Tenerife beaches: choosing by wind, not by photos
Air temperature barely changes in Tenerife, so what ruins a beach day is wind and swell. The south-west is sheltered and calm on most days, the south-east around El Médano takes the trade wind head on, and the north coast trades sand for volcanic pools that are only swimmable when the Atlantic allows it. Pick by exposure and you will rarely have a bad day.
Three kinds of coast
Sheltered resort beaches with golden sand and full facilities in the south-west; exposed, wind-sport beaches in the south-east; and rock pools cut into old lava flows in the north. They behave completely differently on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Tenerife has the best beaches?
The south-west for sheltered swimming and facilities; the north for dramatic volcanic pools and far fewer people.
Are Tenerife beaches windy?
The south-east coast usually is. The south-west and enclosed bays are calm on most days of the year.