With its sunny climate, the island of Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands. The sunshine and the beaches are one of the main attractions, in fact, for people looking to get away from cold temperatures and wet or windy weather. The island is full of golden and dark-sands offering both vibrant beaches and secluded beauty spots.
The southern hotspots
Most visitors tend to migrate to the island’s south western coast as this is where a great many of the resorts are located. You can some of these if you choose First Choice for your Tenerife holidays. The beaches are lively and expansive, featuring those famous volcanic black sands as seen at Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas. These resorts are extremely busy during the summer months with holidaymakers who arrive to enjoy swimming in the warm Atlantic Ocean as well indulging in some water-sports. However, if you’re looking for a quieter stretch of sand, head to El Medano on the south east coast. There the cool trade winds drift across the unspoilt sands making this a favoured surfing location.
Spectacular beauty spot
Tenerife holidays can include the incredibly scenic west coast resort of Los Gigantes in Santiago del Teide. This highly picturesque area has small but clean black sand beaches sheltered by immense coastal cliffs. There is definitely an air of tranquillity and exclusivity at this area as opposed to the busier resorts. For another pretty beach near Los Gigantes head to the pristine, pale golden sands of El Puerito where you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere, painted fishing boats and traditional white-washed houses.
The hidden gem
In the northern areas you’ll find immense golden sands such as those at Playa Teresitas. This huge bay just north of San Andres is considered one of the best beaches in the Canary Islands and features over a mile of beautiful golden sand that shelves gently into the shallow waters of the Atlantic. The bonus with Teresitas is that it’s pretty much a hidden gem known to the locals and usually only gets busy during the summer weekends and public holidays. The surrounding hills provide shelter from the wind while the palm trees make a great place to shade from the high summer temperatures.
As remote as it gets
If you’re the kind of traveller who desires some solitude then the remote Roque Bermejo at the island’s eastern tip will be the place for you. This little stretch of black sand isn’t usually advertised in the all-inclusive holidays to Tenerife brochures, but it’s none the less an impressive place. It’s located just behind the fishing hamelt of Roque but you’ll need a boat to reach it unless you make the two hour trek from Chamorga. The surrounding cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop and you can easily enjoy that Robinson Crusoe experience while you take it easy on the deserted sands and swim in the warm ocean waters.
This Canary Island has around 70 Km of beaches to enjoy so it won’t too hard to find something to suit your taste. This is also an inexpensive vacation option and those last minute holidays to Tenerife deals are still one of the best ways to find great discounts in a resort of your choice.
Images by Eduardo Martínez, Mate Marschalko, vil.sandi and someone10x used under creative commons license.
