Sebadal de San Andrés

Sebadal de San Andrés is a protected underwater area off the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, made up of extensive seagrass meadows growing on the sandy seabed near the fishing village of San Andrés. The site stretches along the southern stretch of the municipality's coastline, reaching the waters off Playa de Las Teresitas and the outer edge of the local fishing harbour, and covers close to 583 hectares of seafloor.

What is a "sebadal"?

The Spanish word "sebadal" refers to a meadow of seagrass — a flowering underwater plant, not an algae — that forms dense, wide-reaching carpets on sandy or gravelly seabeds in coastal waters. These meadows are among the most distinctive yet fragile marine habitats of the Canary Islands. They grow slowly and are highly sensitive to pollution, water turbidity and physical damage to the seabed, which is why their presence is considered a strong indicator of healthy marine conditions.

Why is the area protected?

Sebadal de San Andrés has held the status of Special Conservation Zone (ZEC, Zona Especial de Conservación) within the European Natura 2000 network since September 2011. This designation aims to guarantee the long-term survival of endangered habitats and species across the European Union. The seagrass meadows act as shelter, feeding grounds and breeding areas for a wide range of marine animals.

What species live here?

Species associated with the area include loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and angel sharks of the genus Squatina. The rich biodiversity of the sandy seabed is a direct result of the food and shelter that the underwater meadows provide — seagrass stabilises the sediment, oxygenates the water and creates a three-dimensional structure where juvenile fish and invertebrates find protection.

Why does it matter to the local community?

The reserve borders the traditional fishing neighbourhood of San Andrés and one of Santa Cruz de Tenerife's best-known beaches, Playa de Las Teresitas. Its proximity to the fishing harbour gives the sebadal both ecological and economic weight — healthy seagrass meadows support the fish populations that local fisheries depend on. In recent years, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife city council has run awareness campaigns together with the tram operator Metrotenerife to help residents and visitors understand the value of this ecosystem and the threats it faces, including pollution and unregulated boat traffic.

How can visitors experience it?

Sebadal de San Andrés is primarily an underwater reserve, so its main attractions are best discovered through diving or snorkelling trips organised by local dive centres operating around San Andrés — an area that is, in fact, one of the more popular diving spots on Tenerife's eastern coast. Visitors are expected to follow the rules that apply within Natura 2000 sites: avoiding contact with the seabed, not disturbing the seagrass meadows, and respecting local anchoring restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

Can you dive at Sebadal de San Andrés? Yes, the area is accessible to divers and snorkellers, though as a protected site it requires responsible behaviour toward the seabed and vegetation.

What animals live in this reserve? Key species include loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins and angel sharks.

Since when has the area been protected? It has held Special Conservation Zone status under Natura 2000 since September 2011.

Where exactly is the area located? Along the southern coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, next to the San Andrés district, covering the waters off Playa de Las Teresitas and the local fishing harbour.