perfect for beginners or those who simply want to enjoy a peaceful paddle in stunning surroundings. The northwest coast also features calm, sheltered areas ideal for SUP, where you can paddle between cliffs and explore hidden coves.

Stand Up Paddle is a great way to explore Tenerife’s coastline at your own pace while enjoying the island’s stunning views, making it perfect for both beginners and more experienced paddlers.

Wind Surfing Tenerife

Tenerife benefits from the trade winds that blow steadily from the northeast, providing ideal conditions for windsurfing, especially in the summer months. The winds are usually moderate to strong, perfect for a variety of windsurfing styles.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced windsurfer, you can find the perfect location in Tenerife to practice and enjoy this exciting water sport.

Ocean Kayaking in Tenerife

Ocean Kayaking is an ideal way to explore Tenerife’s coastline at your own pace, offering a tranquil yet exhilarating experience on the water. Let’s take a closer look at kayaking in Tenerife, the best places to go, and why it’s a must-do activity for water-sport enthusiasts.

While kayaking in Tenerife can easily be done independently, many companies offer guided kayak tours, which can enhance your experience by introducing you to the island’s hidden spots and providing you with expert insight into the local marine ecosystem.

Parasailing in Tenerife

Among the most exciting and visually spectacular activities you can enjoy on the island is parasailing - an unforgettable experience that allows you to soar high above Tenerife’s breathtaking coastline while taking in stunning aerial views of the island’s volcanic landscapes, golden beaches, and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean.

Parasailing, also known as parascending, involves being harnessed to a specially designed parachute while being towed behind a boat at high speeds. As the boat speeds up, the parachute lifts you into the air, offering an incredible bird’s-eye view of the surrounding scenery. The experience typically lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes in the air, though some tours offer longer flights. Parasailing is a safe and accessible activity that doesn’t require any prior experience.

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or just looking for a unique way to explore the island’s natural beauty, parasailing in Tenerife offers an exhilarating perspective of the island like no other.

The Ultimate Tenerife Water-sports pack

If Water sports Tenerife if what you are looking for then take a look at the Jet Ski Tenerife Ultimate Package. This is the best offer we have ever seen and for Tenerife water sports fans it is a must. Not only will you get to ride a jet ski, but you will also get to kayak on a glass bottom kayak, snorkel, take a ride of the inflatable fly fish, try to stand up paddle and then chill out on a 3 hour all inclusive Tenerife catamaran.

The best diving spots in Tenerife

Tenerife is a diver’s paradise with a stunning variety of dive sites, ranging from shallow reefs to dramatic underwater landscapes. The island's crystal-clear waters, mild temperatures, rich marine life, and unique volcanic topography make it one of the top dive destinations in Europe. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Tenerife has dive sites to suit all levels.

Divers in Tenerife can expect to see an abundance of marine life including green sea turtles, rays, angel sharks, moray eels, schools of fish, and even the occasional octopus.

One of Tenerife’s more unique dive experiences (better suited to more experienced divers) is in the underwater caves of Cueva del Palmar, located near Playa San Juan on the south coast. These caves are filled with intricate rock formations, creating a labyrinthine world beneath the sea.

Tenerife offers a wealth of diving opportunities, with something for everyone; from shallow, calm waters perfect for beginners, to deeper, more challenging sites for seasoned divers. Whether you're diving in the crystal-clear waters of Abades, exploring volcanic underwater landscapes in Montaña Amarilla, or coming face-to-face with whales and dolphins off the Los Gigantes cliffs, Tenerife provides a diverse and exciting underwater world to discover.

With its marine life biodiversity, dramatic underwater topography, and warm, inviting waters, Tenerife is undoubtedly one of the best diving destinations in Europe.

A Vibrant water-sports Community and Events in Tenerife

Tenerife has a vibrant water-sports community that hosts numerous international events throughout the year. Whether it's the Canary Islands International Surfing Championship, the Tenerife Windsurfing Festival, or kiteboarding competitions in El Médano, Tenerife offers ample opportunities for both spectators and participants to engage with the island’s watersports culture.

About the author

Mr TravelON is the brand ambassador for TravelON and one of the most recognised travel experts in the Canary Islands with more than 200000 followers across YouTube TikTok and Facebook. Mr TravelON has spent over 25 years working in tourism with tour operators excursion suppliers and thousands of holidaymakers. He has filmed many tours and attractions across Tenerife and works closely with local tourism teams and guides. His advice is based on real experience and direct contact with the island and the people who visit it.