Our pick of the water sports activities you must do on this Canary Island

The various Canary Islands are home to some incredible food, landscape, people and beaches. This we know – you can be sure that any Tenerife holiday from a travel specialist like Thomas Cook will include delicious local produce, friendly gente de la isla, incredible craggy cliffs and inland vistas coupled with sunsets over the ocean.

But the islands are also worth noting for their incredible range of watersports. As activity holidays become increasingly popular, spots such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria are capitalizing on their established popularity with tourists by also offering great seaward excursions, from boat trips to surf lessons.

Here’s our pick of the water sports musts in the Canary Islands:

1. Sea kayaks

The best way to explore on your own watch – and easiest skill of all to master. Rentals tend to stay below 20 Euros for up to four hours, allowing you to take an expedition to see the hidden coves and caves along the Canaria coasts.

2. Surfing

Gran Canaria is the best place for this – there are established surf schools and good consistent waves around the main town, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; similarly, take a trip south to Playa del Ingles to the Surf School Gran Canaria for a less touristy experience. What’s more, cheap holidays to Gran Canaria start from only £250 per person with Thomas Cook, so it’s an inexpensive option.

3. Whale and dolphin watching

The most sedate of all water ‘sports’ – but worth a trip with all the family. These run from most of the main beach towns in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and last up to three hours, with the chance to hit open water with schools of dolphin.

4. Diving

Not the cheapest option by far, but with water temperatures that never drop below seventeen degrees Celsius, a much better option than learning to dive in a cold reservoir in mid Wales. Turtles, hundreds of species of fish and curious rock formations will have you underwater for hours.

5. Parascending

You might not think this is a water sport…but being strapped to a massive kite and hoisted into the air (with a well-versed instructor) can take you to some dizzying heights – and land you back in the waves at the end. One for daredevils and those desperate for a bird’s eye view of the island.