Temperatures have dropped here in London. I don’t mind the cold if I am wrapped up warm. These old English houses though are pretty to look at but completely draughty. I have the heating cranked up but am still feeling cold. The whole experience has me dreaming of our holiday on the black sand beaches in Tenerife. Here is our pick of 20 of the best beaches in Tenerife, a Spanish island blessed with great weather for an easy escape for winter sun. With many black sand beaches, Tenerife is great for a family holiday. Of course, there are white sand beaches in Tenerife too (with sugar soft golden sand imported from the Sahara!).
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Why The Beaches of Tenerife?
A couple of years ago, before the children started taking skiing seriously, we went to Tenerife during February half-term break. The average high temperature in Tenerife is in the low 70’s which is pretty good for a quick break from England for winter sun in Europe. Not only is the flight time only 4 hours from London but also there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tenerife, like Tenerife black sand beaches.
What Color is the Sand in Tenerife?
The original Tenerife sand is black and so you get the Tenerife black sand beaches. The other type of Tenerife sand is golden sand from the Sahara imported for people who don’t like the black sand beaches Tenerife originally had.
Why Are There Black Sand Beaches in Tenerife?
The black sand beaches in Tenerife are the result of a volcanic basaltic coastline meeting the erosion of the sea. The island has a coastline of 250 miles of which 40 miles are sand beaches in Tenerife. Chances are you will find a Tenerife black sand beach that you will love. In terms of Tenerife beaches, black sand is the original version.
Most of Tenerife’s golden sand beaches are man-made. They were created by importing soft yellow sand from the Sahara. The yellow sand beaches are in the more touristy areas on the south of the island.
In fact, the famous Playa del Duque started off as a black sand beach but got covered up by golden sand in the 1990’s. Maybe you can convince your kids to keep digging until they get to the original Tenerife beach black sand ? That should keep them busy.
Image credit: Benoit Deniaud
Due to their colour, black sand beaches also retain the heat better – a big plus in the winter months!
Image credit: Perlaroques
Why Kids Love A Black Sand Beach in Tenerife
I find black sand is a bit stickier and less grainy than yellow sand. My children absolutely loved the black beaches Tenerife had to offer though They filled up the Tenerife black sand holes with water and pretended they were Peppa Pig jumping in muddy puddles. The children looked a fright once they were finished playing in the black beach Tenerife style.
On the plus side though, all the black sand Tenerife has washes off and it was definitely easier to spot black sand caught in little crevices than golden sand on a little sun-kissed body.
Also, black sand in Tenerife is heavier than yellow sand and brushes off easier when it is dry!
Image credit: kubonbon
Our favourite black sand beaches in Tenerife were Playa de las Arenas (on the West coast) and Playa Jardin (on the North Coast).
Your Perfect Black Sand Beach Tenerife
Your choice of black beaches Tenerife offers really depends on if you have kids with you. An isolated black sand beach in Tenerife will give you that Robinson Crusoe feeling that you may not find on the rest of this touristy island. On the other hand, you may not want to lug food, drinks, toys etc, to some of the best beaches in Tenerife
The best black sand beaches Tenerife offers for kids
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- Playa Jardin in Puerta de la Cruz is a Blue Flag black beach Tenerife locals love. This beach is sheltered and great for kids. It has lots of facilities as well as a mix of locals and tourists.
- Playa de las Arenas is another black sand beach in the south of Tenerife located near Los Gigantes. It is a Blue Flag Beach and the kids will love exploring the rock pools.
- Playa de Troya is on the Costa Adeje on the South coast. This black sand beach in Tenerife is in the Las Americas tourist section of the island. Although Las Americas is known as party central in Tenerife, during the day Playa de Troya is a family-friendly Blue Flag beach.
- Playa San Juan is in the South of Tenerife in Guia de Isora, a small fishing village. The beach is small and sheltered and so good for kids. This Blue Flag beach is less touristy than other beaches because the area has more apartments than hotels.
- Playa San Marcos is located on the North Coast. It backs onto a little fishing village and is sheltered enough for kids to play safely.
- Playa de la Martianez is located on the North Coast near Puerto de la Cruz. Although a small black sand beach in Tenerife, your kids will LOVE the Lago Martianez which is a waterpark that combines pools and art. Yes, really.
- Also on the north coast near Icod de los Vinos, Playa San Marco is a popular black sand beach Tenerife visitors love. It’s family-friendly with calm waters and sun loungers for rent.
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A dramatic setting for this black sand beach – Tenerife’s soaring cliffs, blue sky and turquoise waters.
Other black sand beaches in Tenerife
If you want the novelty of a black beach Tenerife has got lots of great options. Not every Tenerife black sand beach though may be suitable for families. For example, on some of these black sand beaches Tenerife permits nudist sun bathing.
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- Playa de los Gigantes is a small beach on the West Coast.
- At Playa Bollullo in La Orotava, you will find your escape from the crowds. However, there are no facilities and the waves are strong so it’s not great with little kids. Nearby there is a nudist beach in Tenerife.
- Playa Las Gaviotas (near the golden sand beach of Las Teresitas) is also a nudist beach in Tenerife.
- Continuing with the nudist beach in Tenerife theme, Los Patos is an enormously popular black sand beach located in the Orotava valley in Tenerife. At low tide, the beach is very wide. It’s not easy to access but has a spectacular setting amongst banana plantations, cliffs and the sea.
- Playa Socorro has attained Blue Flag status. One of the top beaches in Tenerife, it is popular with surfers. The waves may be too much with younger children.
- Roque Bermejo in Eastern Tenerife is not the easiest to visit. You will need either a boat or trek for two hours. Personally, I think that is way too much effort in getting to a Tenerife black beach.
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We were doing some sightseeing on the island and made a quick pitstop for some bucket and spade time on a black sand beach Tenerife
Top Beaches in Tenerife
These top beaches in Tenerife are the ones which have been awarded a Blue Flag rating for their cleanliness, convenience, amenities and ease of access, including for people with disabilities. These sandy beaches in Tenerife are a mix of golden sand and black sand. A Blue Flag rating pretty much means these beaches have been certified to be the best beaches in Tenerife.
A black sand beach Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
5 Blue Flag White Sand Beaches in Tenerife
We didn’t limit ourselves to just black beaches in Tenerife! In terms of beaches Tenerife is blessed so it’s a perfect place to explore different sandy options.
My daughter loves white sand beaches in Tenerife as well.
These white sand beaches in Tenerife are all in the south of the island:
- Playa Fanabe in Costa Adeje is one of the best beaches in Tenerife for families. Facilities include showers, bars, restaurants, lifeguard service, police, sun lounger rental and water sports equipment for hire.
- Playa del Duque is also in the Costa Adeje and another one of the top beaches in Tenerife. Facilities include showers, bars, restaurants, lifeguard service, police, sun lounger rental and water sports equipment for hire.
- Playa las Vistas is near the bigger beaches of Los Cristianos and Las Americas on the south coast. The beach is fairly sheltered and the gentle water is perfect for younger children. Facilities include showers, bars, restaurants, lifeguard service, police, sun lounger rental and water sports equipment for hire.
- Playa del Medano is located on the south coast near Granadilla de Abona. Facilities include car parks, restaurants, lifeguard service, sun lounger rental and water sports equipment for hire. Playa del Medano is one of the beaches Tenerife offers for sports enthusiasts, and even hosts the World Kite Surfing Championships every year.
- Playa la Jaquita is also located on the south coast near Granadilla de Abona. Facilities include a car park, sun lounger rental and water sports equipment for hire. This beach is one of the less touristy of the beaches in Tenerife.
You have a choice of sandy beaches in Tenerife, whether black or golden
7 Blue Flag Black Sand Beaches in Tenerife
Some of the blue flag black sand beaches in Tenerife have been mentioned above for being particularly family-friendly (Playa de Troya, Playa de las Arenas, Playa San Juan and Playa Jardin) or unique for some other reason (El Socorro).
Here are two other choices in the North of Tenerife if you are still looking for the perfect black beach Tenerife has to offer:
- Playa San Telmo is located in Puerto de la Cruz. During low tide, the rock pools are great for children to play in. On the less family-friendly side, there’s not car parking nearby so you will have to haul your stuff to the beach.
- Playa la Arena is located in Tacoronte. Small with calm waters, it’s one of the black beaches Tenerife locals love.
A Map of Recommended Beaches in Tenerife
All of the beaches mentioned above are pinpointed on the map of Tenerife below.
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