Things to do in Tenerife

Diving

The sea around Tenerife quickly drops to dramatic depths, with caves and ocean wildlife that have made the island one of the best places in the world for diving. Most of the dive operators offer courses from beginner to expert, and are concentrated on the west coast in Los Gigantes, Playa San Juan and Las Galletas. If you go for diving look out for sting rays, tuna and barracuda that are amongst the natural wonders to be seen.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

Tenerife is on one of the main migration routes for whales, with one third of all the world's species passing through the Canary Islands every year. Many boats operate whale and dolphin spotting trips, including old-fashioned wooden sailing boats and modern glass-bottomed catamarans. The 'Katrin', a wooden boat, sails out of Los Gigantes on a wildlife-spotting trip and anchors in Masca Bay where you can swim and snorkel.

Windsurfing

The winds on the south coast create ideal conditions for windsurfing; the most popular spot is the bay near the town of El Medano that is rated as one of the world's best places for the sport. Surfing, jet skiing, kite surfing and just about every watersport imaginable are all popular around the island and one of the main reasons why holidaymakers visit.

Golf

Opened in 1932 the Real Club de Golf de Tenerife near Los Rodeos airport is the island's oldest golf club and the second oldest in Spain. The course is very pretty with a distinctly upmarket atmosphere. The rest of Tenerife's golf courses are centred in the south around Playa de la Americas.

Family Activities

There are plenty of attractions around Tenerife for families with children to visit. Loro Parque is one of the most popular places for a day out with hundreds of parrots, an aquarium, sea lion and dolphin shows and the world's largest Penguinarium. The AquaPark near Playa de la Americas also has dolphin shows along with an amazing range of waters rides, pools, slides and sunbathing areas. Near Los Cristianos is Tenerife Zoo, home to friendly monkeys, and Parque Las Aguilas, a jungle park with exotic animals, lagoons, waterfalls and birds of prey. You can take a camel ride in the botanical gardens at Oasis de Valle. For an interactive and informative day out take the kids to Museu de la Naturaleza y e Hombre in Santa Cruz.

Carnival

The pre-Lent carnival is the biggest festival on the island, with Latin American-style festivities filling Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz. There are two weeks of flamboyant fancy dress parties, parades and firework displays culminating on Shrove Tuesday with a grand parade. Outrageous costumes, singing and dancing are the order of the day at a carnival that is probably the best outside of Rio de Janeiro. The party draws to a close on Ash Wednesday with El Entierro de la Sardina, the burial of the sardine, a comedy funeral with silly costumes and pretend mourning.

Shopping

In Tenerife's larger towns you will find lots of mainstream shops, but there are also plenty of opportunities to buy locally made crafts and produce. Hand-rolled cigars made from island tobacco are available including novelty half-metre long ones. In the past one of Tenerife's main industries was wine-making but today these wines are hard to find abroad; head to Casa del Vino La Baranda at El Sauzal to pick up a bottle or two. You can buy traditional Canarian outfits from shops such as Artenerife at the port in Puerto de la Cruz, and several shops in the town sell quality contemporary fashion. Embroidery is an island speciality, with detailed tablecloths and cushion covers sold from a number of outlets. Pearl Jewellery is another traditional craft; Tenerife Pearl at Armenime has a range of pearl on sale and an exhibition showing their finest examples.

Walking and Hiking

Many people visit Tenerife for a walking holiday in the stunning natural beauty of the island that owes its dramatic landscapes to its volcanic past. Up until relatively recently the only way to get around Tenerife was by walking the paths that criss-cross the countryside. Today 'senderos turisticas', tourist paths, have been mapped out with some of the best trails in the Orotava Valley, the Anaga Hills and Teno Rural Park. The Parque Nacional de Teide offers more demanding treks in the foothills and lavascapes in the canadas around El Teide, the island's central mountain. Those fit enough to make it to the peak are rewarded with breathtaking views; on a clear day you can see all of the Canary Islands.

Flora and Fauna

Tenerife has a splendid island flora that is reason why many people visit. There are fantastic wild flowers growing all year round, and during the months of May and June the colourful display reaches its peak. Tenerife's climate and geographical conditions mean that many of the plants found here are unique to the island. The dry southern regions near El Medano are home to many desert-like species, while the around El Teide you can find alpine-like flowers such as Teide echium ('The Pride of Tenerfife'). Botanical collections can be seen at Jardin Aclimatacion de la Orotava, known more simply as Jardin Botanico, in Puerto de la Cruz, and at the Jardin Tropical in Playa de las Americas.

Birdwatching

While the island isn't home to a huge amount of birdlife there are some worth looking out for, including species that are unique to the island. If you are walking in the hills and forests of the National Parks you maybe lucky enough to see the blue Teide finch, the blue chaffinch, the canary and the Canary Island kinglet. The three corners of the island, Faro de Teno, Faro de la Rasca and Faro de Anaga, each have a lighthouse and it is here that you will have the best chances to spot sea birds.