The removal of Los Cristianos from the list of Blue Flag beaches reduces the number of recognized sandy areas in Tenerife to 11 for the year 2026. Despite this loss, the island maintains a significant presence in the program, although the Los Cristianos distinction was one of the most visible in the southern area.
Los Cristianos beach is a point of great tourist and social relevance, being one of the busiest urban beaches in southern Tenerife. Its location next to the port and its surroundings of intense commercial, accommodation, and restaurant activity make it a strategic enclave.
“"The most common reason for not obtaining the distinction is not achieving an excellent water quality rating for bathing. Other factors can also influence, such as non-compliance with the Coastal Law, excessive occupancy, or unauthorized installations."
At a regional level, the Canary Islands have achieved a total of 62 Blue Flags in 2026, distributed among 52 beaches and 10 marinas. This figure represents an increase of eleven distinctions compared to the previous year, consolidating the archipelago's improvement in this environmental certification program. The province of Las Palmas receives 32 Blue Flags for beaches and eight for marinas, while the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has 20 recognized beaches and two marinas.
In addition to the Blue Flags, the Association for Environmental Education and Consumer Affairs (Adeac) has awarded Special Mentions to municipalities for their work in environmental education. In the Canary Islands, Los Realejos in Tenerife and Arucas in Gran Canaria have been recognized in this category for their efforts in raising awareness and caring for the coastal environment.
