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Best Tenerife excursions: tours and activities worth booking
Best Tenerife excursions: the tours and activities worth booking in 2026
Tenerife has more excursions on offer than any other Canary Island. The problem isn’t finding something to do. It’s figuring out which Tenerife excursions are actually worth your time and money, and which are generic bus-and-stop tourist traps.
This guide covers the best Tenerife tours and activities you can book through CanaryVIP, with real details on what each one involves, how long it takes, what it costs, and who it’s best for. All Tenerife excursions listed here include hotel pickup from south Tenerife and come with CanaryVIP’s Best Price Guarantee.
1. Jet ski safari along the south coast
One of the most popular Tenerife excursions for good reason. You ride a jet ski along the Costa Adeje coastline, past cliffs, into coves, and through open water. On the longer tours you reach the Los Gigantes cliffs, which look completely different from sea level than from land.
Three tour options: 1 hour (Costa Adeje coastal run), 2 hours (extended coastal route with stops), and 2.5 hours (the full Los Gigantes safari). Prices from €85 per person. No previous experience needed. Yamaha and Kawasaki jet skis. Safety briefing and life jackets included. You’ll likely see dolphins, and possibly turtles.
Best for: Couples, groups, anyone who wants an adrenaline hit with actual scenery. The 2.5-hour Los Gigantes safari is the one most people recommend.
2. Teide quad safari
A 3-hour guided quad bike tour through the volcanic landscape on the way up to Teide National Park. The route starts from Chio or Guia de Isora and takes you through pine forests, lava fields, and mountain villages. The quads are fully automatic, so no manual gear changing and no previous quad experience required.
From €98 per person. Valid driving licence required. Hotel pickup from south Tenerife included. Morning and sunset departures available. Helmets and gloves provided.
The Teide quad safari is a different way to see the volcanic landscape compared to a standard bus tour. You’re actually riding through it rather than looking at it through a window. One of the more distinctive Tenerife excursions.
Best for: People who want to see Teide’s landscape but find bus tours boring. Couples, groups of friends. Not suitable for very young children.
3. Whale watching and boat excursions
About 500 pilot whales and 250 bottlenose dolphins live permanently in the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera. Sighting rates on boat trips from the south coast are close to 100%. This isn’t a “maybe you’ll see something” situation. You will almost certainly see whales and dolphins.
Boat excursions from Puerto Colon range from 2-hour whale watching trips to 4.5-hour tours that include the Los Gigantes cliffs, swimming stops, and onboard lunch. Options include large catamarans (Freebird, Royal Delfin), smaller sailboats, and private yacht charters.
The most popular Tenerife tours in this category are the Freebird catamaran (3-hour and 4.5-hour options) and the Royal Delfin (family-friendly, glass bottom viewing).
Best for: Everyone. Families with kids, couples, groups. The most universally enjoyable of all Tenerife excursions. Book a morning departure for calmer seas.
Browse all boat excursions Tenerife
4. Teide guided bus tour
The classic Tenerife tour. A full-day guided bus trip to Teide National Park with hotel pickup. You drive through changing climate zones (from coastal desert to pine forest to volcanic moonscape), stop at viewpoints, and visit the Teide cable car station. The cable car ride to 3,555 metres is usually optional (extra cost, around €40 return).
The Teide guided bus tour runs on Tue, Wed, Sat, and Sun. About 7 hours total. English and Spanish commentary. The guide explains the geology, the climate zones, and the history of the eruptions. Good value if you don’t want to rent a car or deal with the Teide road yourself.
Best for: First-time visitors, older travellers, families, anyone who wants to see Teide without driving. Combine with the stargazing tour on a different evening for the full Teide experience.
5. Siam Park
Voted best water park in Europe multiple times. Thai-themed architecture, 24°C heated water, and slides that range from gentle to terrifying (the Tower of Power drops you through a shark aquarium). The wave pool (Wave Palace) generates some of the biggest artificial waves in the world. Mai Thai River is a lazy river through landscaped gardens.
Open daily, 10am to 5pm (6pm in summer). Standard tickets from around €40 adults, €28 children. VIP cabanas available (€610 to €1,215 depending on size). Siam Night runs Jul-Aug (€45 adults, €32 children, 6pm to midnight).
This isn’t technically an excursion but it’s one of the top things to do in Tenerife and a full day’s activity. Buy tickets through CanaryVIP for the best price.
Best for: Families, groups, couples. Anyone who enjoys water parks. Full day activity.
6. Loro Parque
Tenerife’s other major theme park, in Puerto de la Cruz on the north coast. Started as a parrot park (they still have over 350 parrot species, one of the world’s largest collections) and expanded into a full zoo with orcas, dolphins, penguins (Planet Penguin is one of the world’s largest penguin enclosures), gorillas, jaguars, and a large aquarium.
Shows run throughout the day (dolphin show, orca show, parrot show). The park is well maintained and genuinely interesting for both kids and adults. The Twin Ticket (Siam Park + Loro Parque) is good value if you plan to do both.
Best for: Families with children, animal enthusiasts. Full day if you want to see everything including shows.
7. La Gomera day trip
A full-day excursion to the neighbouring island of La Gomera. The tour includes the Fred Olsen ferry from Los Cristianos (about 50 minutes), a guided bus tour of the island, and a visit to Garajonay National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site, ancient laurel forest). You also visit the capital San Sebastian, the Silbo Gomero demonstration (the island’s whistled language), and several viewpoints.
The La Gomera guided tour is one of the Tenerife excursions that feels like a completely different trip. La Gomera is much smaller, greener, and quieter than Tenerife. The laurel forests in Garajonay are genuinely atmospheric. Lunch usually included.
Best for: People who’ve already done the main Tenerife tours and want something different. Nature lovers. Anyone interested in Canarian culture beyond the resort strip.
8. Horse riding
Guided horseback rides through the Tenerife countryside. Routes go through forests, along rural paths, and past volcanic landscapes. Suitable for beginners (the horses are trained for inexperienced riders) and experienced riders. Shorter rides available for families with children.
A quieter Tenerife excursion compared to jet skis and quad bikes. Good for people who want to be outdoors but prefer a slower pace. The guides provide basic instruction before you set off.
Best for: Families, couples, anyone who likes horses and doesn’t need adrenaline.
How to choose the right Tenerife excursion
If you only have time for one or two Tenerife tours, here’s how to pick:
First time in Tenerife? Whale watching boat trip + Teide guided tour. These cover the two things Tenerife is most known for: marine life and the volcano.
With young kids? Siam Park + Loro Parque. The Twin Ticket covers both.
Want adrenaline? Jet ski safari (2.5-hour Los Gigantes) + Teide quad safari.
Second visit? La Gomera day trip + stargazing at Teide. Things most first-timers skip.
Want to explore independently? Rent a car for 2 to 3 days and use our planning guide to build your own itinerary.
Book Tenerife excursions with CanaryVIP
All Tenerife excursions through CanaryVIP include hotel pickup from south Tenerife, Best Price Guarantee, and free cancellation.
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