Arona Residents Plan Protest Against Los Cristianos Port Expansion

Tensions over the Arona coastline have reached a breaking point. According to Diario de Avisos, the Platform Against the Expansion of the Port of Los Cristianos has organized a protest for June 21 at 11:00 a.m. Under the slogan "Beach yes, pier no," the march will travel from the Cultural Center to the Old Pier. The demonstration marks a shift for local groups who feel that years of trying to work through official channels have been ignored, leaving them with no choice but to take to the streets.

The long-standing conflict has been reignited by two new proposals: a floating dock at the Old Pier and a large parking lot within the port area. Platform spokesperson Jorge Bello argues that these projects ruin the bay’s appearance and public access while offering no real benefit to the local community. The group has formally opposed the dock project and remains confident that it can be stopped.

The debate has also taken on a serious environmental tone. At a recent meeting, experts presented data showing that local seagrass meadows—a vital part of the Canary Islands' biodiversity—have been almost completely destroyed by 2025. Researchers link this loss directly to port construction projects dating back to 1934, which have intensified since the 1980s. For residents, this environmental damage makes protecting the coastline an urgent priority.

The issue now moves to the political stage. On Thursday the 28th, the Arona City Council will debate a motion requiring all political groups to take a formal stance on the port projects. The platform views this vote as a "political thermometer" to see which representatives truly listen to the public. The upcoming June protest is the final step in a campaign to challenge a port management model that residents feel has ignored the social and environmental needs of Los Cristianos for the last 50 years.