Tenerife is not Hawaii. But for Europe, it's the closest thing, waves year-round, water at 20-24°C, and a north-easterly trade wind that makes El Médano the European kitesurfing capital. The south offers regular breaks for beginners. The north, powerful reef waves for advanced surfers. And in between, enough diversity for every surfer to find their spot, from the laid-back longboarder to the competitive kiter.
Beginners: Playa de Las Américas (Las Palmeras) has a regular beach break and surf schools every 50 meters. Expect 35-45€ for a 2-hour lesson with equipment. El Médano also works when the wind drops (rare). Intermediate: Playa del Socorro (Los Realejos) is the most consistent spot in the north, right and left on sandy bottom, works well with north-west swell. Punta Blanca (near Las Américas) offers a long, clean right. Advanced: La Izquierda de El Roque (Bajamar) is the island's most respected reef spot, hollow left on rocky bottom, territorial locals, helmet recommended. Almáciga (Anaga) offers world-class waves when north swell rolls in, in a wild setting.
El Médano is Tenerife's wind spot. Trade winds blow 300 days a year, between 15 and 30 knots, with a regularity that kiteboarders around the world envy. Playa de la Tejita and Playa de El Cabezo are the two main spots, Tejita for beginners (flat water on the east side), Cabezo for experts (waves and jumps). About ten kite and windsurf schools line the promenade, 3-hour lessons from 100€, equipment rental 60-80€/day. Peak wind season: June to September. In winter, wind is more irregular but waves make up for it.
Paddleboarding (SUP) is practiced everywhere the sea is calm, Los Cristianos, Fañabé, Las Vistas in the south, San Marcos in the north. Rentals on the beaches: 10-15€/h. Kayaking is the most discreet way to approach the cliffs of Los Gigantes or explore the coves of Adeje. Several operators offer guided kayak + snorkeling outings (40-60€, 2-3h). For diving and snorkeling: see the dedicated sheet.
Surf schools are concentrated in Las Américas and El Médano. For surfing: K16 Surf School (Las Américas) and Mojo Surf (El Médano) have good reputations. For kitesurfing: Redline Kiteboarding and Loop Kite School in El Médano are the references. Surfboard rental alone costs 15-25€/day (shortboard or longboard). Kite equipment rental is more expensive: 60-80€/day for wing + bar + harness. Wetsuits are included in lessons, in summer a 2mm shorty is enough, in winter a 3/2mm.
The Windguru app is the bible of Tenerife's spots, locals check it every hour. Magicseaweed also works well for surfing. The best combo for south coast surfing: south-west swell (1-2m swells), offshore wind in the morning. For kitesurfing at El Médano: north-east trade wind above 18 knots (almost daily from June to September). On calima days (Saharan sand wind), everything closes, no wind, stifling heat, reduced visibility. It lasts 2-4 days, 3-4 times a year.