Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park

From high on Tenerife’s slopes, you can run a few steps and float toward the coast, with the island dropping away beneath you. The Teide option begins at about 2,200 meters above sea level and can finish on a beach near Puerto de la Cruz after a 25 to 35 minute flight.

I like two things right away: the small groups of up to four people, and the way you can choose between a long mountain flight and a shorter, more immediate launch above Martianez Beach. The main catch is weather. Wind and cloud can change the plan, so you need a flexible schedule and must be ready for a delay or a different launch point.

The pilots, including Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, and Adrian, are used to helping first-timers manage their nerves. I also like that the team handles the transfer, safety gear, and return to Puerto de la Cruz, but the winding one-hour drive to the Teide launch site may be uncomfortable if you suffer from motion sickness.

Key points before you book

• Teide launch at 2,200 meters: The longer flight gives you broad views over the Orotava Valley, Teide National Park, and the Atlantic coast.
• Martianez Beach option: This shorter flight starts above the cliffs near Puerto de la Cruz, with only about 10 minutes of driving to the launch point.
• Flight time depends on wind: Expect about 25 to 35 minutes from Teide or 20 to 30 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz.
• First-timers are welcome: You run with the pilot during takeoff, then settle into a seated harness for the glide.
• Beach landing and return transfer: After landing, the team brings you back to the paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz.
• Weather can change the plan: Your flight may move to another day, use a different launch point, or be cancelled if conditions are unsuitable.

Choosing between Teide and Martianez Beach

You are really choosing between two different versions of Tenerife from the air.

The exclusive Teide flight is the big outing. You meet at Martianez Adventures in Puerto de la Cruz, collect the equipment, and ride in a van for about an hour to the launch area. The road climbs through Tenerife’s mountain country, and the trip itself becomes part of the day.

At around 2,200 meters, you begin high above the sea. The run into the air may feel dramatic, but once the canopy is carrying you, the flight becomes a long, quiet glide toward the coast. On a clear day, you can look across the Orotava Valley, over Puerto de la Cruz, and out toward the ocean. One flight even had views reaching as far as La Palma, though visibility will depend entirely on the day.

The Teide option usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the wind. You may cover a considerable distance before landing on a beach. The combination of mountain air, cloud, valley, and coastline gives this flight more variety than the shorter option.

The adrenaline flight begins much closer to town. The van ride to the launch area above the cliffs near Martianez Beach takes about 10 minutes. That makes it the easier choice if you want less transport time or are prone to car sickness.

This flight lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, again depending on conditions. You still get ocean views and the thrill of launching from a cliffside position, but the setting feels more connected to Puerto de la Cruz. You may see the town, hotels, coastline, and beach from above almost immediately.

Ask about the launch option when you book, especially if the mountain flight is your main reason for going. The company may adjust the location because of wind direction or cloud cover. That is not a flaw in the operation. Paragliding depends on conditions, and a safe flight matters more than sticking rigidly to a planned launch.

What happens at the Puerto de la Cruz meeting point

The meeting point is the Martianez Adventures paragliding center in Puerto de la Cruz. This is where you check in, meet the pilot, receive the equipment, and load into the van.

The transfer is included, which makes the arrangement simple. You do not need to work out separate transport to a mountain launch site or beach landing area. After the flight, the team takes you back to the starting point in Puerto de la Cruz.

The group size is limited to four participants. That matters because the experience involves gear checks, weather decisions, and individual flights rather than a large busload moving through a fixed timetable. You should still allow one to three hours for the full activity, depending on the chosen flight, driving time, preparation, and conditions.

The Teide transfer can take about an hour on twisting mountain roads. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, plan ahead with whatever remedy you normally use. This is one of the few practical drawbacks that can affect your enjoyment before the flight even begins.

Getting fitted with the right gear

The company supplies the necessary flight equipment. That includes a helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and insurance. You should bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes.

The clothing is useful because the launch area at altitude can feel cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Even if the coast is warm, you are starting high above sea level and may spend time waiting for the right wind. The supplied jacket and trousers also make sense for the takeoff and landing areas.

You are asked not to bring or use a cellphone during the flight. The equipment package includes a camera, while flight videos are available for an extra 30 euros. If recording the flight matters to you, confirm exactly what is included and decide in advance if you want to purchase the video.

Your job is simple but important: listen to the pilot and be ready to run during takeoff. You need a reasonable level of physical fitness and must be able to run on the slope for the launch. You do not need previous paragliding experience.

The takeoff is quick, then surprisingly calm

The takeoff is usually the most nerve-racking part. You are attached to the pilot, facing the slope, and asked to run as the canopy fills with air. There may be a short wait for the right breeze, and an attempted takeoff can be stopped if the conditions are not correct.

That can feel unsettling, but it is exactly the sort of caution you want. One flight required more than one attempt before the wind allowed a safe launch. Once the canopy is properly inflated and you are airborne, the sensation changes quickly.

Several first-time flyers describe feeling anxious before the run and calm soon after. That makes sense. Paragliding is not a free fall. You are suspended in a harness beneath a fabric wing, with the pilot controlling the flight from behind you.

The pilots give instructions before takeoff and guide you through the launch. Adrian, Lucas, Mathias, Gaston, and the rest of the team are described as reassuring and clear with nervous beginners. The pilot can also adjust the mood of the flight. You can request a smooth glide, or, if conditions allow and you feel comfortable, ask about more energetic manoeuvres near the end.

The Teide flight is about changing views

The best reason to choose the Teide flight is not simply the extra altitude. It is the changing view as you move from high mountain country toward the coast.

At the start, you look across the upper slopes and volcanic interior of Tenerife. As you descend, the Orotava Valley opens below. Puerto de la Cruz appears along the coast, and the Atlantic takes up more of the view as the flight continues.

Cloud can make the flight even more striking, but it can also block views or affect the launch. Some flights have passed through or above cloud, with the sun appearing at sunset. Other flights have started lower because of cloud cover or wind. You should treat the 2,200 meter launch as the intended plan, not a guarantee for every departure.

Sunset flights can be especially attractive. The light softens the coast, and the descent through cloud can feel much more dramatic than a midday flight. The tradeoff is less flexibility if the weather changes, so do not schedule an important dinner or airport transfer too close afterward.

The landing takes place on one of the beaches. You may finish near the coast below the hotels, where people on balconies and terraces can see the gliders coming in. The team then arranges the return to Puerto de la Cruz.

The Martianez flight keeps things simple

The Puerto de la Cruz flight is the practical choice if you want the activity without a long mountain transfer. In roughly 10 minutes, you can move from the center to the launch area above the cliffs near Martianez Beach.

You still get the essentials: a proper tandem flight, a professional pilot, ocean views, a beach landing, and a return transfer. The flight is shorter, but 20 to 30 minutes in the air is plenty for a first experience.

I would choose this option if you have limited time, are staying in Puerto de la Cruz, or do not want to spend an hour in a van before takeoff. It may also suit you if you are uncertain about paragliding and would prefer a shorter commitment.

Choose Teide if the height, the mountain-to-coast route, and the longer drive are part of the appeal. Choose Martianez if your priority is a straightforward flight close to town. Neither option is automatically better. They offer different versions of Tenerife.

Safety and comfort for nervous first-timers

Paragliding looks more extreme than it feels once you are in the air. You are not expected to control the wing. The pilot handles the flight while you follow instructions for the run, seating position, and landing.

The strongest part of this activity is the attention given to nervous participants. A person with vertigo described feeling comfortable after takeoff, while others who had never tried the sport found the flight smooth and easy to enjoy. That does not remove the need for courage at the launch, but it does mean you have an experienced pilot managing the technical side.

You should not book if you are pregnant, have back problems, have a mobility impairment, or are over 70. The weight limit is 95 kilograms, or 209 pounds. Children under 12 cannot participate.

A beach landing is not a guarantee of a perfectly soft finish. You still need to follow the pilot’s instructions and be physically able to run during takeoff. Wear sensible shoes, avoid loose concerns about clothing, and tell the team if you have any physical limitation before the activity begins.

Is $165 good value?

At $165 per person, the price is reasonable for a tandem activity that includes the pilot, equipment, insurance, transport from Puerto de la Cruz, and a flight of up to 35 minutes. The Teide option also includes a long mountain transfer, preparation time, and the return journey.

The price becomes better value if you want the full mountain-to-beach experience. You are not simply paying for a few minutes in the air. You are also paying for the pilot’s skill, the weather planning, the equipment, and the logistics of getting you safely back to town.

The Martianez option may feel less dramatic for the same price if your main goal is altitude or a long flight. On the other hand, its short transfer and easier schedule may make it more useful for a quick Puerto de la Cruz activity.

Videos cost an additional 30 euros. I would decide before takeoff if that memory matters to you, since you cannot use your own cellphone during the flight. The included camera equipment means you may have a way to record the experience, but check what footage is supplied and how it is delivered.

When to schedule this activity

The company offers morning, midday, and evening flights. The best time depends more on wind and cloud than on a fixed sightseeing schedule.

A morning flight can be a good choice if you want to leave the rest of your day open. An evening or sunset flight may give you the most dramatic light, but it also requires flexibility if the weather forces a change.

I recommend booking early in your Tenerife stay rather than on your final day. Wind and cloud can postpone the activity, and one booking had to move by several days. With time left in your trip, you have a better chance of accepting a new date.

Keep the day flexible. The flight can be moved to another day or cancelled at any point if conditions are not suitable. That may be frustrating, but it is a necessary part of a weather-dependent sport.

Who will enjoy it most?

This is a strong fit for you if you want a major view-based activity rather than a standard sightseeing trip. It suits first-timers, adventurous couples, small groups, and anyone curious about seeing Tenerife from above without needing to learn how to pilot a paraglider.

The Teide flight is best for someone who wants the bigger day and does not mind a winding drive. The Martianez flight suits someone who wants a shorter outing close to Puerto de la Cruz.

I would think twice if you dislike heights, cannot run during takeoff, have a serious back problem, or need a fixed schedule. Fear of heights alone does not automatically rule it out, but you should be honest with the pilot. The flight may become calm quickly, yet the launch still requires a short run from a high slope.

Should you book this Tenerife paragliding flight?

I would book it if you can stay flexible and meet the physical requirements. The Teide-to-beach flight offers the most memorable version of the experience, with high launch altitude, valley views, cloud, coastline, and up to 35 minutes in the air.

Choose the Martianez flight if you want less driving or a shorter first attempt. Either way, you get a small group, professional tandem pilot, supplied equipment, insurance, and a return transfer.

Book this near the beginning of your trip, keep a backup day available, and bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes. If you can handle the launch and accept the weather risk, paragliding gives you one of the clearest ways to see Tenerife’s mountains and coast in a single outing.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding activity meet?

You meet at Martianez Adventures in Puerto de la Cruz. The company provides the transfer to the launch area and returns you to Puerto de la Cruz after landing.

How high is the Teide launch point?

The Teide flight is planned to launch from about 2,200 meters above sea level. The actual launch can change because of wind and cloud conditions.

How long is the flight?

The Teide flight lasts about 25 to 35 minutes. The Martianez Beach flight lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

How long does the full activity take?

The stated activity duration is one to three hours. The total time depends on the chosen flight, the transfer, preparation, waiting conditions, and return journey.

Is previous paragliding experience required?

No previous experience is stated as necessary. You will fly tandem with a professional pilot and must be able to follow instructions and run during takeoff.

What equipment is included?

The activity includes a tandem flight, professional pilot, insurance, helmet, jacket, long trousers, gloves, and the necessary flight equipment. You should bring sunglasses and comfortable shoes.

Can I use my cellphone during the flight?

Cellphones are not allowed during the activity. Videos are available for an extra 30 euros.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If conditions are not suitable, the flight may be moved to another day or cancelled. The launch point may also change because of wind or cloud conditions.