Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Las Teresitas Stand Up Paddle Course

Las Teresitas gives beginners a rare advantage: calm, clear water beneath the Anaga Mountains. I like the beach’s protection from waves and currents, and I like that the 20-minute lesson leaves you about an hour to practice instead of ending just as you find your balance. The setting is beautiful without requiring a full-day excursion.

The catch is practical: transportation is not included, so you must reach the beach yourself. The course is also for swimmers only. If you want a guided coastal adventure with constant instruction, this is not it. After the opening lesson, you paddle independently.

Key points at a glance

• A gentle first paddle: Spend 20 minutes learning the basics before practicing on your own.
• Sheltered water at Las Teresitas: The beach is protected from waves and currents, making balance easier for beginners.
• Anaga Mountain views: Paddle beneath a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve setting near the fishing town of San Andres.
• About an hour on the board: The lesson is followed by roughly 60 minutes of personal practice.
• Small groups of up to 10: Instruction is available in English, German, and Spanish.
• Good value at $21: The price includes the board and initial instruction, but not transport, food, drinks, or hotel pickup.

Why Las Teresitas works so well for first-time paddlers

Stand-up paddleboarding looks simple from shore. You stand on a broad board, hold a paddle, and move across the water. The first few minutes can still be awkward. The board shifts, your knees tighten, and the paddle seems to have a mind of its own.

Las Teresitas helps soften that learning curve. This 1.5-kilometer beach is close to Santa Cruz, yet its water is protected from much of the wave action and current that can make a first lesson frustrating. You can spend your attention on posture, paddle strokes, and balance rather than fighting the sea.

That sheltered setting is the main reason I would recommend this course to a beginner. You are not being thrown into rough water for a dramatic story. You are getting a manageable place to learn a sport that uses your legs, stomach, back, shoulders, and arms while keeping the mind pleasantly occupied.

The water is described as clear, and the beach has white sand. That matters because the surroundings remain part of the experience even when you are concentrating on staying upright. Look toward shore and you have the broad beach. Turn toward land and the Anaga Mountains rise behind the area, creating a much more memorable setting than an ordinary harbor lesson.

The 20-minute lesson: what you learn first

Your instructor begins with about 20 minutes of instruction on how to use the board. The supplied information does not list every drill, so you should expect a basic orientation rather than an advanced coaching session. The purpose is to help you understand the board, paddle, and simple technique before you head out independently.

The lesson is especially useful if this is your first time. You need to learn how to position yourself, how to hold the paddle, and how to make basic strokes without twisting your body into an uncomfortable knot. The instructor also helps you get comfortable with the central challenge: finding a stable stance.

The initial teaching is led in a small group limited to 10 people. That is large enough to keep the price low, but small enough to avoid the feel of a crowded mass activity. Instruction is offered in English, German, and Spanish. If you need help in one of those languages, the course is a practical choice.

Instructor Caaho is identified with the experience and is described as patient, friendly, and clear in his teaching. One useful detail from the feedback is that first-time participants were able to pick up the basics quickly with his help. That does not mean everyone will stand perfectly on the first attempt, but it suggests that the opening lesson is aimed at getting you moving rather than burying you in theory.

The next hour: independent paddling at the beach

After the lesson, you have about one hour to enjoy the board on your own. This is not a second guided tour with a leader pointing out coastal sights. It is practice time, which can be exactly what you need.

At first, you may prefer to remain close to the beach while you test your balance. Kneeling is often less intimidating than standing, and the calm water gives you room to make small corrections. Once you feel steady, you can paddle along the beach line and enjoy the view at your own pace.

The experience works best when you treat this hour as open practice rather than a race. You can focus on straight strokes, turning, stopping, and standing comfortably. The available information describes enough space to paddle along the beach, with relatively few people at some times. That gives you a better chance to enjoy the surroundings without constantly steering around other boards.

The independent format has both a strength and a weakness. The strength is freedom. You are not tied to a rigid route, and you can pause to look toward the mountains or simply float for a moment. The weakness is that anyone hoping for continuous correction will need to ask for help during the lesson and then take responsibility for the rest.

This is also why the course suits people who learn by trying. You receive the basic tools, then repeat the movements until they make sense in your body. Stand-up paddleboarding becomes much easier once you stop overthinking every wobble.

The setting beneath the Anaga Mountains

The beach sits near San Andres, a fishing town close to Santa Cruz. Behind it are the Anaga Mountains, a protected area recognized as a Biosphere Reserve. You do not need a separate mountain excursion to appreciate the setting. The mountains are part of the view while you paddle.

The combination is unusually appealing: a broad white-sand beach, clear water, and steep mountain scenery close to the capital. Las Teresitas feels more open and scenic than a city waterfront, yet it is still accessible from Santa Cruz.

I especially like the contrast between the active part of the experience and the quiet pauses. You may spend several minutes working on your stroke, then stop and take in the beach and mountains. The course has enough physical activity to feel worthwhile, but it also leaves space for a calm hour on the water.

Do not expect a wildlife trip, a coastal history talk, or a long route around Tenerife. Those are not part of the stated experience. The appeal is simpler: learn a new skill in one of the island’s most attractive beach settings.

What the $21 price really includes

At $21 per person, this is an inexpensive way to try stand-up paddleboarding in Tenerife. The board is included, as is the opening instruction. For a first attempt, that covers the two things you need most.

The price does not include pickup, drop-off, food, or drinks. You meet at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach. That means the low price works best if you already have a way to reach the beach and do not need a full transportation package.

This distinction matters. A cheap activity can become less cheap if you need to arrange a separate transfer, especially if you are staying away from Santa Cruz. On the other hand, visitors already planning a beach day at Las Teresitas can add the course without paying for a larger organized excursion.

I see the value in the activity itself. You get 80 minutes total, including a proper introduction and around an hour of use on the water. The small-group format and multilingual instruction add practical value, especially for a first-time participant who might not feel comfortable renting a board without help.

You should bring your own swimwear and towel. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately. The supplied information does not confirm changing facilities, lockers, or showers, so do not build your plans around those services.

Who should book this course

This course is best for:

• First-time stand-up paddleboarders
• Swimmers who want a relaxed introduction
• Couples or families with older children who can already swim
• People staying in or near Santa Cruz
• Visitors who want beach time with a little exercise
• Anyone who prefers a low-cost activity rather than a full guided excursion

The protected water makes it suitable for people who feel nervous about learning. You still need to be comfortable in the water, and non-swimmers cannot take part. The course is not presented as a lesson for advanced paddlers, so experienced board users may find the instruction too basic.

It may also suit someone traveling with a mixed group. A beginner can learn the fundamentals while a more confident participant enjoys the hour of free paddling. Just remember that the experience is not a coached workout or a competitive session.

Who may want a different experience

You may want another activity if you expect hotel pickup, a meal, or a full itinerary. None of those is included.

You may also be disappointed if you want to explore remote coves or paddle through rougher water. The course is specifically attractive because Las Teresitas is protected. That is an advantage for learning, not a promise of high-energy conditions.

People who dislike independent activities should take note of the timing. The instructor helps at the beginning, then you have about an hour to practice on your own. If you want a guide beside you for every stroke, look for a different format.

Finally, non-swimmers should not book this course. Swimming ability is listed as a requirement, and the experience takes place on the water without a non-swimmer option.

Timing, group size, and language

The total duration is 80 minutes. The course includes roughly 20 minutes of instruction followed by about an hour of paddling. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

The group is limited to 10 participants. That is a sensible size for a basic lesson. A very large group would make it harder to hear instructions or get individual help, while a private lesson would cost more than this budget-friendly format.

English, German, and Spanish are available. That language range is helpful in Tenerife, particularly for mixed-nationality groups. If you have a question about technique or safety, being able to ask it clearly is more important than receiving a long speech.

The course receives a 4.6 rating from 44 reviews, with the strongest praise focused on the beach, the clear explanations, the friendly teaching, and how quickly beginners can begin paddling. Those are the features I would weigh most heavily when deciding.

Booking flexibility and a few practical cautions

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Tenerife plans depend on weather, transport, or other day trips.

That flexibility does not remove the need to check the conditions for your own day. The beach is protected, but the experience still takes place outdoors and on the sea. The information provided does not promise that every session will have identical water conditions.

Arrive ready to get wet. Wear swimwear and bring a towel. Since food and drinks are not supplied, handle those before or after the course rather than expecting refreshments at the meeting point.

The meeting point is Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach. There is no included hotel transfer, so confirm your route before booking. If you are already visiting the beach, this is straightforward. If you are coming from elsewhere on the island, transportation planning is the main extra task.

Is the Las Teresitas paddle course worth booking?

I would book this course if you want your first stand-up paddleboarding experience to be calm, scenic, and affordable. The protected water and patient opening lesson remove much of the stress that can come with learning a new water sport.

The strongest reason to choose it is the setting. You get clear water at a broad white-sand beach, with the Anaga Mountains behind you and about an hour to practice at your own pace. The $21 price is fair because the board and instruction are included, though you need to arrange transportation and bring your own towel and refreshments.

Skip it if you are not a swimmer, need hotel pickup, or want a fully guided route. For everyone else, especially a beginner staying near Santa Cruz, this is a smart way to add some exercise and quiet water time to a Tenerife day.

FAQ

How long does the stand-up paddle course last?

The activity lasts 80 minutes. You receive about 20 minutes of instruction, followed by roughly one hour of independent paddling.

Where does the course meet?

Meet at Teresitas Paddle Board, Anaga Experience, on Las Teresitas Beach.

Is the course suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience includes an introductory lesson designed to teach you how to use the board before you paddle independently.

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 transportation included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach Las Teresitas Beach yourself.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.