With a mild ocean all year and the steady trade winds, Tenerife is one of Europe’s best destinations for watersports. Whether you want to learn to surf, get on a windsurf board or just float with a mask, there is a spot to suit you — often a few minutes from your hotel. Here is where to do them, for what level and how to start.
El Médano: the windsurf and kitesurf capital
If you are after wind, the place to go is El Médano, in the south near the airport: it is known for frequent, steady winds, especially in spring and summer, so much so that the beach hosts international windsurf and kitesurf competitions. It is the reference point for those who practise these sports, but also a great place to start: there are several schools and shops renting boards and wetsuits and offering beginner lessons.
The town has a young, relaxed feel, with a promenade, casual spots and good options to eat after the water: you will find them in the guide to where to eat in the south of Tenerife.
Surf: where to learn and where to challenge yourself
Surfing in Tenerife has spots for every level:
- Beginners: the El Médano schools point you to the most suitable spot for the day’s conditions; La Tejita, near El Médano, is one of the beaches used for surfing, but conditions and difficulty change with the wind and the sea — better to go in with an instructor.
- Experts: La Izquierda, at Playa de Las Américas, the island’s most famous spot — a long, fast wave over a volcanic seabed that is at its best between October and March with the winter swells. It is not a place for beginners.
More than ten surf schools operate on the island: for your first time, a basic lesson is the safest (and most fun) way to try.
SUP and paddle: the calm bays
If you prefer calm, stand-up paddle is ideal in the sheltered bays of the south, such as Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, where the sea is quieter. It is an activity for everyone, children included, and a lovely way to see the coast from a different angle without strong wind or waves.
Diving and snorkelling: what is under the water
The clear water and mild temperature make Tenerife great for diving and snorkelling too. The south coast offers varied seabeds and spots to see fish and rays; some areas (such as El Puertito) are known for the chance of encountering sea turtles, though sightings are never guaranteed. Diving schools also take beginners with safe try-dives; for snorkelling all you need is a mask and fins and a sheltered cove.
When to go and for whom
The wind is steadier and stronger in spring and summer: that is the best time for windsurf and kitesurf. Surfing is at its best in autumn and winter, when the swells arrive. For SUP, snorkelling and basic lessons almost any time of year works, choosing the more sheltered bays on windy days.
| Sport | Where | Level |
| Windsurf and kitesurf | El Médano | All (with wind) |
| Beginner surf | La Tejita, El Médano schools | Beginner |
| Expert surf | La Izquierda (Las Américas) | Advanced |
| SUP and paddle | Bays of Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos | Beginner |
| Snorkelling and diving | South coast (El Puertito, Radazul, Las Galletas) | All |
Practical tips
- As a beginner, always start with a school: equipment, safety and the right entry points make the difference.
- You almost always need a light wetsuit: the water is mild but the wind cools you down.
- Respect flags, currents and lifeguards’ instructions; at El Médano the wind can be demanding.
- In high season book lessons and rentals a few days ahead.
- For a quieter day after the sport, take a look at the best beaches in Tenerife or a boat trip.
Between different schools, centres and rentals, for watersports it pays to compare before booking: with TPCard you can see which schools and activities in the network offer a benefit to cardholders.
