Sand, Sea and Seclusion: Tenerife’s Secret Beaches

Tenerife may be famed for its bustling beaches, but look more closely and you’ll find a few hidden gems.

A beach holiday has become such a staple in the vacationing handbook that it can begin to seem like there aren’t any sandy surprises that haven’t already been discovered. So when I say that a popular holiday destination like Tenerife is home to a number of astounding secret beaches, I wouldn’t blame you for being sceptical. The largest Canary Island has large touristy beaches aplenty, but in this brief guide, a few of the hidden local hotspots will be divulged for your eyes only. So strap yourself in for an introduction to the off-the-beaten-track golden wonders that are just waiting to be discovered.Antequera BeachLocation scouts for Game of Thrones have missed an opportunity with the stunning scenery on offer at this most secluded of beaches in Tenerife. You’ll have to don a sturdy pair of shoes to hike through the hills guarding the coast and even then the sandy part is surrendered at high tide. Much like the early episodes of the TV series, expect to see plenty of nudism at this particular cove as visitors tend to enjoy the sun in their birthday suits. Almáciga BeachThe surfers amongst us will be interested in this particular stretch of coast; the Atlantic provides year-round whopping waves that will have you catching as much surf as you want. The totally awesome town of Taganana wraps around the beaches and offers a reassuring assortment of refreshments after a long day of hitting the waves. In terms of landscape, impressive mountains jut from the coast providing a magnificent contrast between sea and land. Benijo BeachBenijo Benijo! This is the most isolated of the Taganana beaches and certainly one of the most special, offering yet another fantastic location for surfing. A small winding path of three hundred metres descends from the main road to this coastal inlet, and the black sand will have you hopping all the way to the ocean’s edge. The steps are worth the wait though, as a stupendous view of the ocean awaits any visitor who makes it to the shoreline.Masca BeachMagical Masca beach is situated at the coastal side of the stunning Los Gigantes mountain range. Meaning “the giants”, this range of mountains provides a stunning and sheltered setting for this small but impressive beach. The pebbled cove is best reached by a boat trip, so make sure to find your sea-faring legs and get ready to jump overboard to reach land! Garañona BeachIn the north of the island, a stunning black beach is waiting to be discovered. It is reachable through Mesa del Mar, a village that is home to a selection of natural pools. So whether you fancy yourself as a fresh or saltwater fish there’s plenty of options available to refresh yourself during those hot Tenerife days. Overall Tenerife is home to much more than just the bustlingly busy beaches of Playa de Las Américas. With not much effort visitors can find a whole range of hidden inlets. Although it might mean donning some boots or hiring a boat, the reward is more than worth it. How to Get ThereTo get to Tenerife the easiest option is to fly from one of the UK’s major airports in around 4.5 hours. Whether you choose to fly into the north or the south of the island, Tenerife transfers at both ends of the flight are the easiest way to get your seaside adventure well under way.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Tenerife transfers Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.

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