The Martiánez area, particularly the beach, awaits an ongoing improvement that seems set to last indefinitely. For reasons unknown, it remains obstructed by the relevant authorities, despite being crucial for the tourism appeal of Puerto de la Cruz and the island.
In January of the previous year, the General Directorate of Coasts from the Ministry of Ecological Transition published the renovation project for public consultation, with a budget of €10.8 million, originally drafted in August 1993. At that time, new breakwaters were constructed, and sufficient sand was provided for the regeneration and expansion of the beach.
However, over these 31 years, the beach has experienced a continual erosion of sand with seemingly no resolution in sight, as the project has been announced numerous times, including various modifications, yet it has never come to fruition.
Similarly, budget allocations have been inconsistent, intended to adapt a beach located in a heavily trafficked tourist area frequented by both locals and visitors. For a considerable period, it has failed to provide the essential facilities required for enjoyment, particularly concerning access to the bathing area.
The resolution for the environment has not been without its controversies, with the primary issue being the lack of consensus among the various administrations (City Council, Tenerife Cabildo, Government of the Canary Islands, and central Government), which has stalled the project on multiple occasions.
The construction of booths at the end of Colón Avenue in the mid-90s, which were converted into cafes but closed to the public since 2008 due to their ineffectiveness, intensified the discussion regarding possible alternatives to restore the area’s former glory.
Dubbed “mammoths” by many locals for obstructing the sea view, their demolition initially seemed to signal the start of the site’s regeneration, but the reality tells a different story.
It was not until four years later that the Centre for Tourism Initiatives (CIT) proposed a garden featuring native plants, representing the vegetation of the Ladera de Martiánez, to enhance the esplanade’s appearance. This action was temporary but contributed to transforming the landscape where Canary Islands tourism commenced, much to the delight of thousands of German, English, Swedish visitors and residents from nearby municipalities who enjoyed bathing in the puddles. Some shallow bathing spots, circled by rocks that disappeared at high tide, were known as the Puddle of Lice, the Puddle of the Coronela, or the Puddle of the Rope.
The Martiánez puddles were perpetually bustling with people and were a favourite choice for families, as they presented no danger to young children or non-swimmers.
Establish a ‘Valleseco 2’ in the City
Reviving these puddles is the proposal from the Hotel and Non-Hotel Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Ashotel) to rejuvenate Martiánez beach, to provide a new option for cooling off along the coast, and simultaneously, restore the area to its former prominence. “Create a type of Valleseco 2, like in Santa Cruz, naturally obtaining the necessary permissions from the General Directorate of Coasts. Knowing the North Sea is a feasible proposition,” asserts its vice president, Enrique Talg.
“The ideal scenario would be to establish a bathing area with characteristics comparable to Radazul in El Rosario or Mesa del Mar in Tacoronte, which would be suitable for swimming while respecting surfers and barriers, without requiring excessive maintenance. We’re sharing this idea, although bringing it to fruition is often the most challenging part,” acknowledges Talg.
The Ashotel representative expresses hope that the relevant authorities will “take action” and seek a solution for this tourist hub, where several hotels have modernised their facilities and new restaurants have opened, but progress remains stalled due to unresolved issues concerning the beach and the Iders building, located nearby.
In March of next year, it will be two years since the last environmental impact assessment was processed, a vital prerequisite to advance the ongoing project that is still pending. The last study was completed in 2019, prompting Cabildo to withdraw funding initially intended for the action. This situation has again pitted government against opposition among the competent authorities.
When questioned about the delays in this project, the Councilor for Sustainable City and Urban Agenda, David Hernández, stated, “We are requesting a consultation with the Ministry to ascertain the status of the file and push for quicker action. If the situation persists, we are prepared to explore additional resources at our disposal to expedite this matter.”
The mayor refrains from committing to specific timelines for its potential commencement but emphasises that “Martiánez beach must enhance tourism” and should also be “the beach that the residents of Porto and the surfers desire.”
