los cristianos loses blue flag 2026

Los Cristianos loses Blue Flag status in 2026

Los Cristianos loses its Blue Flag in 2026

Los Cristianos beach in Arona has lost its Blue Flag for 2026, the international award that recognises environmental quality, services, safety and management of beaches. According to data published by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (Adeac), it is the only beach in the Canary Islands to lose the distinction this year.

Tenerife’s tally drops but remains strong

Following the removal of Los Cristianos from the list, Tenerife will have 11 Blue Flag beaches in 2026. The island retains a significant presence in the rankings, although it loses one of its most visible accolades in the south. The beach in question is a busy urban stretch with considerable tourist and social importance, located next to the port and surrounded by shops, accommodation and restaurants.

What the Blue Flag requires

The Blue Flag is a voluntary, annual award. Beaches must apply for consideration and meet a series of conditions evaluated by the judging panel. Requirements include excellent bathing water quality, lifeguard services, environmental information, accessibility, and compliance with coastal regulations. Adeac explains that the most common reason for failing to secure the award is not achieving an ‘excellent’ rating for bathing water quality. Other factors can also play a part, such as breaches of the Coastal Law, overcrowding, or unauthorised facilities.

Canary Islands enjoy a record year overall

This year, the Canary Islands have achieved 62 Blue Flags in total, distributed across 52 beaches and 10 marinas. That figure represents an increase of 11 awards compared to 2025 and confirms an improvement for the archipelago within this environmental certification programme. In the case of beaches, the islands have five more recognitions than last year. The awards are spread across 29 municipalities. The growth is even stronger for marinas, with ten awards – six more than in the previous edition.

Provincial breakdown

By province, Las Palmas receives 32 Blue Flags for beaches and eight for marinas, shared between Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Graciosa and Lanzarote. In the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the tally stands at 20 recognised beaches and two marinas, both of which are in Tenerife.

Tenerife’s Blue Flag beaches for 2026

Following the loss of Los Cristianos, the Blue Flag beaches in Tenerife for 2026 are:

  • Las Vistas – Arona
  • El Duque Sur – Adeje
  • Torviscas – Adeje
  • San Marcos – Icod de los Vinos
  • El Socorro – Los Realejos
  • La Arena – Mesa del Mar – Tacoronte
  • Bajamar – La Laguna
  • Arenisco – La Laguna
  • Jover – La Laguna
  • La Jaquita – Guía de Isora
  • San Juan – Guía de Isora

Blue Flag distribution across the islands

The distribution of Blue Flags on beaches this year leaves six awards in Lanzarote, 11 in Fuerteventura, 15 in Gran Canaria, 11 in Tenerife, one in La Gomera, six in La Palma and two in El Hierro.

Marinas also make gains

In the marina category, the Canary Islands have achieved ten Blue Flags. Fuerteventura and La Graciosa are new entrants in this category, while Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife have secured additional distinctions. In the province of Las Palmas, new Blue Flag awards go to the ports of Gran Tarajal (Tuineje), Las Nieves (Agaete), Caleta de Sebo (La Graciosa), Playa Blanca (Yaiza), and Órzola (Teguise). In the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Garachico port receives a new distinction, bringing the number of recognised Tenerife marinas to two.

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