Black sand facing the Anaga sea stacks
The sand is dark, mixed with pebbles, and the Atlantic rolls in on long waves. Offshore, two rocky pillars, the roques d'Anaga, rise straight out of the water.
Why visit Plage de Benijo
This volcanic sand beach sits at the foot of the Benijo hamlet, within the rural district of Taganana. It belongs to the Anaga rural park, which is part of the UNESCO biosphere reserve of the same name.
Forget the smooth, postcard-ready backdrop: the northern coast of Tenerife is raw, facing the open ocean. The roques d'Anaga form the central focus of every photo and every view toward the horizon.
The roques d'Anaga at sunset
Facing these two rock pillars is where the beach truly comes into its own. Many visitors come to watch them in the late afternoon during sunset, right from the black sand.
You can simply walk along the shore, watch the movement of the ocean, and then look up toward the heights where the phare d'Anaga (Anaga lighthouse) stands on nearby ridges.
A beach to approach with respect
The ocean here holds nothing back. The beach is exposed to North Atlantic swells and strong currents, making it a place primarily for walking and taking in the views rather than swimming.
Above the beach, local fish restaurants let you extend your visit over a meal with the sea as a backdrop.
Friendly tip: the coastal road descending from Taganana toward Almáciga and Plage de Benijo connects via the TF-12 mountain road. Plan to arrive before late afternoon if you want to catch the roques d'Anaga at sunset.
How long for this activity
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the sand and take in the rock formations, or a half day if you stick around for sunset.