Tenerife Water Parks and Water Sports

Tenerife: a rugged outcrop of volcanic wonder; a paradise of exotic flora. Or perhaps more appropriately, a simple four-hour flight from the murky British winter. Today, we’re in the mood for the latter, wishing we could be soaking up the sun at any one of Tenerife’s top watery landmarks.

Siam Park
Not just the best waterpark in Tenerife, but also “the most spectacular in Europe”, if the hype is to be believed. This Thai-themed park is built on a natural incline, meaning that its rides (of which there are more than 10) are naturally supported. For reasons such as this, Siam Park considers itself the world’s first eco-friendly waterparks (it runs its own desalination plant and recycles all its own water). On a less academic note, it is home to the world’s biggest manmade wave, swelling to a gnarly three meters in height. Surf’s definitely up!

Aqualand Costa Adeje
A little less ostentatious, perhaps, than Siam Park, the big attraction at Aqualand Costa Adeje is undoubtedly the dolphinarium – and birthday boys and girls can even book themselves in for a wet and wonderful dolphin kiss, all of which will be caught on film for you to take home. The water slides themselves are divided between themed zones, meaning that thrill-seekers can whoop to their hearts’ content without scaring the kids in the family area.

Lago Martiánez
Located to the North East of Puerto De La Cruz, Lago Martiánez is a vast swimming resort boasting four pools, a central lake, cascading waterfalls, submerged caves, a spa and – to top it all – a submerged casino. Best of all is the price – a mere €3.50 for the full day. The complex also features a selection of restaurants, so it’s perfectly possible to spend the full day here without needing to leave.

Whale watching
Combining the awe with the aqua, Tenerife is rightly recognized as being one of the world’s best whale-watching destinations, and countless guides and tours set out daily, determined to show off these graceful giants. If you’re unsure who to go with, several companies offer your money back if you fail to see a whale, so shop around before you look to set sail. Oh, and don’t forget to pack your swimming costume and snorkel – you wouldn’t want to miss the chance to swim with a dolphin, now, would you?

Water sports
The pristine waters that lap at the shores of the Canary Islands are a playground of sorts, there for you to explore. Beneath the surface, the volcanic rock and countless shipwrecks make Tenerife an ideal diving destination, if you like your holidays submerged; high above, you can make the sky your own with a spot of parascending. Banana boats and jet skis are also common (although not terribly wildlife-friendly), and most companies offer a menu from which you can pick and choose your day on the Atlantic.

This article is brought to you by Thomas Cook,  flights start from £130 in March 2013 – http://book.flythomascook.com/cheap-flights/to-Tenerife-Canary-Islands/