Los Gigantes Beach is Playa de los Guíos
Many visitors search for "Los Gigantes Beach". The beach they mean is the Playa de los Guíos, also known by the local name Argel. It is a black sand beach at the foot of the cliffs, next to the marina. The official tourism description lists it under the name Los Guíos.
The setting is the draw. The cliffs rise directly behind the sand, and boats leave from the marina next door. The flip side is the same cliff: rock can fall. Read the section on rockfall below before you spread out a towel.
Rockfall: what to know about Playa de los Guíos
Tourism listings describe Playa de los Guíos as an open beach. The cliff above it is real, though. The national bathing water report for 2023 records a closure of the Guíos beach at Los Gigantes because of rockfall, from 11 September 2023 until the end of that season. That is history, not a current notice.
Water quality and rockfall safety are separate questions. The Canary health service publishes bathing water information and a health card for beaches, but that does not tell you whether the cliff is stable. On the day, look for signs, tape or lifeguard instructions at the access and obey them. If an area is marked off, stay out of it.
Do not plan around a fixed closing time. Older visitor reports mention a daily closing hour, but this guide does not treat any such time as a confirmed schedule. Ask at the beach.
Boat trips and tours from the marina
Cliff cruises, whale and dolphin trips and day trips to Masca and Teide from Los Gigantes, with live prices and availability.
Beaches around Los Gigantes
The west coast has three beaches within a short distance, and the official descriptions keep them apart. Do not read the names as synonyms.
Playa de los Guíos is the one under the cliffs. Playa de Puerto Santiago is a small beach at the fishing harbor, 50 meters long and 20 meters wide, with showers, cleaning and bars and restaurants close by. Playa de la Arena is the larger beach with a promenade, roughly 140 by 40 meters, with toilets, showers, a lifeguard post and sunbed rental. See the full page on Playa de la Arena.
Which beach for which day
Facts from the official tourism descriptions. A dash means no figure is listed.
| Beach | Setting | Size | Facilities listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playa de los Guíos | Under the cliffs, by the marina | – | Check on site |
| Playa de la Arena | Promenade and hotels, Puerto de Santiago | About 140 × 40 m | Toilets, showers, lifeguard post, sunbeds and umbrellas, accessible access |
| Playa de Puerto Santiago | Fishing harbor | 50 × 20 m | Showers, cleaning, bins, bars and restaurants, parking |
The Q de Calidad Turística was confirmed for La Arena and Los Guíos on 3 July 2025. It is a tourism quality mark and not the same as a Blue Flag, so do not take it as one.
Masca beach is not a swimming stop
Boat trips and the exit from the Masca Gorge reach the Masca landing stage. Do not expect a beach stop there. The gorge operator's safety page describes a full closure of the public beach, based on a decision dated 7 September 2010. The landing stage can be open while the beach is not. Some boat tours include a swim stop elsewhere, so read what your tour includes. See the Masca Gorge guide and the boat trips page.
Getting to the beaches
TITSA line 477 runs from Costa Adeje along the coast, through Puerto de Santiago and on to Los Gigantes. Line 473 is a slower coastal alternative from Los Cristianos. Both change by day of the week, so check the current timetable. From Tenerife South Airport you can combine line 040 with line 477, which TITSA times at about 40 plus 50 minutes of riding, with the wait on top. More options are on the getting there page.
For parking at the Los Gigantes harbor, no current rates are listed here. Leave extra time on sunny weekends. If you also plan a second island, our sister guide covers the beaches of Fuerteventura.
Beaches near Los Gigantes: frequently asked questions
Is Los Gigantes Beach the same as Playa de los Guíos?
Yes. Both names mean the black sand beach under the cliffs by the marina. The official tourism description uses the name Los Guíos.
Is Playa de los Guíos open?
Tourism listings describe it as an open beach. Rockfall closed it from 11 September 2023 until the end of that season, so look for signs and instructions at the access and follow them.
Does Los Gigantes have a Blue Flag beach?
Do not count on one. The municipality confirmed the Q de Calidad Turística for La Arena and Los Guíos on 3 July 2025, which is a different mark.
Which beach is best for facilities?
Playa de la Arena lists toilets, showers, a lifeguard post, sunbed rental and accessible access. The harbor beach at Puerto de Santiago lists showers, cleaning and parking.
Can I swim at Masca beach?
Do not plan on it. The gorge operator lists a full closure of the public beach. Check what your boat tour includes for swimming.
Is the black sand hot?
Dark volcanic sand heats up in the sun. Sandals help on hot afternoons.