Puerto de la Cruz Surf & Travel Guide 2026
Puerto de la Cruz isn’t really like the rest of Tenerife. It’s the main town on the north side of the island and that means rugged coastline and much, much more local vibes. It’s basically NOTHING like the major resort sprawls of the south, but still has good enough infrastructure – hotels, surf hires, car rental etc – to make a holiday easy-peasy to plan.
The highlights for the would-be visitor include vintage Victorian-era sea pools that are like the ones you get in Sydney, only better, and a lovely old town area that’s packed with greenery and street art.
When it comes to surfing, there’s stuff right in the town if you don’t mind a bit of crowdedness in the lineup, but it’s really the fact that Puerto de la Cruz is a stepping stone for getting out to lesser-known, less-surfed spots on the north shore that makes it a doozy. Consistency is excellent too.
Personally, I prefer to stay somewhere nearer to Playa del Soccoro or Bajamar when I come, but that’s only because I’m not a city guy. If you like nightlife, museums, and more cafes than you need in a week, this is a great base.
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Read more about the surf in Tenerife
Where is Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz sits on the north coast of Tenerife, backed by the lush Orotava Valley and looking straight into the North Atlantic swell corridor (the consistency up here is really, really good). It’s about 40 minutes from Tenerife North Airport (TFN) and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from Tenerife South (TFS), depending on traffic.
If you’re staying local, buses run regularly from Santa Cruz and La Laguna, but for surfers a rental car is strongly recommended. Many of the better breaks on this side of the island are scattered along the coast, access can be steep or indirect, and dawn patrols don’t always line up with bus timetables.
What’s Puerto de la Cruz like?
Puerto de la Cruz is one of Tenerife’s most characterful towns. It’s older, greener, and far more local-feeling than the resorts down south. It was Tenerife’s original tourist hub back in the 1960s, and while it’s no longer shiny-new, that’s part of the appeal. Actually, the history goes back way before that – Victorian travelers once came here to bathe in the sea, at least that’s what they told me.
You’ll find a proper working town here, filled with old Canarian houses, shaded plazas, faded grand hotels, bars serving cortados and barraquitos, and a strong local surf and bodyboard scene. It’s compact and walkable, with black-sand beaches tucked right into town and dramatic Atlantic views everywhere you look.
To put it simply: I really like it.
There are tourists – particularly European winter escapees – but Puerto de la Cruz feels grounded rather than resorty. Add in cooler temperatures, greener landscapes, and easy access to the north coast’s best waves, and it’s an all-round great base.
Where to stay in Puerto de la Cruz?
- 🏨Melia Costa Atlantis Tenerife – We know you might have come here to dodge the big resorts but this is a lovely one, and it’s right beside the main surf beach in the city.
- 🌊Pámpano Ocean View – Escape the bustle of the main town by getting this ultra-lux one-bedroom apartment with a hot tub overlooking the waves.
- 🛏️Puerto Nest Hostel – This bargain stay is in a really cool, old-school townhouse in the city. It’s the budget choice but is big on social vibes.
Surfing in Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz’s stretch of coastline is highly exposed to north and northwest swells, and when it’s on, it delivers largely fast, powerful waves breaking over volcanic reef and sand. The local surf scene is well established, with plenty of experienced surfers and bodyboarders who know these waves inside out.
That said, Puerto de la Cruz isn’t only for chargers. In smaller summer swells, some of the town beaches mellow out enough for improving surfers, offering shorter rides and less intensity than Tenerife’s heavier reef setups. You can also find nice, protected breaks thanks to harbor walls and whatnot, plus beaches that get decent for beginners on smaller swell days.
Oh, and the scenery is way better than down south.
When to surf in Puerto de la Cruz?
Winter (October to March) is prime time for experienced surfers, with consistent north swells and plenty of power. Summer (May to September) brings smaller, cleaner conditions that suit beginners and intermediates, especially at Playa Jardin and nearby Socorro.
The only thing about summer: Watch out for winds. Early surfs are best.
Surf spots in Puerto de la Cruz town itself
- Playa de Martianez – This is the most central surf spot in town, sitting right below the promenade and hotel strip. It’s a punchy beach-and-reef setup that handles north swell well on account of the long harbor wall that juts out at its top end. The wave is generally fast peaks and short, powerful rides but there are beginner-friendly inside sections too. It’s the most popular spot in Puerto de la Cruz.
- Playa Jardin – A long, black-sand beach just west of the old town, with multiple peaks depending on swell direction and sand movement. Swell size determines who it’s good for. Under 5 foot and you can get nice learner peaks with lefts and rights. Generally not that reliable.
Surf spots near to Puerto de la Cruz
- Bajamar – A famous reef and natural pool combine in this town east of Puerto. It’s great for experienced surfers when solid north swells arrive but can have things for everyone in summer. Another great base on the north coast with an up-coming surf town vibe.
- Los Patos – A wild, dramatic beach break with steep access and heavy waves. Experts only really.
- Playa del Socorro – One of the most versatile spots on the north coast, offering mellower waves in summer and serious power in winter. A good option when Puerto itself is too small or too heavy.
Top things to do in Puerto de la Cruz (when you’re not surfing!)
- Lago Martiánez – Don’t miss this one – morning swims here are very memorable. It’s a sprawling seawater pool complex designed by César Manrique (a famous architect from Lanzarote). The spot is perfect for laid-back afternoons when the ocean is too wild, as it often is. You’ll find it right beside the main surf beach in town.
- Explore the Old Town – Wander cobbled streets, pop into Plaza del Charco, and enjoy long lunches at traditional Canarian restaurants. It’s a real pleasure walking around here if you ask me – aka not like the resorts of southern Tenerife. Full Englishes are swapped for real Canarian cafes and that sort of thing.
- Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico) – A peaceful escape filled with tropical plants, giant palms, and shaded paths. I’m a plant buff so this was a good one for me :).
- Day trip to La Orotava – Just uphill from Puerto, this historic town offers beautiful architecture, views, and a glimpse of traditional Tenerife. If you have a car and prefer the rural vibe, it’s also possible to stay in La Orotava as the town enjoys
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
