Antequera Beach in Tenerife: A slice of paradise for hardy travelers

Tenerife is an island with a unique terrain. There are steep mountains that drop into the ocean, deep ravines that stretch to the shore, and volcanic rocks sculpted by fire and water.

This makes the island's coastline very diverse. Alongside easily accessible city beaches, there are wild and hidden coves. To reach them, you either have to walk a long way along steep paths or arrive by boat.

These are almost untouched places where black sand mixes with volcanic rock, and the Atlantic Ocean impresses with its purity. Here you feel that the island still has secret corners, away from the crowds of tourists.

In the northeast of the island, not far from Las Teresitas (as the crow flies), but in a completely different world, is Antequera beach. You can only get here on foot or by sea.

It is located in the Anaga Rural Park, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The atmosphere of a "place out of time" reigns here: there are no roads, beach cafes, lifeguards... but the water is so clear that it is not surprising why this place is so loved by tourists and local sailors.

Antequera is located on the southern slope of the Anaga massif, in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, very close to the village of Igueste de San Andrés.

It is a small arc of volcanic sand about 400 meters long, hidden between rocks that cut it off from the rest of the coast.

You can't get here by car. You can walk along mountain paths or sail by boat from Santa Cruz or San Andrés.

For many residents of Santa Cruz, this bay is a dream. Its inaccessibility has always been an obstacle, and many, even dreaming about it, have never been here.

In the 80s, organized boat trips made this place popular, but they were later canceled. And the beach again became a place for those who have their own boat, or for those who are ready to overcome a difficult hiking route, which takes more than three hours.

In 2013, a water taxi appeared, which will take you from San Andrés in 20 minutes. During the trip, wonderful views open up: black sand beaches, like Las Gaviotas, caves with legends about pirates, and historical places, like the Igueste Semaphore.

Today, only a few dozen people enjoy this volcanic sand every day.

There are remnants of an old pier and an interesting restaurant that cooked paella in the 80s, at the height of the beach's popularity. But getting here is not easy, it requires some physical effort.

This inaccessibility is compensated by almost untouched nature. The lack of amenities is more than compensated for by the beauty of the surrounding landscape. And the preservation of this place depends on the responsibility of those who get here.

The view from the sea, with the majestic Anaga cliffs in the background, is worth the trip in itself.