Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Las Teresitas Stand Up Paddle Course

Las Teresitas gives beginners a forgiving place to learn stand-up paddleboarding. The 1.5-kilometer white-sand beach sits near Santa Cruz, yet its protected water feels removed from the city. You learn for 20 minutes, then get about an hour to practice at your own pace.

I like two things right away: the calm water and clear views make those first wobbly attempts less stressful, and the Anaga Mountains provide a remarkable backdrop. The small group, limited to 10 people, also gives the opening lesson a more personal feel.

The main caution is simple: you must be able to swim. This is not a sightseeing cruise or a fully guided paddle the whole way. After the lesson, you are responsible for enjoying the board on your own.

Key points to know before you book

• Protected water at Las Teresitas: The beach is sheltered from waves and currents, a useful advantage for first-time paddleboarders.
• 20-minute beginner lesson: An instructor explains how to use the board before you spend roughly one hour practicing independently.
• Anaga Mountain views: You paddle beneath the Anaga Mountains, a Biosphere Reserve, with the beach and clear water in front of you.
• Small group size: No more than 10 people join the activity, which helps keep the initial instruction manageable.
• A low-cost active outing: At $21 per person, the session offers equipment, instruction, and 80 minutes at one of Tenerife’s best-known beaches.
• Swimmers only: Bring swimwear and a towel, and do not book if you cannot swim.

Why Las Teresitas is such a good place to learn

Stand-up paddleboarding can look harder than it is. You stand on a wide board, use a long paddle, and work your balance, legs, arms, and core at the same time. The first few minutes may feel awkward, but the protected setting at Las Teresitas removes one major problem: strong surf.

The beach is close to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, so this can fit neatly into a city day or a wider visit around the island’s northeast. Yet the setting does not feel like a pool. You have open water, a broad strip of white sand, and the high Anaga Mountains behind you.

That mountain view is more than a pretty background. Anaga is a Biosphere Reserve, and its presence gives the activity a clear sense of place. You are not paddling in an anonymous resort bay. You are looking toward one of Tenerife’s most distinctive natural areas while learning a sport closely tied to the sea.

Las Teresitas is also near San Andres, a fishing town known as one of the island’s attractive coastal communities. The activity gives you a reason to visit this part of Tenerife, rather than staying only in the capital or the larger resort areas.

Meeting at Teresitas Paddle Board

You meet at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach. There is no pickup or drop-off included, so you need to arrange your own way to the beach. That matters when planning your day, especially if you are staying somewhere else on Tenerife.

The meeting point is practical because the activity begins directly at the beach. You do not need a separate boat transfer or a long walk to reach the water. Bring your swimwear and towel, and keep your plans light enough that you can spend 80 minutes around the beach.

Food and drinks are not included. Las Teresitas and nearby San Andres give you options for making this part of a larger outing, but you should not expect refreshments to be part of the session itself.

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a large water-sports class, while still allowing the activity to run as a shared experience. If you are traveling with family or friends, the group size also makes it easier to take part together without splitting into separate sessions.

The first 20 minutes: getting steady on the board

The instructor begins with about 20 minutes of guidance. This is the part to take seriously. You learn how to use the board and paddle before setting off, which gives you the basic tools to manage your time on the water.

For a first lesson, the protected beach is a real advantage. You can focus on posture, balance, and paddle control instead of immediately dealing with breaking waves. The water is described as clear, and the beach is protected from waves and currents, so the setting is well suited to learning the basic movements.

The instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish. The instructor connected with many of the sessions is referred to as Cao or Caaho in the booking material, and the feedback about his teaching is especially strong. His style is described as friendly, patient, and clear, with enough explanation to help first-time participants get started quickly.

That does not mean everyone will stand perfectly on the first try. Paddleboarding still asks you to balance on a moving board. But a patient explanation can make the difference between feeling lost and understanding what your feet, hands, and paddle should be doing.

Listen carefully during this opening lesson. The more you understand at the start, the more useful your independent hour will be. Ask for help if you are unsure about handling the board or paddle. The instructor is there at the beginning, so use that time well.

The next hour: paddling along the beach

After the lesson, you have about one hour to enjoy stand-up paddleboarding on your own. This is not a continuous guided route with a guide leading you to a series of stops. Instead, you get time to practice, gain confidence, and paddle along the beach at your own speed.

That format suits some people better than a tightly managed tour. You can spend more time close to shore if you are still finding your balance, or cover more of the beach if you become comfortable quickly. One person who had never tried paddleboarding before was able to learn the basics and enjoy paddling along the beach line, helped by the calm conditions and initial instruction.

The open practice period also lets you decide what kind of experience you want. You might focus on improving your stroke, test how well you can turn, or simply stand still for a while and take in the view. The activity works as both light exercise and a quiet break from sightseeing.

Paddleboarding uses much of your body. Your legs and core help with balance, while your arms and shoulders work the paddle. At the same time, the calm rhythm can feel relaxing. That mix makes this a good choice if you want an active experience without committing to a demanding full-day excursion.

The main limit is supervision. Once the first lesson ends, you are not receiving constant coaching. Beginners who need close instruction throughout the session may prefer a more structured class. If you are comfortable practicing independently, the hour gives you useful freedom.

The Anaga Mountains and the San Andres setting

The view is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular beach. From the water, you look toward the Anaga Mountains, a protected area recognized as a Biosphere Reserve. The mountains frame the beach and add a natural sense of scale to what could otherwise be a simple introductory sports lesson.

The location also combines a beach outing with a glimpse of local coastal life. San Andres is nearby and is described as one of Tenerife’s most beautiful fishing towns. You can pair the paddleboarding session with time around the town and beach, though the activity itself does not include a guided visit there.

The setting is especially appealing for people who want something calmer than a crowded resort beach. The beach is long, and the activity takes place in a part of Tenerife known for its scenic coast. Conditions and crowd levels can vary, so you should not assume you will always have the shoreline to yourself. Still, the experience is built around a peaceful beach rather than a busy water-sports center.

Clear water also adds practical value. When you are learning, it is easier to see the water around your board and feel connected to the setting. It makes the hour on the water more enjoyable even when you are not paddling far.

Is $21 a good value?

At $21 per person, this is one of the more affordable active experiences you can add to a Tenerife itinerary. The price includes the paddleboard, the instructor at the beginning, and 80 minutes at Las Teresitas.

The value is strongest for a first-timer. You are not paying only to hire equipment. You receive an introduction to the sport and then get time to practice in a location chosen for its protection from waves and currents. A beginner can try paddleboarding without committing to a longer course.

It is also good value if you already know the basics and mainly want time on the water in a scenic place. The included lesson may be brief for an experienced paddler, but the independent hour still gives you a simple way to enjoy the beach.

The price does not include transport, food, drinks, swimwear, or a towel. Those costs are easy to overlook when comparing activities. Since there is no pickup, check your route to Las Teresitas before booking. If you are already planning to visit Santa Cruz, San Andres, or the northeast coast, the value improves because you can combine the session with other plans.

The 80-minute duration is another plus. It is long enough to learn the basics and spend real time on the water, but short enough to fit around lunch, sightseeing, or a beach afternoon.

Who will enjoy this most?

This experience suits adults and older children who can swim, are open to trying a new physical activity, and do not mind learning through practice. You do not need prior paddleboarding experience. The session is specifically suited to beginners, and the calm water gives you a kinder start than an exposed beach would.

It works well for couples, friends, and small family groups. The group limit of 10 keeps the class from becoming unwieldy, while the independent hour means people with different confidence levels can enjoy the water in their own way.

It is also a good fit for anyone who wants exercise with a quiet side. You work several muscle groups, but the setting encourages you to slow down and enjoy the sea and mountains.

I would not choose it for a non-swimmer, someone looking for a fully guided coastal tour, or a person who wants constant one-to-one coaching. The first 20 minutes are instructional, but the rest is independent. That distinction should guide your decision.

Practical details that make the session easier

Book a time that leaves room around the 80-minute activity. You may want to enjoy the beach before or after, and the nearby town of San Andres gives you a natural way to extend the outing.

Wear swimwear and bring a towel. Since food and drinks are not included, plan those separately. You should also remember that there is no pickup or drop-off, so your transport to Las Teresitas is your responsibility.

The activity accepts English, German, and Spanish speakers. If you are unsure about the language of instruction for your group, select the language you are most comfortable using when checking availability.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date and time before you confirm.

Should you book the Las Teresitas paddleboard course?

I would book this if you want an inexpensive, beginner-friendly way to get on the water near Santa Cruz. The strongest combination is the calm setting, the Anaga Mountain view, the short introduction, and the freedom to practice for a full hour.

The activity has earned a 4.6 rating from 44 ratings, and the most consistent praise centers on the beach, the instructor’s patient explanations, and how quickly first-timers can get comfortable. That matches what the format promises: a simple lesson followed by plenty of practice in a scenic spot.

Skip it if you cannot swim, need hotel transport, or want a guided paddle from start to finish. For everyone else, $21 is a sensible price for a short, active Tenerife experience that gives you both a new skill and a memorable view.

FAQ

Where does the stand-up paddleboarding course take place?

The course takes place at Las Teresitas Beach in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. You meet at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts 80 minutes. This includes about 20 minutes of instruction and roughly one hour of independent paddleboarding.

Is the course suitable for beginners?

Yes. The session begins with instruction on how to use the paddleboard, and the protected water at Las Teresitas is suited to people learning the basics.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish.

Is the water protected from waves and currents?

Las Teresitas is described as a beach protected from waves and currents, which makes it a suitable place for beginner paddleboarding.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the paddleboard and an instructor at the beginning of the activity.

Are food, drinks, or hotel transfers included?

No. Food, drinks, pickup, and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.