Playa Jardín is the big black sand beach west of Puerto de la Cruz. A breakwater protects swimmers, and part of the beach stays open to surfing, with a peak breaking left and right. For the rest of the island, read our guide to surf spots in Tenerife.
The downside: on big north swells, the north coast starts pounding and it is no longer a beginner spot.
“I found a small, inexpensive apartment near Playa Jardín, in Puerto de la Cruz. I could go surfing on foot in the morning before the wind picked up. With Playa Martiánez, that is where I surfed most: fairly gentle waves and not too many people.” Jean, beginner surfer back from Tenerife
At a glance: Playa Jardín
| Wave type | Beach break, left and right peak |
| Bottom | Black sand |
| Best tide | All tides |
| Swell direction | North-west to north-east |
| Best wind | South-east to south-west (offshore) |
| Level | All levels, beginners on small swells |
| Crowd | Variable, lots of swimmers in summer |
| Best season | October to March, depending on the north swell |
Playa Jardín surf spot (Tenerife)
According to Mondo Surf, the wave is an A-frame of 50 to 150 m, over a sandy bottom that changes little with the tide. It takes north-west to north-east swells and cleans up with a south wind, blowing from the land.
The beach is in town: cafés, showers and restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz are a short walk away.
When to surf Playa Jardín?
The north coast gets the winter swells, from October to March. In summer it is often small, which suits a first session.
Surf calendar Playa Jardín: intensity by month
Playa Jardín forecast
Before you paddle out, check today’s conditions:
- Windy weather map (28.4155, -16.5640): swell, wind and live conditions.
- Windguru forecast for Puerto de la Cruz below: wind, gusts and rating over 7 days.
Playa Jardín: which surf level?
Beginners: on small swells
Sandy bottom and accessible waves when it is small: a good place on the north coast to learn. Stay in the surf area, away from swimmers.
Intermediates: when the swell picks up
The peak gets hollower. For a change, El Socorro is a few kilometres to the west.
Experienced surfers: rather the north-east reefs
On big swells, go for more powerful reefs like Punta del Hidalgo.
How to get to Playa Jardín
The beach is west of central Puerto de la Cruz, within walking distance of the town along the seafront.
Spot location
GPS coordinates (approximate): 28.4155° N, 16.5640° W. At Playa Jardín, Puerto de la Cruz, on the north coast of Tenerife.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Where to stay near Playa Jardín?
Puerto de la Cruz has the widest choice on the north coast: hotels, apartments and guesthouses. Accommodation map below.
What to do near Playa Jardín?
The botanical garden and Loro Parque are in Puerto de la Cruz. For walks, read our article on walks around Puerto de la Cruz.
FAQ: Playa Jardín (Tenerife)
Yes, on small swells. The bottom is sand and part of the beach is open to surfing.
From October to March, when the north swell arrives. In summer it is often small.
All tides, the sandy bottom changes little.
The easiest is to walk from central Puerto de la Cruz along the seafront.
In short
Playa Jardín is a black sand town beach with a left and right peak. A good spot to learn on small swells on the north coast. To discover the other islands, read our guide to surfing in the Canary Islands.
Sources: Mondo Surf, Hello Canary Islands, Clickstay. Photos: Boris Busorgin / Unsplash.