Last verified: January 22, 2025

Paragliding at the Costa Adeje Base

The flying experience

Costa Adeje is the paragliding region on the island that has most infrastructure for both local and visiting pilots. The unique volcanic landscape, with its mix of rocky cliffs, lush valleys, and beaches, makes for the most epic flying. Locals regularly fly here, and the conditions are so good that some competitions have been held in the area.

Launch and landing info

Meeting Point
The locals meet at the Coqueluche bar, which is also the main landing site. There you can ask other pilots about the access to the take-off site and the current flight conditions.

Taucho Launch
Near Adeje, Taucho is the most popular and frequently visited paragliding site. In about 15 minutes you can drive up by car on an asphalt access road, where a parking spot is available right next to the launch area. Taucho is situated at an elevation of 764 meters, the launch direction is SW, and from here you can see the mountains and coastline. This relatively technical takeoff is has no grass, but there are some carpets to protect your glider from the rough terrain. With favorable launch conditions, this launch can accommodate up to 20 paragliders at once, which is great on the busy days in the high season. The surrounding landscape is home to unique cacti, some with spikes up to 5 cm long. Whether this is great for botanical enthusiasts, you do not want to land in those!

Landing zone.
The main landing site is a pretty precise spot landing, on Playa de la Enramada, right next to the Coqueluche Bar. It is good to note that this is not an official landing site and you might be told off. However, it is used by many tandem companies and solo pilots that are flying this region.

To find the landing zone from the take-off, look for some points of reference, like the McDonald’s pole or the long white hotel that is near the landing site. Whereas it is visible from the launch, don’t expect to make it there on glide. On good days you can thermal in favorable conditions, fly to the beach, enjoy a cold drink and watch the sunset.

Alternative landings.
If you don’t make it to this beach, there are several options between the highway, Coqueluche and beach. Take into account that available landing spots change every year due to construction. By McDonald’s you have a long landing site, and some prefer to land right behind the ‘Trebol’ supermarket as this is where the shuttle leaves.

What is exciting about this place?

The coastal views are incredible, and the mountains offer a totally rugged volcanic backdrop to your flights here. The unofficial beach landing (if you make it there) is right next to the Coqueluche beach bar, very convenient for an after-flight drink on the beach.

Is it beginner friendly?

The south of Tenerife is a place for intermediate pilots and above looking to hone skills and keep them sharp, not for beginners looking to learn the fundamentals. Pilots should be aware of their skill level versus flying conditions. The take-offs are technical and unforgiving. There are not many landing options, the winds are changeable. If you don't have thermal experience, this is also not a good place for you to start learning. Unfortunately this is a place of many incidents, and the one’s that walk out often need surgery to remove the cactus.

Useful Contacts and Info

1 12

What are the local regulations?

There are several places pilots must not fly. These include:
- The Los Cristianos ridge (CTR),
- Montaña Roja in El Medano (CTR)
- Teide National Park.” Teide National Park is named for Mount Teide, a towering volcano in the centre of the island and at 3,718m Spain’s highest peak. You are not allowed to fly the Teide volcano, above the crater of Teide, or above or close to the Izaña Observatory.
- There are also some other flying sites in the north of the island that are in the CTR, and therefore illegal to fly.

You need a pilot licence and insurance, covering medical and helicopter rescue, and third party.

Landing on the (sand) beach in Costa Adeje (N28.092 W16.745) is strictly prohibited and controlled by local police to avoid injuries of people on the beach.

Landing on rocky black beach westwards (N28.0924 W16.7466) or even pirate beach (N28.0976 W16.7515) is tolerated (but better not push your luck).

Know before you go

Flying from Taucho, and other launch sites in the Adeje region requires careful preparation. The winds are often influenced by the lee of Teide, with northerly or northeasterly winds at higher altitudes, so it’s crucial to check the alignment of windsocks before taking off. Local weather knowledge is essential, and the takeoff area can be technical. Visiting pilots are advised to increase their safety margins and have a backup landing plan to avoid landing in cacti or on large stones. The terrain can be tricky, so it’s important to always fly with caution and consult local pilots for up-to-date information on the flying conditions.

Tenerife is a rewarding place to fly but can be difficult for mainland pilots to adapt to, with a mix of thermic activity, sea breezes and trade winds making the aerology complex and subject to change. On this side of the island you fly in the lee of the Teide Volcano, so wind directions are important to check. Pilots need to be adept at launching in thermic conditions, able to land in often tight landing zones with cactusses, and have an understanding of island weather.

It is a place for intermediate pilots and above looking to hone skills and keep them sharp, not beginners looking to learn the fundamentals. Pilots should be aware of their skill level versus flying conditions.

Keep in mind to not leave trash, and fly away from the area when there’s a rescue helicopter, and only land on beaches that are authorised for landing, and only when there are not too many people. And, of course, stay away from the cacti.

Shuttles
You can get a shuttle for 10€ per ride.

Flying rules
- Same as everywhere in terms of right of way etc...
- Do not fly if local pilots are on the ground.
- Check for hard left or right wind on the start.
- Try to land fast if you see white waves on the sea.
- You can't reach the beach on a glide, so need to check alternative landings before flying.

Fees
No fees for take off or landing.

Emergency
In case of emergency call 112. If necessary when calling this number, they will send helicopter.

  • Terrain

    • Coast
    • Mountain

  • Pilot level

    • Independent
    • Expert

  • Flying Style

    • Hike and Fly
    • Tandem
    • Cross Country
    • Paramotor

  • Best Season

    • November
    • December
    • January
    • February
    • March

Paragliding at the Costa Adeje Base

Climate and Weather

When is best to go fly here?

November to April

How are the flying conditions?

This area above Adeje is thermic. Not a soaring site like some other launches on the island. The thermals are tight and varying between more turbulent and more smooth days. This coast is one of the more potent spots to fly in the canary islands. It is the highest island of all, consisting of a 3718m volcano, the tallest in Spain.

The prevailing wind is north-east, which hits the mountain range. The flying is on the lee side of this mountain. This means the take-off is South-west facing. The take-off is best when thermic air comes in. From here you can thermal fly the 25 km length of the SW side of the island.

It is incredibly hot here, in the summer its like 40 degrees Celcius at the take-off, because of the inversions it can be more hot at takeoff than at landing.

What is the temperature like?

During the winter season, Tenerife offers a mild and pleasant climate, particularly near Costa Adeje, which is located on the island's southern coast. In this area, winter temperatures typically range from 18°C (64°F) during the day to 22°C (72°F) in the warmest periods, with nighttime temperatures dipping to around 14°C (57°F). When it is sunny, which is usually the case, it feels warmer than that. The coastal areas are generally sunny and dry, making it ideal for paragliding, though you may want to bring some layers for the evenings when it can be cooler, and for flying too.

As you head into the mountains, particularly in areas like the Teide National Park or the Anaga Mountains, the weather becomes much colder and can be quite variable. At higher altitudes, temperatures can drop significantly, especially at night, with daytime highs averaging around 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F), but they can feel colder due to wind chill.

If you plan to hike or paraglide in these areas, bring warm clothing, such as a jacket, layers, and a hat, as well as gloves, particularly if you're going higher than 2,000 meters (6,561 feet). The weather can also be unpredictable, so it's advisable to carry waterproof clothing in case of rain or sudden weather changes.

Costa Adeje Base

The Travel Experience

How to get there?

To get to Adeje from the Tenerife South airport you can get a plastic bus card from a machine outside, for 2 euros. You load some money on it, like 10 euros and then you can take a bus to Costa Adeje. From there it depends. Going to Adeje town you take the bus 447 from Costa Adeje. You can travel with several people on one bus card. Takes about an hour if you know what you are doing. You can bring as much luggage as you want. The bus drivers are very accommodating.

Ubers seem to cost about 70 euros at the time of writing (Nov 2024) and take about 30 minutes. Alternatively you can rent a car to be picked up at the Airport, but you must book these in advance, preferably with time to get a good price.

Nearest airport: The Reina Sofía Airport (Tenerife South)

What to bring?

Check out our Packing List to find out what to bring on a paragliding trip. Apart from this list, the locals recommend you should bring: Good vibes and a pincet in case you land in a cactus.

What to do on your day off?

This place is a paradise for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers alike. Whether you're soaking up the sun on the golden sands of Playa de las Teresitas, hiking through the lunar-like landscapes of Teide National Park, or exploring the charming streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife or La Laguna (lovely town), Whale-watching off the coast, sampling delicious Canarian cuisine, or dancing the night away at a local fiesta.

Near Adeje we recommend:
- If you don’t like tourists and like cliffy beaches, then from the landing beach you can walk north to Playa de los Morteros, and then hike up (and down) to Playa nudista Diego Hernández (which unfortunately is not really a nude-beach anymore).
- If you’d like to go for another hike, behind the town of Adeje, there is a gorgeous hike called ‘Barranco del Infierno’. They close at about 2pm and you better reserve a ticket.
- Have a car? Then definitely drive up to the foot of the Teide Volcano, it makes a nice daytrip through a terrain that looks like you are on a different planet. If you plan to go up with the gondola, you must reserve a week ahead of time usually.
- Go see the ‘Gigantes’. About a 30 min drive north you can visit a town called ‘Puerto de Santiago’ and go to the viewpoints to see los Gigantes. A great way to explore these huge cliffs is by kayak, SUP, or go on a Jetski tour. There are also diving and fishing tours that depart from here.
- Another beautiful place is the Charco Tancón, for those who love to snorkel and swim. This is near the Gigantes view point.
- Feel like going on a boat? Or dive or fishing trip?There are quite some ships that you can join from ‘Puerto Colón’. From catamarans to big pirate ships.

Where do pilots stay?

1 4

Where do pilots eat, drink and hang?

1 4

Fly with a School, Instructor or Guide

Fly and Travel in

Tenerife

There are some incredible places to fly in Tenerife. Find out more about paragliding in Tenerife, and how to make the most of your trip.

Learn more…

Fly at the Costa Adeje Base

Join our Whatsapp group in Tenerife

Introduce yourself, ask questions, share experiences, and connect with the local pilots.

Join Group…

Suggestions and Questions

Virtual Coffee

Join Puffy Cloud for a coffee or tea, and let’s talk about paragliding at the Costa Adeje Base.

Chat with us…