I was born in Tenerife and grew up on the north coast, in Punta del Hidalgo. These are the beaches I actually go to, and the ones I send friends to when they visit. My own favourites are El Arenal in Bajamar, right next to where I grew up, and Las Teresitas. Some beaches here are easy resort beaches, some are wild and beautiful, and a few are best admired from the shore.
Quick answer: for calm water and golden sand, go to Las Teresitas or Playa del Duque. For a wild black sand beach, go to Benijo. For surfing, start in Las Américas. For kitesurfing, El Médano. For something only locals do, swim in a natural pool on the north coast.
The best beaches in Tenerife at a glance
| Beach | Area | Sand | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Teresitas | North-east, near Santa Cruz | Golden | Calm swimming, local atmosphere |
| Playa del Duque | South, Costa Adeje | Golden | Families, sunbeds, smart resort feel |
| Playa de Las Vistas | South, Los Cristianos | Golden | Easy access, families |
| Benijo | North-east, Anaga | Black | Scenery and sunsets (not for swimming in rough sea) |
| El Médano | South-east, near the south airport | Golden-grey | Windsurf and kitesurf |
| La Tejita | South-east, next to El Médano | Golden-grey | Long walks, a natural setting |
| Playa Jardín | North, Puerto de la Cruz | Black | A north coast beach with gardens |
| Playa de La Arena | West, Puerto de Santiago | Black | A small, sheltered black sand beach |
Best beaches for calm swimming and families
Playa de Las Teresitas (San Andrés)
This is the beach locals from Santa Cruz and La Laguna go to on weekends. The golden sand was brought from the Sahara decades ago, and a breakwater keeps the water calm most days, which makes it one of the best swimming beaches on the island. Behind it rise the green mountains of Anaga, so it looks nothing like the resort beaches in the south.
Local tip: go on a weekday morning. On sunny weekends the car park fills up early. Afterwards, eat fresh fish in the village of San Andrés, just next to the beach.
Playa del Duque (Costa Adeje)
The most polished beach in Tenerife: golden sand, clear water, sunbeds and a promenade lined with hotels and restaurants. If you are staying in Costa Adeje and want an easy, comfortable beach day, this is it.
Playa de Las Vistas (Los Cristianos)
A long, protected beach right in Los Cristianos, with gentle water, facilities and easy access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. It is busy, but it is one of the most practical beaches in the south for families.
Best wild and black sand beaches
Playa de Benijo (Anaga)
One of the most spectacular beaches in Tenerife. Black sand, rock stacks rising out of the sea and green cliffs behind you, at the end of a winding road through the Anaga Rural Park. The sunset here is something special.
Be careful: this is an open Atlantic beach. Currents and waves can be strong, especially in winter. On a rough day, enjoy it from the sand and do not swim.
Playa Jardín (Puerto de la Cruz)
A black sand beach surrounded by gardens, designed with the help of the Lanzarote artist César Manrique. It is the easiest way to enjoy a north coast beach with facilities, and it combines well with a walk around the old town of Puerto de la Cruz.
Playa de La Arena (Puerto de Santiago)
A small, fine black sand beach on the west coast, near the cliffs of Los Gigantes. Good if you are staying in the west and want something quieter than the big southern resorts.
Best beaches for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing
- Playa de Las Américas: the centre of surfing in the south, with surf schools for beginners and reef breaks for experienced surfers.
- El Médano: one of the windiest places on the island, which makes it a favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Not ideal for a calm beach day.
- Almáciga (Anaga): a north coast surf beach next to Benijo, for surfers who already have some experience.
If you are a beginner, book a lesson with a surf school. They choose the right spot for the day’s waves, which changes a lot with the season.
Natural pools: the local secret
The north coast of Tenerife has fewer sandy beaches, but it has something better for many locals: natural pools, called piscinas naturales or charcos, where the Atlantic fills volcanic rock pools. Where I grew up, in Punta del Hidalgo and nearby Bajamar, this is how we swim.
- Punta del Hidalgo and Bajamar: sea water pools at the edge of the Anaga mountains, with views along the coast.
- El Caletón, Garachico: pools formed in lava from an eruption centuries ago, next to one of the prettiest old towns on the island.
- Lago Martiánez, Puerto de la Cruz: a pool complex designed by César Manrique, with an entry fee and lifeguards.
Local tip: natural pools depend on the sea. With big waves they can be closed or dangerous. Look at the sea for a few minutes before getting in, and never swim when the waves are breaking over the rocks.
North or south: which coast has better beaches?
The south has more sunshine, calmer water and resort beaches with sunbeds. The north is greener, cloudier and wilder, with black sand, bigger waves and natural pools. If you want guaranteed sun and easy swimming, stay in the south. If you want scenery and a more local Tenerife, spend at least a day in the north.
Beach safety in Tenerife
- Flags: green means swimming is allowed, yellow means take care, red means do not swim.
- The Atlantic is strong: open beaches, especially in the north, can have powerful currents even on sunny days.
- Sun: the sun is strong all year, even when it feels cool and windy. Use high factor sun cream.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tenerife have white sand beaches?
Not naturally. The island is volcanic, so its natural sand is black or dark grey. Golden beaches such as Las Teresitas, Playa del Duque and Las Vistas were created with sand brought in from elsewhere.
Can you swim in Tenerife in winter?
Yes. The sea is cooler in winter and early spring, and warmest in late summer and autumn, but many visitors swim all year, especially in the sunnier south.
What is the best beach in Tenerife for families?
Playa del Duque and Playa de Las Vistas in the south, and Las Teresitas in the north-east. All three have calm water on most days and facilities nearby.
Beach conditions, facilities and access rules change. Always check the flags and local signs on the day.
Leave a Reply