Tenerife's Five Best Secret Beaches

Off the Beaten Track Beaches on the Canary Island of Tenerife

Jul 28, 2009

A guide to Tenerife's five best hidden hot spots for those who prefer serene beaches where nature and not concrete high-rises provides the scenic backdrop.

Tenerife’s southern tourist resorts are known for their immaculately spotless man-made golden beaches lined with regimented rows of sun loungers. Great for holidaymakers who like their beaches to come with a full set of facilities attached. However, visitors don’t have to travel far to discover plenty of alternative options which offer solitude, lots of sun lounger free sand, a soundtrack provided by gently lapping waves and even the opportunity to let the sun turn those usually covered up paler bits a more attractive colour.

Barely a hop, skip and a jump from the sprawling main tourist resorts of Costa Adeje and Playa de Las Américas, El Puertito is a taste of what the south of Tenerife looked like before mass tourism changed the fortunes of the island forever. A small fishing hamlet set in an idyllic bay where tiny blue fishing boats bob gently on inviting azure waters. It’s a perfect spot for spending lazy days on pale golden sand and long lunches trying out the catch of the day at the fish restaurant overlooking the beach.

Beach Tip: In summer months the area fills up with campers from the Spanish mainland and loses some of its serene appeal.

The approach to Abades on Tenerife’s east coast isn’t particularly inspiring. The small housing development of blindingly white modern villas looks out of place against the pumice landscape. However, park up at the coast and follow the path away from the small selection of cafes and restaurants and within minutes the houses are replaced by delightful sandy coves lapped by calm turquoise waters. There tends to be more flesh and less swimwear on display at the coves furthest from Abades.

Beach Tip: There’s a fascinating deserted lepers’ colony overlooking the coast which is worth an exploration.

The three black sand beaches of Playa Bollullo, Pozo and los Patos are popular sunspots with locals, but overlooked by most visitors. Tucked into the cliffs, they’re virtually hidden from view from north Tenerife’s main tourist resort at Puerto de la Cruz, a half hour walk away through banana plantations. Most sun seekers stretch out on the half moon shaped black sand beach at Bollullo where a small beach bar sells paintings and has twittering Canary birds and families of cats. It's in a great location for cooling down with a beer and for a bit of people watching. The smaller adjacent beaches of Pozo and Los Patos are more popular with surfers and people wanting to indulge in a bit of nudist sunbathing.

Beach Tip:The waves at Playa Bollullo can reach impressive heights; great to watch – dangerous to swim in. The lifeguard at the beach advises on swimming conditions.

A sweeping and generally almost deserted pale golden beach which lies a short distance from Tenerife’s southern airport, Playa de la Tejita is one of the most beautiful beaches on Tenerife. The fact that its kilometers of soft sand aren’t teeming with holidaymakers is all the more incredible given its proximity to the island’s most popular resorts a short drive away. The most attractive end of the beach lies under the iconic Montaña Roja (Red Mountain) where a beach shack provides welcome refreshments to the few intrepid sunbathers who find their way to this tranquil paradise. Small secluded coves at the base of the mountain are popular haunts for nudists.

Beach Tip: This part of the coast can be quite breezy which is probably why it isn’t as popular as it should be – the area below Montaña Roja is best for avoiding the breeze.

It might seem like cheating to include this as one of Tenerife’s secret beaches, especially as the 1.5 kilometres of sparkling golden sand was imported from the Sahara. However, this crescent shaped beach bookended by the dramatic peaks of the ancient Anaga Mountains at one end and the whitewashed buildings of the fishing village of San Andrés at the other is just too picture postcard pretty to leave out. Tenerife’s most beautiful beach wasn’t built for tourists either, it was created so that the residents of Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz, could enjoy the perfect beach playground a short distance from their city. In that respect it is still a secret to many visitors. Palm trees and small kiosks line the rear of the beach and a breakwater creates a warm turquoise lagoon teeming with tropical fish which is perfect for families and swimming all year round.

Beach Tip: The small fishing village next to the beach has some of the best fish restaurants on Tenerife.

The copyright of the article Tenerife's Five Best Secret Beaches in Spain Travel is owned by Jack Montgomery. Permission to republish Tenerife's Five Best Secret Beaches in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.