Most striking
Benijo (Anaga) — stacks of basalt rising from black sand. Playa de la Arena (Puerto Santiago) — Blue Flag and very swimmable. El Bollullo (near La Orotava) — hidden between cliffs. Almáciga — wild and almost empty.
Beaches
Black Sand Beaches in Tenerife
Tenerife's volcanic origin gave it some of Europe's most dramatic black-sand beaches — the natural sand on most of the north and east coast is jet black, sometimes streaked with golden.
Practical notes
Black sand heats up quickly — bring water shoes for midday visits in summer. Most natural black-sand beaches have stronger currents than the imported-sand resort beaches; swim where there are lifeguards.
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