Best Beaches in Tenerife for Equipment Rental
From golden sand to volcanic black shores, discover Tenerife's best beaches where you can easily rent sunbeds, parasols, kayaks, and water sports gear.
Maria Santos
Local travel expert born and raised in Tenerife. Maria has spent over 15 years sharing the island's hidden gems with visitors from around the world.
Tenerife boasts over 70 beaches spread across its 342-kilometre coastline. From the imported golden sands of Playa de las Teresitas to the wild black volcanic shores of Benijo, each beach offers a unique experience. Knowing which beaches have the best rental facilities can make or break your beach day—here's our comprehensive guide to the beaches where you'll find everything you need.
Golden Sand Beaches
Playa de las Teresitas
Just 7 kilometres from Santa Cruz, Las Teresitas is Tenerife's most famous golden beach. The sand was imported from the Sahara Desert in the 1970s, creating a stunning 1.5-kilometre stretch of golden shoreline backed by the Anaga mountains. A protective breakwater keeps the waters calm and crystal clear, making it perfect for families.
Available rentals: Sunbeds, parasols, pedal boats, kayaks, snorkelling equipment, and stand-up paddleboards. Several chiringuitos (beach bars) line the promenade.
Best for: Families wanting calm, shallow water and full facilities without the tourist-resort feel.
Playa del Duque
Located in Costa Adeje, this is arguably Tenerife's most upmarket beach. The golden sand is immaculate, the water is turquoise, and the surrounding promenade features high-end restaurants and boutiques. The beach is well-sheltered by breakwaters, ensuring calm swimming conditions year-round.
Available rentals: Premium sunbeds with service, parasols, jet skis, banana boats, pedal boats, kayaks, SUP boards, snorkelling gear, and parasailing experiences.
Best for: Those wanting a luxury beach experience with comprehensive water sport rental options.
Playa de El Médano
The longest natural sand beach in Tenerife, El Médano stretches for over 2 kilometres along the southeastern coast. The consistent trade winds make it an international destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing, while the main beach area is excellent for swimming and sunbathing.
Available rentals: Complete kitesurfing setups, windsurf boards and rigs, wetsuits, surfboards, bodyboards, sunbeds, parasols, and beach volleyball equipment.
Best for: Wind sport enthusiasts and active beachgoers.
Black Volcanic Sand Beaches
Playa de la Arena
Awarded the Blue Flag for water quality, Playa de la Arena in Santiago del Teide features striking black volcanic sand that contrasts beautifully with the blue ocean. The beach is well-maintained with good facilities and is sheltered enough for comfortable swimming. Sunsets here are legendary, with the sun dropping behind La Gomera island.
Available rentals: Sunbeds, parasols, kayaks, snorkelling gear, and diving excursions from the nearby port.
Best for: A quintessential Canarian beach experience with the iconic black sand.
Playa Jardín
Designed by the renowned Canarian artist César Manrique, Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz is a masterpiece of landscape architecture. Tropical gardens cascade down to the dark volcanic sand, and the beach is divided into three coves by volcanic rock formations. The setting beneath the green hillsides of the Orotava Valley, with occasional views of El Teide, is spectacular.
Available rentals: Sunbeds, parasols, bodyboards, and snorkelling equipment. Surfboard rental available from nearby shops for the occasional swells that reach this coast.
Best for: Those staying in the north who want a beautiful, well-designed beach with character.
Playa de Los Gigantes
A small but stunning black sand beach at the base of the 600-metre Los Gigantes cliffs. The dramatic backdrop makes this one of Tenerife's most photographed beaches. The water is deep and clear, ideal for snorkelling along the cliff base where you can spot octopus, moray eels, and colourful wrasse.
Available rentals: Kayaks, snorkelling gear, SUP boards, and boat excursions along the cliffs. The adjacent marina offers yacht and catamaran charters.
Best for: Dramatic scenery and kayaking beneath the famous cliffs.
Hidden Gems with Rental Access
Playa de Abades
A semi-secret spot on the east coast, Abades features a natural volcanic coastline with incredible rock pools perfect for snorkelling. The water clarity here rivals the Caribbean, and the underwater volcanic formations are home to diverse marine life including trumpet fish, parrotfish, and occasional sea turtles.
Available rentals: Snorkelling and diving equipment from the dive centre, kayaks, and SUP boards during summer months.
Best for: Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts seeking less crowded waters.
Playa de Diego Hernández
Accessible only by foot (a 20-minute walk from La Caleta), this hidden cove offers pristine turquoise waters surrounded by volcanic cliffs. The golden sand and clear water create a paradise feel that's hard to find on developed coastlines. While there are no permanent rental facilities, seasonal kayak and SUP rental operates during summer.
Available rentals: Seasonal kayak and SUP delivery service (book in advance), snorkelling gear from Go Tenerife to bring with you.
Best for: Adventure seekers willing to walk for a secluded paradise.
Tips for Beach Equipment Rental
- Book in advance: Peak season (July-September) means high demand for popular items like jet skis and kayaks
- Arrive early: Sunbeds at popular beaches fill up by 10am in summer
- Check conditions: Yellow or red flags mean swimming restrictions—check before renting water sports equipment
- Protect yourself: The Canarian sun is strong year-round; rent a parasol even on cloudy days
- Bring cash: Some beach rental operators don't accept cards
Go Tenerife offers delivery and collection for beach equipment across the island. From premium sunbeds and parasols to kayaks, snorkelling sets, and SUP boards, we bring the gear to your chosen beach so you can focus on enjoying the sun and sea.
