Jairo Diaz discovers the best of water sports in Tenerife

Jairo Diaz couldn’t resist spending time checking out the best water sports in Tenerife, and he wants you to come along for the ride too. Dive right in, and find out what needs to go on your list of the best waves and best beaches in Tenerife for the active holiday of a lifetime.

Los Gigantes is a charming small town in Tenerife that takes its name from the incredible vertical cliffs here which reach up to 800 metres high. Los Gigantes means the “cliffs of the giants”, and extend from the village of Los Gigantes way out to Punta de Teno.

The view down over the beach and out to sea from the cliff tops is one you won’t forget in a hurry, and it’s also well worth taking a boat trip to see the cliffs up close. Whilst you’re at it, you can also take a boat trip out to sea from here to spot whales and dolphins.

If you can’t wait to get in the water, then make a beeline for the Los Gigantes natural swimming pools. One of the most famous ones in this area is Isla Cangrejo. Here, you can swim in the refreshing sea water without having to worry about the waves.

Punta de Teno is Tenerife’s westernmost point, and is now part of the protected Teno Rural Park. There’s a charming lighthouse, and wonderful views back towards the Los Gigantes cliffs.

It’s well worth visiting, but bear in mind that as of 2019 the only access during the day is by public bus, to prevent the area being swamped with cars.

El Médano is a small town in the south-east of Tenerife, now a popular holiday resort. Jairo and his girlfriend were drawn here for a stroll along the promenade to admire the windsurfers and kite surfers out in the bay.

This is one of the water sports Tenerife capitals, thanks to the favourable wind conditions. So much so the World Professional Windsurfing Championships were even held here.

If you’re not up for getting in the water and trying out El Médano windsurfing for yourself, then pull up a chair at one of the many beachfront restaurants and bars and watch the show.

When you’re making a list of all the things to see in Tenerife, north Tenerife might not initially feature very highly on it. After all, it’s the south that’s most famous as a holiday destination. But anyone who misses out on the north of the island will live to regret it.

This part of the island is greener, quieter, unexploited, and perfect for anyone who prefers to get away from the crowds and have an adventure. Jairo, for one, spent a lot of his time discovering the coastline of the north of the island.

There are countless hiking trails in the area for all levels, which can take you to places that very few tourists stumble upon. But if you want to stick to the coast, then head for the unspoilt, wild beaches in north Tenerife. Benijo beach Tenerife is a big favourite for sunset, and its neighbour Almáciga is stunning too, and very popular for those wanting to try their hand at water sports in Tenerife, like Tenerife snorkelling and kayaking.

If you’ve got a taste for natural swimming pools, then you’re in luck, because in the north of the island you’ll find the Punta del Hidalgo and Bajamar natural pools, perfect for cooling off after an active day exploring this part of the island. Whilst you’re up here, don’t forget to visit a few local guachinche restaurants, taste the local wine and pay a visit to charming places such as La Laguna, Santa Cruz and La Orotava.

Back in the south of the island, Jairo discovered that one of the top things to do in Costa Adeje is to go for a surf. Whilst he was enjoying the waves, his girlfriend was exploring the picturesque, rocky shore with its crystal-clear waters.

Follow in their steps, and after that, get your strength back at one of the seafood restaurants in La Caleta, a tiny fishing village on this coast. There are all kinds of establishments offering up the freshest seafood, so take your pick, and then hang around to enjoy the sunset.