Puerto de Santiago

Puerto de Santiago holidays give you toned-down Tenerife, where it’s about black-sand beaches, first-class seafood and whale-watching.

Low-key trio

Puerto de Santiago slots into the sophisticated west coast of Tenerife. Its neighbours Los Gigantes and Playa de la Arena are the slices of bread and this place is the filling. The fishing village still bangs the traditional drum, with a laidback, family-friendly vibe. And you can easily walk to the connecting towns for something extra.

Dark sands

There are a couple of bronzing spots here. The first is a dinky sheltered bay with black volcanic sand. You’ll also see Canary Island locals whipping their towels out on the cliffs skirting the town’s edge, and there’s a natural pool cut into the rocks. If it’s sand you’re after, you can make the 15-minute stroll over to Playa de la Arena beach. This one brandishes a Blue Flag gong and a restaurant-packed street.

Big on H20

Swimming’s not the only activity on the agenda. You’ve also got a PADI diving centre under your nose. And Los Gigantes lends a helping hand with its busy marina. Boat trips head out from here, tracking dolphins, turtles and pilot whales. You’ll usually get a couple of hours at sea, plus most of them give you a good look at the Acantilados de los Gigantes AKA the Giant Cliffs.