Paragliding in Tenerife: my tandem flight over Adeje

For my birthday, Miriam gifted me something I'd been wanting to try for ages: a paragliding flight in Tenerife. I'll admit I went up with a knot of nerves, but the experience didn't disappoint me one bit. Let me tell you what it's like to soar over the Adeje coast hanging from a paraglider… coming up with me?

The meeting point: the Trébol hypermarket in Adeje

We met the company at the Trébol hypermarket in Adeje. From what we saw, it's the usual meeting point for almost all the companies that offer this activity, though most also pick you up at your hotel — handy if you're on holiday on the island. We booked the 10:00 flight, the first slot of the day, and got really lucky: after more than a week of calima, the sky had finally turned blue again.

By the way, do you know what calima is? In the Canaries that's what we call the dust in the air that blows over from the Sahara desert. When it's heavy, visibility drops a lot — exactly what you don't want for flying — but that day the sky was a beautiful clear blue.

Take-off from La Quinta, at 1,000 metres

A van took us up to La Quinta. Miriam had booked me the highest-altitude flight: I'd be launching from 1,000 metres. From where the van dropped us to the launch point we walked about 10 minutes carrying the gear — the bags with the paragliders are huge, though they weigh less than they look. As we got closer, I'll admit the nerves started to kick in.

Luckily I'd booked the photo and video pack, so I started filming the surroundings with the GoPro, which took my mind off it. Meanwhile Gustavo, my instructor — from Overfly Tenerife — was getting everything ready. I only had to do two things: run on his signal and not stop running until the jump.

What it feels like to paraglide

A few seconds running, a little jump… and suddenly I was up in the sky, with a bag on my back and nothing under my feet but the spectacular Adeje landscape. The first thing I thought was that it hadn't been as hard as I'd imagined. A bit of advice: keep your mind busy before you jump and don't dwell on anything going wrong, because it won't. Just enjoy it.

During the flight, the instructor pointed out the places we were flying over. Honestly, I felt very comfortable: you never get that falling sensation — it's more like being an eagle gliding in search of its prey. After about 20 minutes of flying and chatting with Gustavo, we started heading for the landing area.

I asked him for a triumphant arrival, so he threw in a few spins and I felt like I was on a rollercoaster — I loved discovering everything you can do with a paraglider. We landed on La Caleta beach, flawless. The look on my daughter's face as she watched me fly in to the beach was priceless. We packed up the paraglider together while I told her, still buzzing with adrenaline, what I'd felt up there.

With kids: can children fly?

If you're going with little ones, this is for you. The minimum age to fly is usually 6, and under-18s must be accompanied by a guardian. The youngest still enjoy it from the ground — like my daughter, waiting for me on the sand — but for an adventure-loving teenager it can be an unforgettable treat. That said, it's a high-adrenaline activity: if your child is very anxious, they may enjoy watching the take-off and landing more than flying.

What to bring and what to know before booking

I wasn't sure what to wear to jump. It was August and over 30 degrees, so I went with shorts and a short-sleeved polo. For footwear I was clear: something comfortable and secure. I'd recommend bringing sunglasses — the wind really bothers your eyes on the way down — and, if you like, a small bag, which fits in the paraglider rucksack.

• Maximum passenger weight: around 100–105 kg, for safety.
• Minimum age: 6 (under-18s accompanied by a guardian).
• You can't hold anything in your hands — no phone or camera. That's why the pilot's photo pack is worth it.
• If you get motion sick easily, consider taking something before the flight.
• Not suitable for pregnant women or people with reduced mobility.

How much does it cost and how to book?

Today, this tandem flight with Overfly Tenerife starts at around €129 per person, with free pick-up at several points in the south of the island (Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos…). It's not a cheap plan, but for what you experience I thought it was worth every euro, especially with the photo and video pack included. A couple of things I appreciated: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the flight.

Book your paragliding flight in Adeje

Is paragliding in Tenerife worth it?

For me, a resounding yes. It's one of those experiences you remember for years, and seeing Tenerife from the air — the Adeje coast, the ocean, the ravines — is hard to beat. I'll be honest: it depends a lot on the weather (calima or wind can ruin your day), it's not cheap, and it's not for anyone who really hates heights or gets motion sick. If none of that puts you off, go for it: you'll struggle to find a better adventure on the island.

I made a video of the flight