Santa Cruz is set to open a new bathing area in San Andrés, following an initiative led by the Tenerife Cabildo to improve coastal access. As part of the project, wooden platforms will be installed to provide "safe and comfortable" entry to the beach, which has formed naturally behind a semi-submerged breakwater.
The breakwater, originally built to protect San Andrés from strong waves and rising tides, has helped create a calm area of water near the town’s pier. However, large stones have made access to the shoreline difficult, prompting demands from local residents for improved facilities.
Carlos Tarife, the Council’s head of Strategic Planning, confirmed that the City Council, in partnership with the Port Authority, are going to install the platforms in response to the community’s requests.
In addition to the new bathing area, the Council is also considering a proposal to relocate licensed boats from Las Teresitas to the San Andrés waterfront, should the Coastal Directorate proceed with plans to clear them from their current location. Tarife stressed that the Coastal Directorate must first verify the legality of each boat before any relocation can take place.
The initiative aims to make San Andrés beach fully accessible and suitable for swimming, reflecting the wishes of local residents. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting the project, describing it as a vital step towards enhancing recreational opportunities along Santa Cruz’s coastline.
Bermúdez highlighted the Cabildo's ongoing investment in the municipality, noting recent and planned improvements in areas such as Taganana, Roque de Las Bodegas, and the breakwater at Las Teresitas. The Council is also pursuing resources for coastal projects in Añaza and Valleseco, and tackling the complex and costly project to open access to Benijos.
Gladis de León, Councillor for the Anaga District, voiced her support for the efforts of San Andrés residents to reclaim their traditional beach. More than 1,200 signatures have been collected, calling on the Cabildo and the Coastal Directorate to restore the "old black sand beach" that once lined the town’s seafront.
The El Pescador Association explained that although the breakwater, completed in 2016, naturally created a calm bathing area, access remains difficult due to the rocky shoreline. The installation of the new wooden platforms is expected to significantly improve accessibility and help revitalise this cherished part of the coast.
