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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES OF TENERIFE

De mooiste stranden van Tenerife. Foto van Playa de las Teresitas
Playa de las Teresitas

Tenerife has a multitude of beaches: from small rocky coves to extensive sandy beaches with fine sand and cozy chiringuitos.

The north of the island has a few beautiful beaches, but here the ocean can be a bit rougher. When it comes to swimming quality, the south of the island is slightly better off. Keep this in mind when booking a holiday to Tenerife.

For the sake of clarity, I have divided the most beautiful beaches of Tenerife by region. These are marked in blue on the map. Click on the relevant region for a concise list of beaches you should definitely visit!

De mooiste stranden van Tenerife. Map van Tenerife Zuiden
Tenerife South
Tenerife West - Mooiste Stranden. Map van westen van Tenerife
Tenerife West (still under construction)

Colors of the sand: 

Because Tenerife is a volcanic island, some beaches are black. It might take some getting used to if you've never seen it before, but it certainly has its own charm. The sand is beloved by the locals for a natural exfoliation: scrub your body with the fine black sand and then rinse it off in the ocean. A free spa!

Furthermore, there are man-made beaches, like Playa de las Teresitas, located near the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The sand on this beach has been specifically imported from the Sahara, and it's almost white in color.

Swimming in the Ocean

Tenerife is situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The water temperature along the coast averages around 20.3ºC, making it suitable for a refreshing dip year-round.

But be cautious, the ocean can be treacherous at times. Therefore, it's essential to follow the instructions of the lifeguard and keep an eye on the color of the beach flags:

  • Green: It is safe to swim. However, always be careful.
  • Yellow: Potentially dangerous, do not swim too far from the shore and stay alert.
  • Red: Do not swim. Not even if you are a great swimmer. In some places there can be a dangerous undertow, which is not always visible from the surface. By ignoring the red flag you not only endanger yourself, but possibly the lifeguard's life as well.

Apart from these three flags, some beaches also have a blue flag, which represents the quality of the beach. It's a kind of certificate to show that the beach meets various quality standards. This year, 12 blue flags have been awarded on Tenerife.

Additionally, there is also a white flag with a purple or blue image of jellyfish. It's easy to guess: this flag informs about the presence of jellyfish in the sea.

Normally, this flag is accompanied by a yellow or red flag. It is essential to respect these flags and not enter the sea when safety warnings are in effect. Safety comes first when enjoying the ocean. Fortunately, it is not often that this flag needs to be raised.

And finally: protect not only yourself, but also the flora and fauna of the ocean. So, do not leave any waste, plastic, or cigarette butts on the beach or in the water

Gele Vlag op het strand van La Caleta
Yellow flag: be careful!
Blauwe vlag: foto van blauwe vlag op strand van La Caleta
Blue flag

Don't underestimate the sun

Tenerife has a wonderful, and above all constant, climate. In summer it rarely exceeds 30ºC and in winter, at least in the coastal regions, the temperature fluctuates between 20ºC and 23ºC.

The Canary Islands are located just above the Tropic of Cancer, not far from the West African coast. As a result, UV radiation is much more intense than in Northern Europe.

So remember to regularly apply a good sunscreen.

De mooiste stranden van Tenerife. Illustratie van Flesje zonne-creme factor 50
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