Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park

Flying above Tenerife feels unreal. You get a 2200m Teide National Park launch and Lucas and his pro tandem pilots, plus that tight moment where the ground drops away. I love how calm and organized everything feels right up to takeoff, but your flight can be delayed, switched, or canceled if wind and weather do not cooperate.

You’ll meet at Martianez Adventures in Puerto de la Cruz, get a gear bag (helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and a camera), then ride by van to the launch area. From there, it’s a tandem ride with the pilot handling the work, and you land on a beach while Puerto de la Cruz is below you like a postcard.

They run morning, midday, and evening flights, and the group is small, limited to 4 participants. That small size matters, because you get clearer attention and more time for questions before you go airborne.

Key things I’d circle on your planning list

• Two launch styles: Teide National Park altitude, or a shorter hop above Martianez Beach
• Tandem setup with pro pilots: you fly with the instructor, not solo
• Beach landing experience: you end right on the coast, then get brought back to Puerto de la Cruz
• Weather can change your exact timing: wind rules the day, and they will adapt
• Small group, max 4 people: easier pacing, less waiting, more personal guidance

Two Tenerife Flights, One Tandem Pilot Team

This paragliding experience is built around one big idea, you fly tandem with a professional pilot and you do not have to worry about controlling the wing. What changes is where you launch from, and how long you stay in the air.

Option one is the Teide exclusive flight. It’s the one with the highest start point, launching from about 2200 meters above sea level inside Teide National Park. Then you land in the beach area. The drive to the launch is longer, around 1 hour in a van, but you’re buying real altitude and, often, bigger views.

Option two is the adrenaline flight from Puerto de la Cruz. You launch above the cliffs near Martianez Beach, with a much shorter van ride, about 10 minutes. The flight is typically a bit shorter, but it’s still 20 to 30 minutes of tandem flying and coastal views.

If you’re trying to pick what’s best for your trip, think about your priorities:

• If you want the highest launch and the classic Tenerife sky view, go Teide.
• If you want a faster, more local-feeling experience with less time traveling, go Martianez.

From Martianez Adventures to the Takeoff Slope

Your day starts at the meeting point: Martianez Adventures, a Google business listing in Puerto de la Cruz. You show up, meet the team, and they hand you what you need. Expect a helmet, jacket, long trousers, and gloves. You’ll also have a camera setup as part of the gear package they provide.

Then comes the part people often forget to plan for: the van ride. For the Teide flight, it’s about 1 hour to reach the launch area. For the Martianez flight, it’s about 10 minutes. Either way, it’s not just sitting. You’ll get briefed and prepared so the takeoff run and landing make sense before you’re up there.

One practical tip: you need to be in good physical condition. You should be able to run during takeoff. You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need to be able to do the sprint part safely. The experience is tandem, but the wing still needs a clear takeoff.

You also need to skip certain things. Cellphones are not allowed. So if you want photos, rely on what they provide for filming, and plan to keep your own phone put away.

The Teide Exclusive Flight: 2200m Start and Beach Landing

This is the headline option for a reason. You’re launching from around 2200 meters above sea level, and you start high above the sea. That means you spend more time with your eyes scanning, not just reacting.

Here’s how it tends to feel from start to finish:

1. You leave Puerto de la Cruz and ride up by van toward Teide. Plan on about 1 hour of driving to the launch area.
2. You’re set up with your gear, then you take it from there with your tandem pilot.
3. The flight time is typically 25 to 35 minutes, depending on weather.

The weather part is important. Paragliding is not like a fixed ride where everything happens on schedule. Wind direction, cloud cover, and lift determine what’s possible. If conditions are good, you’ll likely get that long, smooth glide people dream about. If conditions are tricky, the team will adjust or reschedule.

What about the views? This route is made for big-sky moments. People have described flying over the Orotava valley and the Parque Nacional del Teide, and on clear days you might even get views extending far beyond Tenerife. Expect a strong sense of altitude, and also a calm feeling once you’re flying, because your pilot handles the control.

Timing can also change the whole vibe. Sunset flights are especially loved here. Flying at dusk from Teide, when the sky shifts color and the clouds create layered backgrounds, can be a true highlight of your whole Tenerife trip.

The Martianez Adrenaline Flight Above Puerto de la Cruz

If Teide sounds amazing but you want something quicker and closer to town, the Martianez adrenaline flight is the easy pick. You launch above the cliffs of Martianez Beach, right by Puerto de la Cruz.

The logistics are lighter. The van ride to the launch area is about 10 minutes, not 1 hour. Flight time is usually 20 to 30 minutes, again depending on weather.

What you’re trading off for the shorter flight is the convenience and the intensity right away. You get those coastal visuals early, and because you’re launching right above the city, you’re in the thick of Puerto de la Cruz’s everyday geography from the start. People have mentioned that as you glide overhead, you can see buildings, terraces, and the cheering atmosphere below.

This option can be a smart move if:

• You want the experience without a long drive day.
• You’re traveling with a schedule and cannot easily wait for a rescheduled Teide flight.
• You’re nervous about height and want a shorter time to adapt before you land.

Safety and Comfort: What Pro Pilots Actually Do for You

Here’s what I like about this setup. Safety is not treated like a speech. It’s treated like process. From the first moment you meet the pilot, you’re given clear guidance about what you do, what they do, and what to expect during takeoff and landing.

The pilots are experienced tandem instructors, and multiple names come up in people’s accounts. You might meet Lucas, and you might also fly with other team pilots like Adrian, Matthias, Gaston, or Mathias, depending on the day and schedule. Either way, the pattern is consistent: you feel looked after and you get reassurance, especially if you’re new.

If you’re worried about vertigo or height, you should still know this: the takeoff is intense for a few seconds, then it settles fast. The feeling people describe is often a shift from nervous energy to calm control. That transition matters.

One real-world note from practice: if there isn’t much breeze, takeoff can require extra attempts. One account described aborted starts and then a third attempt after conditions improved. That’s not a red flag. It’s the team being practical so you launch safely.

During the flight, your pilot controls the important stuff. For you, it’s about posture, listening, and enjoying the view. If you feel uneasy at first, it’s normal. Ask questions before you go, and then trust the routine.

Timing, Weather, and Why Your Flight Might Move

Paragliding on Tenerife can be flexible in a good way, but it’s not controllable in the way a train schedule is. The team runs morning, midday, and evening flights, but wind and weather decide what happens on the day.

If conditions are not good for a tandem flight, your session may be changed to another day, or it can be canceled during the process. That flexibility is built in. It’s also why I recommend booking this earlier in your trip, not on your last day.

I also suggest you keep your day light. Even if you book a specific time, plan for the possibility of delays. People have mentioned needing to postpone due to wind conditions, and then rescheduling for the best available opportunity.

One other practical timing issue is your van ride. If you get car sickness, be ready. One account specifically warned about motion sickness during the longer van drive, calling out twisty valley roads when going up toward the launch area. If you’re prone to it, you might consider speaking to your doctor or pharmacist about what to take before the drive. Keep it simple and safe.

What to Bring, What They Give You, and Small Rules That Matter

This experience is set up so you don’t show up empty-handed. They provide the key safety gear. You’ll be given a bag with helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and a camera.

You should bring:

• Sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes

And you should know what not to do:

• Cellphones are not allowed

That’s a big one. If you’re the type who always wants your phone in hand for photos, adjust your plan. Instead, think about filming options offered by the team.

Videos are not included by default. If you want a video package, it’s available for an extra cost of 30 euros. Some people also mention GoPro-style filming support, so it’s worth asking what format and delivery look like when you book, and whether it includes the actual edited video or just raw footage.

Price and Value: Is $165 Worth It?

At about $165 per person, you’re paying for more than a short thrill. You’re paying for:

• A tandem flight with a professional pilot
• Insurance
• All the equipment needed for safe flying
• Transfer from Puerto de la Cruz
• A small-group setup that keeps the experience controlled

If you compare this to doing a DIY activity, the difference is safety and coordination. You’re not figuring out launch points, weather windows, gear, or landing logistics. The team does the hard part, and you do the fun part.

Is it worth it if you’re only in Tenerife for a few days? I’d say yes, especially if you book early. The ability to fly either from Teide or from Martianez gives you options even when wind affects plans.

One cost consideration: videos cost extra (30 euros). If you want that keepsake, factor it in. If you’re okay with photos from your own camera before and after, you might skip the upgrade.

Who This Paragliding Experience Suits Best

This is best for people who want a real sky experience, but do not want to learn paragliding first.

It can be a great match if you:

• Are comfortable running during takeoff
• Want big views over Tenerife and the coast
• Enjoy adrenaline, but still like a calm professional atmosphere

It may not be a fit if you fall into the listed limitations. For example, it’s not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People over 70
• People over 95 kg (209 lbs)
• People with mobility impairments
• Children under 12

I’d also flag that nervousness is common. Based on how the pilots communicate and reassure, nervous beginners often end up loving it. Just be honest with the team about your concerns so they can help you feel ready.

Should You Book This Paragliding Flight in Tenerife?

Book it if you want the top Tenerife paragliding combo, Teide altitude or Martianez convenience, with pro pilots and beach landings. I especially like the way the experience is set up for first-timers, with clear instruction, a small group, and safety-first behavior.

Skip it if you know you cannot handle the physical takeoff run, if you’re outside the weight or age limits, or if motion sickness would likely ruin a long van drive. If weather makes you nervous, plan to schedule this earlier in your trip so you have room to shift times.

If your goal is a “one time in Tenerife” moment that you can talk about for years, this is one of the best bets on the island.