Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Las Teresitas Stand Up Paddle Course

Calm water makes learning easier. This beginner paddleboarding course takes place at Las Teresitas Beach, where protection from waves and currents gives you a steady place to learn, and I especially like the clear water and the wide view toward the Anaga Mountains. I also like the low price: $21 buys an 80-minute session with equipment, instruction, and plenty of time to practice.

The main point to consider is that this is not a full guided coastal excursion. You receive about 20 minutes of instruction, then spend roughly an hour paddling on your own. The beach is close to Santa Cruz, but you must arrange your own transport, food, and drinks.

Key points at a glance

• Protected water at Las Teresitas: The beach is sheltered from waves and currents, which makes it a sensible place for a first paddleboarding lesson.
• Anaga Mountain views: You paddle beneath the Anaga Mountains, a designated Biosphere Reserve, with the beach and mountain scenery around you.
• Twenty-minute beginner lesson: An instructor explains how to use the board before you head out for independent practice.
• About one hour on the water: The lesson is short, but the larger part of the session gives you time to build confidence at your own pace.
• Small groups of up to 10: The limited group size should make instruction easier to follow than in a large beach class.
• A strong value at $21: The price includes the paddleboard and an instructor at the beginning, but not transport, refreshments, or hotel pickup.

Why Las Teresitas is a smart place to learn

Las Teresitas is a 1.5-kilometer white-sand beach near Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Its sheltered position is the key reason this course works for beginners. Paddleboarding looks simple from shore, but balancing on a board while using a long paddle takes a little coordination. Calm water lets you focus on your stance instead of fighting strong surf.

That protection also makes the first attempt less intimidating. If you lose your balance, the setting is designed for practice rather than for handling rough conditions. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers, so you need to be comfortable in the water before booking.

The beach setting adds plenty of appeal. You get clear water below the board and views toward the Anaga Mountains, a Biosphere Reserve on the northeast side of Tenerife. The scenery gives the hour a sense of place. You are not simply practicing a water sport in an anonymous marina.

Las Teresitas is close to the fishing town of San Andres, described as one of the island’s prettiest fishing towns. That makes the area useful for a longer outing. You can pair the paddleboarding session with time at the beach or a visit to San Andres, though this course itself does not include a town visit, meal, or organized sightseeing.

What happens during the 80-minute session

The total activity lasts 80 minutes. The first 20 minutes are devoted to instruction. This is the part where you learn how to use the board and paddle, and where the instructor helps you understand the basic technique before you head into your independent practice.

For a first lesson, that opening matters. You need to learn how to position yourself on the board, how to handle the paddle, and how to keep your balance. The course description does not promise advanced coaching or a long technical workshop, so think of the class as a practical introduction rather than a formal certification course.

After the lesson, you have about one hour to enjoy the paddleboard on your own. That format gives you room to repeat the basics without feeling rushed by a guide constantly directing your route. You can work on standing, steering, and moving along the beach at a comfortable pace.

The tradeoff is equally clear. Once the initial lesson ends, the session is largely self-directed. If you want a guide to lead you along the coast, explain marine life, or plan a longer route, this is not that type of outing. It is a lesson followed by open practice in a calm setting.

The instructor makes the first attempt less daunting

The instructor is listed as speaking English, German, and Spanish. One of the French-speaking participants also praised the instructor’s ability to explain the activity in French, but French is not listed among the official languages, so you should not rely on that being available at every session.

The instructor is identified in the feedback as Cao, with one spelling shown as Caaho. The comments describe him as friendly, patient, and helpful. That fits the needs of a beginner course. Clear explanations matter more here than a flashy presentation, especially when you are trying to stand up without immediately sitting back down.

Several separate comments praise the teaching. One first-time participant said the explanation made the activity easy to learn. Another described the instructor as a true professional who explained the theory patiently before allowing practice. A couple also reported that they learned quickly, which suggests the calm water and straightforward teaching work well together.

Still, your experience can depend on the group and conditions. With up to 10 people, the instructor must divide attention among several beginners. The small-group limit is reasonable, but it does not mean one-to-one coaching.

Clear water, white sand, and Anaga views

The scenery is one of the best reasons to choose this particular beach. Las Teresitas has white sand and clear water, a combination that makes the paddleboarding session feel more like a beach experience than a basic sports lesson.

The Anaga Mountains provide the backdrop. As a Biosphere Reserve, Anaga is one of the most distinctive natural areas around Santa Cruz. From the water, you get a different angle than you would from a road or viewpoint. The mountain setting also gives you something to enjoy during the quieter moments when you stop paddling and simply balance on the board.

The beach can feel peaceful, especially when there are fewer people along the shoreline. One participant specifically appreciated being able to paddle along much of the beach with hardly anyone around. That quieter atmosphere is not guaranteed, but it shows why the location appeals to people looking for a break from crowded city sightseeing.

You should keep expectations sensible. The experience is not marketed as a wildlife tour or a scenic cruise, and no particular animals or underwater sights are promised. The attraction is the combination of open water, beach, and mountain views while you practice a new skill.

How much value do you get for $21?

At $21 per person, this is an inexpensive introduction to stand up paddleboarding. You receive the board, an instructor at the beginning, and roughly an hour to use the equipment after the lesson. For someone who wants to try paddleboarding without committing to a costly half-day tour, the price is appealing.

The value is strongest if you are already spending time at Las Teresitas. You do not need to pay for a separate sightseeing program to enjoy the setting, and the session leaves you with time to continue enjoying the beach afterward.

The price does not include pickup and drop-off, food, or drinks. That matters if you are staying in Santa Cruz and do not have a simple way to reach Las Teresitas. You will need to plan the journey yourself and allow extra time around the 80-minute activity.

It is also worth remembering what you are paying for. This is a beginner lesson with independent practice, not a long guided paddle along the Tenerife coast. If your priority is learning the basics in a scenic, sheltered spot, the price is very fair. If you want transportation, a meal, extensive coaching, or a guided route, you will need a different type of tour.

Who will enjoy this course most?

I would recommend this course to a first-time paddleboarder who can swim and wants a gentle introduction. The protected water removes one of the biggest early obstacles, and the 20-minute lesson gives you enough basic direction to get started.

It also suits couples and small groups of friends with mixed experience. A beginner can learn while a more experienced person enjoys easy paddling nearby. One participant said a spouse with no previous paddleboarding experience loved the activity, which is a good sign for couples looking for something active but not overly demanding.

The course can also fit a beach day. You get exercise, mountain views, and time on the water without giving up an entire morning or afternoon. At 80 minutes, it is short enough to combine with other plans around Santa Cruz or San Andres.

I would be more cautious if you are a non-swimmer, want constant supervision, or expect a formal guided adventure. The activity specifically excludes non-swimmers, and the hour after instruction is for paddling on your own. You should also think twice if you dislike balancing activities or want guaranteed waves. The calm conditions are helpful for beginners, but they may feel too mild if you are seeking a challenge.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Bring swimwear and a towel. The activity takes place on the beach and in the water, so these are practical necessities rather than optional extras.

You should also plan your food and drinks before or after the session. Neither is included. Since the activity takes place at Las Teresitas, you can treat it as one part of a beach outing rather than a stand-alone trip, but the booking covers only the paddleboarding activity.

The meeting point is Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so check your route before you set out. The course has starting times that vary by availability, and the 80-minute duration makes timing important if you have other plans.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting. These policies do not change the experience itself, but they make a low-cost activity easier to fit into a flexible holiday plan.

A realistic look at the experience

The high rating of 4.6 from 44 reviews reflects a clear pattern: the location, instruction, and beginner-friendly conditions are the strongest parts. The most repeated praise goes to the beach and the instructor’s patient explanations.

The session is not difficult to understand. You arrive at the beach, meet the instructor, learn the basics for about 20 minutes, and then spend about an hour practicing. The course does not appear to overcomplicate the activity, which is exactly right for a first attempt.

The relaxed setting may even encourage you to try again later in rougher conditions. One participant described the calm lesson as a useful first step before attempting waves another time. That is a sensible way to view this course: it gives you a safe starting point, not the full range of paddleboarding skills.

The main limitation is the lack of included extras. You handle transport, refreshments, and the rest of your beach day. You also should not expect a long guided trip or extensive local commentary. Those limits are easy to accept at $21, but they should be clear before you book.

Should you book the Las Teresitas paddleboarding course?

Book it if you want an affordable first paddleboarding lesson in one of Tenerife’s most attractive beach settings. The sheltered water, clear views, multilingual instruction, and small group size make it a practical choice for beginners who can swim.

I would especially choose it if you are already planning to visit Las Teresitas or San Andres. That lets you turn a short activity into a fuller day without paying for a transfer package you do not need.

Skip it if you want a guided coastal route, guaranteed waves, included transportation, or a full meal-and-activity package. For everyone else, this is a simple, well-priced way to get on the water beneath the Anaga Mountains, with enough practice time to find out if stand up paddleboarding is for you.

FAQ

How long does the Las Teresitas paddleboarding course last?

The activity lasts 80 minutes. About 20 minutes are used for instruction, followed by approximately one hour of independent paddleboarding.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $21 per person.

Is the course suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is designed as a beginner course, with an instructor explaining how to use the board before you practice on your own.

Is the water protected from waves and currents?

Yes. Las Teresitas is described as well protected from waves and currents, making it suitable for learning.

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.

What is included, and what should I bring?

A paddleboard and instruction at the beginning are included. Bring swimwear and a towel. Pickup, drop-off, food, and drinks are not included.