What awaits a tourist in the archipelago, which dangers in the Canaries are myth and which are a real threat, what to fear, and what to be prepared for? All of this will be further discussed in the article, covering not only natural hazards but also safety in the Canary Islands, including thieves, thefts, and more. It’s important to know that in the Canaries, the main principle regarding dangers is: forewarned is forearmed. This article will inform you, allowing you to draw the necessary conclusions, ensuring that nothing spoils your vacation (in theory).

Natural Dangers in the Canaries

Let’s talk about what awaits you on the islands, the dangers tourists most frequently inquire about, what not to fear, and what to watch out for.

  • Are there sharks in the Canaries? – Yes, there are plenty.

However, shark attacks on humans have never been recorded in this region. Additionally, it’s important to note: the Atlantic Ocean in this part of the world is not like the sea. Strong waves, rip currents, and cold water don’t encourage widespread swimming. Vacationers swim at equipped beaches and in lava pools 99% of the time, which are completely protected even from theoretical encounters with sharks.

dangers in the Canaries
There are quite a few lava pools in the Canaries. The water is warmer there, with no waves or currents, making it a pleasure to swim, especially during the season when there are many people.

So yes, there are sharks, but you won’t encounter them.

  • Tsunamis in the Canary Islands.

Theoretical tsunami danger exists here. History knows of four major tsunamis in the Canaries, the last of which was in 1969. This is a seismically active region, experiencing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and, consequently, there is a small chance of a tsunami occurring.

It’s important to understand:

All the islands in the archipelago are of volcanic origin. This means there are mountains and volcanoes. There are few or practically no flat areas. Within roughly 2 km from the shore on most islands, you’ll already be 200-300 meters above sea level, where no tsunami can threaten you.
dangers on the Canary Islands for tourists
The coastline on the islands often features cliffs like those of Los Gigantes in the south of Tenerife, which are 400 meters high and not afraid of tsunamis. The photo was taken from an observation deck located 500 meters from the beach at an altitude of over 150 meters above sea level. Even if giant waves of 30-40 meters come, there is a place to take cover, just head for higher ground.

Today there are early warning systems, and the likelihood of a tsunami is close to zero. So, there’s no need to fear tsunamis; there are other real dangers in the Canaries, such as volcanic eruptions, which we’ll discuss below. For information on the ocean, water temperature, and whales in the Canaries, read the article via the link.

  • Rip currents, or undertows, or rips

This is a real danger for those who love swimming on wild, unguarded beaches. Hundreds of people are swept away by rip currents annually in the Canaries alone. Almost all are rescued, but not all, unfortunately.

I won’t go into detail about what it is. You can easily find the answer on the internet. The most important thing is that it forms unexpectedly anywhere and pulls swimmers away from the shore within 10 seconds, taking them 100-200 meters into the sea. And if you’re an inexperienced swimmer, it’s very difficult to return, especially during low tide.

are there sharks in tenerife
This is what a rip current looks like from above. But the whole danger lies in the fact that it’s not visible from the shore. You only realize it’s a rip current when you’re caught in it.

It’s important:

The most important thing if caught in a rip current is not to swim to the shore; it’s useless. You need to swim sideways, parallel to the shore, trying to escape the current, and then slowly move toward the shore.

But this information is only for those who love swimming on wild beaches. There are no rip currents on equipped beaches with breakwaters, wave protection, in bays, and coves.

  • Snakes, spiders, scorpions in the Canary Islands.

This is one of the most common questions, many are terribly afraid of these creatures. Let me say this, there are no poisonous insects, dangerous predators in the natural environment of the Canary Islands. Only in zoos.

There are several species of snakes here, some even brightly colored, but all are non-venomous and absolutely harmless. You won’t even encounter them; they’ll slither away before you notice them.

Also, according to official information, there is one species of scorpion on the islands. But neither we nor our friends have ever seen or heard of anyone encountering them. And we’ve been hiking, camping on beaches, and in forests on the islands.

Snakes, spiders, scorpions:

There are no venomous or dangerous creatures for humans in the Canary Islands! Just as there are no large predators in the natural environment.

Now, this is a danger much more likely than tsunamis. Read about the mountains and volcanoes of the Canaries via the link, where you’ll also find photos of recent eruptions and lava fields. But to summarize:

  • All the islands of the Canary archipelago are of volcanic origin. This means they were formed millions of years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions.
  • Most volcanoes are extinct and will never erupt again. But not all.
  • Mount Teide on Tenerife, also the highest peak in all of Spain, is a dormant volcano. Tourists fear its eruptions the most. But in reality, today it poses little danger, and you can even reach its summit. The last eruption of Teide was in 1909, and the most powerful one was 15 thousand years ago. It may sleep for thousands more years, or it may not 🙂
Canary volcano eruption
The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma in 2021. These are not Photoshopped images; they are real photos. The eruption lasted almost 3 months, and the lower photo shows the aftermath of the eruption. This is how this part of the slope looks today.

Volcanoes pose the primary danger on the island of La Palma. Several active volcanoes reside here, their depths accumulating pressure to exceedingly high levels. Scientists speak of the formation of a supervolcano in the southern part of the island, whose eruption could obliterate the island entirely and trigger a tsunami. What’s most terrifying is that this activity could commence tomorrow or in a hundred years. However, for your understanding:

  • A significant eruption occurred on La Palma in 2021, with the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupting (seen in the photo above alongside its aftermath). Yes, it happened quite recently, just a few years ago.
  • This eruption went largely unnoticed by many as it coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the entire world was in lockdown, tourists were absent from the Canary Islands, and news headlines were dominated by COVID-related mortality. The eruption of Cumbre Vieja remained outside the information sphere. Thanks to the lockdown, however, no lives were lost, as everyone was evacuated in time.
  • As a result of the eruption, 6,000 people were evacuated, and 2 towns and 10 villages were closed off. The tourist town of Puerto Naos was completely shut down for 3 years. Access to the town was prohibited even for pedestrians and local residents. It was only in February 2024 that authorities began to reopen the town.

Volcanic eruptions in the Canaries:

Immediate danger exists only on the island of La Palma. But thanks to modern science, such events are now predicted in advance. Therefore, flying for a vacation is safe, even to La Palma. This island is beautiful, and in case of danger, you can always leave the island. An overview of the island of La Palma.
  • Do jellyfish and sea urchins exist in the Canary Islands? – Yes, they do. And there are poisonous jellyfish.

What you need to know about this:

  • Sea urchins are found only on pebble and wild beaches. They are absent on sandy beaches. If a beach is equipped for leisure, there won’t be any sea urchins there. Thus, they don’t interfere with leisure activities. Encountering sea urchins in the Canaries requires some effort.
  • Jellyfish, on the other hand, can be found on any beach. It’s important to note that they are seasonal, and their presence near the shore depends on various factors such as wind, currents, season, and waves. The warmer the ocean, the greater the chances of encountering jellyfish. There are fewer in winter and more in summer, but they can be present year-round.
  • Jellyfish also appear sporadically at beaches; there might be many on one beach right now and none on a beach 10km away.
  • Always check which flag is flying at the beach, and inspect the sand near the water; jellyfish are often washed ashore. If there are jellyfish in the water, they will be on the beach as well. Lifeguards always display a yellow flag with a jellyfish, sometimes red.
  • In the Canary Islands, there are Physalia jellyfish, also known as Portuguese Man o’ War. They are blue and venomous. If stung by one, you won’t die, but there will be a severe burn and blisters. The area of contact with this jellyfish should be quickly treated with vinegar, then seek medical attention. Vinegar is usually available from lifeguards on the beach.

Remember, this is Europe; medical care isn’t cheap, especially for tourists. Make sure you have good medical insurance; read about it in the article via the link.

canarias sharks
This is how a Physalia jellyfish, or Portuguese Man o’ War, looks. Don’t be alarmed; this photo was not taken in the Canaries; there aren’t usually so many here (although there might be, but I personally haven’t seen that many). You just need to understand what the most dangerous jellyfish looks like.

If you’re interested in learning more about the flora and fauna of the Canaries, about the archipelago’s endemics, of which there are many, and who else you can encounter in the natural environment besides lizards, read the article via the link.

Safety in the Canary Islands

This is a small point but very important. Let me tell you about the crime situation in the Canary Islands and about safety for tourists. Here are the main points:

  • The Canaries are Spain. The islands are located 100km from Africa, from Morocco. If you’re interested in more interesting facts about this, read the article: where are the Canaries on the world map.
  • Like the rest of Europe, migrants and refugees from African countries try to reach here. They exist here, not in abundance, but sufficiently, especially in large cities and tourist resorts.

Important:

There are no dangerous areas where tourists should avoid on the islands. Everywhere is safe, even at night. No one will rob you with a knife or a gun; in this regard, the Canaries are absolutely safe for tourists.

But there are car thieves and pickpockets. 90% of tourists in the Canaries rent cars; it’s accessible and inexpensive, and gasoline is 30% cheaper than on the European mainland. All rental cars are marked with various stickers, making them easily noticeable in traffic. So here are the dangers you might encounter in the Canaries:

  • Thefts on the beach. Do not leave your belongings unattended.
  • Very important: car thefts in parking lots are the most common occurrence. We had our window smashed for 3 euros left on the seat. Do not leave anything visible; hide everything in the trunk. Did you leave your phone in the holder and go away for 10 minutes? There’s a chance that when you return, your phone will be gone.
  • And pickpockets at various viewpoints and attractions where there are constantly many tourists.
tsunami in the canaries
You can rent even a convertible relatively cheaply. We rented one for 40-50 euros per day. The downside is that you constantly have to close the roof and hide everything in the trunk. But without a rental car, you won’t see even half of the mega-cool locations on any island of the archipelago.

Important to know:

Most parking lots in the Canary Islands are free and unguarded. Sometimes these are huge lots for 1000-2000 cars where various marginal individuals may roam in search of easy pickings. It’s all about renting a car on the islands, dealing with the police, navigating roads, parking, deposits, and much more.

Travel Tips

In reality, all the dangers in the Canary Islands pose no threat to travelers if you’re aware of them. Simply being vigilant is enough, and 99% of the dangers will pass you by. Here are some tips:

  • In the ocean, the biggest dangers in the Canary Islands are jellyfish and rip currents. But if you’re not at wild beaches, only jellyfish might disrupt your relaxation.
  • There are no poisonous or dangerous insects and animals in the natural environment. The most annoying are mosquitoes. Bring a plug-in mosquito repellent from home, and it will completely solve this problem.
  • There is potential danger from volcanoes, but as mentioned above, scientists can predict eruptions a week or two in advance. The main thing here is to evacuate from the island in time.
  • And be cautious in crowded places, never leave anything visible in your car. There are thieves in the Canary Islands, and they keep an eye on careless tourists.
  • Don’t forget that for any trip abroad, you should have medical insurance, even if it’s Spain without any exotic diseases or other dangers. Better to have it and not need it than to be without it in an emergency.

In conclusion: the Canary Islands are absolutely safe for tourists. The climate is excellent, there are no hurricanes or typhoons, no rainy seasons, no predators or dangerous insects. The locals are very hospitable, they don’t cheat at the market, give exact change, don’t rob on the streets, and there are no dangerous areas for tourists. All the dangers in the Canary Islands are only dangerous if you’re unaware of them.

Forewarned is forearmed!

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.