Beaches · Tenerife · Spain
The best beaches in and near Tenerife
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Playa de Las Teresitas (About 8 km from central Santa Cruz). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–November.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 7
- Swimming season
- June–November
- Warmest sea
- 24°C (75°F)
The beaches
About 8 km from central Santa Cruz · Families and calm swimming
1.Playa de Las Teresitas
Golden imported sand, calm water behind a breakwater and views of the Anaga hills, with fish restaurants in nearby San Andrés.
In Costa Adeje · Upmarket beach days
2.Playa del Duque
A well-kept stretch of golden sand at the northern end of Costa Adeje, backed by luxury hotels and a seafront promenade.
Los Cristianos seafront · Young children
3.Playa de las Vistas
Wide, gently sloping sand between Los Cristianos and Las Américas, protected by breakwaters and with accessible facilities.
Western Puerto de la Cruz · Black sand and sea views
4.Playa Jardín
Black volcanic sand framed by gardens designed by César Manrique, facing open Atlantic waves.
About 10 minutes from Tenerife South airport · Watersports and natural beaches
5.El Médano and La Tejita
Natural sandy beaches either side of Montaña Roja; El Médano is a windsurfing and kitesurfing hub, while La Tejita is wilder and less developed.
About 25 km from Santa Cruz via Taganana · Scenery and sunset walks
6.Playa de Benijo
A wild black-sand beach below the Anaga cliffs with sea stacks offshore; currents are strong and swimming is often unsafe.
Puerto de Santiago, west coast · West-coast sunsets
7.Playa de la Arena
A small black-sand beach in Puerto de Santiago with a promenade and views across to La Gomera.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C (66°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| February | 19°C (66°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| March | 19°C (66°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| April | 19°C (66°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| July | 22°C (72°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| September | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| November | 22°C (72°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| December | 20°C (68°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury and beach
Costa Adeje
Costa Adeje is the polished end of the south-coast resort belt, with large hotels, a seafront promenade linking Playa del Duque, Fañabé and Torviscas, and the Plaza del Duque and Siam Mall shopping centres. Siam Park is on its edge, boat trips leave from Puerto Colón, and the weather is among the sunniest and driest on the island.
- Good
- Reliable sunshine and calm beaches; Wide choice of family-friendly resorts; Easy access to boat trips and Siam Park
- Watch out
- Feels international rather than Canarian; Seafront restaurants are expensive
- Nearby
- Playa del Duque, Siam Park, Puerto Colón, La Caleta
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — TITSA's green buses connect the airports, resorts, Santa Cruz and most towns, with fast services on the motorways and slower village routes; a limited service reaches Teide National Park.
- Tram — Metrotenerife's line 1 runs frequently between central Santa Cruz and La Laguna, and line 2 links La Cuesta with Tíncer; it is the easiest way between the two cities.
- Car — Car hire is widely available at both airports and gives easy access to Teide, Masca, Anaga and the north; mountain roads are narrow, steep and winding.
- Ferry — Ferries sail from Los Cristianos to La Gomera in under an hour, and fast ferries from Santa Cruz serve Gran Canaria.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in May–November. The busiest of those is August, so book early.
Beach safety
Petty theft is the main concern: break-ins happen at busy viewpoints and trailheads, so leave nothing visible in hire cars. The Atlantic can be dangerous, especially on the north coast, so respect beach flags and stay out of the water when waves break on the rocks. At Teide, altitude, strong sun and cold nights catch visitors out. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Tenerife have beaches?
Yes: Playa de Las Teresitas, Playa del Duque, Playa de las Vistas, Playa Jardín, El Médano and La Tejita, Playa de Benijo and Playa de la Arena.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Tenerife?
Usually June–November, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Tenerife?
Playa de Las Teresitas: Golden imported sand, calm water behind a breakwater and views of the Anaga hills, with fish restaurants in nearby San Andrés.