TFS-Spot1
Düsseldorf Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
January 31, 2017
Darwin Airport – Spotting Guide
February 2, 2017Tenerife South Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on January 25, 2022
43% of the Canaries total population lives on the largest island of Tenerife. It has been a popular destination for tourists since the 19th century although the main boom in tourism occurred in the second half of the 20th century, and especially since the 1980s when the sunnier south of the island was developed.
The island has two airports with Tenerife South, (formerly Reina Sofia), accommodating the majority of the tourist traffic, and Tenerife North, (formerly Los Rodeos), mainly managing inter-island and other domestic flights.
Tenerife South airport was inaugurated in November 1978. The airport is situated on the southern tip of the island in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona. It is located just to the north of the town of Los Abrigos and to the east of the tourist hotspots of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas. It is the second busiest airport in the Canaries after Gran Canaria, and it handled almost 70,000 aircraft movements and over 11 million passengers in 2018.
The airport handles holiday traffic from across Europe, with the UK, Germany and Scandinavia providing a large proportion of these flights. Most passengers arrive and depart on Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 family aircraft, although TUI (Thomson), Jet2 and Condor also fly 757s. There are A330s from Aeroflot and Thomas Cook Scandinavia, and occasional Volotea 717s, Binter ATR 72s and the odd bizjet make a welcome change from the norm. Tuesday and Fridays are busy but Sunday is the busiest day at TFS.
There is a rough dirt track which runs north from the town of Los Abrigos and then east along the southern boundary of Tenerife South airport before turning south again, routeing around the tomato farms covered in white plastic sheeting, back to the main TF-643 road west of the junction for La Tejita.
Written by Clive Grant, Gerrit Griem, Marcus, Gordon and Maximilian Schulz. Last update December 2021.
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 07/25 | 3,200m x 45m (10,499ft x 148ft) |
| Terminals | One terminal is used for all flights. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary |
| Car/Public Transport | Although Spot no.1 is less than 1km from the town of Los Abrigos, a car is really needed to get to the best spots. Runway ends can also change suddenly which makes a car even more necessary. |
| Restrooms | Nothing directly at the spots except 13. In Los Abrigos cafes and restaurants |
| Drinks/Food | Supermarkets and cafes in Los Abrigos |
| Hotels | Apartamentos Isla de Oro in Los Abrigos is probably the most convenient place to stay. |
| Season | Tenerife is an all year round destination, although it’s busiest during the summer and winter peaks. Daylight hours are shorter in winter, although the light is better. There is also less chance of heat haze in winter, especially for traffic on the taxiway. The winter also provides a greater variety of traffic. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 07 | As the main trade winds are from the north-east, Runway 07 is the one used most often. |
| 25 | Although not used as often as Runway 07, sudden changes in wind direction are not uncommon, requiring the use of Runway 25. |
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Landing spot - 07 arrivals
| WHERE | Starting in the town of Los Abrigos, go to the far eastern end of Calle la Gaviota and at the end of the road turn left onto the dirt track. The first 100m is probably the worst bit of the route, so take care, especially if driving. Alternative is by foot. Just park in the town of Los Abrigos and walk a few minutes. But just okay for #1. For #3 you need approximate 20 minutes, for #5 35 minutes. |
| WHAT | Choose your spot to get the angle you prefer for landing traffic on Runway 07. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-200mm |
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- Starting point at Los Abrigos
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- First part is on a dirt track
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- Start of path to get to 1
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- Main gate to 1 allowing access by car
Boulder mounds - 07 arrivals
| WHERE | See #1 how to access the southern side of the airport. Following the dirt track west from Spot No.1, there are a number of boulder mounds just before you get to Crash gate P6. |
| WHAT | 07 arrivals only. The mound nearest the fence is good enough to get landing shots with the mountains in the background, but if you’re confident with your rock climbing skills, the tallest mound further back gives more opportunities. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-200mm |
West point spotting tower - arrivals and departures 07, dep 25
| WHERE | See #1 how to access the southern side of the airport. Further along the track is a rather basic structure which provides views over the fence. |
| WHAT | 07 arrivals and departures including traffic on the parallel taxiway (heat haze!). 25 departures. For traffic on the runway you’re likely to get the top of the fence in your photos from this spot. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-250mm |
Crash gate P7 - 25 arrivals and departures
| WHERE | See #1 how to access the southern side of the airport.. Continuing east along the track you will come to Crash gate P7. |
| WHAT | 25 arrivals and departures. Although this spot could also be used for Runway 07 traffic, there is no need as other spots are better, particularly as you need to shoot through the crash gate latch here. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Also, for 25 arrivals taking the first exit, the light is good here till later in the evening. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-250mm |
Mid point spotting tower - all arrivals and departures
| WHERE | See #1 how to access the southern side of the airport. Thanks to the Canary Islands Spotting Group, (cispotting.net), roughly half way along the runway is a spotting tower which works well for whichever end of the runway is in use. It’s also closer to the fence than the West point spotting tower so you should normally be able to avoid getting the fence in your photos. |
| WHAT | All arrivals and departures including traffic on the parallel taxiway (heat haze!). |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is a bench on the spotting tower but there is no shade and there are no facilities so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-250mm |
Crash gate P10 - all arrivals and departures
| WHERE | See #1 how to access the southern side of the airport. Continue on the track until it turns away from the fence at Crash gate P10. |
| WHAT | All arrivals and departures including traffic on the parallel taxiway. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. Also, you need to shoot through the latch in the crash gate so this spot is not ideal, especially as Spot No.5 is nearby and much better. However, on a hot day it may mean you can get lift off shots on Runway 07 from here when traffic may still be on the ground passing Spot No.5. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-250mm |
Touchdown point - 25 arrivals and departures
| WHERE | See #1 how to access the southern side of the airport. You have to be both adventurous and very keen to get touchdown shots to trek to this spot. You need to walk along the narrow path from Crash gate P10 with a steep drop on one side, stopping before you get to the red and white striped ‘pill box’ structure on the other side of the fence. Also, when you get there you need to shoot through the mesh of the fence, so it’s far from ideal. Still, it might be worth it for the odd photo of aircraft burning rubber on touchdown. |
| WHAT | 25 arrivals and departures |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so he light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-250mm |
Landing spot - 25 arrivals
| WHERE | On the eastern airport perimeter road. Continue on the TF-643 and turn left into the Carretera al Hermano Pedro before you reach the city of El Médano. Just park next to the road. |
| WHAT | Landing traffic on Runway 25 only. You can choose your spot according to the angle you prefer for landing shots. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need . |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-250mm |
Los Abrigos - 25 departures, 07 arrivals
| WHERE | If you’re staying in Los Abrigos and you don’t mind using a long lens, there are several places from which to take airborne shots, including the eastern edge of the town. |
| WHAT | 25 departures and 07 arrivals. |
| TIME | All day until late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | Shops and cafes nearby |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 400-500mm |
Restaurante El Mirador, Los Abrigos - 25 departures
| WHERE | Another option if you’re staying in Los Abrigos is to sit out at one of the cafe restaurants like El Mirador with your camera and long lens at the ready. |
| WHAT | 25 departures only. |
| TIME | All day till late afternoon. Summer – At sunrise the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good till a bit later. Winter – Towards sunset the sun will be in line with the runway so the light is not so good. |
| MISC. | At least you can have a coffee or beer whilst your waiting for the next departure. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 350-500mm |
Hill - Arrivals 07
| WHERE | If you are coming from the southern spots drive trough the villages Los Abrigos and drive northwards on the TF-65 which leads to the Autopista TF-1. Taxe the next right into the TF-645 heading to Atogo. After a few minutes you will find the entrance to another dirt road which brings you to the approach path of RWY 07. Once there you can either drive to the northern point 11A to a small mound or stay down at 11B. From the dirt road climb up the mound to your left. Both points are elevated and you can easily clear the fence from there. |
| WHAT | Choose your spot to get the angle you prefer for landing traffic on Runway 07. Line up and departures can be shot from different positions at 11A. 11B is recommend for line ups only. |
| TIME | From afternoon till sunset in the summer only! Holding Point for 07 dep from late noon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. There are several mounds so you can photograph over the fence and no ladder is needed. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | depends on where you stand but 50-200mm is fine |
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- Entrance Road off TF645
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- Take left road down to 11
Position 11A:
Position 11B:
Construction Site - Apron, Taxiway, Runway
| WHERE | ONLY ON SUNDAYS ACCESSIBLE! Park at the previous spot #11 and walk down to the fence and enter the construction site (see picture above to the left). It is blocked by a chain but ignore this and walk along the dirt road, pass the green circular water tank and there are two square buildings. The bottom one is the viewing mound with seat/bench and safety rail, the other is a hut. This is where the security guard logs the trucks entering on to the apron from the building site. Each Sunday, a security guard has been there, but because the building site is not active, he or she will leave you alone to do your thing. A good idea is to wave and say a friendly ‘Hola’ to let them know you are not a problem. |
| WHAT | Almost the same view as #11 but it is fabulous because this is where the helicopters and private jets park and you have a nice overview of the terminal apron as well. It’s also the last exit on to the taxiway so you get great close-ups and an occasional wave from pilots. |
| TIME | Taxiway/Runway: From afternoon till sunset in the summer only! Apron: earlier from noon to sunset but also depends on how the planes are parked. |
| MISC. | You can’t go there Monday to Saturday or you will be asked to leave because it is an active dangerous building site. No ladder needed. There is no shade and there are no facilities at this spot so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | XXX |
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- Entrance to the site
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- Observation hill
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- View from the top
Rubblemound - Apron, Taxiway, Runway
| WHERE | This spot is located near the closed kinda terminal facility. The driveway and nearby parking is used for taxis nowadays only, but however, this can be entered with a normal car as well. Then just head to the roundabound at the western end and next to this one you’ll see kinda hill made out of rocks, which has to be climbed for the shots we show below. |
| WHAT | This spot is mostly used for night shots of aircraft parked on the apron infront (mostly Bizjets or freighters) or the nearby taxiway and runway parts. |
| TIME | Taxiway/Runway: From afternoon till sunset in the summer only. Apron: In the very early morning or from sunset to sunrise. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed. Nearest facilities for food, restrooms and so on is (inside) the nearby terminal 1. Heat haze IS a problem, especially on warmer days. Climbing the mound is very dangerous as the mound is not really stable, take care! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150 – 400mm B737(-700)BBJ on apron = 250mm |
White House - All runway movements
| WHERE | This location is everything else than easy to access. You get to it partly by car then have to walk the rest. Keep on the road ‘Calle al Hermano Pedro’ passing point ‘8’ going north. Past the Cueva Del Hermano Pedro. Within ten seconds, the practice fire dump passes you on the left (building that looks like a fat cross). There is then a straight tarmac road angling back left. There is always a chain across the entrance, but you access it by turning off 30mts before it on a dirt track by a derelict low building. Take that dirt track and you’ll join the tarmac road. Drive up three quarters to the end then turn right where you see that white area. Follow that little windy road but come off it on to the dirt when you get to the disused buildings (grey roofs, white outlines). Park the car on the top left corner of the fence of the building. Now you have to walk along that dirt track heading directly south to the runway. After 7 or 8 minutes walking, you will pass an abandoned little croft building, walk down past that then turn right on to flat ground. You’ll then come in to the clear ground by the white buildings. |
| WHAT | Great location for all runway movements on either the taxiway or the runway. Arrivals on 07 will use the exit in front of you or will take the last one and roll by your position. The helicopter base is on your left hidden by trees, but the helicopters fly-taxi by, so you’ll get great close-ups of them. |
| TIME | From afternoon till sunset in the summer only! |
| MISC. | No ladder needed. There is absolutely nothing nearby so be prepared! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | XXX |
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Hi,
is it possible to walk from the terminal to the Western spots (1,2,3 & 11), because on the map is a gap between spot 11 and 13 and I don’t really know if this way is blocked by a gate or not?
Hi Valentin, we don`t have infos for that, sorry. But I think it depends on the area at spot 13 if it is fenced off or not. There is also a gate which might be open. Once you have passed 13 you can walk to all the other locations.
-Julian
Is there anywhere decent within the terminal to watch departures? I’ll probably be arriving early for my flight home.
Hi Angus
Once you get through passport control, you can view the apron and runway from the waiting area. It runs the length of the terminal. There isn’t really a special spotters area I’m afraid.
cheers
Gordon
I want to get to spot 5 and is it possible to get there by taxi via point 6?? Or would I be better to go by spot 1??
Hi Jamie
You wont get a taxi up the track from the Los Abrigos village to Point 1. The track is very rough and will probably rip off the sump of the taxi! A 4×4 could probably manage it, but not a normal car. Personally, I would just walk from the village to Point 1 and then continue along the track to point 5. It’s more scenic and can get great fotos of the planes coming in with Teide in the background. You will see other vantage points to take fotos and video. Going via this route allows you to get right next to the security fence so the planes come in over your head, fabulous noise!
You can probably persuade the taxi driver to take you to point 6 from the Playa de la Tejita main road, but be prepared for them to say No. If they won’t go along that dirt track along the side of the banana plantation, then just get out on the main road and simply walk to Point 6 and 5. It’s not far.
cheers
Gordon
Hi Everyone, sunny greeting from Tenerife!
I spot quite regularly at Tenerife South and can add a little more info which may be of use.
On the map where the red and blue lines are closest, you can cross over at this point at the threshold of the perimeter fence. Simply walk across. You can carry your pedal bike too with a couple of steps if you’re on your bike.
You can take great shots of the planes coming in head-on through the landing lights from here. You can also walk up to the second landing light from the threshold and get shots of the planes coming in over your head with the lights low in the foreground and if you time it right also a full moon.
On the map, if you walk along to the end of the red line at the second number ‘11’ spot, this a purpose built viewing mound as seen in the foto with the silver car. This is the point where it turns in to a building site. If you look at the panoramic foto under the silver car foto, you will see on the left two white towers and a road. On a Sunday, I will walk along that road (ignore the chain barrier) to get to the other purpose built viewing mound. You can’t go there Monday to Saturday and be asked to leave, as happened to me, because it is an active building site.
Zoom right in to the map to the number ‘11’ at the end of the red line. Walk along the dirt road, past the green circular water tank and there are two squares. The bottom one is the viewing mound with seat/bench and safety rail, the other is a hut. This is where the security guard logs the trucks entering on to the apron from the building site. Each Sunday I have been there, a security guard has been there, but because the building site is not active, he or she will leave you alone to do your thing. I usually wave and say a friendly ‘Hola’ to let them know I’m not a problem.
This location is fabulous because this is where the helicopters and private jets park. It’s also the last exit on to the taxiway so you get great close-ups and an occasional wave from pilots.
Another great location not on the map is at the other end of the airport. Looking at the map and zoomed in at the right hand side of the apron, Yyou’ll see a 737 taxiing at the exit point where it says ‘Tenerife Sur’ with two white buildings. You can walk to the clear elevated ground here just to the left of the two white building. This is a great spot especially when planes miss that exit point as they will take the last exit point and taxi right past you within yards.
You get to it partly by car then have to walk the rest. Keep on the road ‘Calle al Hermano Pedro’ passing point ‘8’ going north. Past the Cueva Del Hermano Pedro. Within ten seconds, the practice fire dump passes you on the left (building that looks like a fat cross). There is then a straight tarmac road angling back left. There is always a chain across the entrance, but you access it by turning off 30mts before it on a dirt track by a derelict low building. Take that dirt track and you’ll join the tarmac road. Drive up three quarters to the end then turn right where you see that white area. Follow that little windy road but come off it on to the dirt when you get to the disused buildings (grey roofs, white outlines).
I normally park the car on the top left corner of the fence. You walk along that dirt track eventually heading directly south to the runway. After 7 or 8 minutes walking, you will pass an abandoned little croft building seen on the map as a little square, walk down past that then turn right on to flat ground. You’ll then come in to the clear ground by the white buildings.
I hope that is all clear. It really is a great spot. The helicopter base is on your left hidden by trees, but the helicopters fly-taxi by, so you’ll get great close-ups of them.
I find Tuesday and Fridays are busy but Sunday is the busiest. I’ve seen the normal 737, 747 (Russian) 757, 777, 787, 319, 320, 321, 330, C130, Il 76, Il 96, RAF C17, Gulfstreams, Embraers, Citations, Learjets, Falcon 9, Canadair 215, etc If you’re lucky Spanish Air Force F18’s may visit. It’s just the luck of the draw.
Not sure if I’m allowed to add links here, but these will show the locations mentioned and the sort of shots you can get.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkbeemedia.flying/
I have a couple of YouTube videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGi1tkKtPp6OLMT4TVjphDA?view_as=subscriber
Hope this helps.
Happy spotting!
Hi Gordon, thanks a lot for your comment. I read through it and I think I found your additional locations which I would like to add to the guide. All I need are some pictures or video you took at there. Especially the one next to #11 besides the green tank and the one on the opposite side next to the two white buildings/helicopter base.
Regards
Julian
I will be staying in Los Cristianos xmas and new year and unable to drive. Where is recommended to take pics, I do not mind walking for 20 minutes or so.
Hi,
Is it allowed to enter the road which lead to #1, because a sign shows that it is prohibited?
Boldi
Hi, don´t really know but if someone checks you just tell him that you used the entrance on the east side 😉 .
From the rocks blocking the entrance I was able to walk along the track to spot 3 in just over 20 minutes. From there to spot 5 was another 15 minutes
Thanks for your infos Ian!
-Julian
The rocks have been removed a few days ago, enjoy!
Thanks for the update Alex!
Hi folks, as Ian pointed out the access road from Los Abrigos is now closed by large rocks. Access is still possible by foot or bike but that’s quite a long walk from there. The perimeter road remain accessible from the other side though. On road TF-643, just in front the access to the parking of Playa La Tejita, follow the track along the covered plantation. There is a first gate with an old sign saying the access is restricted but just ignore it and continue until you reach position #6 (crash gate P-10). It’s actually easier to access from there when you have a car, and there’s also a supermarket some 200m from the entrance on the roundabout.
Thanks a lot guys for the infos! Pretty annoying to drive all the way to the plantation. I have just updated the guide.
-Julian
Is it OK to use a scanner there or is it not allowed ? I have no experience of Spain as it is not a country I tended to go to much in the past.
hey clive grant hows you do you tenerife well and are you based there ? email addess is paulstevenchalmers@gmail.com
I arrived today for the first time. Staying in the little Los Abrigos I decided to go look at the track from the end of Gaviota. At a set of open gates what I presume is the track is paved but there are large rocks placed in the gateway which stop cars being able to pass. I will further investigate tomorrow (I am on foot anyway) to see how it is for a pedestrian and hope that no pedestrian obstacles are in place further along … like landmines.