Floating over Tenerife feels unreal. This tandem paragliding flight takes you above southern Tenerife with a professional pilot, plus GoPro filming so you can relive the moments. It’s built for comfort, not chaos, with a small group and a full safety setup before you ever step off the hillside.

What I like most is the calm, step-by-step flow. You get a safety briefing, harness and helmet fitting, and a running commentary from your pilot while you search for updrafts and ride the air. One thing to consider: paragliding is weather-dependent, so flight timing and exact conditions can shift from day to day.

Key things that make this flight worth your time

• Small group (up to 4 people), which keeps attention on you during briefing and launch.
• Pickup included in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas (drop-off at your hotel is not included).
• GoPro camera included to film your flight, with optional photos/videos available for purchase for €30.
• Updraft-hunting in the sky, explained in real time by your pilot, so it feels less like random luck.
• A chance to take the controls briefly, if you want and conditions allow.
• Beach landing at Playa la Enramada, touching down on soft sands with the Atlantic waves nearby.

Southern Tenerife from above: why this feels like more than sightseeing

Tenerife is easy to look at from the ground. From the air, it changes jobs. Roads turn into thin lines, coast and coastline take shape, and the island’s mix of mountains and sea suddenly makes sense in one glance. The beauty here is not just the view. It’s the pace. Paragliding is quiet. You hear wind, maybe a bit of chatter from other aircraft far away, and then you focus on what your pilot is doing.

This is a tandem flight, which matters because you’re not trying to learn skills while also trying not to panic. Your pilot is in charge of the glider. Your job is mostly to breathe, listen, and follow instructions. That reduces the stress dramatically and makes it a strong choice if this is your first time flying like this.

You’ll also see southern Tenerife in a way that a photo never quite captures. In a short time, you get both mountain-backed terrain and oceanfront views. It’s the kind of perspective that makes you understand why this part of the Canary Islands is so popular.

Getting there: pickup, meeting point, and the run-up to takeoff

The experience starts either with pickup or at the meeting point. If you booked pickup, it covers areas within Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas. You’ll just need to provide the name of your hotel within those zones when you book, and the operator will confirm the pickup time (by WhatsApp) if it differs from your original booking time.

If you prefer to meet the team directly, you’ll go to a beach bar meeting point (they provide a map link). Either way, you’ll be traveling together to the launch area, and you’ll get time to settle your nerves before harness time.

The best part of the pre-flight period is how practical it feels. You don’t get vague instructions. You meet the crew, travel to the hillside takeoff area, and then you get kitted up with the right safety gear: harness and helmet, plus a GoPro camera that records your flight.

If you’re the kind of person who likes knowing what happens next, this flow will suit you. The whole thing is paced so you’re not thrown into gear and told to run.

The kitting moment: harness, helmet, and a safety briefing that sticks

Once you reach the takeoff area, you’ll get your harness fitted and a helmet on your head. You’ll also be given sports shoes guidance, and the rules are clear: no high-heeled shoes, no sandals or flip-flops. Intoxication is not allowed, which is exactly what you want to hear for an activity that involves speed and open air.

Then comes the briefing. It covers what to expect during takeoff, flight, and landing. You’ll also get guidance on how to behave once you’re connected to the glider and pilot. This is the stage where your mindset shifts from anticipation to trust.

One small detail I really appreciate: jackets are included for colder flights. Tenerife can be sunny and still have cooler air up on the hillside. Having that covered means you don’t have to gamble with what to wear.

A practical tip from the experience culture here: keep your meal light before flying. If you’re prone to nausea, a heavy lunch can make you feel off right before you’re in the air.

Launch and first minutes: connecting to the glider and settling into the air

After briefing, you connect to your glider and get ready for launch. Then you float away on the hillside. The first seconds are a mix of sensations: motion starts, the ground drops out of your mental map, and your body reacts like it always does when height shows up.

Here’s the difference with tandem paragliding. The pilot’s job is to guide the glider and manage the flight path, so you’re not fighting your own balance or timing. You’re along for the ride, and the ride gets smoother once you’re established in flight.

Your pilot gives a running commentary while you fly. That matters more than people think. When someone points out features below and explains what the glider is doing, you stop thinking in circles and start experiencing the moment. It also makes the time in the air feel longer, even if the flight duration is limited by weather.

The GoPro component adds a second layer: you don’t have to hold your phone up or keep trying to frame shots. The camera is there, and you can focus on how it feels to glide. If you’re worried about watching the whole time, don’t. You can look around as much as you want while it records.

In the air over Tenerife: updrafts, quiet glide, and brief control at your pace

Once you’re flying, the experience becomes less about adrenaline and more about flow. Your pilot carves a path through the air and hunts for updrafts to prolong the flight. Updraft hunting is basically the art of finding rising warm air pockets, and it’s what turns a short “jump off a hill” into a real sky experience.

You’ll likely notice how the glider moves with almost no drama. The sensation is gentle. That calm glide is a big reason this activity wins so many first-timer fans.

There’s also an optional moment to take over the controls for a little while, under close guidance, if weather allows and if you want to try. This is a great compromise if you’re not sure whether you’ll enjoy flying. You get a taste of control, but with the safety net of your pilot handling the bigger decisions.

The most praised flights tend to be the ones where the pilot stays communicative and reassuring. Names like Simon, Mike, and Orlando come up in the experience stories, and the common thread is how clear and friendly the pilots are once you’re in the air. It’s not about being loud. It’s about being steady and making you feel like you’re safe enough to look around.

Landing on Playa la Enramada: soft touchdown and what happens right after

When conditions allow, you’ll glide toward the landing area on the soft sands of Playa la Enramada beach. The sound of the Atlantic waves is a real thing here. It brings the whole moment back to Earth in a satisfying way.

Touchdown is designed to be smooth. You touch down softly with your legs, then the experience wraps up. The best landings feel controlled, not abrupt, and they’re one of the reasons pilots get so much praise.

Right after landing, you’ll typically move on with the rest of the day from there. Pickup includes getting you to the launch site, but drop-off at your hotel is not listed as included. So plan to rely on whatever return transport they arrange for the tour end point.

If you’re finishing and then heading out for the evening, schedule breathing room. Even if you don’t feel exhausted, your body tends to remember the flight. It’s the kind of activity that makes dinner taste extra good.

Price and value: what you get for about $125

The price is listed at $125 per person, with a flight window around 2 hours (check availability for starting times). The big question is value: what does $125 actually buy you?

Here’s what’s included:

• Tandem paragliding flight
• Pickup within Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas
• Transportation to the launch site
• Tandem pilot
• Safety briefing and all necessary safety equipment
• Liability and accident insurance
• Jackets for colder flights
• Sports shoes
• Sunglasses
• GoPro camera filming during your flight

What’s not included:

• Drop-off at your hotel
• Food and drinks
• GoPro photos and videos (available for purchase for €30)

For most people, this is a good value because you’re paying for three things at once: professional instruction, safety gear, and a guided flight you don’t have to manage yourself. You also get the practical benefit of pickup from the main tourist zones, plus the time-saving convenience of having transport to the hillside.

The €30 GoPro photo/video add-on can be worth it if you want a clean recap you don’t have to edit. If you’re the type who takes your own photos, you can still treat the GoPro as a backup.

The one value watch-out: if you’re arriving hungry, plan snacks. Food and drinks aren’t included, and being too full can make you feel off. Go light before you fly.

Who should book this tandem flight (and who should skip it)

This activity is a strong fit if you:

• Want a first-time-friendly adventure with professional pilots
• Prefer a small group setting (limited to 4 participants)
• Like clear instructions and a safety-first approach
• Want aerial views without learning how to paraglide yourself

It’s not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with mobility impairments
• People over 220 lbs (100 kg)
• Children under 4 years

So be honest with yourself. If you have any mobility or medical limitations that affect harness fit or landing comfort, don’t force it. The whole setup is designed around being able to move and land safely.

Should you book this paragliding experience in Tenerife?

If you want a memorable Tenerife moment that’s not just another beach day, I’d book this. The combination of professional tandem pilots, small-group feel, and the included equipment makes it feel like you’re in good hands from minute one.

I’d especially choose it if you want:

• A guided way to see southern Tenerife from above
• Calm instruction that helps nervous first-timers
• Film of your flight through the GoPro setup

Skip it if you fall into the listed unsuitability categories, or if you’re the type who hates weather-related uncertainty. Flight times can vary, and it’s still a weather-dependent sport.

If you go, pack sports shoes, keep your pre-flight meal light, and trust the briefing. Then enjoy the quiet glide. It’s one of those rare travel experiences where your main task is simply to look up.

FAQ

How long is the tandem paragliding flight?

The experience is listed as 2 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the schedule on your date.

What does the $125 price include?

It includes the tandem paragliding flight, a tandem pilot, safety briefing and equipment, liability and accident insurance, pickup within Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas, transportation to the launch site, and provided items like jackets (for colder flights), sports shoes, and sunglasses. The GoPro camera films during the flight.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup is included only within the offered areas: Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Las Americas. Drop-off at your hotel is not included.

Where do I meet the team if I don’t want pickup?

If you come directly, you meet the team at a beach bar meeting point. A map link is provided in the activity details.

Do I need to bring anything?

You should bring sports shoes. High-heeled shoes, sandals/flip-flops are not allowed.

Is there a GoPro included?

A GoPro camera is provided to film the flight. GoPro photos and videos are available for purchase separately for €30.

What languages are the instructors/pilots available in?

The instructor languages are listed as English, Polish, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and German.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 4 participants.

Who is the flight not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people over 220 lbs (100 kg), and children under 4 years.

What happens if the weather changes or I need to cancel?

Paragliding is weather-dependent. Cancellations due to weather conditions are rare in Tenerife. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.