Playa de Las Américas: Premium Surf Equipment for Rent

Playa de Las Américas makes it easy to turn a free morning into time in the water. Ocean Life Tenerife Surf School sits under the blue BBVA sign, next to Beer Spa Tenerife, with the beach about 100 meters away. You choose your board, suit up, and walk to the coast without hauling gear across town.

I like the wide board choice, which covers beginners on stable softboards as well as experienced surfers looking for a shortboard, epoxy board, or longboard. I also like the practical extras: reef shoes, a secure locker, changing rooms, and hot showers are included rather than treated as costly add-ons.

The main point to check is availability. Rental times depend on that day’s surf classes, and the advertised price can vary by option, with a two-hour Surf Pack listed at €25 and the activity price shown as about $28 per person. Contact the school before you set your schedule.

Key points to know before you book

• The beach is roughly 100 meters from the meeting point, so carrying your board to the water is quick and manageable.
• Softboards suit first-timers, while hardboards, shortboards, epoxy boards, and longboards give stronger surfers more choice.
• Wetsuits, reef shoes, and a leash are included, but wax, water, and towels are not.
• Lockers with keys and CCTV let you leave personal items behind while you surf.
• A group lesson costs €20 extra, while a private instructor session with insurance costs €70.
• Opening hours change by season, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM in winter and 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer.

Picking the right board in Playa de Las Américas

The best part of this rental is not simply having a board. It is having several types to choose from, so you can match the equipment to your ability and the conditions.

If you are learning, start with a softboard. Its extra stability and buoyancy make paddling and catching a wave less frustrating. A softboard is also a sensible choice if you are unsure how often you will surf during your holiday. You can focus on balance and timing instead of managing a narrow, less forgiving board.

More experienced surfers can ask about hardboards. Shortboards are aimed at speed, control, and sharper movement. Epoxy boards are light and durable, and the school lists them as suitable for all levels. Longboards offer a slower, smoother style and can make it easier to catch smaller waves.

The range also includes bodyboards, SUPs, and surfskates. A bodyboard is a simple option for smaller waves or for someone who wants ocean fun without standing on a surfboard. An SUP gives you another way to explore the coast, while a surfskate lets you work on surfing movements on land.

You are not promised a particular model or size in advance. The useful move is to explain your height, ability, and plans to the staff when you arrive. The English and Spanish-speaking team can help match you with the available equipment.

From the blue BBVA sign to the water

The meeting point is under the blue BBVA bank sign beside Beer Spa Tenerife. That landmark matters because Playa de Las Américas has plenty of shops and businesses, and a simple visual marker is easier to spot than a long street address.

Once you find the school, allow time to get fitted. Your rental includes the surfboard, leash, wetsuit, and reef shoes. The school has changing areas, separate men’s and women’s bathrooms, and a toilet and shower designed for people with reduced mobility. Ramp access is also available.

The beach is about a 100-meter walk from the meeting point. That short distance is one of the strongest practical features here. You do not need a vehicle, a taxi, or a long walk in a heavy wetsuit while carrying a board.

The rental is valid for one day, but the exact use period depends on the option you book. The advertised Surf Pack is €25 for two hours, while the activity price is shown as $28 per person. Ask for the precise start and finish time before paying, especially if you are planning another tour later the same day.

What the included equipment adds

A wetsuit is included in a range of sizes. That saves you from packing or renting one elsewhere, and it gives you protection from cool water and board rubbing. A good fit matters more than fashion here. The suit should feel snug without limiting your movement.

Reef shoes are another useful inclusion. The entry area can be rocky or uneven, and the shoes protect your feet while you move in and out of the water. If you have never surfed from this part of the coast, this is not an accessory I would skip.

A leash is included with the board. It keeps the board connected to you after a fall and prevents it from drifting away. You still need to follow the staff’s advice about handling the board and entering the water.

The school also provides secure lockers with keys and CCTV surveillance. You can store your phone, wallet, and spare clothing while surfing instead of leaving them on the beach. Bring only what you need, but this facility removes one common worry from a short beach rental.

Hot showers are available after the session. This is especially helpful if you are taking a lesson, planning to walk around Playa de Las Américas afterward, or simply do not want to sit in salt water for the rest of the day.

Towels cost €1 extra. Wax, water, and towels are not included, so bring your own towel if you want to avoid the charge. You should also bring beachwear and dry clothes.

A short rental or a lesson with more structure

The basic rental works best if you already know how to surf or want a flexible attempt with friends. You can choose the board and spend your booked time practicing at your own pace. That freedom is useful, but it also means the rental does not replace instruction.

If you are new to surfing, add the group lesson for €20. This gives you a more structured introduction and may help you avoid wasting the first part of your rental figuring out how to position the board, paddle, and stand.

A private instructor session costs €70 and includes insurance. This is the more focused choice if you want individual correction or have a particular skill you want to work on. The details of the private session, including its duration, should be confirmed before booking.

Lessons and rentals share the school’s daily capacity. Availability depends on the surf classes scheduled that day, so do not assume that every board and every lesson option will be open at every hour. A quick message to the school is worthwhile if your holiday plans are tight.

The host team speaks English and Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, but the setup is direct: arrive, discuss your equipment and needs, then collect the items for the walk to the beach.

What the experience feels like for a beginner

For a first-timer, the important question is not simply how many boards are on the rack. It is how much friction exists between arriving and getting into the water. Here, the school handles several awkward parts for you: equipment selection, wetsuit fitting, reef shoes, changing space, storage, and a nearby beach.

The softboard is the sensible starting point. It offers more stability than a narrow performance board, and its buoyancy makes early paddling less demanding. You still need to be comfortable in the ocean and able to follow safety instructions.

The staff gives an explanation before you go out. Take this seriously, particularly if you have never surfed over a rocky entry. Ask where to enter, where to leave the board, and which area is appropriate for your ability.

You may also find the reef shoes useful even if you are confident in the water. They protect your feet during the walk in and out, but they do not remove the need for care on slippery or uneven ground.

For children, note the minimum age is 13. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, people with altitude sickness, or people over 95. The provider also lists alcohol and drugs as prohibited.

Why the practical facilities matter

Surf rentals can look cheap until you add the items you forgot to bring. A board, wetsuit, leash, reef shoes, locker, and shower can quickly become a much better deal than renting a board alone and paying separately for changing facilities.

The locker is particularly useful in Playa de Las Américas. You can walk to the beach without carrying your valuables, then return to a dry place where your belongings are secured. CCTV does not mean you should bring expensive items, but it is a sensible layer of protection.

The hot shower also changes how easy it is to fit surfing into a busy holiday. You can surf in the morning, rinse off, change, and continue with lunch or sightseeing. Without that facility, a short session can create a surprisingly large amount of planning.

Accessibility has also received practical attention. The property has ramp access, changing areas, and a toilet and shower for people with reduced mobility. That does not mean the surf itself is suitable for every mobility level, so discuss your needs with the school before booking.

Timing, cost, and real value

At about $28 per person, the experience is fairly priced for a day rental that includes several pieces of equipment and useful facilities. The two-hour Surf Pack is listed at €25, so check the currency and duration shown for your selected option before confirming.

I would judge the value in three ways. First, the equipment range means you do not have to commit to a board style before you see what feels right. Second, the school is close to the water, which saves time and effort. Third, the locker, shower, wetsuit, and reef shoes reduce extra beach-day costs.

The price is less attractive if you only want a board for a very short time and already own a wetsuit, shoes, towel, and leash. In that case, you are paying partly for convenience. For visitors arriving without surf gear, the package makes more sense.

A 4.9 out of 5 score from 13 ratings suggests strong satisfaction, and the praise is consistent in the details that matter. The friendly welcome, clear explanation, equipment choice, hot shower, and secure storage are the points that receive the most attention. One useful detail is that the school’s sunscreen advice was appreciated, but sunscreen itself is not listed as an included item, so bring your own.

The small drawbacks to plan around

This is a rental near the beach, not a full sightseeing tour. You will not get a guided trip along the coast or a planned set of stops. The experience is about getting equipment and using your time in the water.

The board you want may not be available at the exact moment you arrive. The school has a large selection, but rental and lesson demand affect what can be issued. Contact the team if you need a particular board type.

You must also bring or buy a few basics. Water, wax, and towels are not included, and towels cost €1 if rented. Pack beachwear, dry clothes, and a towel if you have room.

Finally, two hours may feel short if you spend a lot of time changing, walking, and learning. If you are a beginner, a group lesson can make that period more productive. If you already surf, the short format may be just right for a quick session.

Who should book this rental

I would recommend it to a first-time surfer who wants a stable board, a wetsuit, foot protection, and a nearby beach without buying or carrying equipment. It also suits intermediate and advanced surfers who want to try a different board type during a Tenerife stay.

It is a good fit for couples or friends with different skill levels because the school offers softboards, hardboards, longboards, bodyboards, SUPs, and surfskates. One person can choose a beginner-friendly board while another asks for a more performance-oriented option.

The €20 group lesson is the sensible add-on for someone who has never surfed. The €70 private session is better for a focused session and includes insurance, but it costs far more than the basic rental.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed specific board, have a very strict timetable, or do not want to deal with a rocky water entry. I would also avoid booking if you fall into one of the listed restrictions, particularly back problems or the minimum age rule.

My booking verdict

Book Ocean Life Tenerife Surf School if you want an easy, well-equipped surf session close to the water. The strongest value comes from the complete setup: board, wetsuit, reef shoes, leash, locker, changing area, and hot shower in one place.

Choose a softboard and add the group lesson if you are new. Ask about hardboards or shortboards if you already surf. Before booking, confirm the day’s availability, the exact rental duration, and the currency of the price. Bring water, wax, a towel, beachwear, and dry clothes, and you will have the practical details covered.

FAQ

Where is Ocean Life Tenerife Surf School located?

The school is under the blue BBVA sign next to Beer Spa Tenerife in Playa de Las Américas. The beach is about 100 meters from the meeting point.

What equipment is included?

Your rental includes a softboard or hardboard, leash, wetsuit, and reef shoes. You also have access to changing areas, lockers with keys and CCTV, and showers.

Can beginners rent equipment?

Yes. Softboards are designed for beginners because they offer strong stability and buoyancy. Hardboards are available for more experienced surfers.

Are towels included?

No. Towels are not included, but one can be rented for €1. Wax and water are also not included.

Can I add a surf lesson?

Yes. A group lesson can be added for €20. A private instructor session with insurance costs €70. Availability depends on the surf classes scheduled that day.

What are the opening hours?

The hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM in winter and 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 13, people with back problems, people with altitude sickness, or people over 95. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.