Are you traveling to Tenerife soon? Check out this article on nine awesome Tenerife South activities to make your itinerary even more exciting and adventurous!
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- Tenerife South Activities
- Surfing in Las Américas
- No-chase Whale & Dolphin Tour
- Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area
- Kayak Tour in Los Gigantes
- Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner
- Scuba Diving Experience for Every Level
- Whale Watching in Los Gigantes
- Tandem Paragliding Flight in South Tenerife
- Underwater Walk – Sea Trek Experience
Spending over two months in Tenerife on three separate trips means I got to explore a lot of the island. From visiting its cities to hitting the hiking trails and refreshing my surfing skills after a ten-year gap, I think it’s safe to say I’ve experienced a lot. So if you want to go beyond the usual Tenerife tours and add some adventure to your trip, I’ve picked nine activities that I think will make your trip even more memorable.
Tenerife South Activities
If you’ve read any of my previous articles about Tenerife, you know I prefer Tenerife North for many reasons, including the many hiking trails, lush greenery, and charming little villages. However, if there’s one thing that Tenerife South doesn’t lack, it’s cool activities!
Whether you want to try surfing, go on a boat ride, or experience something even more adventurous like paragliding, you’ll find plenty of activities in Tenerife South. In this article, I want to share with you what I think are some of the coolest experiences in the southern part of this Canary Island. I did not try all of these activities myself, but I have done a lot of research, and these are the ones I would choose. In fact, I am planning on adding the things I didn’t try yet to my next Tenerife trip.
I have tried various platforms for booking activities, and last year, I found Manawa, a lesser-known platform that focuses on offering fewer quality activities provided by local hosts. I tried them myself for the surf lesson, and had a great experience. While they may not offer as many activities as other platforms, I believe in supporting the local economy when traveling, so the fact that they highlight local hosts convinced me to try and recommend them. Plus, they do have many amazing activities at various price points!
However, I realize you won’t find as much variety on Manawa, so I also included a few activities you can book on GetYourGuide or Viator. I regularly use these two platforms myself, and I love that they have a huge variety of activities. I’ll share some details about each activity, but here is an overview with the prices and links to the booking platform.
Tenerife South Activities Overview
| Activity | Platform | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfing in Las Américas | Manawa | From €35 | Book Here |
| No-chase Whale & Dolphin Tour | Viator | From €20 | Book Here |
| Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area | GetYourGuide | From €38 | Book Here |
| Kayak Tour in Los Gigantes | Manawa | From €30 | Book Here |
| Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner | Viator | From €79 | Book Here |
| Scuba Diving Experience for Every Level | GetYourGuide | From €83 | Book Here |
| Whale Watching in Los Gigantes | Manawa | From €65 | Book Here |
| Tandem Paragliding Flight in South Tenerife | Viator | From €110 | Book Here |
| Underwater Walk – Sea Trek Experience | GetYourGuide | From €85 | Book Here |
Surfing in Las Américas
Let’s kick off this list of Tenerife South activities with one of my favorites that I tried and couldn’t recommend enough. Surfing is a major pastime in Tenerife, so you’ll find plenty of surf lessons all over the island, but I loved this one in Las Américas.
The provider of this activity, Kontraola Surf School, is a local school right in front of Playa de las Américas. The 2-hour activity includes a short session on the sand focusing on theory and safety before jumping in the water and trying to catch some waves.
I joined the evening session that ended around sunset, but they also offered morning lessons. I loved that the instructor was focused on helping us catch some waves while also having fun and enjoying the activity.
Depending on your budget and preference, you can choose between private and group sessions. Group sessions are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
No-chase Whale & Dolphin Tour
One thing I look for in whale-watching tours is a respectful approach to marine life. I chose this whale and dolphin-watching tour because it emphasizes an ethical approach, without chasing whales as many other companies do. Maintaining a distance is important for the well-being of marine life. Getting too close is not only risky, but it will also slowly drive the whales and dolphins away in the long term.
On this two-hour tour from Los Cristianos, you’ll board the Bahriyeli and sail along the southern coast of Tenerife to spot different species of whales and dolphins, including the resident pilot whales, sperm whales, and fin whales. You may also spot turtles, jellyfish, and marine birds.
Your guide will help you identify the marine life and tell you more about the various species. Along the way, you can also enjoy stunning views of Tenerife, with the Teide rising tall in the middle of the island.
Snorkeling Tour in a Marine Protected Area
If you seek a fun and inexpensive activity, this snorkeling tour is the perfect option. Now, this one is not exactly in the south, but on the southeastern coast, about half an hour from Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. If you don’t have a car, you can reach the starting point in Abades by bus 111, which departs from Costa Adeje.
Like I mentioned for the whale-watching tour, I chose this one also based on the provider’s focus on protecting marine life. There is no feeding or touching marine life involved, and you will respectfully admire the turtles from a safe distance. You have a chance of spotting colorful fish, octopuses, sea horses, and green sea turtles.
You will be snorkeling in the Abades First Reef, a marine area with crystal-clear waters and impressive biodiversity. The activity provider is Snorkel Tenerife Excursions. They provide the necessary equipment, including wetsuits, masks, and fins. Before heading into the water, you’ll get a safety brief.
Kayak Tour in Los Gigantes
If you’re any better than me at kayaking, and it doesn’t take much, then you should try this kayak tour in Los Gigantes. Imagine paddling in crystalline waters and staring at impressive volcanic landscapes, then hopping in the water for snorkeling.
The dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes are a magnificent sight from the coast, but even more impressive from the water. The 500-meter cliffs were known as the Wall of Hell, given how they rise vertically from the ocean. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to check them out up close.
A local multilingual instructor will guide you along the imposing coast from Puerto de Los Gigantes and point out the most stunning geological features and hidden coves along this portion of Tenerife South’s coastline.
The group activity, provided by Teno Activo, has a capacity for up to 20 participants. Normally, they provide double kayaks, but you can request a single if you have experience kayaking.
Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner
You just can’t travel to Tenerife and not explore Teide National Park. The volcano, and the highest mountain in Spain, towers over the island, visible from almost everywhere. Hiking around the national park is an absolute must, something I also talk about in my article on the must-see places in Tenerife on your first trip.
However, if you want to experience a more unique experience in this incredible location, you can join a stargazing tour. You could find many options online, but I love this sunset and stargazing tour with dinner because it’s a complete package. I didn’t manage to watch the sunset from Teide National Park myself, so this is so high up on my Tenerife bucket list.
The activity, starting and ending in Los Cristianos, lasts around 6.5 hours. You can enjoy a traditional Canarian dinner at a restaurant, watch the sunset while sipping on a glass of Cava, and gaze at the stars and planets through a telescope. There’s no better place to watch the stars in Tenerife than the Teide.
Scuba Diving Experience for Every Level
If you want to go beyond snorkeling, then this activity is for you. Join this small-group experience and enjoy scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean. The marine landscape off the coast of Tenerife is incredibly unique, the result of volcanic eruptions that have shaped the ocean floor, creating a marvelous environment for marine life to thrive.
You start the activity with a briefing that includes safety guidelines, diving techniques, and equipment usage. You then try the scuba gear before heading out into the water. You can expect to spot a multitude of diverse fish, rays, octopuses, and the occasional sea turtle.
The activity begins at the diving center Barbarian Diving in Los Cristianos and lasts around 2.5 hours. Your instructor will support you through every step to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Whale Watching in Los Gigantes
If you travel to Tenerife in winter or early spring, you should add whale watching to your list of activities. While you can spot dolphins and whales year-round, these seasons are considered the best.
This tour is slightly more expensive than the rest, but it does include a delicious tapas meal on the boat while admiring the stunning coastline. You can join the group tour, or if you are traveling with a group yourself, book a private tour. They offer various private tour options, from short 3-hour to full-day tours. Group tours last three hours.
The activity’s organizer is Blue Dream Sailing, a local company based in Los Gigantes. They sail around the coastline with their sailing boat, “Sangria.” You will meet your host at La Marina Los Gigantes sports pier, sail along Los Gigantes cliffs, check out one of the many natural coves, enjoy a tasty meal (vegan and vegetarian options available), and sail back to the departure point.
Tandem Paragliding Flight in South Tenerife
If you’re looking for a more adventurous experience, consider this tandem paragliding flight. This is a great way to admire the coastline of Tenerife South. If you’re lucky and the sky is clear, you can enjoy the sight of Mount Teide towering over the island.
The flight takes off from Taucho or Ifonche, depending on weather conditions. Pick-up service from the south of Tenerife is included in the activity, along with all the necessary equipment. The flight lasts 15/20 minutes, and you can also get GoPro photos and videos of your flight (at an additional cost).
You don’t need any previous experience to join this paragliding flight. The staff at Brisa Paragliding (the activity provider) has over 25 years of experience in flying in the area. Of all the activities you could try in the south of Tenerife, I believe this could be the most memorable.
Underwater Walk – Sea Trek Experience
This is a very recent 2025 addition to the list of Tenerife South activities, but it’s a really unusual one that deserves to be on this list. The fact that it has a 5/5 rating on GetYourGuide has canceled any doubts on whether I should add it. It’s a cool alternative to your usual snorkeling.
They describe this experience as walking on the moon, except it’s underwater. You wear a helmet that is not much unlike what astronauts wear and explore the ocean floor, watching the colorful fish swim past you through the crystalline waters. How cool is that? Of course, there’s no touching marine life!
The activity lasts roughly 1.5 hours, of which you’ll spend 30 minutes walking around the ocean floor. You’ll meet your guide at the Diving on the Moon center in Los Cristianos for a briefing and equipment fitting before the dive. You don’t even need to get your hair wet for this one!
Tenerife Quick Facts
Before wrapping this up, I wanted to share some quick facts about Tenerife. I spent over two months on the island over the past three years and pretty much explored all the must-see spots.
Tenerife has two international airports, Tenerife South and Tenerife North. The former tends to have more flights, as most people prefer staying in the south, where most sandy beaches and big hotels are. You can find affordable flights to Tenerife from many European cities.
You can easily get around the island by public transport, which works well for most destinations. You can find more information on the Titsa website. However, bus rides are less frequent on Sundays and holidays, so plan accordingly.
If you don’t want to spend your holiday waiting around for the bus, you can always rent a car. My favorite website for rental deals is DiscoverCars.
You can find plenty of accommodation virtually everywhere on the island. If you stay in the south, you’ll find a vast choice of hotels. The most popular places to base yourself are Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas, El Medano, and Costa Adeje. In the north, aside from Santa Cruz, I recommend checking out Puerto de la Cruz, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and La Orotava.
While this article was all about Tenerife South activities, don’t dismiss the north of the island. Aside from the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, there are plenty more lovely towns to discover. Some of my favorites are Garachico and Taganana. The latter is in the Anaga Rural Park, one of my favorite places for cool hikes like this one. You can also explore hidden gems, like this hike near Puerto de La Cruz.
That wraps up this article on the coolest activities to try in Tenerife South. I hope you try some of these and enjoy this spectacular, vibrant Canary Island and its unique landscapes.
Let me know in the comments if you tried any of these activities! Enjoy!
Travel Resources
| Website/App | Category | Description | Book Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Accommodation | My favorite website for great accommodations for different budgets. | Find a Place |
| Kiwi.com | Flights | My new favorite platform for finding affordable flights. | Find Flights |
| Omio | Transportation | You can book everything from buses and trains to ferry rides. | Transportation |
| SafetyWing | Insurance | One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers. | Get Insured |
| Manawa | Activities | A great platform to book activities and adventures with local hosts. | Find Activities |
| GetYourGuide | Activities | My go-to platform for tours and experiences with lots of options. | Experiences |
| Viator | Activities | A great alternative for activities all over the world. | Experiences |
| GuruWalk | Free tours | A great platform for free walking tours (tipping is recommended). | Book a tour |
| DiscoverCars | Car rental | My go-to platform for car rental anywhere in the world. | Rent a Car |
| Airalo | eSIM | My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad. | Get an eSIM |
| Saily | eSIM | A great alternative to Airalo, with cheaper plans in some destinations. | Get an eSIM |
| Xe | Currency | A currency converter showing real-time rates. Website or app. | Get Xe App |
| Maps.me | Navigation | My favorite navigation app for hiking trails and remote areas. | Get Maps |
TL;DR
Here are six cool activities to try in Tenerife South:
- Surfing in Las Américas
- Whale & Dolphin Tour
- Snorkeling Tour
- Kayak Tour in Los Gigantes
- Teide Sunset & Stargazing
- Scuba Diving
- Whale Watching in Los Gigantes
- Tandem Paragliding
- Underwater Walk
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