Tenerife has some great beaches! Some of them are natural, some are man-made and some have been enhanced with extra sand and excavation. But they are all beautiful places to hang around and swim, snorkel, surf or just soak up the sun.
Roque Beach is one of the natural beaches on Tenerife. Its dark volcanic sands make a striking contrast to the blue of the ocean waters. This is a beautiful beach, although perhaps not what you picture when you think of sun and sand. It is safe for swimming, certainly, but there are currents and swells to watch out for. Roque is an ideal place to practice if you’re a novice surfer; the waves aren’t big enough for a challenge but perfect for honing your balancing skills. There are fish restaurants and open air cafes on the beach so you can spend the whole day!
Another black sand beach is Martianez Beach in Puerto de la Cruz, between the Martianez cliff and Costa de Martianez, a public complex. Some parts are open to the sea, making the currents a bit dicey but it’s good for practice surfing as well as swimming.
Although not technically a beach, Lago Martianez in Puerto de la Cruz is a wonderful example of coastal transformation. Created by Cesar Manrique, this beautiful pond is surrounded by four pools for adults and three for children. The artists included sculptures in the landscaping that add to the beauty of these man-made waters.
Another man-enhanced beach is the Playas de la Teresitas in Santa Cruz, which underwent enlargement in 1972 by adding 4 million sacks of golden sand from the Sahara. There is a breakwater to make the waters somewhat calm, palms for shade and beautiful sea grapes growing on the beach. You’ll find lots of amenities including cabanas, umbrellas and chairs and activities such as beach volley. This is understandably the most popular beach on the island.
Los Cristianos has two main beaches and lots of smaller ones close to the main hotels. Playa de los Cristianos, the main beach, has grey sand while Playa de las Vistas has yellow sand that has been taken from the seabed. There is an excellent selection of restaurants, bars and some activities. Los Cristianos is ideal for those traveling with children; its waters are safe and there are lots of playgrounds.
Playas de Troya serves as the main beach for the resort of Playa de las Americas. The most famous Tenerife beach, it is well sheltered, has shallow water, restaurants and lots of water sports. When the sea is rough the waves are great for surfing novices but those who want more of a challenge go over behind the Conquistador hotel. Just north of here is a small stony beach called La Caleta that’s ideal for snorkeling. Between these is a seldom-frequented cove with a sandy beach called Play de la Enramada, perfect for a quiet romantic picnic.
Of course, there are also beaches on Tenerife catering to those who prefer to swim and sunbathe au naturale. These are Playa de la Tejita in El Medano, Playa de los Patos in La Crotava and Playa de las Gaviotas in Santa Cruz.