4.7 (5)•Wild black sand beach•La Orotava, North Tenerife
Playa del Ancón is the wild La Orotava beach for people who understand that access is part of the decision. It sits below the Costa de Acentejo cliffs, separated from Los Patos by Punta del Ancón, with black volcanic sand, banana fields and green northern slopes above the shore.
The reward is a quieter beach with real north-coast character. The price is a difficult walking approach, no parking at the sand and a sea that can be powerful even when it looks manageable from above.
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Blog context
Useful planning notes connected to this place: weather, transport, routes, and nearby decisions.
Traveler photos
Guest review summary
Commonly mentioned by visitors.
Visitors praise the wild black-sand coast, steep cliffs and quieter morning atmosphere.
The beach appeals to people who want a rougher La Orotava coast stop rather than a managed resort bay.
On suitable tides and calm conditions, the scenery can feel very rewarding after the walk.
Access is rougher than most beach stops, with a walk down and navigation that can confuse drivers.
Strong waves, high tide and lifeguard restrictions can make swimming impossible.
Facilities are minimal, and the beach can disappear or shrink significantly at high tide.
Recommended reviews
Тetiana Bakhtina
Source: Google Maps
2 years ago
Nice beach with waves 😍, but you need 20-30 minutes to get there by walking not the easiest way 😅 be careful in some places water could make you staff wet because of water rush after 10:00)
Branislav Matić
Source: Google Maps
4 years ago
Beautiful black sand beach, shallow water for few dozens meters, big waves, suprisingly warm water (today), but auto navigation is poor and you must walk for 15 minutes through steep narrow goat-path. Believe me walk is rewarding, even on bad weather.
branislav andel
Source: Google Maps
4 years ago
Beautiful small beach surrounded by steep cliffs. The sun comes only in the afternoon and in the high tide it's almost completely covered with water, so I would not say it's the best one for all day long sunbathing :) But the views are amazing, black soft sand (hard to clean) and always when we were there the waves were very strong.
Ondřej Brožek
Source: Google Maps
9 months ago
Amazing black beach if you like waves, almost noone in the morning, a few people come during midday. Guard is there since around midday cause of huge waves - so you cant swimm. The most amazing thing about this place is that the waves come from literally all sides - even from the back if you are far enough. If going there, take some good shoes! The elevation from Santa Úrsula is >240m!
Gina Bori
Source: Google Maps
2 years ago
Beautiful beach, only the way to it was difficult, but the beach is perfect. There's a sand and coast is good for kids. It allowed for dogs and there are lifeguards too.
Do not compare it to a serviced south beach
Ancón is valuable because it still feels like rough north coast. That also means the ocean and access can cancel the swimming plan.
KnowTenerife
No. Plan it as a wild-coast walk with a beach reward, not as an easy urban swim stop.
Only in clearly calm conditions. This coast is exposed, with strong waves and currents.
Do not expect normal beach facilities. Bring water, proper footwear and a backup plan.
El Bollullo is usually the more practical La Orotava black-sand beach.
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