DIVE WITH TURTLES AT PLAYA DEL PUERTITO
No need to come out of their shell: these hefty turtles are friendly types / Image: Alamy
Widely thought of as the best snorkelling spot off Tenerife, and as such an increasingly popular draw with the yachting set, Playa del Puertito is a 15-minute drive up the west coast from Costa Adeje, but well worth the mish. The bay – helpfully nicknamed the ‘bay of turtles’ – is about 12m deep and offers a great chance of seeing friendly, herbivorous green turtles all year round. And even if the turtles are otherwise engaged, there’s exotic crabs and trumpet fish to keep you agog. Flipping marvellous.
Calle el Puerto, El Puertito
Take a hike through Hell’s Canyon
The gates of Hell's Canyon / Image: Adobe stock
Don’t be put off by the diabolical name – Hell’s Canyon (Barranco del Infierno in Spanish) is a lush two-hour (each way) hike garlanded by colourful flora and chatty birdlife. You need to pay an €8 entry fee, mind – part of the islanders’ noble efforts to keep footfall down to 300 walkers a day – but it’s all worth it for the beautiful, swimmable waterfall at the end of the trail. Do yourself a favour and get an early start, because when the afternoon sun is beating down, Barranco del Infierno gets as hot as… well, it gets really hot.
46 Calle Molinos, Adeje
Buy into Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque
The blingy corridors of consumerism / Image: Alamy
You’re on holiday, so you may as treat yourself to a bit of a spree at Tenerife’s foremost shopping mall. Luxury brands rub shoulders with upscale bars and downright decadent gelateria here. There’s a supermarket for your daily bits and bobs, a nice play area to keep the sprogs on side, and air conditioning for when you’ve had quite enough of the paradisiacal outdoor climate. Plus you can get your hair and nails done for your big night on the tiles later. Hey, it’s an investment right?
Calle Londres Plaza del Duque, Adeje
