Tenerife it is the largest of the Canary Islands and, like Gran Canaria, it offers a real variegated microcosm made up of constantly changing landscapes between cities, small villages, beaches with gold or pitch black sand, very high mountains and enormous volcanoes.
To fully enjoy the beauty of this island you will have to travel far and wide and that is why I have decided to recommend you the best excursions in Tenerife. In this way, in fact, you can discover the beauty of these places in total tranquility.
Most people generally visit the island as a typical beach vacation with visits to amusement parks, various boat trips, and 4 × 4 jeep safaris.
But on this list I have put together these amazing excursions in Tenerife to show you that there is so much more to it than resorts, sunbathing and amusement parks!
From the stargazing at the Teide Park towhale watching and without forgetting the eexploring the nearby untouched islands, Tenerife has so much to offer that it may be difficult to decide what you want to see.
CAUTION
For simplicity I put you on organized tours, because it's easy to book them and not have to worry about anything if not to have fun.
This doesn't mean that some of the excursions below you can't do it alone, maybe by renting a car and traveling in total freedom.
Indeed, looking at the details of the tours you can discover a lot of things you would never imagine to see in Tenerife!
- Excursions with whale and dolphin watching
- Boat excursions
- Excursions to the Teide National Park
- Excursion to the Anaga Natural Park
- Hike to the Barranco del Infierno
- Guided day tours of the island
- Excursions from Tenerife to other Canary Islands
- Wine tour to Tenerife
Excursions with whale and dolphin watching
One of the most beautiful experiences to live in Tenerife is definitely a 'excursion to see whales (and dolphins!)
The Canaries, in fact, thanks to a perfect water temperature and a rich marine flora and fauna, are a real paradise for cetaceans and dolphins who have settled here permanently.
You can see pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins all year round in Tenerife.
However, the best time to see migratory whales would be from November to February, when humpback whales, fin whales and sometimes blue whales pass along the coast of Tenerife.
This doesn't mean you won't see whales at other times of the year: the percentage of chance to see animals during a boat trip it is very high and among the easiest species to spot are the pilot whale, humpback whales and dolphins.
La south coast of Tenerife it is one of the best places in Europe to see these beautiful marine mammals in their natural environment.
The main place to take a tour of whale watching a Tenerife è Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje. It is an easily accessible port from Los Cristianos e Beach of the Americas, close to the beautiful La Pinta Beach e Playa Torviscas.
You can take a bus to Puerto Colon or book with a boat company that offers hotel pickup.
On the island you can easily book such an excursion: they are offered of different duration and with different itineraries almost everywhere.
I personally feel I can recommend these 3:
1 - Classic catamaran excursion (the cheapest)
The most classic (and cheapest) cruise you can find in Tenerife is this 2 hour cruise on a catamaran to spot whales and dolphins. The cruise departs from Puerto Colon and sails about 2 or 3 miles from the coast (where pilot whales are most often found because they live permanently here - they are therefore visible all year round).
The crew will give you a lot of information about the Maina life and the animals of Tenerife and you can find out all about the huge squid (they reach up to 12 meters!).
CLICK HERE to book the Classic Tour
2 - Catamaran ride with sighting and listening to cetaceans
This tour part of Puerto Colón, on the coast of Adeje and has two modes: a 3-hour tour and a 5-hour tour.
Both include a swim on the high seas, but the second option (the 5-hour one) also offers lunch on board based on Valencian paella, canary mojo e fresh fruit.
Book the catamaran tour now HERE
3 - Sailing trip with sighting of cetaceans
This third excursion also starts from Puerto Colón and takes place aboard a elegant sailing ship with a maximum capacity of 11 people.
The tour lasts 3 hours, includes a stop for a swim and during the trip you can refuel with drinks, snacks and sandwiches.
Book By clicking HERE your excursion on a sailing ship to see the whales!
Boat excursions
In addition to the exciting excursions with whale watching, there are numerous in Tenerife boat trips that you can organize to admire the island from another point of view and to enjoy a swim in the ocean waters.
It is likely that even during these boat rides you may come across groups of dolphins or whale watching equally.
There are many organized excursions but alternatively you can always decide to rent a boat independently to explore the coast.
You rent one of the boats that you can drive even without a license o a private boat with skipper.
1 - Sailboat tour from Costa Adeje
This 3 hour sailing trip will accompany you along the Costa Adeje to try to get you to meet Gray's pilot whale and the bottlenose dolphin. During the navigation there will be a stop for a dip and some snorkeling to discover the depths of Tenerife.
Book your sailing tour from Costa Adeje here
2 - Hike to Masca and Los Gigantes
An excursion lasting 4 and a half hours that will accompany you to discover the Masca Gorge, cliffs of Los Gigantes and the magnificent cetaceans living in the Canaries. The excursion includes a stop on the coast for a dip and a little relaxation in the sun.
Lunch is included in the price.
Book a boat trip to Masca and Los Gigantes here
3 - Boat trip from Punta de Teno
Fabulous excursion from tip of the Teno spectacular steep cliffs of Los Gigantes. The guides are very knowledgeable and will explain a lot of historical facts about the area.
You will sail towards the cliffs of Los Gigantes and reach the mythical beach of Masca (where the scene of the battle between Kraken and Perseus from the film was filmed Clash of the Titans) where we will stop for a swim.
The tour lasts approximately 1 hours.
Book a boat tour of Punta de Teno here
Excursions to the Teide National Park
One of the most popular destinations for an excursion to Tenerife is the Teide National Park, a place where nature is still uncontaminated and volcanoes, craters, chimneys and lava flows make the place one of the most fascinating landscapes in the world.
Just think that Teide is the most visited National Park in Europe and one of the most visited volcanoes in the globe to imagine how you too will surely be fascinated by the spectacle that will unfold before your eyes once you reach the top (also reachable by cable car).
The Teide National Park covers a large part of the territory of Tenerife (it occupies 18.990 hectares) and inside it hosts the Peak of Teide, the highest mountain in Spain.
To visit the Park there are several solutions:
Evening trekking to the Teide National Park (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): 3 hours in the middle of nature observing the starry sky! The Canary Islands are a fantastic destination for stargazing!
Guided hike on the Teide: this tour takes you to discover the most beautiful viewpoints of Teide (cable car ticket and pick up from Tenerife are included).
Tour del Teide in QUAD: for adrenaline lovers a tour not to be missed!
Jeep tour with driver: an itinerary through the Teide and the picturesque villages of the interior of the island such as Masca and Vilaflor.
The choice is yours, but don't miss the chance to discover what is probably the most incredible natural beauty in Tenerife.
See other tours on TEIDE
Excursion to the Anaga Natural Park
Among the natural areas of Tenerife, also the Rural Park of Anaga worth a visit.
It consists of 14.500 hectares of mountains with sharp peaks that turn into deep gorges that reach the sea, creating inlets and beaches that can often only be reached by sea.
The volcanic landscape of the island offers ample hiking opportunities for active travelers and the Anaga Rural Park has some of the Tenerife's best hiking trails.
The park extends over the mountains of La Laguna and Santa Cruz and is easily accessible by car. But bring hiking shoes, because my guide was not very satisfied with my Converse.
Start at the Cruz del Carmen Visitor Center and hike through the enchanted Laurisilva forest, scented with laurel leaves.
Short easy hikes include the Route of Traditions or Path of the Senses, while there are also longer hikes of several days.
Flora and fauna here have been preserved in an exceptional way, so much so that the Park has been declared Biosphere Reserve in 2015.
For a complete experience I suggest you join this guided trek in the Anaga Natural Park which will lead you inside the Forest of Enigmas among the thick woods of laurisilva.
Hike to the Barranco del Infierno
Among the excursions in Tenerife I want to recommend the one to Hell ravine (literally the “Gorge / Ravine of Hell”).
It is a narrow canyon, not far from Adeje, which is located within a protected natural area.
The path is about 6 km long and leads up to one waterfall. It will take you about three, half or four hours to complete it, depending on the speed at which you continue.
To preserve the nature of this place daily admissions are limited and it is necessary book your visit in advance.
The price for admission is 8,50 Euros for adults.
To visit the Barranco del Infierno you could join this guided tour during which a guide will tell you about the peculiarities of the local flora and fauna.
This visit will also accompany you in the streets of the town of Adeje to discover its architectural beauties.
Guided day tours of the island
Among the excursions in Tenerife that I recommend there are also one day guided tours for explore the most characteristic places of the island.
In fact, by taking part in one of these trips, you will be able to visit stops such as the city of in one day La Orotava, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, La Candelaria and the village of Garachico, but also natural places like the Treno Rural Park.
These excursions last 9 hours and include hotel pick up and drop off, but you will need to provide your own lunch.
There is aexcursion starting from the South of Tenerife e one that starts from the north of the island.
If you think that one day to visit the whole island is too little and you prefer to enjoy a more confined area, then consider these other day trips to Tenerife.
Excursion to Candelaria and the Pyramids of Güimar: Tour to discover one of the most enigmatic archaeological sites in the Canaries.
Hike to La Laguna, Taganana and Las Teresitas: You will visit the UNESCO World Heritage city of La Laguna, the village of Taganana and rest on the beach of Las Teresitas.
Hike to Los Gigantes, La Orotava and Candelaria: Tour that will take you to admire the wonderful cliffs of Los Gigantes and to discover the towns of Icod, La Orotava and Candelaria.
Cave of the Wind, Garachico and La Orotava: A guide will accompany you to three of the most iconic places in Tenerife.
Excursions from Tenerife to other Canary Islands
Le Canary Islands are an archipelago consisting of 7 islands. Some of them are far away, while others are close to each other.
Tenerife, between 7 is the one that is in the middle: from here it is possible with a day trip to visit the small one El Hierro (highly recommended), La Gomera e La Palma.
From Tenerife you can also reach Gran Canaria, but I don't recommend you do it in one day. Gran Canaria is big, and surely you could evaluate it for another trip to be dedicated only to her.
But if you decide to go there you can Check here the timetables and tickets of the ferries between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
1 - Hike to El Hierro da Tenerife
One of the best day trips from Tenerife is quella El Hierro, the smallest island of the Canary archipelago.
This small strip of mountainous land is characterized by lush peaks and a unique endemic flora: this is, in fact, the home of the giant lizard.
With this guided excursion to El Hierro you will reach the island by ferry and then you will move by bus making several stops including the Isora viewpoint, Jinama lookout point, the natural pools of La Maceta and La Peña lookout point. During the tour you will also visit the smallest hotel in the world.
2 - Excursion to La Gomera from Tenerife
La Gomera it is the second smallest island of the Canaries and is nicknamed the "Isla Magica" for the incredible variety of landscapes that follow one another in a very short space.
Canyons overlooking the sea, palm forests, volcanic beaches and millenary woods alternate with each other almost by magic.
This is probably the most exciting day trip to enjoy in Tenerife: La Gomera is a paradise for those who love nature. The Garajonay National Park it is simply a must with its spectacular forests.
La Gomera has been preserved from mass tourism and this implies that today it can be enjoyed almost intact, with interesting quaint villages.
If you decide to take a day trip to La Gomera make sure it contains both one visit to Garajonay which, if possible, a demonstration of Silbo. Silbo is a way of communicating that was used in La Gomera and that involves whistling. Why would anyone whistle instead of shouting? The sound of a whistle can travel up to 4 kilometers and this can be very useful if the landscape is rough!
Il transfer by ferry it lasts less than an hour and along the way you may be lucky and be able to spot dolphins or whales as groups of both mammals live all year round in the waters between La Gomera and Tenerife.
Below you will find an interesting option for a day trip to La Gomera which also offers pick up in the northern part of Tenerife.
A day trip to La Gomera from Tenerife is in my opinion one of the best trips to enjoy not only in Tenerife, but one of the best day tours in Spain!
CLICK HERE to see "Excursion to La Gomera from the south of Tenerife": you will take the ferry, you will reach San Sebastian de La Gomera and from there you will travel by bus towards the hinterland to reach the Roque de Agando, the natural monument symbol of the island.
The guide will then take you on a walk inside the Garajonay National Park and then in the visit of some villages such as that of Hermigua.
Finally you will look out from Vallehermoso viewpoint and you will visit the center of San Sebastián, capital of La Gomera.
Lunch is included in the price.
3 - Excursion to La Palma da Tenerife
Another day excursion from Tenerife that I recommend you to do is the one a La Palma, another of the islands of the Canary archipelago, one of the least touristy.
Wild and covered with green forests, La Palma is known to be one of the best places for stargazing at night.
If, unfortunately, you will not be able to stay on the island for more than a day, I suggest you take part in this excursion to La Palma.
Starting from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife you will reach Santa Cruz de La Palma in two and a half hours. At that point together with a guide you will visit the historical center of the city and then you will board a bus to reach one of the most fascinating places on the island: the Los Tilos wood inside the Parco Naturale di Las Nieves.
Finally, after a stop in San Andrés for lunch you will also visit a Rum distillery before returning to Tenerife.
Wine tour to Tenerife
To conclude I want to recommend another interesting day excursion to Tenerife: a wine tour (and from one who likes to drink, could you expect them not to recommend it?).
You may not know it, but the wines of the island are very renowned and owe all their uniqueness to unique climate and particular that characterizes the Canaries, ai winds of the Atlantic and volcanic soil where the vines grow.
This is why a visit to the cellars of the island is absolutely something to do.
You can organize yourself or take part in a guided excursion.
In the latter case I recommend this wine tour in the south of Tenerife lasting 8 hours that will allow you to get to know and try the different varieties of Canarian wine.
In addition, during the day you will also visit a banana plantation, probably the most famous product on the island.
