Tenerife is home to a multitude of different types of beaches and you’ll find that they cater for all tastes and range from golden brown to velvety, black, volcanic sand.
Tenerife beaches themselves have varying levels of services too, from the very well supported beaches in the south to the more rugged and quiet coves that can be found dotted around the coastline. However you prefer to top up your tan, here’s our pick of the top beaches on Tenerife.
Playa de las Teresitas
Las Teresitas is a mile long golden sandy beach that is just outside the capital of Santa Cruz and sits below the Anaga mountains in a beautiful natural cove.
The fine yellow sand was imported from the nearby Sahara desert and with the breakwater to contain the sand; the water is very calm and can be assured of a safe, shallow place to swim. It’s not uncommon to see shoals of tiny fish who take refuge in this calm, artificial reef.
It was built to provide a nearby beach for the inhabitants of Santa Cruz and is very popular with the locals. This picturesque beach is lined with palm trees in an artful way that makes it even more alluring to visitors.
The facilities are excellent and include changing rooms, toilets, convenient bars and restaurants.
Playa Las Vistas
Sandwiched between Los Cristianos and Las Americas in the municipality of Arona, Las Vistas is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the south and very popular with both tourists and locals.
The water here is also quite calm which is perfect for families and also boasts of several types of water activities for the more adventurous. There is a fountain which shoots water into the air, keeping sunbathers cool and the children amused.
It has good access for disabled people and also boasts amphibian chairs with helpers always at hand.
Las vistas probably has one of the longest stretches on the island so for budding joggers or casual walkers, it makes for an inviting proposition, especially with the array of bars and restaurants available on the promenade where you might be tempted to try the locally brewed Dorada beer to quench your thirst.
Playa del Duque
Situated in Costa Adeje which is on the fringes of Playa de las Americas in the south of the island, Playa del Duque has to be one of the top beaches on the island with its white sand and calm waters.
The beach is in an upmarket area of the island and is well maintained with easy access to the surrounding areas of this more reserved resort.
The beach provides guests the ability to hire sun loungers and parasols and has a high standard of bars and restaurants including changing rooms and toilets.
Playa Jardin
Located in the north of the island in the resort of Puerto de la Cruz, Playa Jardin is a popular dark, sandy beach which can get busy on good days.
The sea can be unsuitable for those who are not experienced swimmers although it does have a breakwater that protects part of the swimming area and there are facilities available on site.
There are numerous gardens on the edges of the beach as the name implies which originates from Cesar Manrique, a revered Canarian architect who changed the way open spaced were viewed.
There is also a cascade which keeps children occupied and the beach has all the facilities you need at this type of location.
What about the rest?
Well, these are the Tenerife beaches that immediately spring to mind but as you can imagine, there are many more on the island, too many to list here.
There are little pockets and coves dotted around the coastline that are waiting to be discovered and searching out these little treasures can be an exciting experience and a journey full of new discoveries.
