Structural Risks Mount as Icod de los Vinos Coastline Deteriorates
Residents of Icod de los Vinos are protesting against bureaucratic delays and administrative inaction as worsening coastal erosion at San Marcos beach threatens the structural integrity of local infrastructure.
The deterioration of the San Marcos coastline in Icod de los Vinos has reached a critical stage, moving beyond simple aesthetic damage to become a serious structural safety concern. Recent bad weather caused a sinkhole on the Avenida Marítima, proving that the damage now threatens the promenade’s foundation and the stability of the public road.
This ongoing decline, which has worsened over the last decade, has left local residents frustrated. The "SOS Salvar la Playa de San Marcos" citizens' group, representing thousands of supporters, has organized a protest for May 16th in front of the Government Sub-delegation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The group argues that temporary fixes have failed and that bureaucratic delays have stalled a regeneration project that began five years ago. They are particularly concerned that the ground erosion is now compromising nearby infrastructure—a problem that first showed warning signs back in 2015.
The situation is further complicated by a web of conflicting administrative responsibilities and political finger-pointing. While Mayor Javier Sierra’s administration blames a lack of support from higher authorities—specifically citing delays from Puertos Canarios and inaction by the regional government—the local opposition, including Coalición Canaria, has criticized the city council's handling of the issue. The Icod Popular Party has urged the local government to stop the political rhetoric and take responsibility, noting that the project depends on both the state’s General Directorate of Coasts and the environmental approval of the Canary Islands government.
This stalemate stands in stark contrast to the optimism of July 2023, when the municipal council voted to restart the bidding process for the area’s recovery. Since then, administrative hurdles have overshadowed those promises. A lack of coordination between local, regional, and state authorities has left San Marcos beach in a state of limbo. While officials debate technical details like the type of fill material to use, the urgent need to stabilize the ground remains, with the risk of irreversible structural damage growing by the day.