The Canary Islands offer more than just sunshine, beaches and pleasant temperatures all year round. They are also the perfect destination for all manner of outdoor sports. Surfing is one of the classics. There are championships throughout the year, but there are also many schools for beginners. One of the best is Lanzasurf, on Famara beach in Lanzarote, a true oasis of peace with panoramic views of the entire cove. Lanzasurf offers courses in more than five languages, plus accommodation options and all the equipment you need. It also combines sport with yoga sessions and massages. “Our classes cater for both beginners and professionals, and we use video analysis and GoPro footage to speed up learning,” says Margherita, the school’s booking manager and yoga instructor. “We offer both the energy of group classes and the precision of one-to-one coaching.” If you visit Tenerife, a very interesting option for those travelling with their families is La Marea Surf School, with facilities right on Martínez beach and courses for children. Both schools are accredited by the Canarian Surfing Federation.

For those looking for places to enjoy surfing, there are select spots on almost every island. In La Palma, Nogales beach stands out, with incredible cliffs and high waves that are perfect for experienced surfers. In Fuerteventura, the most famous surfing spot is El Hierro beach, in the north, offering perfect conditions from September to May. In Tenerife, Playa de las Américas is famous for its great conditions for both advanced surfers, especially during the winter months, and beginners, as is El Porís, which is also perfect for children. In Lanzarote, in addition to Famara, El Quemao is considered one of the best surfing spots in the world. Finally, in Gran Canaria, one of its main beaches, La Cícer, on the westernmost part of Las Canteras, is always full of surfers of all levels due to its favourable conditions and convenient location.

The Canary Islands are also a paradise for those who prefer underwater adventures. Diving enthusiasts can head to the peaceful island of El Hierro, specifically to the Restinga Marine Reserve, also known by the poetic name of Mar de las Calmas (Sea of Calm). Here, at the southernmost point of Spain, there are numerous centres and schools such as Buceo el Bajón, run by a family native to El Hierro, which explore a rocky seabed up to 70m deep in some places, full of tunnels and caves with a rich variety of animal and plant life. Another of the most famous diving destinations in the islands is El Cabrón, in Gran Canaria, considered by some divers to be one of the best diving spots in Europe due to its large rocky platform, with an enormous concentration of underwater species, followed by a descent of more than 20m.

Moving from water to the sky allows you to fly over volcanoes, admire cliffs from a bird’s-eye view or simply glide over the water. Paragliding has become the star sport in places such as the mountains of Adeje, in Tenerife. The take-off point in Taucho is one of the most popular spots for pilots, due to the quality of its winds and the terrain. There are also numerous centres and companies offering impressive flights at different points around the islands. Parapente Canarias, with more than 32 years’ experience, organises a route over Mount Teide at an altitude of more than 2,000m.

Windsurfing is another of the great sports that shine in the Canary Islands. Every year, the PWA world championship is held on Sotavento beach in Fuerteventura. Pozo Izquierdo, in Gran Canaria, is also included in the PWA world circuit. Both locations require a certain level of skill but, for those who want to get started in this sport, Fuerteventura is a hub for schools. Some of the best are René Egli, which offers beginner courses in collaboration with the Paradisus and INNSiDE by Meliá Fuerteventura hotels, and Point Break, with options for different levels and new categories, such as wing foil.

There are also endless options on land. Hikers can explore legendary routes such as the Garajonay National Park in La Gomera, with its almost magical laurel forests, where the multiple routes do not follow a modern layout, but are ancient paths that the Gomeros used to cross from one side of the island to the other. Anaga Rural Park, another laurel forest declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2015 thanks to the uniqueness of its ecosystem, is one of the most spectacular places for hiking. It offers routes ranging from the easiest, such as the Sendero de los Sentidos (Path of the Senses), which is also suitable for children, to the Albergue de Anaga – Igueste – Taganana route. For mountain runners, it passes through farmhouses and historic settlements in the most unspoilt area of Tenerife. Of course, the classic ascent of Mount Teide is also a must: the most famous route (despite its difficulty, due to the terrain, with slopes of up to 60 per cent, and its altitude, starting at 3,550m) is the Telesforo Bravo route. Prior authorisation is required to access this trail, which can be requested here, but every Monday at 7am (one hour later in mainland Spain) applications for new reservations can be made.

Last but not least, thanks to their volcanic origins, the Canary Islands offer landscapes that are highly prized by those who enjoy canyoning and climbing. Some of the most popular climbing spots are located in areas we have already explored on foot, such as the Anaga Rural Park, where some of the walls are over 250m high, with Roque Negro being one of the most famous. However, Gran Canaria is the island preferred by climbers. Its iconic enclave is Ayacata, located in the heart of the island, with a huge number of reddish rock walls offering routes (more than 200 in total) of all levels and styles – perfect for those who are just starting out and for those with more experience. To get started in climbing in the Canary Islands, outdoor tourism company Climbo, recommended by the Official Tourism Board of Gran Canaria, offers a sustainable alternative that respects the island’s environment. Finally, in the laurel forest of Gran Canaria, there are also options for canyoning in gorges such as the Barranco de los Cernícalos, which can be descended with guided routes.