As the chilly months draw near, many Brits dream of escaping the frosty weather and basking in some winter sun. Tenerife is a favourite destination for UK holidaymakers, but those planning to visit the Canary Islands hotspot have been issued an urgent warning by local authorities about one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.
Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz, known for its stunning views and the island’s signature black sand, has reportedly banned visitors from entering the water “indefinitely” due to health risks associated with contamination. The swimming ban was initially implemented on 5 July earlier this summer, and it doesn’t seem likely to be lifted anytime soon.
Water tests conducted earlier in the summer revealed the presence of E. coli.
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Over the past eight years, the water quality has drastically declined from being rated ‘excellent’ to ‘poor’. Holidaymakers are now prohibited from entering the water at Playa Jardin, with signs in various languages erected around the beach to warn tourists about the risk of infection and gastrointestinal disease.
Local authorities have imposed an indefinite swimming ban, citing health risks and declining water quality at Playa Jardín. They said: “There is epidemiological evidence that this situation can cause gastrointestinal symptoms due to ingestion of water, as well as other types of conditions such as acute respiratory infections and infections of the ears, eyes, nasal passages, and skin” and “This decision will be extended indefinitely and is a measure in response to the decline in water quality that has been occurring at least since 2016 in the Playa Jardín area and, above all, in this last year 2024.”
Mayor of Puerto, Marco González, spoke to The Metro about his concerns for the town’s economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism and could take a hit from the contamination issue.
However, he remains hopeful for improvements, including upgraded water treatment facilities and checks on pumping stations. Despite these challenges and with millions of Brits flocking to Tenerife annually, local sentiment towards tourism is shifting.
Ongoing protests have resulted in the introduction of a new tourism tax, effective from 1 January 2025, particularly targeting protected areas like Mount Teide.
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