Beaches in Tenerife
Main Beaches in Tenerife
Tenerife has a mix of amazing natural and man made beaches, from pure volcanic rock to golden sands. Explore the ocean and encounter the Whales, Dolphins & many more marine life.
There are many beaches to explore, from the south coast to the west. All selected beaches are clean and can be enjoyed by families and children throughout the year.
The most popular beaches in the south of Tenerife are, Playa La Vistas, Playa Torviscas, Playa Fañabe and Playa del Duque. Tenerife invested a lot to convert its rocky coastline into a sun-seeker’s paradise, importing fine gold sands from Sahara, and building stunning resorts with spectacular ocean views. Medano is one of the most beautiful natural beaches on the island, also well served by water sports. Other notable beaches include Playa de las Vistas, Playa Las Teresitas, and Playa de Las Americas, of course.
Blue Flag Beaches
Thirteen of Tenerife beaches, which are among the best in the Canary Islands, have been awarded the Blue Flag by the ADEAC for the quality of their waters.
The Blue Flag is awarded to beaches and marinas that conform to a strict set of standards. These are set and controlled by the independent Foundation for Environmental Education and include water quality, facilities, safety and educational resources.
The Standards of a European Blue Flag beach is based on compliance with 27 criteria covering the aspects: 1) Water Quality 2) Environmental Education and Information 3) Environmental Management 4) Safety and Services.
You can See the full list of conditions here.
There are so many gorgeous beaches in Tenerife that we could not possibly describe them all. The following is a summary of the beaches by area, though this shouldn’t stop you from exploring the rest of the Island’s coast.
South Coast Adeje
Many communities of Adeje are major tourist hot spots. These resorts are connected by one big pathway. The main communities there are: Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Playa Paraiso, La Caleta, Playa Fañabe and Callao Salvaje.
Playa Del Duque
The sand is very fine, and composed of grey specks. Located on the beach itself are sunbeds, sunshades, toilets, changing rooms and telephones.
Playa Troya
One of the first beaches, Playa Troya has fine golden sand and calm seas, located in a very central area. The sea is great for water sports.
Playa La Pinta
Located next to Puerto Colon, the beach has golden sand, security guards, sun beds, sunshades, showers, changing rooms, toilets, and wheelchair friendly access.
Playa La Enramada
The Enramada Beach is an old pebble beach, it has now been covered with fine, volcanic sand produced by grinding down the original pebbles and excavating sand from the seabed around the beach of Los Cristianos.
Playa Torviscas
A huge stretch of golden sand, with sun lounges, bars and water sport excursions. The beach connects with Playa Fañabe and is amongst most popular beaches in the south of Tenerife.
Playa Fañabe
Playa Fañabe connects with Playa Torviscas with long sandy beaches, great waters for swimming, ideal for family fun, games and there are plenty of water sports to choose from.
South Coast Arona
Notable places include the tourist resorts of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Costa del Silencio and Las Galletas.
Playa El Camisón
This sandy beach is covered in tiny shells, a great beach to explore. There are sun beds and a beach bar located at the end. A great beach thats a little more secluded than Playa Las Vistas.
Playa Las Vistas
This is the most popular beach in Arona. Usually packed with tourists and locals, the golden sandy beach comes alive with people having fun! The beach has been awarded the blue flag by FEEE
Playa Los Cristianos
The calm waters with its large shallow area is idea for families with children. There are many bars and restaurants close by and many excursions and water sports available.
South Coast Granadilla
The main town is Granadilla de Abona; other towns include San Isidro, El Cabezo, Castro, Los Abrigos, Charco del Pino, Montaña de Yaco, El Salto, and Los Llanos.
Playa El Médano
A two-kilometre stretch which connect with Playa El Cabezo, with its fine golden sand is the longest beach in Tenerife. Ideal beach for windsurfing, and is usually packed with surfers!
Playa La Tejita
Playa La Tejita is a one-kilometer beach of fine golden sand located next to Montaña Roja (red mountain), which has a small cove, mostly used by nudists.
Playa El Cabezo
This beach has hosted several international windsurfing competitions, including the O’Neill Tenerife Grand Prix on the Professional Boardsailing Association (PBA) circuit.
West Coast Guia de Isora
The main towns are Playa San Juan and Alcala, boasting luxury hotels and golf courses nearby.
Playa Abama
The beach has almost white sand and considered to be the most beautiful beach on Tenerife. You can access the beach by road, bus or use the lift, by foot it takes about 15-20 minutes.
Playa San Juan
Playa San Juan is with golden sand, includes sun beds, cleaning facilities and a beach bar. Recently won an award for having very clean water, making it ideal for scuba diving.
Playa Alcala
Playa Alcala has a small sandy beach, a small harbour for entry of boats, jet skis etc. There are sun beds available on the promenade, with two step entrances to access the sea.
West Coast Santiago del Teide
Resort towns in the municipality are Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, Playa de la Arena and Santiago del Teide.
Playa de La Arena
Playa de La Arena is made of fine volcanic sand and is equipped with changing rooms and washing areas. A great little beach surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants.
Puerto de Santiago
This old fishing village and minor tourist centre Puerto de Santiago has a small beach with a grey sand, it does lack the basic facilities and amenities that so many visitors have now come to expect.
Playa Los Gigantes
Playa Los Gigantes is a small black sandy beach situated between the rocks and the marina. There are many bars and restaurants nearby and a variety of water sports or excursions such as whales and dolphins.
North Beaches of Tenerife
At the island’s green covered north you’ll find some lovely coastline in and around its capital Santa Cruz and it’s main northern resort of Puerto de la Cruz as well as towns like Garachico.
Playa Jardin
Playa Jardin is arguably one of the best beaches in Tenerife’s north coast and the most popular in Puerto de la Cruz with a long, enticing stretch of black sand, and it is set against a back drop of tropical gardens.
Playa Martinez
Playa Martinez may not be the largest beach in Puerto de la Cruz, but it’s one of the closest sandy beach to the town centre and, if you fancy a change of scenery it’s also very close to the town’s excellent lido.
Playa Teresitas
Just outside Santa Cruz, has to be one of the best beaches in Tenerife. It’s man-made, from sand shipped in from the Sahara, but it’s really very pretty and popular with in-the-know locals on weekends.
~Things to See and Do in Tenerife~ Activities and Family Activities~
- Beauty Spa
- Camel Safari
- Golf Clubs
- Horse Riding
- Mountain Climbing
- SkyDiving
- Yoga
- Aquaparks
- Hotels
- Restaurants