Enjoy Fun Outdoor Adventures At These Spanish Islands

Depending on where you live, sunshine and warmth can feel like a far away dream in the depths of winter. Gray skies, biting wind, and piles of snow become the norm, along with short days and early sunsets when winter rolls around. If you're looking to escape the cold and gray, then you'll want to consider a trip to this warm-weather winter vacation destination: the sunny Canary Islands. This archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean offers a multitude of activities to engage in and natural beauty to take in. If you're a fan of outdoor activities, these islands are the perfect spot for you. Essentially, you'll find an abundance of sun, fun, and scenery across the main eight islands.

The islands are a popular vacation destination, so you might find yourself in a bit of a crowd, especially if you visit during February when Carnival takes place. Don't let this deter you though, you'll still be able to jam your itinerary with exciting adventures ranging from biking to scuba diving.

When you're planning out what you'll do, you can divide your list between land activities and water activities. For land, you can go hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Hiking enthusiasts will be especially delighted with all of the beauty on the trails. Explore the trails of Mount Teide, a volcano on the island of Tenerife, or trek along the coast of the Anaga Mountains, on the trail that takes you from Taganana to Playa de Tamadite. Whether you choose to hike or bike the breathtaking trails, you'll likely want to pause and photograph the views you'll encounter, so be sure to bring your camera with you.

If you find yourself on the island of Lanzarote, check out Lanzarote a Caballo for horseback riding. They have excursions that range in price from €25 (about $27) to €120 (about $131) and they received a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. They're able to accommodate beginners and advanced riders, as well as children, so you'll be taken care of regardless of age or experience level.

If you want to take advantage of the ocean and sunlight that you exchanged the snow and cold for, then you'll be delighted in the water activities on the Canary Islands. Fuerteventura is an especially popular spot for windsurfing, and CBCM Boarder Club offers classes not only in windsurfing, but also in sailing and surfing. Next, there's scuba diving, with the island of El Hierro providing the best waters. You can learn how to dive with Arrecifal Dive Center, which has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing are also fun options in the Canary Islands. Adventoure in Tenerife offers kayaking and snorkeling tours, as well as stand-up paddle board lessons. They also have a diving baptism, which is essentially an introduction to diving, providing you with information, training, and activities, but not to the full extent of classes that count towards licensure. It's great for people who want to give diving a try without fully committing. Whether your Canary Island activities take place on land or in the water, you'll have plenty to choose from and explore.