Historic Tenerife Beaches Set for Major Transformation
Two iconic black-sand beaches in Candelaria, Tenerife, are undergoing a major restoration project to reclaim their former glory. Las Caletillas and Cho Vito, neighboring pebble-and-sand coves, will soon see nearly €1 million invested in revitalizing their shorelines and improving accessibility for swimmers and visitors.
Restoring the beaches to their former glory
The project aims to address issues stemming from 2012-2014, when an accumulation of unknown rocky debris created uncomfortable swimming conditions. The intertidal zone—the area between high and low tide—became dangerously steep, while storms frequently washed stones onto the promenade. Some of this material reportedly came from the demolition of Cho Vito’s coastal settlement, where 31 illegally built homes were removed in 2012 after clashes between residents and authorities.
A complex solution for a long-standing problem
The restoration plan involves crushing, sifting, and redistributing existing materials while supplementing with quarry stone to achieve the desired beach profile. “This marks the final step in improving one of Candelaria’s most visited and cherished spots,” said Mayor Mari Brito. She emphasized the years of complex administrative work behind the project, which received unanimous approval from the Candelaria council and support from Tenerife’s island government.
Bringing back the golden age of beachgoing
The goal is to return the beaches to their 1980s-90s condition, when locals flocked to these shores. Reinaldo Triviño, Urban Planning Councilor, explained: “The technical solution involves screening existing materials and repositioning them to restore the beach as closely as possible to its original state.” New materials will only be added to dry areas to ensure proper transitions with the promenade without disrupting coastal dynamics.
Community effort behind the restoration
Mayor Brito praised the El Pueblito de Las Caletillas Neighborhood Association for their crucial role: “Their involvement has been a shining example of civic participation. This success is theirs too—it proves that when government and citizens work together, great things happen.” With administrative processes nearly complete, work can soon begin to transform these historic beaches back into welcoming coastal gems.
