Five out of 42 beaches assessed along Santa Cruz’s coastline have been deemed suitable for the establishment of dog-friendly areas. The beaches identified are Las Gaviotas, Las Teresitas, Acapulco (Valleseco), Añaza, and one adjacent to the Nautical Club. This conclusion comes from a viability study conducted by Gesplan, commissioned by the Public Services and Animal Welfare department of the city council, led by Carlos Tarife, in July 2025.
The completed analysis shows the potential for allowing dogs on capital beaches, either partly or fully, and outlines associated benefits and challenges. Other viable locations for canine access were identified, such as El Llano beach and the Parque Marítimo, although both are contingent on improvements to water quality.
The report emphasises that animal welfare legislation encourages councils to create spaces for pets. While the current municipal ordinance restricts dog access to beaches, there is legal support for amending regulations to designate specific areas for dogs, pending approval from coastal authorities.
Güímar’s dog beach serves as a positive reference point in Tenerife. The study highlights that establishing dog areas in Santa Cruz will require measures for effective management, including specific signage, physical boundaries, waste bins, dog bag dispensers, showers, and drinking stations, along with routine health and water quality checks.
Overall, Gesplan’s report suggests that creating dog-friendly beaches in the municipality is “favourable”, given sufficient social demand, legal backing, and viable locations. The identified challenges are mainly technical or managerial and not seen as insurmountable, supporting the feasibility of dog bathing areas alongside environmental protection and community wellbeing.
In Santa Cruz, one in four households owns a dog, and the city aims to develop appropriate recreation spaces for them. The study indicates that 38,737 dogs are registered in the area, representing 18.3% of the municipal population. More than 22,000 households are believed to have dogs, underscoring the need for dedicated facilities. Projections suggest a dog beach could attract between 22,000 and 130,000 visitors annually, depending on usage levels, reinforcing the case for permanent dog areas.
