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.

A number of new courses have sprung up in recent years, all offering first class facilities in glorious locations.

Tenerife’s superb climate means that conditions for golf are almost always ideal, with average temperatures ranging between 20-26C throughout the year.

Probably the best-known of the island’s courses is Buenavista, located in the remote north of the island. Designed by five-times major winner Severiano Ballesteros, the 18-hole clifftop course has the sea on one side and the Teno mountains as a backdrop on the other.

The clubhouse, with a large lake in front of it, has superb panoramic views over the 6,019-metre course and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Last year the Buenavista del Norte course won a prestigious national award at the Spanish Golf Federation Gala in Madrid for the attention paid to the environment in its construction.

Also in the north of the island is Tenerife’s oldest golf club – and the second oldest club in Spain – the Real Golf Club de Tenerife at El Peñon, Tacoronte. Founded in 1932, the 18-hole par 71 course offers magnificent views to Mount Teide.

Most of the island courses are in the sunnier south.

Amarilla Golf near San Miguel de Abona is also close to the sea and has some spectacular holes where the ocean comes into play. The 18-hole par 71 course was designed by Donald Steel. Other on-site facilities include pitch and putt, a swimming pool and horse riding.

Golf Costa Adeje in the municipality of Adeje has 27 holes in three par 36 nine-hole sections with a variety of obstacles such as gorges and lakes adding to the interest. It affords breathtaking ocean views, wide greens and a spacious clubhouse with large terraces.

Golf del Sur in San Miguel de Abona also offers 27 holes, set among ravines that make it a difficult test for all but the most accurate of golfers. The course regularly hosts championship events on the men’s and women’s professional circuits.

Golf Las Americas is located in the heart of the island’s biggest resort, Playa de las Americas. Designed by British professional John Jacobs, the par 72 course is a real oasis of calm set in a natural amphitheatre facing the sea, offering magnificent views across the ocean to the nearby island of La Gomera.

Centro de Golf Los Palos in Las Galletas in the municipality of Arona is a nine-hole par 27 course designed by Jose Maria Olazabal. The relatively flat nature of this par-three course makes it ideal for beginners or older golfers who find the tough nature of some of the island’s other courses too demanding. The course has plenty of water obstacles, making it especially challenging for those who want to improve their short game.

Abama Grand Hotel Golf Resort at Playa San Juan in Guía de Isora is the gem at the heart of a magnificent complex of five-star hotel and luxury villas. The 18-hole course, designed by Dave Thomas, has 22 lakes and over 90,000 palm trees.