On the stretch of coast near to the island capital of Santa Cruz, look out for:

1 Playa de las Gaviotas north of the famous man-made beach of Playa de las Teresitas near Igueste de San Andrés in the north east of the island.

2 Playa de Benijo near Nuestra Señora de Begoña and El Chinobre in the far north.

3 Playa de Fabián.

4 Playa del Draguillo.

In the Puerto de la Cruz area, the best known is Playa de los Patos, about a half-hour’s walk from Puerto. Access is not easy but it is highly recommended by local naturists because of its seclusion.

Also recommended are:

1 Playa del Ancón near to the above-mentioned Los Patos beach.

2 Playa de Garañona near Tacoronte, which is a good beach but can be dangerous.

3 Playa del Camello.

In the south of the island, the best known is La Tejita at El Médano, close to the airport and the big local landmark of Montaña Rojo. Two other smaller beaches close to the ‘red mountain’, Playa de la Montaña Roja and Playa de la Mareta are also popular with local naturists.

In Las Galletas, Playa de Colmenares near the Costa del Silencio complex has its devotees, as does Playa de la Punta del Callao at nearby Los Cristianos.

Close to Playa de las Americas are Playa de la Puntilla and Playa de la Caleta.

Over on the east of the island, Playa de la Pelada is recommended in the Granadilla area.

All the beaches mentioned have been recommended by Spain’s own national naturism federation.

One word of warning though. These quieter beaches tend to be narrow and often covered by the tide at high water. Always take care to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide.

The largest solar energy plant in the world will soon to be in full production at Granadilla de Abona in the south of the island, contributing enough energy to the island electricity grid to power 10,000 homes.

Sunshine is never in short supply on the island and the regional government is hoping that by the year 2015 as much as 30 per cent of the electricity used in the Canary Islands will be generated using wind and solar technology.

The new Granadilla plant has 200 solar panels, each designed to produce 20 megawatts though early tests have shown them to be producing around 30 per cent more than predicted.