Tenerife has been hit by a tidal surge this week, with powerful waves killing three people and injuring more than 15.
Emergency services confirmed a woman and two men had died after being swept out into the sea from beaches near the Puerto de la Cruz resort, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Granadilla.
Authorities warned the public to stay away from piers or breakwaters, as conditions are expected to worsen, with swells reaching two to four metres over the coming days.
The Canary Islands are now on alert for coastal hazards, with visitors to the Spanish archipelago being urged to exercise ‘extreme caution’.
Regional government officials also told tourists: ‘Do not risk taking photographs or videos where the waves break.’
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Tidal surges can last from between a few hours to several days, according to the National Oceanography Centre. So if you’re currently in Tenerife, or are due to travel there, here’s everything you need to know to stay safe.
Tenerife travel advice after weather warnings
The UK Foreign Office has not issued travel warnings for Tenerife as a result of the turbulent weather.
However, the FCDO website notes: ‘Take care when swimming in the sea. Some beaches, especially around Spanish islands, may have strong undercurrents…
‘If you are walking along unmonitored beaches, be aware that waves can come in further than expected and have strong undertows.’
British tourists are also advised to follow the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and European Meteorological Services for severe weather warnings.’
What to do if you’re in an emergency abroad
If you need immediate help while on holiday in Tenerife, the emergency number to call is 112.
In the event of a crisis, you can also contact the Foreign Office for support and advice.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my holiday to Tenerife due to the tidal surge?
If you’ve taken out your travel insurance and want to cancel your holiday due to the weather, you’re unlikely to be entitled to money back.
It’s worth checking either way, but most insurers will only pay out for cancellations if the FCDO advises against anything but essential travel to your destination – and there are currently no such warnings for Tenerife.
Some providers also require the local or national authorities to state it’s unsafe to travel there. If your holiday provider or airline is operating in the Canaries as normal and there are no advisories, you won’t get any cancellation cover.
According to gocompare.com, you should look at the ‘cancellation and curtailment’ section of your policy, as this can help with cancelling or cutting a trip short due to extreme weather.
There’s another reason your travel insurance may not cover you, too. If extreme weather was forecast for the area before you booked your holiday and before you took out your insurance policy, you won’t be covered for ‘anticipated’ events.
Basically, if you knew the weather was going to be bad but booked anyway, you won’t get your refund.