The 9 Best Tenerife Beaches For Surfers & Non-Surfers
From volcanic coves shadowed by the Anaga Mountains to breezy golden sands backed by luxury hotels, Tenerife’s beaches are every bit as diverse as the island’s landscapes.
There are two distinct areas, with thier own disctinct types of beaches.
The north is wild and untamed. It’s a playground for adventurers, coastal hikers, and surfers, offering black-sand coves and reefy surf breaks under jagged peaks. I prefer it generally, but then the south also has its draws.
Yep, the south coasts (both in the east and west) are sun-soaked and sheltered, ideal for swimming and cocktails under parasols. They’re also the most developed, offering the mainstay beaches of big resort towns like Playa de las Americas.
>>Get more inspiration about surfing in Tenerife in our full island guide
Best beaches in north Tenerife
Playa del Socorro
Playa del Socorro lies below the banana plantations and cliffs near Los Realejos, in the very heart of the north coast of Tenerife. It’s a dramatic, black-sand beach where the Atlantic rolls in with power, drawing a mix of local folks and surfers rather than resort crowds.
The beach itself is pure carbon colored stunningness. It’s got steep cliffs rising behind, and the sea glinting gunmetal blue in the sunlight.
Facilities are good for a northern beach, with parking on the upper road, showers, and a small café for post-surf snacks. Lifeguards are usually present, but swimming can be rough when the swell hits. The waves pound hard onto the sandbar, so keep an eye on the flags before diving in.
The surf? Playa del Socorro is one of Tenerife’s most consistent surf beaches. It picks up almost any north or northwest swell and offers punchy beach breaks that can be heavy at low tide. Intermediate and advanced surfers love it, but beginners should stick to smaller days or lessons with local surf schools.
Playa de las Teresitas
Playa de las Teresitas is Santa Cruz’s golden showpiece. It’s unlike most of Tenerife’s volcanic beaches – the sort that dominate the whole of the north coast – because its sand is imported from the Sahara. Yep, the Saraha Desert. FFS. Humans. Sorry, but I find it a touch annoying that folks in Tenerife thought that was a good idea when they’ve plenty of white-sand beaches.
Still, the product is a pretty thing…
Stretching for nearly a mile, it’s a perfectly arced bay lined with palms, lidos, and cafés. The water is glassy and calm thanks to a long offshore breakwater that blocks swells, making it ideal for families and swimmers.
You can rent sunbeds, grab tapas from beach bars, or walk to the viewpoints above the northern end for a classic photo of the bay against the backdrop of the Anaga Mountains. And you’re only a short drive from some of the best surf breaks on the north coast of the island.
The surf? None to speak of. Teresitas is protected from all Atlantic energy by the harbour wall. Think paddleboarding, not surfboards.
Where to stay in Tenerife?
- 🏨 Iberostar Selection Anthelia – If you want coastal luxury and came for the resort vibes that Tenerife is known for, then hit this five-star palace just behind El Duque beach. It’s for those who want beach, chill, and pampering.
- 🏄Endless Summer Vibes Surf Camp – Daily surf lessons and accomodation provided by one of the leading surf camps in Tenerife. Great people, lovely lodge.
- 🧘♀️Casa Grande Surf Hostel – A bargain stay in El Medano that’s got great ratings for being super sociable and making it easy to organize surf trips.
Playa de Benijo
Remote, rugged, and utterly stunning, Playa de Benijo is the highlights of Tenerife’s north. Set beneath the towering cliffs of the Anaga Mountains, it’s a black-sand crescent scattered with giant volcanic sea stacks that glow orange at sunset.
Getting there involves a winding drive through the mountains and a short walk down steps, but it’s well worth it.
There are no resorts here, just a few rustic seafood restaurants overlooking the beach and the sound of crashing waves. Swimming can be treacherous because of strong currents, but when the light hits right, this place is spellbinding and so fricking photogenic.
The surf? Benijo is a moody, powerful beach break that offers hollow, fast waves when the north swells line up. It’s not usually for beginners – access can be tricky and the rips are strong – but the smallest days can make it okay for learning.
Playa El Bollullo
Hidden in the cliffs west of Puerto de la Cruz (the main transport hub and city on Tenerife’s north shore), Playa El Bollullo is one of the islands most beautiful natural beaches. I reallly like this one. It’s proper wild and dramatic.
You reach it via a short walk through avocado plantations on a rickety boardwalk balanced on the rocks. The moment you see the black volcanic sand shimmering under the sun, you’ll understand why it’s on this list.
The beach is quite small, framed by basalt rocks, with just a single beach bar perched above. There are no big facilities here – just raw Atlantic energy and incredible scenery. Swimming is possible on the far right hand side of the bay, over the rock stack, but it’s rare since the ocean is usually way too powerful – just don’t get in if in doubt, the rips here are mega!
The surf? El Bollullo can hold some good waves when the north swell pulses, though nearby Los Patos tends to be better. Expect punchy, fast reef-beach maships that are best handled by intermediates and up.
Beaches in south Tenerife
Playa de las Americas
Playa de las Americas is the beating heart of Tenerife’s resort coast. It’s a lively stretch of golden sand with bars, cafés, and hotels stacked along the promenade.
The beach itself is wide-ish and well kept, with calm swimming areas sectioned off by stone jetties sitting to the north – they tehcnially have thier own names (like Playa Troya, for example) but I’m coupling them together since they’re in the same town and no more than 10 minutes walk away. Consider Playa de las Americas a 2-for-1 on beaches.
The real draw for surfers is what lies just offshore – a string of reef breaks peeling both left and right across volcanic ledges to the south of the main playa. You can stroll the promenade to reach spots like La Izquierda, a sharp, mechanical left that’s among the most famous waves in the Canaries. There are also beginner waves on the inside.
It’s likely where you’ll surf if you do a camp in Playa de las Americas.
The surf? Consistent and often crowded. The main reef in Las Americas offers quality waves for intermediates and advanced surfers, best on mid to high tide and NW swells. There are also other spots in the area for multiple levels and beginners, but it all depends on swell size.
Playa del Camisón
Just around the headland from the hustle of Las Americas lies Playa del Camison, a tidy crescent of golden sand that feels a littlle bit more refined and relaxed than its nextdoor neighbor.
The calm waters are the product of semi-circular breakwaters, making it one of the safest swimming beaches in the south, though you should still be wary.
It’s popular with families and couples, and there are plenty of amenities: loungers, parasols, showers, and beach bars for sunset cocktails.
The promenade runs right behind the sand, linking effortlessly with nearby restaurants and resorts.
The surf? There’s none here. The breakwaters stop most of the swell from entering.
Playa del Duque
Playa del Duque, in Costa Adeje, is the island’s upmarket beach par excellence. It’s where Tenerife’s luxury hotels spill down toward fine golden sands and calm turquoise water. Think beach clubs with waiter service, manicured promenades, and designer shopping just a stroll away. Like a taste of Marbella in the Canaries.
Despite the polish, it’s still a beautiful beach. It’s clean, scenic, and with great swimming thanks to the protection of a few breakwaters just off the shore.
The western side has lovely sunset views over La Gomera on clear evenings. It does get busy, especially in winter when European holidaymakers flock here. Beers are easy to come by in the coastal cafes. Top choice at evening hour, but you won’t catch me here v. often because I don’t like crowds.
The surf? None. Playa del Duque is designed (and it WAS actually designed, since the beach is kinda manmade!) for tranquillity, not surf.
Playa El Médano
Playa del Medano sits on the island’s southeast coast, with the volcanic cone of Montaña Roja rising to the south over the ocean. It’s a breezy, free-spirited place with a long sandy beach and a small surf-town vibe in the fishing village there.
The town itself is lively but low-key, full of hostels, cafés, and surf schools.
Strong trade winds make Medano one of Europe’s top windsurf and kitesurf hubs, while calmer days can bring fun surfable waves for beginners and longboarders.
It’s possible to get places to stay in El Medano town that peer right over the beach, literally steps from the sand at the northeastern end of the bay, which is where I’d say the best swimming and sunbathing is to be done anyhow.
The surf? When swells wrap into the bay, Medano offers mellow beach breaks ideal for beginners. Winds can interfere with conditions, but on smaller days it’s a great place to learn or cruise on a longboard.
Playa de la Tejita
Just west and a little south of Medano, Playa de la Tejita is one of Tenerife’s last truly wild southern beaches – it’s a real breath of fresh air if you’re staying in this half of the island, because you’ll get sick of hotel-backed sands with kids everywhere, I’m sure of it!
Stretching for nearly a kilometre, it’s a wide, untouched sweep of sand backed by dunes and the red slopes of Montaña Roja.
There are no major developments here, just one beach bar and plenty of space to find solitude. It’s popular with naturists and those wanting to escape the resort scene, so don’t be surprised to find some folks sans clothing.
Swimming is fine when calm, though waves can pick up fast with the wind, so always only enter the water if you’re confident you have the ability.
I’ve hiked here from my stay in El Medano. It’s a great coastal path all the way, going up and over an ancient volcano and then down into the secret bay.
The downside? Tejita is close to the airport so expect some noise from flyovers.
The surf? Occasionally, small to medium south or southeast swells bring mellow beach breaks to La Tejita, but it’s far from consistent. You’re better off bringing a kite than a surfboard here.
