Curated guide · the Canaries
146 verified sandy beaches, ranked with Blue Flag certifications first.
Curated by the Beach Atlas team · Updated July 2026
Sandy beaches in the Canary Islands come in three distinct colours: pale golden sand (often Saharan, carried across on the trade winds), bright white shell sand, and the dramatic black volcanic sand the islands are famous for. All share gradual shallow entries and are comfortable underfoot, suiting families with young children, anyone with mobility considerations, and visitors who prefer to wade in from shore rather than off rocks.
Golden and white sand concentrate on Fuerteventura — home to the islands' longest beaches — and the resort coast of Gran Canaria around the Maspalomas dunes. Tenerife mixes imported golden sand at its southern resorts with striking black-sand beaches near Santa Cruz, while Lanzarote and La Graciosa hide pale, calm coves between volcanic headlands. Dramatic black volcanic sand defines the wilder northern shores of Tenerife and La Palma. Blue Flag and organised sandy beaches are surfaced first below.
Showing #1 – #10 of 146 ranked beaches
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Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, organized setup
Butihondo is a long sandy resort beach on the Esquinzo-Butihondo coast of Jandía. It is distinct from the remote Playa de Esquinzo in northwestern Fuerteventura and offers sunbeds, showers, lifeguard service, food and water-sports facilities.
Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, organized setup, family-friendly
Corralejo Viejo, commonly called Waikiki Beach, is a sheltered urban sandy cove beside Corralejo's seafront. Its calm, shallow water suits families, and the central location puts showers, lifeguard service, restaurants and water-sports facilities close at hand.
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Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, organized setup, family-friendly
Morro Jable Beach is the sandy village-side bathing area on Jandía's south coast, separately recognised from El Matorral farther east. Calm swimming water, an accessible promenade, sunbeds, showers, lifeguard service and nearby restaurants make it a fully serviced urban beach.
Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, organized setup, family-friendly
Playa Blanca, locally known as Playa del Pueblo, is the small white-sand town beach on the southern coast of Lanzarote. Its sheltered, calm water and central promenade suit families, while nearby restaurants, showers and accessible facilities make it an easy urban swimming stop.
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Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, organized setup, family-friendly
Playa de la Arena is a 350-metre black-sand beach at Mesa del Mar in Tacoronte. Its sheltered setting usually keeps the water relatively calm, and nearby parking and toilets make it a convenient family swimming beach.
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Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, organized setup
Playa de Torviscas is a 290-metre sandy beach in Costa Adeje, immediately south of Fañabé. Breakwaters shelter its swimming area, while the accessible promenade connects sunbeds, showers, lifeguard service, restaurants and water-sports facilities.
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Best for: soft sand underfoot, organized setup, Blue Flag certified
Playa del Burrero is a sandy beach on the east coast of Gran Canaria. It is an organized beach with lifeguard services and a small parking area. The sea here is typically moderate, offering pleasant conditions for swimming and relaxation.
Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, Blue Flag certified
Bahía de Timijiraque is a small sandy beach on the northeast coast of El Hierro, the westernmost Canary Island. Sheltered within a bay, its waters are typically calm, making it a popular spot for swimming.
Best for: soft sand underfoot, calm shallow water, Blue Flag certified
Charco Verde is a small sandy beach on the east coast of La Palma, sheltered by cliffs and a rocky headland. Its name refers to the greenish tint of the water, caused by algae and fine sediment. The cove offers calm sea conditions, ideal for swimming and relaxation, with roadside parking nearby.
Best for: soft sand underfoot, Blue Flag certified
Dunas de Corralejo is a vast sandy beach on the east coast of Fuerteventura, within the Corralejo Natural Park. Its exposed location to the Atlantic generates consistent waves and strong winds, making it a renowned spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
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