Photo Credit: Webber264

Beaches all around Tenerife offer warm water, lots of sun, swimming and other water sports year round. Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, and Puerto de la Cruz have the most choice when it comes to activities, including cruises, sail trips, and fishing charters. The lofty Mount Teide, seen from everywhere, has good hiking.

Tenerife is not as cheap as it once was, but the world class fishing and golfing in particular are cheaper here than in most comparable places in Europe. Most things are doable in the south, while Mount Teide and boat trips are available from all destinations.

The water sports action in Tenerife is excellent, with jet-skiing and boat rides available at most resorts, as well as good surfing, windsurfing, and sea kayaking. The swells in the northwest are the best. Escuela Atlantik Surf rents out boards and offers lessons at Puerto de la Cruz.

Boat trips to see whales and dolphins are popular, with some of them guaranteeing sightings and including a swim. Most of these trips go from Playa de las Americas (at Puerto Colon) and Los Cristianos. Katrin is a well-known operator, along with Magic, which includes a barbecue. Trips are usually from two hours to half a day. So-called ‘booze cruises’ are popular with the young set and include food, drinks, and water sports. You can also sail around Tenerife aboard a catamaran or take the family aboard a glass-bottom boat or even a submarine.

Tenerife doesn’t offer the best scuba diving, but the waters are warm, clear, and feature a great deal of marine life. Divers can usually see turtles, barracudas, and manta rays, as well as a plethora of fish species. Ocean Trek in Los Cristianos rents gear and heads out to popular dive sites, while beach hotels and vendors rent snorkel gear.

The deep sea fishing in Tenerife is some of the best in the region and there is a huge number of fishing operators and charters, while many resort hotels also organize trips. Big game fish include marlin (white and blue), sailfish, tuna, dorado, barracuda, and even hammerhead sharks. Crested Wave at Los Cristianos Harbor offers excursions and charters.

Hiking is a popular pastime, what with the massive Mount Teide in Teide National Park featuring numerous well-marked trails. You can go at it alone, but it is often best to go with a guided tour to save on the logistics. Jorg & Mario Nature Hikes provides regular trips. Nearer to las Americas is the Hell’s Ravine walk (Barranco del Infierno), which goes from Adeje. The view at Punta de Teno is a highlight.

Tenerife’s golf courses typically come with manicured fairways and great views, and are near to all the popular beach resorts. The Costa Adeje course, near Playa de las Americas, is the best known, with its 27 holes. Golf Las Américas is closer to las Americas and Los Cristianos, while Puerto de la Cruz has the La Rosaleda course.

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