BRONZE tandem paragliding flight in South Tenerife, free pick up

The best part of this Bronze tandem flight is the sudden change from hillside to open sky. After a short run beside your pilot, you lift away from Tenerife and look down on Costa Adeje, the Atlantic, and the volcanic slopes. If the air is kind, your pilot may find rising currents and keep you aloft longer.

I like the free pickup within South Tenerife, which removes the trouble of finding the takeoff point. I also like the calm, personal guidance from pilots such as Lukasz, Lucas, Gigi, and Mike, plus the chance to land on La Caleta beach when conditions allow.

The main catch is that the flight depends on weather, and the GoPro photos and video cost extra. You must also run when told at takeoff, wear sensible clothing, and accept that the flight may be shorter or less dramatic than the best examples described.

Key points before you book

• Launch from the hills above Costa Adeje: The trip begins with a scenic drive up in an air-conditioned Mercedes Vito.
• Tandem flying keeps the controls with your pilot: You follow instructions while the pilot handles the glider and searches for suitable thermals.
• Air time can vary: Examples range from about 15 minutes to 25 minutes, while the complete outing lasts around two hours.
• La Caleta may be your landing place: A soft beach landing is possible when wind and flight conditions allow.
• The team works well with nervous first-timers: Clear instructions and a gentle flight style can make a major difference.
• Bring sports shoes and sunglasses: Equipment is included, but personal footwear and eyewear are recommended. Loan items may be available.

From Costa Adeje to the takeoff hillside

Your outing starts with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in the main South Tenerife resort zone, from Los Cristianos through Costa Adeje and as far as Callao Salvaje. The meeting point is also given as Urbanizacion Poligono 9, 15, in Costa Adeje.

The drive matters more than it may sound. You are not expected to arrange a taxi to a remote launch site or carry a helmet and harness across town. The Mercedes Vito takes you uphill in air conditioning, and the ride gives you an early look at the changing scenery around Costa Adeje.

The company also handles pickup times directly. Alona, also spelled Aliona in some details, has driven some departures and has been praised for being punctual, friendly, and helpful with island tips. Simon is another familiar face associated with the operation and may meet you during the pickup and setup.

This is a private activity for your own group, although the vehicle may collect other booked participants before heading to the takeoff area. The overall experience takes about two hours, so allow room in your day for transport, preparation, flight, and the return to the meeting point.

What happens before you leave the ground

At the hillside, you receive the basic paragliding equipment: harness, helmet, and the flying gear required for the tandem flight. A GoPro is supplied to record the flight, but the photos and video are available for an extra charge rather than being part of the $133.08 price.

The pilot then explains takeoff, the flight, and landing. The instructions are simple, but they matter. When the pilot tells you to run, you need to run forward with purpose. One passenger described an aborted first attempt after sitting down too soon, followed by a successful launch on the second try. The practical lesson is clear: listen closely and keep moving until the pilot says otherwise.

You do not need previous paragliding experience. The pilot manages the glider, and you sit in the harness once airborne. Still, this is an active experience at the start and finish, not a ride where you remain completely still from beginning to end.

Some people feel nervous on the hillside, especially if they dislike heights. The pilots generally use a calm tone and explain what you should do next. Gigi, Lukasz, Lucas, and Mike have each been singled out for clear instructions and steady handling, but your assigned pilot can vary.

The takeoff: a short run and a strange lift

The launch is the moment when your nerves are most likely to appear. You stand with the pilot, follow the instructions, and run as the glider fills with air. After only a few steps, the ground drops away and the harness takes your weight.

The sensation is less like jumping and more like being lifted from a slope. The pilot helps you settle into the harness once you are airborne, which is important because the sitting position can feel more secure than you expect.

The early seconds are not the time to fight the equipment or look for a perfect photograph. Keep your attention on the pilot’s instructions. Once you are comfortable, look outward. Costa Adeje’s resort coast, the Atlantic, and the volcanic slopes below form the main show.

This is also the part where weather has the greatest say. A takeoff may need to be adjusted if the wind shifts, and the company can cancel or move the flight if conditions are poor. That is frustrating if you have planned the activity around a fixed day, but it is the right tradeoff for an air sport.

Above Costa Adeje with a running commentary

Once you settle into the harness, the flight becomes surprisingly quiet and gentle. The pilot flies from behind or above your seated position, using the controls and reading the air. You can ask questions, and the pilot provides commentary about the sights below and how the glider works.

I like this educational part because it gives the flight more shape than simply floating over the coast. You learn why the glider turns, how the pilot searches for rising air, and what you are looking at below. Pilots such as Lukasz and Gigi have been praised for explaining each stage, while Lucas has been noted for adjusting the level of excitement for a first flight.

The experience is not identical for every departure. On a smooth day, the pilot may focus on a relaxed ride with broad views. If the air allows, the pilot can use thermal updrafts to gain height and extend the time in the air. One flight reached about 25 minutes, while another was described as roughly 15 minutes.

Some pilots may offer turns or more playful movements toward the end, but those are not guaranteed. You can tell the pilot if you want a gentle flight, and the examples from nervous first-timers suggest that the team can keep things conservative. If you want more excitement, ask what the conditions allow rather than assuming a particular stunt is included.

The views are the strongest reason to choose this activity. From the air, the coast is no longer a string of roads and hotels. You see the shape of the shoreline, the slopes above Costa Adeje, and the Atlantic opening out beyond the beach. The exact route and height depend on the weather and the pilot’s decisions.

GoPro footage and the extra cost

A GoPro camera is part of the setup, so you do not need to hold a phone while flying. That is useful because your hands and attention are better kept free for the takeoff, the view, and the pilot’s instructions.

The important price detail is that the recorded photos and video are not included in the advertised $133.08 per person. They can be purchased afterward, and one person considered the roughly €30 photo cost high.

I would decide before takeoff how much the footage matters to you. If you mainly want the experience, skip the extra purchase and enjoy the flight. If this is a birthday gift or a once-only adventure, the recording may be worth adding, especially since you cannot safely create your own in-flight video.

You should also bring sunglasses. The sun and wind can be strong above the coast. Sports shoes are recommended for the launch and landing, and the company says loaner items may be available if needed.

The flight down to La Caleta beach

The final part of the flight is a gradual return toward the landing area. If conditions allow, the pilot guides the glider down to the soft sands of La Caleta beach, where you touch down on your feet.

A beach landing gives the outing a satisfying finish. You begin on a mountain slope and end beside the Atlantic, often with the sound of waves nearby. It also removes the worry of landing on a hard urban surface, though the exact landing point cannot be promised because wind and safety come first.

Your role is simple but important here too. Follow the pilot’s directions, prepare your legs, and keep moving as instructed. A clean landing depends on timing and cooperation between you and the pilot.

After landing, the activity returns to the meeting point. The exact transfer details can depend on the day’s arrangements, so keep the rest of your schedule flexible rather than booking a tight dinner or excursion immediately afterward.

How much value do you get for $133.08?

At $133.08 per person, this is not a low-cost sightseeing ride. You are paying for trained tandem-pilot service, equipment, liability insurance, vehicle transfer, and access to a view that is difficult to reach in any ordinary way.

The free pickup makes the price easier to accept. A separate taxi up the mountain and back could quickly reduce the difference, and you also avoid having to coordinate the launch site yourself. The private group format is another benefit if you prefer a personal outing rather than a large boat or bus excursion.

The value depends on what you want from the flight. If you only want a long time in the air, note that the full activity lasts about two hours but the actual flight may be closer to 15 minutes. Thermals can extend the flight, but no duration is guaranteed.

If you value the view, the pilot commentary, and the chance to try a genuine air sport without prior experience, the price is easier to justify. If the GoPro footage is important, add that cost to your mental budget before booking.

Who should book this tandem flight?

This suits adults, older children, and first-timers who can follow instructions and manage the short run at takeoff. The minimum stated age is above four years, and an eight-year-old has completed the flight with a parent present. The maximum passenger weight is 100 kilograms.

The activity is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. You also need enough confidence to take part in the launch and landing process. A fear of heights does not automatically rule it out, but you should tell the team if you are anxious so the pilot can plan a calm flight.

It is a good choice for a birthday, a special holiday day, or anyone who has watched the paragliders above Costa Adeje and wondered what it feels like from the harness. It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed landing beach, a fixed flight length, or included video.

The company has a strong overall rating of 4.9 from 257 reviews, with 97 percent recommending the experience. That does not remove the usual risks or weather limits, but it supports the picture of a well-organized operation with pilots who are used to handling first-time nerves.

Booking tips for a smoother day

Book with the weather in mind. The flight needs good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Wear trousers or other practical clothing rather than delicate holiday clothes. One passenger’s aborted launch caused a sore tailbone and leg, though the second attempt went well. The best preparation is simple: wear sports shoes, listen carefully, and do not sit down during the launch until the pilot tells you to.

Bring sunglasses, and consider a light jumper because the air can feel cold once you gain height. The company can loan sports shoes and sunglasses if necessary, but it is easier to arrive prepared.

Keep your schedule open around the two-hour outing. Pickup times, the mountain drive, weather checks, and the final transfer all need a little breathing room.

Should you book Airsports Tenerife Paragliding?

I would book this if you want a real first-flight experience rather than a passive attraction. The strongest points are the hotel pickup, tandem setup, scenic flight above Costa Adeje, clear pilot support, and possible beach landing at La Caleta.

I would hesitate only if you dislike heights, cannot manage a short run, need guaranteed air time, or feel unhappy paying extra for photos and video. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see South Tenerife from a completely different angle, with enough support to make the experience approachable for a first attempt.

FAQ

Where does the tandem paragliding flight take place?

The activity takes place in South Tenerife, above the Costa Adeje area. Pickup is available within the main resort zone from Los Cristianos through Costa Adeje to Callao Salvaje.

How long does the experience last?

The complete experience lasts approximately two hours. The time spent in the air can vary, with examples of around 15 to 25 minutes depending on weather and thermal conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup is offered from locations within the main South Tenerife resort area between Los Cristianos and Callao Salvaje. The listed meeting point is in Costa Adeje.

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No. This is a tandem flight with a pilot, and the pilot explains the takeoff, flight, and landing procedures. You must still follow instructions and run during takeoff when told.

What is the maximum passenger weight?

The maximum passenger weight is 100 kilograms.

Can children take part?

Children above the age of four can take part, according to the stated conditions. The activity is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Are photos and GoPro videos included?

No. The GoPro camera is used to record the flight, but the photos and video footage are available for purchase separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.