SILVER 1000m paragliding tandem flight above South Tenerife

A tandem paragliding flight above South Tenerife is interesting because you get the view and the thrill without the learning curve. I love the comfortable harness setup that helps you feel secure early on, and I also love that the crew adds a GoPro camera so you are not juggling your own phone while you fly. One possible downside to plan for: photos and GoPro video footage are not included, and you’ll decide at the end whether you want them.

In about 2 hours total, you’ll be picked up, driven up to takeoff, briefed, clipped in, and launched into the Atlantic air. Your time in the air is typically 30 to 40 minutes, with a landing that can be on the soft sands of La Caleta beach, guided by your pilot the whole way.

Key Points Before You Go

• Air-conditioned Mercedes Vito pickup and drop-off, with pick up offered across Los Cristianos to Callao Salvaje
• GoPro filming built into the experience, plus you can buy the footage afterward
• A true tandem setup with harness, helmet, and step-by-step briefing before you run into the air
• About 330 m (roughly 1000 feet) altitude, with a flight lasting 30 to 40 minutes when conditions cooperate
• A soft-sand beach landing possibility at La Caleta, timed to the day’s wind and weather

From Costa Adeje to Takeoff, in an Air-Conditioned Mercedes Vito

Your day starts the moment you climb into the transport. You’ll meet at Urbanizacion Poligono 9 in Costa Adeje, and if you’re staying in the main south resort zone (between Los Cristianos and Callao Salvaje), pickup is available. The ride is in a Mercedes Vito, and it’s air-conditioned, which matters on Tenerife when the temperature can jump quickly before takeoff.

What makes this part feel worth it is how practical it is. You’re not left figuring out timing, parking, or how to get up the mountain with bulky gear. You also get a bit of a mental runway before you ever see the launch area, because your team uses the travel time to explain what comes next. That takes some of the surprise out of first-timer nerves.

There’s also a nice comfort factor if you booked as a private activity. This is set up so only your group participates, so you get a more personal flow to the day.

Gear Up Like a Pro: Harness, Helmet, and the Built-In GoPro

Once you reach the takeoff area, you’ll be equipped in a way that keeps things simple. You’ll put on the harness and helmet, and your pilot will fit you and get you ready for the flight position you’ll hold throughout the air time.

The standout detail here is the included GoPro camera that films your tandem experience. That means you can focus on enjoying the moment instead of trying to position a camera at the exact second the view opens up. You’ll also get a briefing on how takeoff and landing work, plus what you should do during the flight if you need to adjust or settle in.

I like that they treat safety as a real process, not a checkbox. You are briefed on takeoff, flight, and landing procedures. You’re not just handed a helmet and told to have fun.

Tip for your comfort: bring sports shoes and sunglasses as requested. If you forget, you might be able to borrow shoes, but it’s better to show up prepared. Sneakers or trail shoes with good grip help on the steps before you launch, and sunglasses reduce glare if you’re flying in strong sun.

Briefing and Wind Hunting on the Way Up the Mountain

A tandem paragliding flight is powered by wind, thermals, and timing. That’s why the briefing matters, and why the crew’s approach can feel different from other adventure activities. Your pilot will talk you through takeoff steps and landing procedures, then help you get comfortable once you’re in your harness.

You may also hear running commentary about what’s happening in the air. In this area, pilots often look for thermal updrafts. When they find them, they can sometimes take you higher than the initial launch altitude and extend your flight time. Even when the day does not cooperate for long climbs, the pilot still aims for a smooth, controlled glide down toward the landing zone.

In the team stories, pilots like Enrique, Lucas, and Martino are mentioned as calm communicators who explain what’s going on. Simon and Lucas are also mentioned in ways that suggest they lead the day with clear, reassuring guidance. If you’ve ever been nervous about height, this kind of communication helps. It turns the unknown into a series of understandable steps.

A small reality check: conditions can change fast. One person noted very warm conditions at takeoff, and the pilot waited for a wind direction that made launching feel right. That’s the sort of judgment call you want to be confident in, and it’s worth asking yourself one question: do you prefer speed, or do you prefer safe timing? Here, the vibe is safety and control first.

30 to 40 Minutes of Flying from 330 M, Plus Possible Thermals

Once you run a few steps and the glider catches air, the experience shifts from “ground mode” to “float mode” immediately. You’ll feel the lift and settle into the harness, which is designed to support your body position so you can relax instead of bracing.

From about 330 meters (roughly 1000 feet), you get real altitude quickly. The flight time is typically 30 to 40 minutes, which is long enough to notice details on the coast and still short enough that your brain stays engaged. You get the best of both worlds: big views without the long stretch where you start wondering when it will end.

What I love about this flight style is that pilots aim to use the day. On good days, they’ll hunt for thermals, which can give you that extra surge of altitude and a longer, more scenic arc. On other days, you still glide back smoothly, with the pilot steering you toward the landing area.

The emotional arc tends to be consistent. At first, most people concentrate on breathing and staying steady. Then, as the flight smooths out, the brain stops treating it like danger and starts treating it like freedom. Many people are surprised by how calm it feels once you’re up and moving.

If you’re wondering about control, you’re in tandem the whole time. But you might get a chance for some hands-on interaction depending on conditions and pilot preference. In the team stories, one guest noted the fun of brief self-piloting, and that can be a bonus if you want more than just sightseeing.

And yes, there can be optional aerial moments. Some guests mention the pilot asking permission to do small acrobatics near touchdown. If that’s your thing, great. If you’d rather keep it smooth, you can say so. The experience is built around you feeling secure.

Landing on La Caleta Sands, Then Back Down Calmly

The landing is not just a finale. It’s part of the experience and part of why tandem paragliding feels so different from other thrill rides. Your pilot will guide the glide toward the landing area, and if conditions allow, you can touch down on the soft sands of La Caleta beach with the sound of the Atlantic waves nearby.

A beach landing has two immediate benefits:

1. It’s visually satisfying, because you can line up with the shoreline.
2. It’s usually a gentle surface compared with hard, rocky ground.

That said, beach landings still require skill. You can feel this in how guests describe their pilots focusing on a perfect, upright touchdown. You’re landing after a long glide, and that means small adjustments matter. The landing is where you learn whether your pilot is confident, because a smooth approach makes everything feel easy.

After you land, your day wraps back up quickly, and you head back to the meeting point. Since the overall activity is about 2 hours, it’s a good fit for a Tenerife itinerary where you want a major highlight without losing the whole day.

Photos and GoPro Footage: Included Filming, Paid Keepsakes, Realistic Expectations

Here’s the one part you should plan for beyond the flight itself: your captured media.

Your experience includes the GoPro camera that films your flight. But the actual photos and GoPro video footage are not included. They are available for purchase at the end.

This is also where feedback splits. Some people loved getting the footage and said it made the experience feel extra shareable later. Others felt the media pricing is high, and they questioned the quality of the GoPro gear used for filming.

The crew’s response clarifies a key point that affects your expectations. They allow you to use your own camera if it’s secured properly, such as chest mounted or on a selfie stick with a safety backup cable. They do not allow clients to attach their camera to their sticks, because their setup uses secure attachments and it would be too fiddly and riskier to swap.

So here’s the practical take:

• If you want a cinematic record without worrying about your own gear during flight, buying the edited or curated footage can be worth it to you.
• If you are cost-sensitive or you prefer taking your own photos, you might decide to bring your camera and skip the purchase.

One reported price mentioned for GoPro footage was 30 euros. That gives you a concrete number to anchor your decision. If you want those keepsakes, consider budgeting for it up front so there are no surprises at the end.

My advice: decide before you land. If you know you’ll want to relive it, plan for the optional footage. If you’re happy with your own memories and a couple of photos, you can treat the footage option as a nice extra rather than an obligation.

Who This Tandem Flight Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This tandem flight is built for most participants. The max passenger weight is 100 kg. Children above age 4 can participate. That makes it one of the more accessible adventure activities on the south side, compared with activities that are strict about experience level.

It is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, so if that’s part of your group’s needs, you should look for another activity.

Who this suits best:

• First-time thrill seekers who want to feel safe and guided
• Couples and friends who want a shared highlight with a private-group feel
• Anyone who loves the idea of a coastal view plus a real soft landing on sand

Who should reconsider:

• If you dislike paying for optional add-ons, the media purchase at the end may frustrate you.
• If you have mobility limitations that make gear fitting, walking steps, or landing support difficult, this one may not be the right match.

Booking Smart: Timing, Weather, and What to Bring

Book ahead. This flight is commonly reserved about 19 days in advance on average, which is a clue that the best weather windows on Tenerife get snapped up.

Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important because paragliding is one of those activities where “almost good” can still be unsafe.

What to bring is straightforward:

• Sports shoes (loan shoes may be available)
• Sunglasses
• Your confirmation details on your mobile ticket

If you’re traveling in the south resorts, you’re likely already close to pickup zones. That reduces friction and makes the whole experience feel smoother from the first minute.

Also, confirm your comfort with heights beforehand. Even though tandem paragliding can feel controlled and safe, it still involves a run, a lift, and open air. If you have acrophobia, you may feel better if you talk to your pilot early. They can guide you through what to expect step-by-step.

Should You Book Silver 1000m Paragliding Above South Tenerife?

I’d book it if you want a standout Tenerife experience that feels engineered for first-timers. The combination of a guided tandem flight, clear briefing, and the chance for a beach landing on La Caleta sands makes this a high “wow per hour” activity.

I’d pause if optional media pricing would ruin your day. The flight itself is the main event, but the photo and video add-on is clearly part of the business model. If that’s a dealbreaker, plan how you’ll handle it, either by budgeting for the footage or by relying on your own camera setup where allowed.

Overall, this is one of those experiences that many people describe as both exhilarating and safe, with pilots who focus on comfort and control. If you come prepared with sports shoes and sunglasses, and you pick it because you want a guided float with big coastal views, it’s a strong choice for your south Tenerife days.

FAQ

How long is the paragliding experience?

The activity is about 2 hours total, and the time flying is typically 30 to 40 minutes.

How high do you fly?

You fly from roughly 1000 feet, which is about 330 meters.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered within the main South Tenerife resort area, between Los Cristianos and Callao Salvaje, and the meeting point is in Costa Adeje.

What equipment is included?

All necessary paragliding equipment is included, along with liability insurance. A harness and helmet are provided, and a GoPro camera films the flight.

Are photos and GoPro videos included?

No. Photos and GoPro video footage are available for purchase.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring sports shoes and sunglasses. Shoes may be available for loan if necessary.

Is it suitable for children and for people with reduced mobility?

Children above age 4 can participate. The activity is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.