Playa de las Gaviotas, Tenerife: black sand in Anaga

Las Gaviotas is one of Tenerife’s most authentic beaches: a sheltered cove of fine black sand set beneath the cliffs of the Anaga massif, in the island’s north-east. It belongs to the San Andrés district of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and lies very close to the popular Las Teresitas, though its character could hardly be more different. There is no seafront promenade, no beach bars and no imported palms: just dark sand, volcanic rock and open Atlantic. That rawness is exactly the appeal. It is a place for those seeking unfiltered nature, a quieter weekday swim and the photogenic contrast of black sand against the blue ocean.

It is around 250 metres long and 40 metres wide, with very fine black volcanic sand and a moderate swell that has made it a meeting point for surfers and bodyboarders. It has a nudist tradition: naturism is accepted and coexists normally with other beachgoers, but the beach is not exclusively nudist. In terms of services, it remains essentially wild: it does not have the facilities of an urban beach and usually has no lifeguard or permanent surveillance, so swimming is at your own risk. Bring water, footwear for the rocks and everything you need, as options nearby are very limited.

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, head towards San Andrés, take the Anaga road (TF-121) and then the Las Gaviotas road turn-off, which descends towards the coast. The road is narrow, winding and close to the cliff, so careful driving is essential. The beach has a parking area, but spaces are very limited and fill quickly on busy days, making an early start worthwhile. Anyone arriving by public transport should expect a final walk of around fifteen minutes. Important: this access road is also the one that closes when there is a risk of rockfalls, so its status fully determines whether the visit is possible.

As of now, the beach is closed. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Town Council ordered its temporary closure in June 2026, with a preventive evacuation, after detecting a rockfall risk on the slope beside the access road, around Playa Chica. Emergency works to secure the hillside are expected to last close to a year, and reopening will depend on technical reports confirming fully safe conditions. It is not the first time: the beach was already closed from 2010 and partially reopened in 2013. Always check access status before going. And when it reopens, remember that this is Anaga sea: open, powerful and without surveillance. Respect the currents and do not be overconfident.

Las Gaviotas works well as part of a day in Anaga, one of the most spectacular areas of the Canary Islands. The natural pairing is nearby Las Teresitas, the large golden-sand beach of San Andrés, which does have full services and is ideal for families. If you want more black sand and wilder scenery, Benijo and Almáciga on the northern side of the massif are essential stops, as are the walking routes through the laurel forest of Anaga Rural Park. Bring sun protection, water and something to eat, allow time for parking and, above all, confirm in advance that access is open.