Beaches in Tenerife
Golden sand from Africa, black volcanic sand and the wind that carries kitesurfers
- Calm swimming
- Las Teresitas and Playa del Duque
- Wind
- El Médano, kitesurfing
- Black sand
- Playa Jardín and Los Gigantes
Tenerife is a volcano, so its natural beaches are black, and the golden sand of Las Teresitas was shipped in from Africa. Five beaches cover the whole range, from a bay built for calm swimming to a stretch where the wind does the work.
An artificial bay under Anaga
Las Teresitas sits at San Andrés, on the edge of Santa Cruz, with the Anaga mountains standing behind it. About 1.5 km of golden sand was shipped in from Africa, which explains the colour. A concrete barrier out at sea shuts off the swell, so the water inside stays calm enough for children.
Swimming is the main business here, and snorkelling with a mask works too, since the beach is a city beach in the best sense, reached by a local bus from Santa Cruz or by car, and it makes a good half day on the northern side of the island. Choose it over the southern resorts when the south is crowded.
Check the same room on both sites: price and cancellation terms can differ.
Playa del Duque and Costa Adeje
Playa del Duque is the polished option in Costa Adeje. The fine, pale sand runs for about 700 m and the sea enters flat, with a breakwater taking the force out of the waves, so it suits anyone who wants the beach to behave and who would rather walk to it from the hotels around it than drive.
Wind and kitesurfing
El Médano belongs to the wind. The sand is golden and the sea is lively, and kitesurfers fill the water in front of the town on days when swimmers would struggle. It lies near the TFS airport, which makes it the easy beach for a first or last day.
La Tejita, the next beach along, is natural and open, with fewer buildings behind it. Pack a windbreaker, because the same breeze that draws the kites will also cool you off after a swim, and a towel that stays put is worth more here than a sunshade. Anyone after flat water should pick Las Teresitas or Playa del Duque instead.
Playa Jardín and Los Gigantes
Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz is a Cesar Manrique project, and it looks like one. Gardens run behind the dark sand, with a view of Teide on clear days. There are three beaches here, Castillo, Charcón and Punta Brava, and Charcón has the smallest crowds. Parking next to the beach is not available, so plan to walk the last stretch.
Los Gigantes is the natural version, a black beach at the foot of tall cliffs. The place is quiet, about 40 minutes from Costa Adeje, and it shows the volcanic coast at full height. Water in winter hovers around 19–20 °C.
Which beach when
The right beach follows the day, so pick it by the weather and by who is coming. These four situations cover most choices.
- Calm water for children: Las Teresitas or Playa del Duque, both with a man-made shelter.
- Wind and kitesurfing: El Médano, near the airport.
- A scenic stretch with gardens and a view of Teide: Playa Jardín at Puerto de la Cruz.
- Cliffs and quiet: Los Gigantes, with a black natural beach.
Where to next
Nomadinho scores out of 100, the same ones behind “Where to go”.
If you like Tenerife
Three places with the closest scores, from any country.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Does Tenerife have golden-sand beaches?
Yes, though they are the exception. Las Teresitas has golden sand brought from Africa, El Médano is golden too, and Playa del Duque has fine pale sand. The natural beaches elsewhere are mostly black.
Can you swim in winter?
Yes. The water sits around 19–20 °C in winter, which suits a short swim. Pick one of the two sheltered bays and the cool water is easy to bear.
Which beach has the calmest water?
Las Teresitas and Playa del Duque. Las Teresitas is protected by a concrete barrier and Playa del Duque by a breakwater, and both give small waves.
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