Canary Islands: beach reality check
Short answer: 15 beaches checked. In mid-July the sun leaves first at Playa de El Médano (19:50), Playa del Inglés (20:00), Playa de las Teresitas (20:10); the latest sun is at Playa de Masca, Playa Bollullo, Playa de Benijo.
| Beach | Surface | Sun in July | Climb from parking | Water | Sea in Aug | Clubs mapped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa de Papagayo Yaiza | Sand | 08:30–20:15 | 250 m, ↑25 m | gradual | 22 °C | — |
| Playa de las Teresitas Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Sand | 07:55–20:10 | 90 m | gradual | 23 °C | — |
| Playa de Maspalomas San Bartolomé de Tirajana | Sand | 07:45–20:30 | 180 m, ↑9 m | gradual | 23 °C | 4 |
| Playa del Inglés San Bartolomé de Tirajana | Sand | 08:20–20:00 | 120 m, ↑17 m | shallow | 23 °C | 18 |
| Playa de Cofete Pájara | ? | 07:20–20:55 | 490 m, ↑10 m | gradual | 23 °C | — |
| Playa de Famara Teguise | Sand | 08:10–20:55 | 200 m, ↑4 m | shallow | 22 °C | — |
| Playa de El Médano Granadilla de Abona | Sand | 08:00–19:50 | 280 m, ↑24 m | ? | 23 °C | — |
| Playa de Las Canteras Las Palmas | Sand | 08:45–21:00 | 250 m, ↑17 m | gradual | 23 °C | — |
| Playa de Benijo Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Sand | 08:10–21:05 | 170 m, ↑64 m | shallow | 23 °C | — |
| Playa Jardín Puerto de la Cruz | Sand | 08:50–20:45 | 100 m, ↑18 m | shallow | 23 °C | — |
| Playa de Las Conchas Teguise | ? | 08:25–20:55 | — | gradual | 22 °C | — |
| Playa Bollullo La Orotava | Sand | 08:00–21:05 | 130 m, ↑44 m | shallow | 23 °C | — |
| Playa de Amadores Mogán | Sand | 08:00–20:55 | 130 m, ↑11 m | shallow | 23 °C | — |
| Dunas de Corralejo La Oliva | Sand | 07:45–20:40 | 370 m, ↑10 m | gradual | 22 °C | — |
| Playa de Masca Buenavista del Norte | ? | 10:50–21:05 | — | deep fast | 23 °C | — |
Plan it
Questions
Which beaches in Canary Islands lose the sun first?
15 beaches checked. In mid-July the sun leaves first at Playa de El Médano (19:50), Playa del Inglés (20:00), Playa de las Teresitas (20:10); the latest sun is at Playa de Masca, Playa Bollullo, Playa de Benijo.
Which beaches in Canary Islands are sand?
Playa de Papagayo, Playa de las Teresitas, Playa de Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Playa de Famara, Playa de El Médano, Playa de Las Canteras, Playa de Benijo, Playa Jardín, Playa Bollullo, Playa de Amadores, Dunas de Corralejo.
Sun and shade come from the sun's position and the skyline around each beach, measured every 4° of compass direction from a 30 m elevation model out to 6 km. The climb back up is the height difference between the beach and the nearest mapped car park or bus stop (about 0.17 m per step). Water depth comes from the EMODnet seabed model; surface, beach clubs, toilets and showers from OpenStreetMap; sea temperature is the 1991–2020 average from NOAA OISST and waves the 2015–2024 average from ERA5. Prices are not shown: they change every season and differ between clubs. Map data checked 7 Nov 2026; next check 1 Dec 2026 (monthly). Sea averages are refreshed every January. Sun and shade are calculated for any date you pick.