Tenerife – Diving

Diving in Tenerife is a must for those looking for a bit of adventure. There are dive sites to suit scuba divers of every level of experience, from novices to experienced deep divers.

Explore shipwrecks, underwater caves and coral gardens, enjoy the thrill of being face to face with magnificent rays and the colourful denizens of Tenerife’s marine habitat.

All the dive sites are easily accessible and Tenerife has many diving clubs and centres to arrange scuba diving trips. You may even take Instructor courses here to qualify as A PADI instructor thus launching your own underwater career.
Agua-Tenerife Dive Centre
Calle Fuerteventura 85
38640 El Fraile
Arona
Tenerife
Tel/Fax: 922 730 302
http://www.tenerifedive.com/
Professionally run, friendly and experienced, recommended for both practised and first time scuba divers.

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Dive Tenerife
Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz Flores 18
Edificio Neptuno, Local 1, 38631 Las Galletas, Arona, Tenerife
Tel: 0034 661 553 309
http://www.divetenerife.com/
Dive Tenerife, an authorised PADI Diving Resort, is located on the south coast of the island and offers first class facilities, PADI diving courses and activities to satisfy every appetite for excitement, fun and adventure.

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Safari BOB Diving
Puerto Colon, Pier no. 4,
Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife
Tel: 0034 670839516
http://www.bob-diving.com/
This is the only BOB diving centre in Europe. No diving experience is necessary. Its fun, easy and a fantastic introduction to the world underwater.

Tenerife Golf Courses

Features:
Golf – Club Hire – Driving Range – Horse Riding – Pitch & Putt – Pro-Shop – Putting Green – Restaurant – Swimming Pool – Tennis

Amarilla Golf

On the southern coast of Tenerife, just bordering the sea, we find the Amarilla Golf and Country Club. The character of the 18-hole course is marked by the incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean which, without a doubt, inspired golf architect Donald Steel. The Golf course, surrounded by barrancos and a residential development, provides a stern challenge for the professional golfer while, at the same time, offers an attractive and enjoyable game for those of a more modest ability. It was inaugurated in 1989, and one year later Amarilla Golf hosted the second edition of the Tenerife Open, which is part of the European P.G.A Tour.

From the first tee, the player discovers the spectacular ocean views. Following on to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes that are surrounded by a broad variety of typical Canarian flora, enormous Cannas Indicas, the beautiful Washington Palms and the very exclusive Canarian Pines. The most impressive part of the round reaches its peak at the 5th hole: This is truly a gem for golf lovers, where the sea becomes a fairway, making it necessary to cross it in order to reach the green.

The following holes leave the coast momentarily, in order to enjoy other panoramic views including a range of mountains, crowned by the majestic Mt. Teide. The game continues, returning once again to the seaside on the 12th hole, accompanied by a nice cool ocean breeze. Following on after the next three holes, the course allows for a break at the welcoming Pro Shop terrace, where one can take a short break before tackling the final stretch. The last three holes are characterised by their large bunkers, bordered by volcanic sand, and the presence of the neighbouring golf course, Golf del Sur, making San Miguel the county with the most golf holes on the island.

Amarilla Golf also offers the recently inaugurated Pitch and Putt, 9 holes par 27, only 20 meters away from the Pro Shop. Other facilities include driving range, putting green, equestrian centre and Club House, which in itself, includes tennis court, swimming pool, bar and restaurant with views of the ocean and the golf course.

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Buenavista Golf
Features:
Golf – Club Hire – Club House
his gem of a golf course designed by the great Severiano Ballesteros was formally opened in the autumn of 2003.

Its unique layout takes in the breathtaking rugged coastline of Isla Baja giving you a once in a life time opportunity to play one of the most spectacular courses this side of the Atlantic !

This eighteen hole course which is 6,019 metres long consists of 6 x par 3Žs,6 x par 4Žs and 6 x par 5Žs all of which offer the ultimate test to golfers low and high handicappers alike.

Several of the greens border the ocean’s edge making a truly wonderful backdrop.

The course also boasts a clubhouse with panoramic views over the course out to the ocean making it an ideal place to enjoy a refreshing drink and a bite to eat.

Please note: the drive time from Las Americas approx. 75 mins.

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Golf Costa Adeje
Features:
Golf – Club Hire – Buggy Hire – Driving Range – Lessons – Restaurant
Just 5 kilometres from Playa de las Americas, Golf Costa Adeje was created with the ambition of becoming the most important leisure development in the Canary Islands.

This excellent 27 hole course opened in 1998 and has rapidly become one the most popular courses in Tenerife. Designed by the internationally renowned architect Pepe Gancedo the layout is characteristic of his drawing board, “hand-built” he says, adapting itself to the natural terrain and the restored stone walls from former agricultural terracing. The views from the course take in the island of La Gomera, the mountain range of Adeje, Playa de la Americas and the sea.

The greens are generally large and there are a number of doglegs. The round begins with a long par five (510m) and bunkers wait to catch stray balls off the tee. The 2nd is short with a ravine to the right and a green formed on two levels makes it more difficult when the flag is placed at the back. The fourth follows a gentle slope downhill towards the sea and is crossed at regular intervals by the step-like stone walls of the former banana plantation. There are two greens, one directly in front with the sea beyond and the other closer to the tee on the right.

To get from the main course to the driving range and the golf school, there is an elevator to take players and even buggies down through the natural rock.

The 14th is an uphill par three and it is necessary to attack the green which is protected by a deep bunker in front, and the 18th is a spectacular finishing hole, also a par 5, where the downhill aspect makes the green more accessible in two, although those wanting to be sure to avoid the trouble generally settle for three strokes.

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Golf Del Sur
Features:
Golf – Club Hire – Buggy Hire – Driving Range – Lawn Bowls – Lessons -Restaurant
Ever since it’s 1987 inaugural event, a competition for professionals, the 27 greens and fairways of Golf del Sur have provided the backdrop for various international tournaments.

In 1989 they bore witness to Jose Maria OlazabalŽs victory in the Open de Tenerife, a feat he repeated in 1992. The following year they watched as David Gilford won the event, as did Mark James in 1994. In 1995, Golf del Sur hosted the Shell Wonderful World of Golf tournament and its head to head battle between Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.

Golf del Sur has also been the setting for two golf driving distance records, both of which were set by Britain’s Karl Woodward. First he set a new record of 398 yards and then, a few months later, he managed to break the legendary 400-yard barrier with a huge stroke, which sent the ball flying 408 yards.

This Tenerife golf course, designed by Pepe Gancedo, is a thoroughly enjoyable layout in which one’s attention is immediately caught by the black volcanic sand in the bunkers. The wide fairways are lined with such a wide variety of indigenous plants that, with it’s palm trees and giant cactus plants, this 800 square meter course beside the Atlantic Ocean is like a veritable oasis.

Particularly difficult is the 3rd hole of the course. To the right of the wide fairway is a water hazard, behind which lies an impressive ravine with an ochre-coloured rock face, while to the left is a gaping bunker of black sand.

Another notable hole is the 2nd of the southern course, a par 3 of 193 meters whose green is surrounded by another immense bunker of black sand. The club offers a golf school as well as practice facilities, a tennis court, lawn bowls green, bar-restaurant and pro shop.

Golf school
For groups Golf del Sur has a special instruction area for practice and initiation. Groups can bring their own teaching pros or may contract the services of the Golf del Sur professionals.

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Golf Los Palos
Features:
Golf (9 holes) – Club Hire – Chipping & Putting Greens – Adult, Child and Group Lessons – Clubhouse
Los Palos Golf Centre is a par 27 nine hole course in the south of the island in the municipality of Arona, five minutes from Playa de la Americas and Los Cristianos where temperatures are pleasant all year round.

Don’t be fooled into writing it off because it is a short course, it is certainly not a pitch and putt and there are plenty of challenges to be encountered over its 914 meters: five holes are affected by water and others require very accurate hitting.

Opened in December 1994 Los Palos was designed by Jose Maria Olazabal’s company, Integral Golf Design, and is located in an easily accessible area not far off the main Santa Cruz highway. The course has a slight incline and is situated amidst banana trees, it is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours on a round of golf, or become familiar with the game.

Instruction is one of Los Palos’ strong points and the club aims to overcome the all too common problems associated with finding a golf teacher, hiring clubs etc. There is a PGA professional, driving range, chipping area and putting green where individual and group classes are given in various languages.

From the terrace of the clubhouse the golf course dominates the view. The atmosphere is relaxing and housed within are a restaurant, golf shop, changing rooms and showers. There is a children’s play area which leaves parents free to play a worry-free round of golf.

Los Palos is the perfect golf facility for those wishing to golf for an hour or so. Businessmen, pressed for time and unable to get in a full round elsewhere relax here and mingle with families whose children are taking their first steps in the world of golf.

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Real Club de Golf
Features:
Golf – Club Hire – Restaurant
This golf course is in the north of the Tenerife and was founded in 1932, making it the second oldest golf course in the whole of Spain, and also ensuring well established trees and rough found throughout the course.

The course is situated very near to the north airport.

Visitors are only allowed to play weekdays from 9:00 until 13:00, it is members only in the afternoon and at weekends.

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Tenerife – Golf 12 months a year

The Canary Islands are a real golfer’s paradise. Playing these magnificent courses at an agreeable temperature at any time of the year is an indulgence for any lover of golf.

The unusual layouts, dotted with its peculiar indigenous plant life, are to be seen everywhere. The courses, which are often laid out next to the sea, set up attractive natural obstacles such as deep gullies, or the ocean itself, which on occasions crosses the fairway creating a striking landscape and difficulties for players of all levels.

Greens and fairways tended with all the loving care of the best professionals, and elegant club houses with every service lure golf lovers to the islands to enjoy a few pleasant days of sport and relaxation.

Many of the clubs have prestigious golf schools where you can sign up for classes either at beginner’s level or merely to improve your swing.

 More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Tenerife – Canyoning

There are some excellent opportunities for canyoning due to the extensive range of ravines on Tenerife. There is the spectacular Barranco de Carrizal, in the Teno Massif, with water and numerous short abseiling descents. Please note that due to the conservation regulations for the Osprey, a species in danger of extinction, access to this ravine is prohibited during its nesting season from February to June.

One of the longest routes on the island is The Barranco del Río. This is a tough course that starts at an altitude of 2000 metres and comprises of a succession of abseils through beautiful scenery and an abundance of water. In contrast, the Barranco de Badajoz, in the district of Güímar, is dry, very narrow with some spectacular abseiling. Another good route is the Anaga Massif which has many beautiful ravines as does the route at Taborno, a relatively easy course but with a spectacular return trip.

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Tenerife – Caving

The volcanic structures and formations are without doubt Tenerife’s most spectacular natural resources. Caving gives the visitor a unique chance to get to know these structures from the inside and to understand the powerful processes that formed them. Travelling through volcanic tubes and potholes it is possible to see the inside of the island and enjoy some magical, unforgettable moments during your holiday.

Tenerife’s rich underground heritage is made up of over a hundred volcanic tubes as well as potholes and other underground formations. There are many caving sites, the most significant being the famous “Cueva del Viento” (Wind Cave) in the district of Icod, in the north of the island. With around 17 kilometres of galleries it makes up one of the most extensive volcanic complexes in the world.

Due to the delicate nature of the underground environment and the presence of some unique species of invertebrates, access to some of the volcanic tubes is restricted. However, there are a number of other caverns that are freely accessible.

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Tenerife – Birdwatching

The birdlife in Tenerife has been of particular interest to birdwatchers for many years due to the high number of endemic species and subspecies that live on the island and the ease in gaining access to them. The Dark-tailed and White-tailed Laurel Pigeons of the laurisilva forest, together with the Blue Chaffinch of the Teide are some of the most well-known endemic species. There are a huge range of habitats where you can observe almost a hundred resident species as well as numerous migratory species that pass through Tenerife.

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Tenerife – Paragliding

Tenerife has more than 40 different launch sites for paragliders from all over Europe to enjoy. The great variety of flying areas located near one another plus an exceptional climate that allows flying almost every day of the year are the two great attractions of paragliding in Tenerife. This sport is very popular on the island and there are many clubs that offer courses, advice (essential to get to know the wind patterns for safe flying) and the chance of flying tandem (a good way to get started).

Best flying routes:

From Izaña, in the Teide National Park, to Puerto de la Cruz (30 minutes)

From Izaña, in the Teide National Park, to the Port of Güimar (13 kilometres)

From El Sauzal to Mesa de Mar, in Tacoronte (Cross-country flight)

From Icod el Alto to the Socorro Beach, in Los Realejos (Cross-country flight)

From Taucho to Adeje (Thermal flying)

From Jama – Valle de San Lorenzo, in Arona (Thermal-hillside flight)

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Classic Climbing on Tenerife Island

The island of Tenerife is an absolute must for fans of traditional climbing. The huge number of volcanic formations that have eroded over time have left rugged rock faces, facilitating the use of protection, creating a unique area for this type of climbing. There is a great collection of rock faces in the Teide National Park, which stands at over 2000 meters above sea level.

There are also many beautiful rock faces in the National Park such as La Catedral and the Roques de Garcia. These are the most visited on the island offering over 40 different routes. The Roque de la Grieta or the Torreón Figueroa, on the rim of Las Cañadas, also offer first class routes.

Other rock faces that one can climb are Las Ánimas and the Roque de Enmedio, both in the mountains of the Anaga Massif, above the picturesque village of Taganana.

The Omega Route, a 250-meter climb at the Roque de las Ánimas, is the model climb in the area due to its excellent level of equipment while the Directa Rusa at Roque de Enmedio, is listed as the most achievable with a grade 5 difficulty.

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Climbing

The type of volcanic rock on the island, the excellent year round climate and the large number of climbing areas for all levels makes Tenerife a popular destination for European climbers wishing to combine their holidays with some climbing practice. There are almost a thousand different routes all over the island, the best being the internationally-known Barranco de Arico and the spectacular Cañada del Capricho in the heart of the Teide National Park.

The district of Arico, in the south of Tenerife, is the perfect place for climbing. It has 200 well-equipped routes along the “barranco” (ravine) that bears the same name. Higher up the ravine the climbs are of an easy to medium level, while the lower climbs are just for advanced climbers.

La Cañada del Capricho, in the Teide National Park, has almost a hundred routes around the highest mountain in Spain and is another outstanding area for climbing. The fantastic scenery here will really impress you with its unique shapes and colours.

Other areas that are good for practising this sport are the Mesa de Tejina with easy routes, Valle Tabares, protected routes near the capital of the island and Martiánez, a cliff situated in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz.

More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu

Mountainbiking-Tip: Aguamansa – Chanajiga – Aguamansa

This route, which is flat for most of its length, runs through the Orotava Valley at the border between the laurisilva woodland and the pine forest, at an average height above sea level of 1200 metres. The trip starts at kilometre 16 on the TF-21 road (which runs from La Orotava up to Mount Teide) at the turn for the La Caldera recreational area. Although there are many side tracks, you have to attempt to stay on the main one until you reach the Chanajiga Recreational Area, in the municipal district of Los Realejos.

At kilometre 14.9, there is a lengthy uphill stretch of two and a half kilometres until you reach another track that runs parallel to and higher than the first. Throughout the run there are spectacular views of Mount Teide and the Orotava Valley. The entire run is on dirt tracks until you come to the Mataznos Panoramic Viewing Point (Km. 30.1 of TF-21), from where you have to ride three kilometres down the road until you come back to the La Caldera entrance.

 More informations about your next holiday destination: www.la-victoria.eu