Tenerife Beaches: Best Beaches in Tenerife for Families for 2024

The island of Tenerife sits in the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that while some of the beaches are calm and great for families with children, that’s absolutely not the case with others. So, if you have or are planning a trip to Tenerife and are looking to not only enjoy the beaches the island has to offer but also make sure that your family is safe at all times, keep on reading.

In this article, we will go through several of the best Tenerife beaches suitable for families with children from all ages (we’ve been to some ourselves). So, no matter which side of the island your hotel is on, there will be a beach nearby to suit your and your family’s needs.

But, before we do that, we’d first like to set the expectations clear and give you an overview of what you can expect from beaches in Tenerife as a whole.

What To Expect From Tenerife Beaches

The Tenerife island is home to a total of 133 beaches. And due to the island’s volcanic origin, most Tenerife beaches are either gray or black. That said, black-sand beaches are most commonly found in the northern part of the island, since it’s a lot less popular amongst tourists.

If you’re heading down south, then you’ll find quite a few great family-friendly golden-sand beaches. Please note that none of the golden-sand beaches are authentic to Tenerife island. The sand on these beaches was imported from abroad to please customers who are used to the golden-sand they can find in other popular tourist destinations from around the world.

What’s interesting about these beaches in particular is that the local government has taken the necessary steps to protect the beaches from high tides and strong waves that can wash away the golden sand. What this means for you and your family is that the golden-sand beaches are generally much safer than their black or gray counterparts.

Aside from that, when looking for beaches to visit with the family in Tenerife, you can choose between urban and remote beaches. We highly recommend urban beaches for families as everything is within reach, and there are always many lifeguards on duty.

And while there’s a unique charm to remote beaches, many of these beaches lack lifeguards and can be difficult to access. So, it may not be the best option if you’re traveling with your kids.

The Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Tenerife

To bring you the list of the best family-friendly beaches in Tenerife, we went through each individual beach on Tenerife. That way, if you find a beach that you find of particular interest, you’ll know it’s one of the best that the island has to offer.

The goal of this list is to show you the wonderful variety of beaches that Tenerife has to offer. Some of the options on this list are natural black beaches with volcanic sand, some of them are golden beaches, and some of them are made of very fine and tiny pebbles. Regardless of which one you visit though, you can rest assured that you and your entire family will have a great time.

On top of that, we made sure that most of the beaches on this list have lifeguards on duty throughout the day. Please note that if you’re visiting Tenerife during the low season, lifeguards may be absent, which is important to remember if you’re traveling with children.

Additionally, we made sure to select beaches that are relatively sheltered and have some sort of protection (natural or artificial) against strong currents that could pose unnecessary danger for you and your family.

Playa La Pinta (Golden Sand)

Address: 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

You can find Playa La Pinta right in the middle of Costa Adeje and you wouldn’t be far off if you thought it was specifically designed for families. To start, it’s a relatively small golden beach. The benefit of the small size is that it allows you to always have your eyes on your children, which we know can be really tough when abroad and are amongst hundreds of other tourists.

Another benefit of this beach is that it’s almost completely enclosed. So, you don’t have to worry about large waves and strong currents, which is rare for Tenerife considering the island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. There’s also a lot of things to do with your kids on this beach, including paying a visit to the local cafes and restaurants or going on a dolphin or whale-watching trip.

If you have hyper kids who get bored easily, Playa La Pinta could be the best option for you. It’s one of Tenerfie’s most popular beaches, and it will only take you one visit to understand why.

Playa Jardin (Black Sand)

Address: 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Playa Jardin is part of a larger urban beach complex called Puerto de la Cruz, which is in the island’s tourism centre. Since it’s right in the middle of the tourism centre, you and your children won’t run out of things to do. On top of that, this is a very secure beach that always has a lifeguard on duty, and you’ll have an easy time keeping an eye on your children.

Like many of the family-friendly beaches on our list, Playa Jardin has a breakwater in place to reduce the strength of the waves and current. This means that it will be much safer for you and your children to go in the water than other beaches without artificial breakwater systems in place.

Behind the beach, you’ll find a nice garden and playground, which is why this area is also called “garden beach”. There are also tide pools for small kids, so you won’t even have to go into the ocean to have a good time if you don’t want to.

Please note that this is a volcanic beach with natural dark-coloured sands. So, if you aren’t a fan of the artificial golden beaches in Tenerife, this is a great option for you. That said, the waves in Playa Jardin have a reputation for getting strong, even with the breakwater. So, if the tides are strong, you and your children may be better off enjoying the tide pools, playground, and other fun amenities that Playa Jardin has to offer.

Las Teresitas Beach (Golden Sand)

Address: Playa de las Teresitas, 38120 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

If you’re looking for a child-friendly beach with wonderful aesthetics in Tenerife, Las Teresitas is the best option for you. If you watch videos on YouTube or read the reviews of this beach on Google, you’ll quickly see why this is the best family-friendly beach on the island.

To start, the entire beach is protected by an artificial reef that covers the entire bay and its golden sand. This means that the waters usually stay calm and the waters are shallow throughout the year. So, if you’re weary about having your kid jump into the ocean, rest assured that Teresitas is one of the safest beaches for them to do that. On top of that, the Teresitas Beach sand is very soft, so your children will have a lot of fun playing in it.

The beach has everything you and your family may need, from lifeguards, parking, and even services like restrooms and parasols. And with the beautiful Anaga Mountains serving as your background, it’s a destination you won’t regret visiting.

That said, since Teresitas is one of the best Tenerife beaches, you can expect it to be very popular and regularly packed with tourists and locals. So, make sure you plan for a crowded beach when you visit, especially during the high season.

Playa Del Camison (Golden Sand)

Address: 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Typically, the Playa de las Americas area of Tenerife is for sunbathers and surfers. Since the waters can be quite rocky, it isn’t ideal for families and children looking for a wholesome summer holiday. However, Playa Del Camison, a small beach tucked in a small area in Playa de las Americas, is one of the smaller, lesser-known, and most beautiful beaches in Tenerife.

There’s a man-made concrete breakwater on the beach, which helps calm the waters. This is why Playa Del Camison is a relatively safe option for families with children of all ages. On top of that, it’s lined by beautiful palm trees, which is great for putting you in that tropical holiday mood.

The only downside to this beach is that it’s pretty small and there isn’t a whole lot to do around. If your children get bored easily, it may not be the best spot but if you’re after true relaxation, we couldn’t recommend Playa Del Camison enough.

Fanabe Beach (Grey Sand)

Address: 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Fañabe beach is another breakwater-protected beach. If you’re concerned about large waves and strong currents putting your children’s safety at risk, that’s not something you need to worry about when visiting the Fanabe beach.

On top of that, the Fanabe beach is a natural volcanic beach. So, if you and the family are looking for an authentic experience, it’s definitely one you should visit if you get the chance to.

One thing to note about Fañabe beach is that it’s busy, especially during the high season. This is mostly due to the many resorts and apartment complexes around, which are usually fully booked during the peak of summer.

Piscinas de Bajamar (Grey Sand)

Address: Av. Gran Poder, 8-39, 38250 Bajamar, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

While this isn’t the most popular Tenerife beach for families, it’s definitely one of our favourites. The second you arrive at Piscinas de Bajamar, you’ll notice something different that you won’t find on 99% of beaches on the island. Aside from the typical beautiful beach that you’ll find just about anywhere on Tenerife, you’ll also find three natural swimming pools.

These natural swimming pools are shallow, safe, and great for people of all ages. In fact, the third swimming pool on the beach is specifically for children as it’s the most shallow and calm. Not all beaches feature natural swimming pools, so I would highly recommend checking it out if you’re interested in a unique beach experience for you and your family.

On top of that, the area has plenty of lifeguards on duty, street parking, shower rooms, and a variety restaurants that you and your family can pay a visit when you want to take a break from the beach.

Other Family-Friendly Beaches to Consider When Visiting Tenerife

If you’re looking for a longer list of safe and family-friendly Tenerife beaches, you should also consider checking out the following:

• Playa de las Vistas (Golden Sand)
• Playa de Duque (Golden Sand)
• Playa de los Roques (Pebble)
• Playa De la Arena (Black Sand)
• Playa de Abama (Golden Sand)
• Playa de Benijo (Black Sand)
• Playa de Almáciga (Black Sand)
• Playa de Antequera (Pebble)

Final Thoughts

Families that visit Tenerife are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches. Wherever you end up holidaying on the island, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a beach nearby. That said, it’s important to choose the ones that are safe for you and your family as at the end of the day, Tenerife is located on the Atlantic Ocean.

Above, we provided you with a beautiful and safe variety of beaches across the Tenerife island that have everything you and your family could need during your stay. Please note that most of the above-mentioned beaches get pretty busy during the high seasons, so getting down to the beach early is a must.

Further Reading: The Best Tenerife All Inclusive Hotels for Families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still got questions about beaches in Tenerife? Check out our FAQ section below.

What is the nicest beach in Tenerife?

The all-time prettiest and nicest beach in Tenerife is Playa Las Teresitas, close to the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife. However, there are many beautiful beaches in the south as well.

Are there white sandy beaches in Tenerife?

While Tenerife is known for its black sand beaches due to its volcanic origin, you’ll also find some nice beaches with golden sand, usually in the south part of the island. These include Playa Las Vistas, Playa del Duque, and Las Teresitas Beach.

Which side of Tenerife has black sand?

The majority of the island’s black sand beaches are located in northern Tenerife. This includes beaches like Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz.

What can I expect from beaches in Tenerife?

Tenerife is home to a total of 133 beaches. Due to the island’s volcanic origin, most Tenerife beaches are either gray or black. Black-sand beaches are most commonly found in the northern part of the island. If you’re heading down south, then you’ll find quite a few great family-friendly golden-sand beaches.

What are some of the best beaches in Tenerife for families?

Some of the best beaches in Tenerife for families include Playa Las Vistas, Playa del Duque, and Puerto Colon Beach. These beaches offer safe access to the ocean and have all the usual amenities like sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, and also a beach bar.

What water sports can I enjoy in Tenerife?

Tenerife offers a variety of water sports for visitors. From kite surfing at El Medano Beach to enjoying a banana boat ride at Playa de las Americas, there’s something for everyone.

What are some of the unique features of Tenerife beaches?

Tenerife beaches are unique due to their volcanic sand. The black volcanic sand gives the beaches a dramatic look, especially against the backdrop of dramatic cliffs and dark blue water. Some beaches also have rock formations and man-made beach areas.

Are there any beach restaurants in Tenerife?

Yes, many beaches in Tenerife have beach restaurants nearby. For instance, Playa Las Vistas has lots of shops nearby, and the Vista Sur shopping center is just a few steps away.