Ecologistas en Acción Awards 'Black Flags' to Two Tenerife Coastal Sites Over Environmental Concerns

The latest annual report from the environmental group Ecologistas en Acción has once again highlighted concerns over how the Canary Islands’ coastline is managed. The report identifies two iconic Tenerife locations—Las Teresitas and El Puertito de Adeje—as "black flags," a designation used to flag environmental risks, poor infrastructure, and the impact of urban development across 48 sites in Spain.

For Las Teresitas beach, the organization points to long-term administrative neglect. They argue that the area suffers from a lack of basic services, safety concerns, and the gradual degradation of its natural and cultural surroundings due to poor management of the public space.

In contrast, El Puertito de Adeje was flagged due to large-scale tourism projects, such as the Cuna del Alma complex. Environmentalists warn that this development threatens local biodiversity, protected species, and a unique geological area that had previously remained one of the few undeveloped stretches of coastline in southwest Tenerife.

In response, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has defended the area, pointing to water quality tests conducted by the Canary Islands government that rate Las Teresitas as "excellent." The council also noted that it has recently completed several improvements, including repairs to the breakwater and upgrades to visitor facilities, to ensure both environmental conservation and public safety.

This situation reflects the ongoing tension between tourism growth and coastal preservation. While environmental groups call for stricter protections against over-development and neglect, local authorities are tasked with balancing the promotion of tourism with the need to meet health and environmental standards in an increasingly crowded landscape.