Running off the edge of a mountain is not something that comes naturally to me. But Tony Delaney is the reigning British tandem champion at paragliding, so I did as I was told.

“When I start pulling the wing, I want you to run. Run as fast as you can. And keep running until we're off the mountain,” Delaney said.

I closed my eyes as we hurtled towards the edge and kept pumping my legs, as I had been instructed. Then the earth fell away from under my feet and, suddenly, my legs were flapping wildly in the air.

As a passenger in a tandem jump, all you have to do after take-off is sit back, relax and enjoy the views.

Discover another side to Tenerife

Take in a concert, visit the national park and stay in a small Canarian hotel. Joe Cawley explores the little-known north of the island

Majorca from a different angle

The best way to see Majorca is upside down at the end of a rope, says Rebecca Ley

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Tenerife's landscape, climate and reliable thermal currents make it a haven for paragliders. We flew 1,000m above sea level, swooping and circling through clouds, over rugged mountains and down as far as we dared into deep crevices.

From the sky, parts of the island looked exotic, even prehistoric. It was an exhilarating experience that lasted for more than an hour.

Paragliding was the highlight of my activity break in Tenerife, staying at the EcoHotel La Correa, a 200-year-old house converted into an environmentally friendly hotel and situated in the heart of an estate full of native vegetation in Altavista de Arona on the south of the island.

The estate is in an area suitable for hill-walking and paragliding, yet only 15 minutes away from warm beaches and golf courses. Inland stood the majestic Mount Teide.

After the thrills of paragliding, it was time for something with a gentler landing. “Ski Reg”, as our water-skiing instructor calls himself, promises to “get you up first time” - standing on skis during your first lesson. It worked. I had another go. It worked again.

A spot of hill-walking near the eco-hotel was next, followed by something altogether less demanding: whale-watching aboard an 80ft yacht captained by Felix. Surprisingly, a third of all whale species passes through a 25-mile stretch of ocean in the southwest waters of Tenerife, where they feed on the abundance of squid. More than 600 pilot whales live in the location year-round.

Almost immediately we were joined by a pod of dolphins, which frolicked for almost 20 minutes. For the next four hours we saw pod after pod of bottlenose and common dolphins. But no whales. Felix was getting despondent.

Just as we were turning back, Felix shouted: “Whale!” I scampered up to the prow and there, just in front of us, was a large pilot whale. As water gushed out of her blowhole, another fin appeared - a calf.

The cow and her calf were heading out to sea. They broke the water three more times and then disappeared. I squealed with joy like a little girl. It was as exciting as running off a cliff - just not quite as scary.

NEED TO KNOW

XL.com offers one-week package holidays from about £330pp, or flight-only for £220.

Stay Ecohotel la Correa has doubles from £62.

Activities Tenerife Whales; Ski Reg for water-skiing; Airborne (08701 998976) offers tandem paragliding flights for £129

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