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Big Waves Claim Three Lives in the Canary Islands (Video)
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Big Waves Claim Three Lives in the Canary Islands (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER  |  By Dashel Pierson  |  Last updated Nov 9, 2025 6:48 PM ET

Three people have died, and 15 people were injured, as a result of large waves and what’s being called a “tidal surge” in the Canary Islands, officials reported.

Tenerife, one of the popular tourist hubs in the Spanish archipelago, was the scene of the chaos over the weekend. All the incidents appeared to be separate, occurring at various locations and different times. A woman died at Puerto de la Cruz resort; a man passed at Santa Cruz Tenerife; and another man was found dead on a beach near Granadilla.

Officials have warned against people getting too close to the ocean, when conditions are dangerous, and specifically with regards to taking selfies. Locals, too, expressed their frustration with tourists not following signage showing the hazards.

“The go there to take selfies,” one local told the Associated Press. “And then these things happen. It shouldn’t happen but it does.”

“Us locals know how the sea can change,” said another. "Tidal surges and such. But it’s dangerous for tourists. They go over there to take a photo and then the swell comes. They know nothing about tidal surges. But we are used to them.”

Additionally, a local radio station shared footage of people gathering at Puerto de la Cruz. They are positioned on the barrier to the port, when a large wave comes and sweeps them off the perch. See below.

Just last month, there were calls for less reckless behavior from tourists when it comes to Tenerife’s dangerous surf. The warnings were issued after footage showed a group of people washed away from a sneaker wave. They warned:

“More reckless behavior with a pre-alert warning for high waves and spring tides. And with a red flag in place. Incredible! Please be careful.”

According to data from the lifesaving account that featured the video, there have been 48 drowning deaths in the Canary Islands from January to September of 2025.

Tragically, now, three more.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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