Tenerife: the deadly beauty of the El Tancon cave, where seven tourists have died.
On Tenerife, the El Tancon cave, despite its picturesque beauty, is a deadly place due to underwater currents and waves that pull into the water, so swimming there is prohibited under penalty of a fine.
The Canary Islands are incredibly beautiful, but also dangerous. There are steep cliffs, deep ravines, volcanic caves, and over 1,500 km of coastline, where treacherous waves and currents rage. And then there are the bufaderos – caves that "breathe" with each wave.
Add to this the abrupt changes in weather, dust storms, heat in the mountains, slippery sand on the slopes, and narrow paths over precipices. The result is a place that is simply made for photos, but at the same time very dangerous if you ignore warnings or underestimate the ocean.
The greatest danger lurks in the marine pools and caves that pull you into the water, on beaches with underwater currents, near unstable cliffs, in ravines that quickly fill with water after rain, and in unventilated caves where it is easy to get lost.
One such place is the El Tancon cave in Tenerife. It is a sea cave, or bufadero, and probably the most dangerous place on the island. It is not just a natural pool, but a real mechanism that pulls you in and beats you with waves. The cave is washed out by the sea and connected to the ocean through cracks and a hole in the top.
When waves crash against the rocks, water forcefully enters and exits the cave, creating currents, whirlpools, and sudden changes in water level. This can wash away, drown, or hit anyone who finds themselves inside. Although the water seems blue and calm, the risk here is extremely high.
Swimming in El Tancon has been prohibited since 2021, and there are fines for doing so. The municipality of Santiago del Teide has installed fences and signs warning of the danger of drowning and landslides. The penalty for violating the rule is 300 euros. And this is not without reason, because in the last 10 years, 7 people have died here, and how many have been rescued and injured due to falls and impacts against the rocks!
The scenario is always the same: tourists are attracted by the beauty of the place, the "calm" water, and the sudden change of waves, which turns the cave into a deadly trap.
El Tancon is an incredibly beautiful place. It resembles a small lava cathedral open to the Atlantic. Basalt walls polished by waves, a vault that lets in light and colors the water in incredible shades of blue, and a mirror-like water surface that creates foam and hypnotic whirlpools during high tide.
The shape of the rocks with their ribs and lava flows tells the story of the island's volcanic past. Each tide changes the color and sound of this place.
The surroundings of Puerto de Santiago and the cliffs of Los Gigantes complete the picture with orange and purple sunsets, the smell of sea salt, and a sense of peace and strength that can only be felt in western Tenerife. For photography enthusiasts, there are great shots from the waterfront: lava textures, pools with marine life, and the sea crashing against the rocks. From the outside, El Tancon is a true Atlantic beauty.
If you are looking for a safe place to swim, choose beaches or pools with lifeguards and controlled access. Avoid dangerous pools and caves, especially when there are waves.
El Tancon is a place for contemplation, not for swimming. Its beauty is deceptive, and the dynamics of the waves make it very dangerous. Therefore, enjoy it with respect and only from the outside.