Playa de La Arena is a black volcanic sand beach in Puerto de Santiago, on Tenerife's west coast, about 140 m long and 40 m wide, with clear water and gentle swell (Tenerife tourist board, read 7 November 2026). It has held a Blue Flag for 27 years and has a lifeguard post, sunbed rental, showers and wheelchair access. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.
Highlights
The black sand
An urban beach of black volcanic sand, with calm water that the tourist board calls good for families.
The Blue Flag
The beach has held it for 27 years, which the tourist board says guarantees service and sea quality.
The diving area
A well-known dive spot with a rich seabed; the beach has a dedicated diving area.
The sunset
The promenade looks toward La Gomera, and sunsets with the island in the background are the highlight.
The promenade
Tourist businesses and restaurants serving Canarian dishes line the seafront.
Practical info
Tips
- Services include toilets, foot-washing showers, showers, bins, daily cleaning, a tourist office, a phone, bars and restaurants, sunbed and umbrella rental, a lifeguard post and a diving area. Access is easy on foot or by car; there is parking, an interurban bus service and wheelchair access. Other beaches nearby are Puerto Santiago, Punta Blanca, Los Guios and La Jaquita. The tourist board lists the restaurants Dos Naifes, M.B., Atlantico and Melvin on the seafront. For a different black-sand beach with calm water, see Playa de San Juan, and for a comparison of the island's dark beaches read Tenerife black sand beaches. The nearby resort has its own guide: Los Gigantes. A boat trip from Los Gigantes port, the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin cruise, is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 5,987 reviews and costs from 28 euros (read 6 November 2026).
How to get there
The beach is in Puerto de Santiago, in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, on the west coast. It can be reached on foot from the resort area, by car with parking nearby, or by the interurban bus. See Puerto de Santiago and where to stay in Los Gigantes.
Opening hours
Nearby
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