Cave of Doom: Tourist Nearly Killed by Blowhole at Tenerife's Cueva del Tancón

The video went viral on TikTok and shows seconds that determine life or death: a man is caught by the suction of the ocean in a blowhole on Tenerife and nearly dragged into an underwater cave. Two companions sprint across the rocks and pull him out at the last moment as waves continue crashing against the cave entrance.

The location: the Cueva del Tancón in Santiago del Teide, southwestern Tenerife. International media have dubbed it the "Cave of Doom." It is one of the most dangerous spots in the Canary Islands — and it has been closed for years. Despite barriers, warning signs and fines, tourists, influencers and thrill-seekers keep coming, drawn by the turquoise water and Instagram photos.

What a Bufadero Is — and Why It Kills

A bufadero is not a cave in the traditional sense. It is a volcanic formation created by ocean erosion: a cave with an opening in the roof through which air and water surge in and out under enormous pressure. When the tide rises or a stronger wave arrives, the cave fills with water in seconds. Anything inside — person, equipment — is slammed against razor-sharp volcanic walls, forced underwater, and sucked into the tunnel systems beneath.

The treachery: at low tide, El Tancón looks like paradise. Turquoise water, light filtering through the ceiling, absolute calm. But this calm can turn into a washing machine in seconds. Rescue teams have almost no chance of reaching victims in time — the access points are narrow, the rocks are razor-sharp, the currents are unpredictable.

At Least 6 Dead — and They Keep Coming

At least six people have drowned at El Tancón in recent years. In 2021, a 33-year-old Swiss woman and a 27-year-old Italian man died on the same day. Neither knew the cave well. The Swiss woman had just arrived in Tenerife on holiday. Three of the six victims had discovered the location through social media posts.

There are warning signs. There are barriers. There are fines of €300 to €3,000. And yet: almost every summer, new videos surface of people ignoring the closures, jumping into the water, and staging it as content for their channels.

Drowning: The Leading Cause of Accidental Death in the Canaries

The Tancón incident is not isolated. In the Canary Islands, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death — more than double the road traffic toll. In 2022, 74 people died on Canarian coasts, 64 in 2021, 43 in 2020. Many were tourists who ignored warning signs, entered restricted bathing zones, or underestimated the Atlantic.

In February 2026, another video caused outrage: tourists on Tenerife were hit by a wave over nine metres high while standing too close to cliffs despite warnings.