Daypack
For walks to the beach, a viewpoint or a short stroll. Soft and compact works best, so it fits on a seat or in the boot without taking sleeping space.
See daypacks on AmazonRecommended gear: what to pack in your daypack for Tenerife by camper
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The Discovery Atlántico and the Discovery Volcán already come with bedding, towels, a cooker, a cool box, kitchenware and the rest of the onboard kit. This page is not a hire inventory: it is a short list of personal daypack items for beaches, trails, Teide at night and evenings by the van.
You do not need to buy everything. Choose for your plan. Before you set off, check the Tenerife camper guide and confirm on your van’s page what is included.
Daypack basics
A small backpack, water and sun protection cover most day trips. Keep them with you even if the rest stays in the camper.
Bottle or thermos
In Tenerife the climate changes in an hour. A thermos or insulated bottle keeps water cool on the coast and something warm if you go up into the mountains. It saves buying plastic bottles at every stop.
See thermos bottles on AmazonCap or hat
The sun is strong in the south and also at altitude, even when it feels cool. A light cap or hat is one of the most useful things in any daypack.
See caps and hats on AmazonSunscreen and sunglasses
UV levels in the Canaries are high almost year-round. Bring sunscreen that suits your skin and sunglasses with a good UV filter; you need them on the beach and in the mountains alike.
See sun protection on AmazonPower bank
The campers have 12 V or USB sockets depending on the model, but a day on the road drains the phone with maps and photos. A small power bank bridges the gaps between charges.
See power banks on AmazonTeide at night and stargazing
It is cold up high even if you swam on the coast the same day. For viewpoints or the night sky, dress in layers and bring a light that will not bother others.
Windproof jacket or warm layer
The wind bites at altitude. A light windproof jacket or thin fleece fits in the pack and makes a real difference at sunset. It is not a substitute for technical high-mountain kit: for a demanding activity, check the requirements on Tenerife ON.
See windproof jackets on AmazonHeadlamp
Hands free to open the door, check the map or walk a short stretch at night. Ideal by the camper and in poorly lit car parks.
See headlamps on AmazonLED torch (or red-light mode)
A compact torch to move around without turning on every light in the van. If you like stargazing, a red-light mode (or a red torch) keeps night vision better and bothers others less.
See LED torches on AmazonLight binoculars
Optional. Handy at viewpoints and, with patience, for the sky. Choose a compact pair: space in a camper counts and you do not need observatory gear.
See compact binoculars on AmazonBeach and coast
Many coves in the south and east are pebble or stone. A couple of extras spare you the classic “I left my flip-flops in the van”.
Water shoes or reef shoes
On pebble beaches or uneven access they protect your feet going in and out of the water. They take little space and dry fast in the sun.
See water shoes on AmazonTrails and walks
For easy walks, the comfortable shoes you already own are usually enough. For serious mountain days, this list does not replace proper kit or the official conditions of the day.
Small personal first-aid kit
Plasters, antiseptic, your usual medication and whatever you use for blisters or bites. Make it yours: it is not the van’s kit, it is yours.
See travel first-aid kits on AmazonEvening by the camper
When you park legally and stay out for dinner, one small detail makes the evening nicer. Remember: parking is not the same as camping; see the guide on where you can sleep.
Portable speaker
For soft music at sunset, without turning up the volume or bothering anyone nearby. Choose a compact one with decent battery life; the campers do not have a sound system.
See portable speakers on AmazonWhat you do not need to bring
Both vans already include, according to their pages, bedding, towels, a gas cooker, kitchenware, a coffee maker, a cool box, a table (and chairs on the Atlántico), onboard LED lights and an outdoor shower. Do not bring an extra electric fridge or duplicate what is already in the hire: always check the Atlántico or Volcán page.
Before you close the bag
Papers, layered clothes, shoes and this daypack are usually enough. If you are still picking dates, start with campervan hire in Tenerife, compare both vans and use the guide for stops. We meet you in San Miguel de Abona, about ten minutes from Tenerife South airport.