Puerto de la Cruz Beaches Reopen After Water Quality Tests Confirm Safety
Puerto de la Cruz has reopened Playa Grande and Charcón for swimming after health officials confirmed water quality levels returned to safe standards.
Normal service has resumed at Puerto de la Cruz after officials confirmed that the waters at Playa Grande and Charcón are safe for swimming once again. The Canary Islands’ General Directorate of Public Health lifted the ban, which had been in place since September 3 as a precaution after routine checks showed water quality levels outside of the permitted range.
The beaches were reopened on September 4 following two sets of tests—one conducted by the regional government and another commissioned by the local council—which both confirmed that the water now meets all safety standards for public use.
This incident underscores the importance of the strict environmental monitoring required by European and national regulations to protect public health. The local government stressed that the reopening does not mean they are lowering their guard. Since mid-August, the municipality has been running an intensive plan that includes cleaning sanitation networks and closely monitoring water quality to proactively manage any potential issues in the marine environment.
Mayor Leopoldo Afonso defended the temporary closure as a necessary step, stating that public safety remains the top priority. He pledged to continue active surveillance in the coming months and thanked the public for following safety instructions while the beaches were closed. With the situation now resolved, the City Council will continue its regular testing schedule to ensure the coastline remains safe for everyone.