The Ultimate Guide to Water Sports in Tenerife

With water temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C throughout the year and over 300 days of sunshine, Tenerife is one of Europe's premier destinations for water sports. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced athlete, the island's diverse coastline offers perfect conditions for every aquatic activity imaginable.

Surfing and Bodyboarding

Tenerife's volcanic coastline creates powerful swells and world-class waves that attract surfers from across the globe. The north coast receives the most consistent Atlantic swells, making it ideal for experienced surfers, while the south offers gentler breaks perfect for beginners.

Best Surf Spots

• Playa de Las Américas (La Izquierda): A powerful left-hand reef break for advanced surfers. This wave is considered one of the best in the Canaries.
• El Médano: Beach breaks suitable for intermediate surfers, also famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
• Playa de Benijo: A secluded north-coast spot with consistent waves in a dramatic setting beneath the Anaga cliffs.
• Las Gaviotas: Near Santa Cruz, this beach picks up swell when other spots are flat.
• Alcalá: A mellow point break on the west coast, great for longboarders and intermediates.

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

El Médano is internationally renowned as one of Europe's best spots for wind-powered sports. The consistent trade winds that blow across the southern tip of the island create ideal conditions from April through September. Montaña Roja provides a natural windbreak, creating different conditions on either side of the beach.

Beginners should head to the eastern side of Playa de El Médano, where the water is shallower and the wind less gusty. Advanced riders can tackle the open ocean on the western side or ride the waves at Cabezo beach nearby. Equipment rental is readily available, with full kite setups, boards, and wetsuits all on offer from multiple providers along the beachfront.

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding

For a more relaxed water experience, kayaking and SUP allow you to explore Tenerife's coastline at your own pace. The calm waters of the south and west coasts are particularly suited to these activities.

Top Kayaking Routes

• Los Gigantes Cliffs: Paddle beneath 600-metre vertical cliffs and into hidden sea caves. Keep an eye out for dolphins and sea turtles.
• Palm-Mar to La Caleta: A coastal route passing volcanic rock formations and secluded coves accessible only from the water.
• Las Galletas: Ideal for beginners, with calm sheltered waters and the chance to spot stingrays in the sandy shallows.
• San Juan to Alcalá: Pass volcanic rock pools and traditional fishing villages along the unspoiled west coast.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Tenerife's volcanic underwater landscape is as dramatic as its terrain above water. Lava formations, caves, and walls create fascinating dive sites teeming with marine life. The water clarity often exceeds 30 metres, and you can encounter sea turtles, rays, barracuda, and even angel sharks.

Popular dive sites include the wreck of the Condesito near Radazul, the underwater volcanic tubes at Punta de la Rasca, and the turtle haven at El Puertito. Snorkellers will love the rock pools of Abades, where volcanic formations create natural aquariums filled with colourful fish.

Jet Skiing and Motorised Water Sports

For adrenaline seekers, jet ski rentals are available across the south coast, particularly from Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Playa de las Américas. Most operators offer guided tours along the coast with stops for swimming, as well as freestyle sessions for experienced riders. Parasailing, banana boats, and flyboarding are also popular options from the main tourist beaches.

Whale and Dolphin Watching by Boat

The deep waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are home to a resident population of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. While not strictly a water sport, renting a small boat or joining a charter gives you the freedom to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The channel between the islands is one of the best places in Europe for cetacean encounters, with over 20 species recorded.

Best Times for Water Sports

• Surfing: October to March for bigger swells on the north coast; year-round on the south
• Kitesurfing: April to September when trade winds are strongest
• Diving: Year-round, best visibility June to October
• Kayaking/SUP: Year-round, calmest seas May to September

Whatever your water sport of choice, Go Tenerife has all the equipment you need. From surfboards and wetsuits to kayaks, SUP boards, and snorkelling gear, we offer convenient rental packages so you can spend less time organising and more time on the water.