Black sand beach Playa de la Arena

14 Most Beautiful Black Sand Beaches in Tenerife (+Map)

The coastline of Tenerife is abundant in unspoiled, black sand beaches. Don’t miss these when taking a break on the island. Only a handful of places on earth offer so many of these very special coastal spots. You can reach the beautiful beaches by car, by boat or via hikes of varying difficulty. 

Black sand beaches in Tenerife are dotted along the island’s coastline. When visiting, you’ll soon discover that some of the best beaches here have dark rather than white or golden sand. 

So why is this the case? The colour is down to the volcanic nature of the Canary Islands. Volcanic activity and lava flow left behind dark-hued rocks, cliffs and minerals, and erosion over time has broken these down to form black sand. 

Black sand beach Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz
Playa Jardin beach in Puerto de la Cruz

Whether on the touristed west coast or in the more remote north, all the natural beaches in Tenerife are covered in either black sand or pebbles. This doesn’t mean there are no golden sand beaches on the island, however. Far from it. 

Rather, any white sand beaches you see during your trip are man-made. In some cases this sand was imported from the Sahara desert. When visiting the darker beaches, do keep in mind that black sand is hotter underfoot than the golden sand you may be used to.

Seeing and enjoying the island’s black sand beaches is a must-visit during your trip to Tenerife, because this phenomenon is actually really rare. The Canaries and Hawaii are among just a handful of locations in the world where you can find such a large quantity of dark-hued beaches in one place.

Black sand beach Benijo, Tenerife

The majority of the island’s black sand beaches are located in northern Tenerife. This means many tourists – who tend to stay in the south and west – will need to travel to visit a hidden gem. 

In this guide, we’ve collated a list of all the best black sand beaches on the island to make visiting simpler for you. Also covered is useful information such as the location, amenities and parking near each beach.

Playa de los Guios

This beach is located in the resort of Los Gigantes on the western coast of Tenerife. It’s set at the base of breathtaking cliffs, and is one of the most dramatically located beaches on the entire island. It’s sometimes referred to as Playa de los Gigantes.

Los Gigantes beach, Tenerife

The beach is compact – around 100 metres long – and backed by towering cliffs. This beach beneath ‘the giants’ is family-friendly, with soft black sand and shallow waters. Do take care when swimming, though, particularly when it’s windy. There can be powerful waves and currents at times. 

Playa de los Guios has good amenities, with a lifeguard service, changing rooms and showers. Plenty of cafes and restaurants can also be found nearby. The beach is also very close to Los Gigantes harbour, where many boats offer dolphin and whale watching trips. Taking one of these is highly recommended.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: You can get here from the southern resorts of Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos by using buses 473 and 477 or from Puerto de la Cruz by bus 325.
Parking: You can either look for parking on any street close to the beach (almost impossible to find) but we recommend heading straight to the paid harbour parking lot (here). The fee is 2 euros per hour, and the beach is a five minute walk from here.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: Showers, toilets and changing rooms are available. The price of 2x sun loungers and a parasol is about 10€.
Food: There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, like KV Bar Gourmet, tas-k, and Maria Rosa.

Playa de la Arena

This black sand beach is located in the same area as Playa de los Guios, on the western coast of Tenerife. It’s close to the resorts of Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes. In fact, Playa de la Arena can also be considered a small resort in itself, because there are a number of hotels, bars and restaurants situated by the beach.

Drone shot of playa de la Arena in Tenerife

Playa de la Arena is a Blue Flag beach, with clean water quality and good facilities. On calmer days, kids can safely play in the shallows here, though wave action can be more powerful at times. 

Snorkelling and scuba diving among the volcanic rocks framing the beach is popular here, and the area is rich in marine life. Spectacular views of La Gomera can also be enjoyed, especially at sunset. 

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The Playa de la Arena bus stop is located right next to the beach. You can get here from Puerto de Santiago or Los Gigantes via bus 473 or 477. You can also use 477 to come here from Costa Adeje and 473 to come from Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos.
Parking: Parking is free around the beach, and usually you will be able to find a free space. But it can be much more difficult on weekends because locals come to enjoy the beach too.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There are clean showers and toilets available. There are sun loungers and parasols for rent, but do arrive early before all the best spots are snapped up.
Food: Backing the beach is a large promenade with lots of shops, bars and restaurants. We can personally recommend Restaurante Flor del Drago, Casa Pepe, La Quinta Restaurante and Restaurante Pancho.

Playa el Bollullo

El Bolullo is a more remote beach that’s favoured by wildlife lovers in particular. This beautiful black sand beach lies close to La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz, and is also backed by majestic cliffs and banana plantations. 

El Bollullo Beach near Puerto de la Cruz

El Bolullo’s soft sand is ideal for escaping the busy resorts, and it’s a place where you can fully unwind.  Take care if you decide to swim, though, as the currents and tides here can be powerful.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: This beach is remote. You can get there either by car via some very narrow roads, or on foot from Puerto de la Cruz. The walk takes about an hour each way (map here). The nearest bus stop is “El Rincón (T)” (location) and bus number 376 goes there from La Orotava.
Parking: You can park your car at Restaurante Bollullo Beach for a 3 euro charge.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards.
Amenities: There are no changing rooms or showers at the beach itself. There is a toilet at the cafe and restaurant for customers to use. This beach is inaccessible to wheelchairs and those with walking difficulties. Parasol and sun-lounger rental is available.
Food: There is a café at the beach (Chiringuito Bollullo Beach) where you can grab something to eat and drink. You can also visit Restaurante Bollullo Beach where the car park is. Some tables offer fantastic views of the coastline.

Playa Jardin

Playa Jardin is a black sand beach in the northern resort of Puerto de la Cruz. It’s also near Loro Parque. The local artist César Manrique designed this beach during the 1990s, so it’s a well-known place. Spectacular views of Mount Teide also add to its popularity. 

You won’t find this beach on Google Maps because it’s officially divided into three smaller beaches: Playa del Castillo, Playa Chica and Playa Maria Jiménez.

Palm trees on the Playa Jardin beach, Puerto de la Cruz

The installation of a breakwater here has resulted in calm waters. A children’s playground also makes it ideal for families. At Playa Jardin you’ll also find a promenade, cafes and picturesque gardens. Some parts of the ocean are also suitable for surfing. 

The best thing about Playa Jardin, for us, is that you can spend time at the beach before enjoying the lovely town of Puerto de la Cruz later on. We actually stayed close to this beach in PDLC and had a great time. The area around the beach is beautiful.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The beach is easy to reach by bus or via a 20 minutes walk from the centre. Bus numbers 102, 30, 348, 351 and 352 stop close to Playa Jardin.
Parking: Parking can be a bit tricky, just try looking for a space on streets adjacent to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There are showers, changing rooms and toilets. The wooden boardwalk provides disabled access to the beach. There are also sunbeds and parasols for hire.
Food: There’s plenty of great restaurants around but expect the majority of good ones to be located around the Playa Maria Jiménez portion of the beach. We can recommend Restaurante Marlin and Restaurante Casa Julian.

Playa de Martiánez

Martiánez beach can be found by the cliffs of the same name and the Lago Martiánez complex in Puerto de la Cruz. It’s good for surfers, bodyboarders and sunbathing. The beach has a mix of pebbles and black sand. 

At this beach, the water is divided into two distinct areas. One is calmer and better suited to swimming, though it can be choppy or even rough, so it’s not suited to children. The other section is ideal for bodyboarders and surfers. A surf school provides equipment if you want to try riding the waves for yourself. 

Playa de Martiánez, Puerto de la Cruz

Playa de Martiánez has no sun loungers for hire, but does offer wheelchair access. You can wander along the promenade here, dipping into cafes and shops, watch the surfers, sunbathe or see the local portrait artists at work.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The closest bus stop is Plaza Reyes Católicos (T). Buses 381 and 382 stop here.
Parking: There is free limited parking available right next to the beach. Your best bet would be to use paid parking at the Centro Comercial Martiánez shopping centre (location) and walk 250 metres to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There’s access for wheelchairs, but there are no facilities like toilets or showers. There are also no sun loungers or parasols for hire.
Food: You will find many great restaurants and bars nearby like Restaurante el Camino and La Esencia.

Playa de las Gaviotas

In the north of the island near Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Playa de las Teresitas is Gaviotas beach. It’s nestled among a volcanic landscape, and the black sand provides a pleasing contrast against the lush greenery and deep blue ocean. This is a serene and secluded spot that feels far removed from the tourist crowds. 

Playa de las Gaviotas stretches for a couple of hundred metres. It’s well sheltered, so there aren’t usually big waves – though this isn’t unheard of. This small, unspoiled beach is packed with character, and is often visited by nudists. With that being said, we saw only one completely naked person when visiting last time and others were in their swimsuits like on any other Tenerife beach.

Gaviotas beach tends to be peaceful, particularly during winter. Locals do flock here at weekends in the summertime though. 

Playa de las Gaviotas

This is a wild beach, so there are no facilities such as toilets, showers, changing cabins, sunbeds or parasols. There are also no restaurants or beach bars, so we recommend bringing your own food. The car park is located next to the beach.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: Catch bus 945 to get to Playa de Las Gaviotas from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Playa Las Gaviotas bus stop is at the top of the hill so you have to walk down to get to the beach.
Parking: The parking lot is next to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There are no toilets or showers. Also, no sunbeds or parasols.
Food: This wild beach offers no food options. The nearest bars and restaurants are 10 minutes away by car at Playa de Las Teresitas beach or in the village of San Andrés.

Playa de San Marcos

A stunning backdrop of cliffs and rocks characterises San Marcos beach in the northwestern town of Icod de los Vinos. Local people from Puerto de la Cruz and tourists alike love this laid-back, friendly, black sand beach. 

The beach is just over 150 metres long, and set among attractive greenery. As the cliffs provide shelter, it’s generally safe to swim here. A lifeguard service, showers, toilets, and the rental of stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and loungers is supplied.  

Playa de San Marcos, Tenerife

The beach is also fronted by a pleasant promenade dotted with Canarian and seafood restaurants, shops and casual cafes. Sunset here is very special, and the calm waters place this among northern Tenerife’s most family-friendly beaches. 

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: Bus 362 can take you to Playa de San Marcos from the main station of Icod de los Vinos (location) in 10 minutes.
Parking: There are plenty of parking spaces along the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There are toilets, showers, and changing cabins. Sunbeds and parasols are also available for rent.
Food: There’s a promenade along the beach where you’ll find several cafes, bars and restaurants. We highly recommend Restaurante Amarca.

Playa del Socorro

Playa del Socorro is located on the north coast, in the vicinity of Los Realejos. It’s a 15-minute drive from Puerto de la Cruz. The beach is favoured by surfers and those in search of a relaxed ambience. 

The views of the rugged coastline from this black sand beach are also incredible, especially at sunset. It’s about 200 metres long, and offers services such as showers and toilets, disabled access and lifeguards. There is also a small kiosk where you can get something to eat and drink.

Playa del Socorro, Tenerife

If the water is calm then you will see kids playing in the shallows here, but the ocean is best avoided when conditions are rough. 

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The bus stop “Playa del Socorro (T)” is right next to the beach. Bus number 330 stops here.
Parking: There are plenty of free parking spaces along the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There are toilets and showers available, but there are no sun loungers or parasols for hire.
Food: There is a small kiosk for snacks and drinks on the beach and several restaurants a short drive away. We recommend Restaurante Cafetería Mirador San Pedro and Tasca El Tejadito.

Playa de Benijo

Benijo beach located in Anaga Rural Park is one of our Tenerife favourites. It’s so scenic that it’s difficult to put this into words.

The location is a little remote, with only one road leading to it. The trip will take you around 50 minutes from Santa Cruz, or an hour and 40 minutes from Playa de las Americas. So if you really want to enjoy this beach properly, your best bet is to stay in the area. We can personally recommend the village of Taganana for your stopover.

Playa de Benijo in Anaga Rural Park

We recommend checking tide times before visiting this beach, because during high tide the beach is almost non-existent. All that is left are huge stones.

The sunset here is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking things to witness in Tenerife. Be sure to arrive a couple of hours before sunset, though, because the mountains obscure the sun earlier in this part of the island. 

Sunset at the Benijo beach, Tenerife

Benijo beach offers an isolated, unspoiled feel, plus a dramatic backdrop of jagged cliffs and the Roques de Anaga rock formations. Take care if entering the water, though. The waves at this beach can be pretty strong, so it isn’t suitable for kids. But your children will absolutely adore playing among the rocks and running around on the beach during low tide.

Keep in mind that to access the beach you have to descend a set of stairs. So it can be difficult for people with mobility issues. As the waves can be very powerful, it’s popular with surfers. Also note that this is a wild beach so there are no amenities here such as toilets or showers. However, there are restaurants on the cliff above the beach so you can find a restroom there.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: Driving to this beach is your best option. Bus number 946 can take you from Santa Cruz to Almaciga, but it’s still over 2 kilometres from there to the beach.
Parking: There is a small free parking on the cliff above the beach (turn left near waste bins) but it’s usually packed. Another option is car parks provided by the restaurants, but these are only for customers. We usually use the paid car park (location) which costs just 2 euros per day and is run by a local named Pepe.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards.
Amenities: There are no toilets or showers and no sunbeds or parasols available for hire. You can find a restroom in one of the restaurants above the beach.
Food: There are numerous fish restaurants located on the cliff above the beach. Our favourites are El Frontón and Casa Paca.

Playa del Roque de las Bodegas

Playa Roque de Las Bodegas near Taganana is also one of the finest coastal destinations in Tenerife. It’s a large beach that’s free from crowds, and has a mix of pebbles, shingle and black sand. This appealing beach is nestled at the foot of the Anaga cliffs. 

It’s worth paying a visit to the Roque de Las Bodegas viewpoint (location) while you’re here, for magnificent coastal and mountain panoramas. There are no facilities such as showers, parasols, sun loungers, snack kiosks or beach bars though. 

Playa del Roque de las Bodegas, Tenerife

If you do want to eat, a number of fish restaurants can be found along the road near the beach. While Roque de Las Bodegas is in general a child-friendly beach, do exercise caution in the water as sudden strong swells can take you by surprise. 

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The bus stop “Playa Roque Las Bodegas” is right next to the beach. You can use bus number 946 to come from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 
Parking: There are free parking spaces available on the road adjacent to the beach but the number of places is limited.
Lifeguards: There is no lifeguard service. 
Amenities: There are no showers, and toilets are available only in the restaurants on the road. No sun loungers and parasols either.
Food: There are no food options on the beach but several great restaurants are conveniently located nearby. We recommend Restaurante Playa Casa Africa and Restaurante La Ola, which is a little bit further away.

Playa de Almáciga

Picture perfect Almáciga beach at the base of the Anaga mountain range is ideal for lovers of stunning scenery and surfing. Here you can witness the waves crashing against the Roques de Anaga. The beach is one of three in Anaga Rural Park, the other two being Roque de las Bodegas and Benijo.

Playa de Almaciga in Tenerife

Instructors and pupils from Tenerife’s surf schools often practice their craft at Playa de Almáciga. While popular in summer, this glorious beach is never overcrowded. There is parking close by, and it’s easy to access. 

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: You can reach the beach via bus number 946 from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Alight at the bus stop “Las Bajas”.
Parking: There are free parking spaces on the road next to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Amenities: There are no showers or toilets. Sun loungers are not available either.
Food: There are no food options on the beach itself. We recommend Restaurante La Ola nearby.

Playa de Roque Bermejo

Roque Bermejo beach is a remote spot in the east of Tenerife. To reach it takes some effort – you can either take a two-hour hike or a boat trip. Once you arrive, though, it’s a paradisiacal spot. 

Playa de Roque Bermejo, Tenerife

This is a beach for those who love to be at one with Mother Nature. Getting here takes some forward planning, but once you arrive you’re rewarded with a rugged, unspoiled stretch of black sand lapped by crystal clear waters. Some visitors like to explore underwater here by donning a snorkel. 

This beach is only accessible on foot via a 9 km loop hike from Chamorga. Here is the map of a trail. It is a beautiful black sand beach, and the hike itself is also very picturesque.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: Difficult to reach, the beach can be accessed only via a hike. Check out the map above.
Lifeguards: No.
Amenities: There are no amenities whatsoever. It’s a wild beach.
Food: No food options on the beach. Bring snacks and water with you. The closest bar is Venta Roque Bermejo (location).

Playa de Antequera

Antequera beach is another beautiful black sandy spot that cannot be reached by car. It’s also accessible only by boat or via hiking trails. There are several ways to reach it, so here are a few of these: the Semáforo de Anaga – Playa de Antequera hike or the Playa de Antequera – Las Casillas hike.

Black sand Antequera beach, Tenerife

Playa de Antequera has a reputation as a nudist beach. In summer, taking a boat trip from Santa Cruz or San Andrés to get here is a wonderful way to arrive, and the water tends to be calm.

The beach has a remote and undiscovered feel, and you can see both the Antequera rock formations and the Anaga mountain range here. It’s best at low tide. If you decide to hike, do bear in mind that the routes to reach it are fairly challenging.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The beach can be accessed only via a hike or by boat. Check out the hiking trails above.
Lifeguards: No.
Amenities: There are no amenities whatsoever.
Food: No food options are available on the beach or nearby. Bring food and drinks with you.

Playa del Tamadite

This is another of Tenerife’s beaches that can be reached via a coastal hike with sublime views. You can set off from Taganana village to trek to Tamadite beach. The stunning setting is at the end of a ravine, and it’s the perfect place for a picnic. 

Wild beach Playa de Tamadite

Expect dramatic black rocks and sand, plus large waves that make it unsafe for swimming. Sunbathing or picnicking here makes for a very memorable experience indeed.

You can use this map to hike to Playa del Tamadite from the village of Taganana.

Location: Google Maps
Accessibility: The beach can be accessed only via a hike. We recommend the trail starting in the little village of Taganana. Check out the trail map above.
Lifeguards: No.
Amenities: There are no amenities here.
Food: There are no food options nearby. We recommend grabbing food and drinks in Taganana. There is a small grocery store in the village (location).

Black Sand Beaches in Tenerife on the Map

TENERIFE ESSENTIALS

To explore Tenerife to the fullest and at your own pace, we highly recommend renting a car. Our favourite place for car rental is the RentalCars website. It allows you to compare different providers and pick the best deal. You also get the best protection and flexibility for booking terms.

The unmissable top attractions in Tenerife are: Siam Park (tickets here), Loro Parque (tickets here) and Teide National Park (cable car tickets + transfer).

We also recommend taking at least one guided tour. Our favourite place for booking tours in Tenerife is GetYourGuide.

Top 3 excursions on the island:

Our favourite websites for accommodation in Tenerife are: Booking.com (for hotels) and VRBO (for apartments and holiday homes).

The best hotels for families with kids (in our opinion):

Luxury: GF Victoria (Costa Adeje) or Bahia Principe Fantasia (Golf del Sur)
Mid-Range: Spring Hotel Bitácora (Playa de las Americas) or Iberostar Bouganville Playa (Costa Adeje)
Budget: GF Isabel (Costa Adeje) or Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel (Los Cristianos)

The best adults-only hotels:

Luxury: Iberostar Grand El Mirador (Costa Adeje) or Gran Melia Palacio de Isora (Alcalá)
Mid-Range: Tigotan Lovers & Friends (Playa de las Americas) or Iberostar Selection Sábila (Costa Adeje)
Budget: Barceló Santiago (Puerto de Santiago)

Top hotels for everyone:

Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, Abama or Bahia del Duque (Costa Adeje)
Mid-Range: Hard Rock Hotel (Playa Paraiso) or Dreams Jardin Tropical Resort & Spa (Costa Adeje)
Budget: Alexandre Hotel Gala or Olé Tropical Tenerife (both Playa de las Americas)

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Jovita

Meet Jovita, co-founder of Enjoy Canary Islands. The archipelago is her favorite place on Earth. She visited all the islands multiple times and lived in Tenerife for a year. She is here to help you plan the best trip of your life.

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