The Tenerife Cabildo has withdrawn the controversial Underwater Gardens project’s status as a Project of Island Interest, meaning a major setback for a development that has faced years of opposition from environmental groups and local campaigners.

The project, planned for 10.6 hectares of protected rural land in the municipality of Guía de Isora, combines land-based facilities with marine installations along Tenerife’s south-west coast.

It was originally granted special island-wide status in 2022 during the post-pandemic tourism recovery period, when it was promoted as an innovative initiative focused on marine regeneration, scientific research and environmental education.

However, Cabildo President Rosa Dávila announced this week that she has signed a decree proposing the rejection of the project, arguing that it no longer reflects the environmental and scientific objectives that originally justified its approval. The proposal is expected to be formally ratified during a full council meeting tomorrow (Friday).

Speaking after the island government's meeting, Dávila described the decision as one that protects Tenerife’s coastline, natural heritage and long-term development model.

“This is a decision in favour of Tenerife, in favour of our coastline, in favour of protecting our natural heritage and the type of development we want for our island,” she said.

The project is located within the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, an area regarded as one of the most important marine ecosystems in Tenerife and the Canary Islands.

Original Vision Has Changed

When Underwater Gardens was first approved, it was presented as a strategic project that would help diversify Tenerife’s tourism offering through marine restoration, scientific research and educational activities.

According to the Cabildo, substantial changes have emerged during the planning process. Officials say they requested that the developers redesign the project to comply with current planning regulations, removing elements proposed for environmentally protected land and maintaining the marine regeneration focus that formed the basis of the original application.

The island government now argues that the final proposal fails to meet those requirements.

Officials also state that the project lacks the scientific authorisations needed to carry out the marine restoration work that was central to its original concept.

A technical report produced by the Cabildo concludes that the land-based facilities and marine regeneration activities were intended to function together. Without the environmental restoration element, officials argue there is little justification for the scientific, educational and biodiversity facilities included in the plans.

As a result, the Cabildo believes the development has shifted away from its original conservation goals and evolved into a largely recreational attraction.

From Environmental Innovation to Leisure Attraction

Alicia Leirachá, Tenerife’s Director of Strategic Projects, said the viability of the land-based development depended entirely on obtaining the necessary permissions for coastal and marine regeneration.

She explained that without those approvals, the project had effectively lost the scientific research and environmental restoration components that justified its special planning status.

According to Leirachá, the revised proposal transforms what was initially conceived as a pioneering environmental project into a leisure-focused attraction with no meaningful connection to marine or terrestrial regeneration.

Campaigners Claim Victory

Environmental organisations and local groups have long opposed Underwater Gardens, describing it as a theme park disguised as a marine conservation project.

Campaign platform Salvar Punta Blanca, supported by organisations including Greenpeace and the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN), has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of the project’s special status.

Following yesterday’s announcement (Wednesday), the group welcomed the decision, describing it as the result of years of collective public pressure.

In a statement, campaigners said they hoped the Cabildo would take a similar approach to other controversial developments they believe threaten the island’s environment, including major transport infrastructure projects and new tourism developments.

However, the group also warned that other large-scale projects remain under consideration, including the proposed Wave Garden artificial surf park near La Tejita beach.

Campaigners say the decision on Underwater Gardens is an important victory but insist that wider debates over tourism growth, environmental protection and sustainable development in Tenerife are far from over.