Tenerife: Los Carrizales Water Canyoning Tour

Los Carrizales water canyoning is the kind of Tenerife activity that feels practical right up until the moment you’re staring at a waterfall drop. It mixes natural pools with hands-on scrambling, so you’re not just watching the island, you’re moving through it.

I really like the way the day is structured around confidence and control. Two things I’d put at the top are the safety briefing (gear first, rules clearly explained) and the fact that you can use ropes when you want a steadier plan for the descents and jumps.

One caution: this is a hard, athletic day, with a long hike and a return that can feel like climbing. If you’re afraid of heights, have vertigo, or you’re not a confident swimmer, this is not the right fit.

Key things to know before you go

Small group size (max 8) keeps it more personal when skills and comfort levels vary
Rope assistance gives you an option if you’re nervous about jumping or descending
Multiple jump heights and rappels mean you’ll choose your comfort level, not just follow one fixed route
A 10-meter slide is the standout adrenaline moment, with real wind and a big splash
Real physical challenge includes a long hiking and return segment that can feel like climbing
Peter’s safety focus comes up again and again, including patient coaching and clear techniques

Los Carrizales canyoning: why it feels different from a typical Tenerife day

Most Tenerife tours give you a view and a story. Los Carrizales does something else. It asks you to use your body, your balance, and your nerve, then rewards you with waterfalls, swimming, and the kind of “I did that” satisfaction that sticks.

What I like most is the mix of adrenaline and competence. You’re not just told to be fearless. You’re taught how to manage the canyon moments step by step, with gear and a guide focused on technique, not chaos.

And yes, it’s exciting. Jumps, rappels, and slides are the headline. But the hike and the return are part of the real experience, because you’re earning access to the water section.

Meeting point at C. Carrizal Bajo, 9, and how the day starts

You meet at C. Carrizal Bajo, 9. There’s parking next to the road, and you should look for a Berlingo with the title Vulcan Walkers and the guide Peter. He’ll be in a neoprene suit, which makes it easier to spot your group.

Plan to arrive a little early and get your stuff ready before you’re ushered into gear. This tour is built around movement, so being rushed at the start can throw off your focus fast.

The day begins with a 30-minute safety briefing. That’s not filler. It’s where you learn how the route is controlled, how the jumps and descents are handled, and what the expectations are when you’re around ropes, water, and uneven footing.

The long hike in: where your legs start paying for the fun

The tour includes a significant hiking segment to reach the canyoning area. Think of it as time for your body to warm up, your footing to adapt, and your mindset to switch from city pace to trail pace.

This is not a gentle walk. You’re covering distance with an active climbing feel, and you’ll likely be using your grip and balance more than you expect. The group size is capped at 8, which helps here, since you can move as a unit without everyone being left behind.

The canyoning portion comes after, so don’t assume you’ll “save your energy” for the fun part. If you show up underprepared, the hike can drain you. If you show up fit, it becomes a steady ramp-up to the adrenaline moments waiting below.

Safety first in the canyon: ropes, technique, and controlled adrenaline

Once you get into the canyon, the tour leans into a simple idea: you can have thrills and still be safe. The guide leads you through the water route while you follow instructions for jumping, rappelling, and sliding.

A standout feature is the rope option. If you get nervous about a jump or want more control during descents, you can use ropes to climb down or adjust how you approach the next section. That matters because it turns fear into a manageable problem.

You’ll likely do a mix of:

Jumping from different heights
Rappelling down waterfalls
Sliding into the pools
Scrambling between sections

And during all of it, your guide is watching the group, adjusting pacing, and making sure everyone is doing the route the safest way for their comfort.

The 10-meter slide moment you’ll remember

The big hit is the slide, including a section around 10 meters. This is where your brain goes quiet for a second, because your body just takes over. You’ll feel the wind, then the splash when you hit the water.

What makes this more than a stunt is how it fits into the route. You’re not doing it once. You’re moving through a sequence of canyon obstacles, so the slide feels like the payoff after learning how the area behaves and how your gear supports you.

If you’re worried about heights, this is still doable in some cases, because rope assistance and guidance can reduce the pressure. But if you have strong vertigo or you freeze at the thought of looking down, you should skip this tour and choose something less exposed.

Swimming in natural pools: the reset after adrenaline

After the drops and the rope work, you get a cool-down. That’s one of the best parts of canyoning when it’s done right. You get wet in a way that feels purposeful, not chaotic.

You’ll swim in clear water at the natural pools, which helps you shake out tight muscles and refocus. It’s also a moment where you can see what you’ve done, because the canyon walls frame the water like a set piece.

Just keep the reality in mind. This is not a lazy dip. Your legs are tired, you’ve been wearing gear, and you’re still navigating slippery footing and water movement.

Break time before the return: don’t ignore your snack

There’s a 30-minute break during the day. This is your chance to eat something and drink water, especially because the return isn’t a stroll.

Bring food and water as recommended, because the tour does not include food or drinks. If you arrive hungry or skip your snack during the break, you’ll feel it on the second hiking segment.

This break also helps mentally. After adrenaline, your body needs a minute to stop sprinting even if you’re walking. A quick reset makes the return climb much more manageable.

The way back is not “just hiking”

The toughest part for many people is the return. You head back toward the starting point and the final segment can feel like climbing, not a flat trail.

In particular, expect a challenging mix of scrambling and uneven surfaces. Some people describe the volcanic-rock aspect of the return as something you can’t treat lightly. Your grip and foot placement really matter here.

Also, this is where small-group structure helps again. If the guide keeps pace and offers technique coaching, it prevents a single person from falling behind and slowing everyone down.

If you’re thinking, I’ll be okay because I can hike a bit, double-check that your legs can handle a full active day. This one is built for athletic visitors, not occasional walkers.

What to bring (and what to avoid) so the day feels smoother

The tour gives you equipment, but you control your comfort. Bring:

Sunglasses and a hat
Swimwear and a towel
Sunscreen and water
Food for the break
Sports shoes and sportswear

A practical note: the sports shoes matter more than you’d think. You’ll be moving on uneven ground and into water, so you want footwear that grips.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs. Also avoid shoes indoors, since that rule is listed as part of the activity requirements.

Finally, if you’re tempted to pack light, don’t skip towel and sunscreen. You’ll dry off less than you expect, and Tenerife sun can catch you even when you’re moving fast.

Who should book, and who should skip Los Carrizales

This is for people who want to test themselves. The tour is recommended for athletic individuals because it includes a lot of exercise and a two-part hike feel. If you’re fit, you’ll likely enjoy the pacing, the coaching, and the satisfaction of finishing strong.

But it’s not for everyone. This tour is not suitable for:

Children under 14
Pregnant women
People with back problems
People afraid of heights
People with vertigo
Non-swimmers
People over 65

• People over 243 lbs (110 kg)

If you meet those limits, great. If you’re hovering on the edge, be honest with yourself. Rope assistance can help with technique, but it can’t remove the core exposure and physical demands.

Price and value: what you actually get for $157

At $157 per person for about 6 hours, you’re paying for more than an activity label. The price includes a canyoning guide, all canyoning equipment, and liability and accident insurance.

That matters because canyoning gear and professional safety support are the heart of the experience. If you tried to piece together instruction and rentals on your own, you’d likely spend time and money, and you’d lose the guide’s ability to match route difficulty to the group.

What’s not included is also important: no hotel pickup or drop-off, and no food or drinks. If you’re relying on a convenient transfer and you show up without snacks, you’ll feel those gaps immediately.

Guides and group vibe with Vulcan Walkers

This tour runs through Vulcan Walkers, and the guides you’ll hear about include Peter. In some cases, Yuri is mentioned alongside Peter, which suggests a team approach rather than a single instructor juggling everything.

I like the small-group format capped at 8 participants. With that size, the guide can manage pacing, teach technique, and still keep the experience fun instead of turning it into a production line.

Language support is practical too, with instruction available in English, Hungarian, and Spanish. If you don’t speak one of those languages, you might still find it easy to follow key safety instructions, since the guide’s actions and rope setup do a lot of the explaining.

There’s also a nice extra touch some people report: a video of the day sent free of charge. Even if you don’t care about footage, it’s a sign the guide thinks about the memory side of the experience too.

Should you book this Tenerife canyoning tour?

Book it if you want an active, adrenaline-heavy Tenerife day with real water time, a 10-meter slide, and a guide who prioritizes technique and safe options like rope assistance. If you’re comfortable with heights in general and you can swim, this is one of those trips that feels like it gives you a story, not just a photo.

Skip it if you’re avoiding heights, dealing with vertigo, or you’re not confident in the water. And don’t underestimate the physical side. The return climb and heavy hike are part of the deal.

If you like challenges, you’re athletic, and you want the kind of experience where safety and adrenaline meet in the same canyon, this one is worth serious consideration.

FAQ

How long is the Los Carrizales water canyoning tour?

It lasts about 6 hours.

What’s included in the price?

You get a canyoning guide, all equipment for the canyoning, and liability and accident insurance.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you’ll be jumping and swimming in natural pools during the experience.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, food, and sports shoes and sportswear.

What languages are offered by the instructor?

The tour instruction is available in English, Hungarian, and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for kids or people afraid of heights?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 14, and it’s also not suitable for people afraid of heights or with vertigo.