All about Playa el Arenal surf beach of La Laguna

Playa el Arenal with its 740m length and about 30m width is a no-frills, but  very clean, black Tenerife surf beach of San Cristóbal de la Laguna that isn't easy to get to, as it's found below a steep, arid cliff of about 20 meters height. It has no amenities whatsoever and is located between the Punta de Hidalgo and Bajamar semi-natural pools in Tenerife  and Playa Bajamar beach. We passed there on the coastal road TF13. It was during Summer holidays when many bathers could be seen in the ocean and by its beach. Mind that Beach Arenal has less of a sandy shore in Winter.

Geographic UTM data: X: 369.573,39 Y: 3.159.765,74

Playa el Arenal surf beach of San Cristobal de la Laguna with the skyline of Punta de Hidalgo

The beach is situated on the most Northern side  of Tenerife Island of the Canary Islands of Spain. 

Getting to Playa el Arenal

Many surf fans come from San Cristóbal de la Laguna via Tegueste or from Bajamar. However, no direct bus stop by Titsa is found anywhere near the beach. There is Hotel Neptuno but its tourists are seldom seen on El Arenal beach.
Some steps lead down from the hotel to the seashore. The walk from there to el Arenal is not for the unfit. 

It would be possible to walk along the Carretera General Road as far as Hotel Neptuno after taking the Titsa bus 050 from Tacorote to Bajamar. However, fetching a taxi from Bajamar strikes me as the best idea and very affordable when I do hikes nowadays with two more companions.
Mind that taxis are hard to get in Tenerife on public holidays, though.

Camping near Playa Arenal

Punta de Hidalbo billboard

There is a camping and caravan park for hikers called el Buigo not far from the  Punta de Hidalgo billboard. There, I was caught on camera, as shown beside. This was, before we proceeded to the Bajamar semi natural pools and beach as well as to Playa Arenal.  By the way, Playa San Juan is closest to the camp site. I saw people camping there during my first trip in 1997 but, discovered none on the day, when I glimpsed Playa Arenal.

Playa el Arenal has a water temperature of 21 Degrees Celsius by the end of June.

Mind, there will be nobody putting up a red flag or even a blue one. 

Melita Cafe and bar now called Restaurante Melita Palmelita on Carretera Punta de Hidalgo number 171 used to have the best apple pie in Tenerife.

Call 922 150355 for reservations at the restaurant. We reached it after a three minute walk from Playa El Arenal  on the coastal road. The entire Arenal beach may be seen from this Eatery with ocean views. By the way, there are three more Palmelita coffee houses.  Find another Café Palmelita nearby at Avenida del Gran Poder 4, Edificio Piscinas at 38250 Bajamar by the town square above the pools and its beach.  

Best surf of Playa el Arenal Beach late in the afternoon

This was a hot tip by a waitress of Melita Café  before it was called Restaurante Melita La Palmelita.

Good fishing by Arenal Beach?

Discover colorful fishing boats far out at sea. Their location is too remote to capture on camera. The small ships seem to be dancing gently on calm waves on the horizon. By the looks of it, this is where to find a good fishing spot. Fishermen are said to come there from the nearby el Puertito (little harbor) of Punta de Hidalgo.

Swimmers and Surfers at Arenal beach

The day on which we looked in amazement at the slightly crowded Playa el Arenal surf beach was an ordinary week day.
It wasn't holiday time yet at the end of June 2008. However, it was Siesta time.

30 people on Arenal beach

Hence, we were surprised to see at least 30 people by this seashore.

However, I would always opt for the relatively new small sandy Bajamar beach with its easy access and Titsa bus stops. Besides, that seaside which is three minutes by car from the surf beach has a lot more in stock for you.

So where were the fishing boats we saw coming from?

Fishing boats at el Puertito of Punta Hidalgo before they enter the sea

Indeed, they all were from Puertito of Punta de Hidalgo that is by the way one of the biggest little fishing harbors with wooden boats. I have only seen more of them at Las Teresitas Beach.

Distance by car from Tenerife North to Playa el Arenal

My friend Guenther and I arrived within only half an hour from Los Realejos, pictures of which speak for themselves by traveling mostly on the TF North freeway. This shows you how fast you could travel in Tenerife, more than ten years ago,  without speeding by avoiding rush hours. 

More detailed instructions on which roads to get there fastest are to be found at page Beach Baja Mar of Tenerife. This includes other interesting info.

Please, go back from Playa el Arenal to Tenerife beaches with many a surprise...

Up to Top?

Please mind that the comment box below is meant to help others. In case you have a question or want to tell me something, kindly use this contact form.

This site is protected by Copyscape