Tenerife has a great variety of beaches — white sand, black volcanic sand, pebbles, cliffs, natural pools and perfect waves for surfing. There is no single best beach, because every traveller looks for something different. So instead of giving a ranking, I prefer to describe the most interesting ones in each area of the island.
The coastline of Tenerife is divided into three main zones: the south, the east and the north. Each zone has its own microclimate, its own character and its unique beaches. Here they are.
The south coast — sunshine all year round
The south coast is the warmest and driest part of the island. There are almost no rainy days and the climate is pleasant throughout the year. For this reason it is the most tourist-heavy zone and the one with the greatest concentration of hotels and beach services. Moreover, it is here where most water sports activities are based.
Punta Teno
Punta Teno is the westernmost tip of Tenerife — a small peninsula with a beautiful lighthouse. The beach is tiny but unique: it is the meeting point between the north and south of the island. To the north there is almost always wind and the sea looks choppy. However, to the south the great cliffs begin, sheltering from the wind and making the water calm and still. It is worth stopping here for half an hour to an hour before continuing.
Masca
A small sandy beach at the foot of enormous cliffs. It can only be reached by boat or after a three-hour descent on foot from the village of Masca, at almost 1,000 metres altitude. Due to the difficult access, there are very few people here — it is an ideal spot for those looking for peace and quiet and to be almost alone.
Los Gigantes
The beach in the village of Los Gigantes sits behind the marina — about one hundred metres of natural black sand at the foot of the impressive cliffs that begin right here. It tends to be quiet, although parking can be tricky if you are coming from outside the village.
On the other side of the village, in the Puerto Santiago area, you will find Playa La Arena — a black volcanic sand beach where parking is easier and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
Alcalá and Playa San Juan
In Alcalá there is a lovely beach next to the Meliá Hotel — clean and natural, with black sand in part and natural rock pools in the rocky area. It is one of those beaches that tourists rarely find on their own but locals know well.
Nearby there is a surf beach — less suitable for swimming due to the rocks at the water’s edge, but one of the best surf spots in the area during winter. It is also my home beach, where I practise surfing. A little further south, in the village of Playa San Juan, there is a pleasant quiet beach with a good local atmosphere and easy access.
Adeje and Costa Adeje
The Adeje area starts in the village of La Caleta and stretches to the hotel zone of Costa Adeje. These are fine white sand beaches, well organised and with all services — sun loungers, showers, beach bars, lifeguards. The most comfortable option for those staying in the area.
Costa Fañabe
Very similar to Costa Adeje — a long stretch of sandy beach with a lively promenade, restaurants, bars and all tourist services. A very busy zone but well equipped throughout the year.
Las Américas and Los Cristianos
Tourist zones with sandy beaches, a lively atmosphere and full services. In Las Américas there is more open sea and some good surf spots. In addition, you will find surf schools and shops to rent or buy equipment.
El Médano
A paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing — one of the best spots in the world for these disciplines thanks to the constant wind. Next to El Médano you will find Playa Tahíta and the impressive Montaña Roja, a 171-metre coastal volcano that rises straight from the sea. The atmosphere is more relaxed and authentic than in the large tourist zones of the south.
Water sports on the south coast of Tenerife
The south coast of Tenerife is the best place on the island for water sports. The warm climate all year round, the calm sea in many areas and the crystal-clear waters make this coastline an ideal destination for all kinds of aquatic activities — both for the most adventurous and for those looking for something more relaxed.
Among the most popular activities you will find kayaking, jet skiing, banana boat rides, powersending, flyfish, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and snorkelling. There are options for all levels and all ages — from children getting on a banana boat for the first time to thrill-seekers looking for adrenaline on the open sea.
Diving and sea fishing on the south coast
The seabed off the south coast of Tenerife is one of the richest in the Atlantic. Water visibility is exceptional throughout the year and the variety of marine species is enormous — tropical fish, rays, octopus, moray eels and occasionally turtles and sharks. That is why diving here is a truly special experience, both for experienced divers and for those going underwater for the first time.
Sea fishing is another of the most popular activities in the south — from deep-sea sport fishing to bottom fishing. The Atlantic waters around Tenerife are rich in tuna, sea bream, swordfish and many other species. An experience very different from anything else on the island.
The east coast
The east coast is similar to the south in terms of climate, although the southern part of this zone tends to be quite windy. However, in the northern part you will find one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire island.
San Andrés — Las Teresitas Beach
Considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Tenerife. Its golden sand was brought by ship from the Sahara desert to create a beach that resembles Miami Beach, just seven kilometres north of the capital, Santa Cruz. It is located in the small fishing village of San Andrés — a perfect contrast between tropical sand and authentic Canarian atmosphere.
Igueste de San Andrés
For those looking for quieter and more secluded beaches, head to Igueste — a small fishing village at the end of the road that goes north from San Andrés. On the way you will find a small nudist beach of black sand, and in the village itself there is another small beach with very few people.
The north coast
The north coast is cooler and more humid, with more cloudy days. However, on sunny days it is strikingly beautiful — the lush vegetation, intense colours and peaceful atmosphere create a very different experience from the south. Furthermore, the waves are better for surfing.
Taganana
A somewhat more isolated area with black sand beaches and an authentically Canarian atmosphere. Spending the day on a quiet beach in a small fishing village, eating fresh fish at local restaurants — it is an experience you simply won’t find in the tourist resorts of the south.
Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo
A green, mountainous landscape with a variety of beaches, mainly rocky ones with natural pools. This area has some of the best surf waves in Tenerife. The atmosphere is authentically Canarian, with far fewer tourists than in the south.
Los Patos
A black sand beach at the foot of cliffs, north of Puerto de la Cruz. It is a little difficult to find the path, but it is worth the effort. Even at Los Patos you feel a local, Canarian atmosphere very different from the mass tourism of the south coast.
Puerto de la Cruz — Playa Jardín
The most beautiful and famous beach in Puerto de la Cruz. Playa Jardín is exactly that — a garden of black volcanic sand surrounded by tropical vegetation, designed by Canarian artist César Manrique. Being in the north, there are fewer sunny days than in the south, but when the sky is clear it is spectacularly beautiful.
Playa del Socorro
On the other side of Puerto de la Cruz, Playa Socorro is a black sand beach with tall cliffs at the far end. It is easy to reach from the main road. However, caution is needed — there are sometimes dangerous currents and it is important to stay in the centre of the beach and follow the lifeguards’ instructions.
Hidden beaches, natural pools and secret spots
Tenerife hides many corners that don’t appear in tourist guides — natural pools carved into volcanic rock, coves accessible only by narrow paths, black sand beaches with almost no one around and sea viewpoints that take your breath away. Finding these places requires knowing where to look and, above all, how to get there.
If you want to discover the most hidden beaches and natural pools of the island with a local guide who knows these spots first-hand, I can organise everything for you — transport included.
Have a question or want help planning your perfect beach day? Contact me with no obligation and I’ll organise everything for you.
