Playa de las Canteras
This is the playground of the city of Las Palmas and is said by some to be one of the best city beaches in Europe, although the colour of the sand is not the most attractive.
This 3.8km stretch of sand is protected by a natural reef 150 metres from the shore ensuring sheltered conditions for bathing. The protective sandbar stops short of the southern end of the beach, exposing it to larger waves and making this part of the beach popular with Surfers.
The Avenue that runs parallel with Playa de las Canteras is lined with beachfront hotels, cafes and bars that attract a predominantly Spanish Crowd – giving it a very different atmosphere to the Resorts of the South of the Island.
Playa de las Alcaravaneras
Las Palmas’ second beach is located just north of the Club Maritimo Varadero Marina and is about 1km long (situated between the two Yacht Clubs). This beach is particularly popular with local Las Palmas Residents.
The Avenida Maritima, which is one of the City’s principle arteries, runs parallel and the coastal walkway is popular with local Joggers and Rollerscaters.
Playa de San Agustín
The Beach at the beginning of the San Agustín-Playa del Inglés-Maspalomas resorts has greyish volcanic sand, which makes it less attractive than some of the neighbouring beaches. This unattractiveness means that the beach is less popular than the Beaches in the neighbouring resorts and therein lies it’s appeal – when Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas are stuffed during an August weekend, this beach is a welcome relief for those who are looking to relax.
The beach is well sheltered and has a shallow slope, making it ideal for bathing.
Playa del Inglés
Playa del Inglés roughly translates as Englishman’s Beach, however the name actually originates with a Frenchman who built a house in the middle of the dunes – Apparently someone thought that he was English.
This 3 km Beach joins with Playa de San Agustín to the north and Masapalomas to the south and is composed of a mainly darkish Golden Sand.
This beach can become very crowded, especially during the Summer, and is full of Pedalos, Banana Boats and all of the other Diversions that you would expect at a busy Tourist Beach.
At the Southern end of Playa del Inglés (where the Dunes begin) there is a Naturist Area.
Maspalomas
This is the most attractive of all Gran Canaria’s Beaches and is the one featured in the classic Sand Dunes Postcards associated with the Island.
The Golden Sand Dunes are part of a 403 Hectare Nature Reserve which includes the Lagoon situated to the south of the Dunes themselves.
The most popular part of the Beach is located close to the Lighthouse and this area can become very crowded during the summer.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s purpose built beach is composed of imported Saharan Sand and is well-protected by several Jetties and Piers, making it ideal for Bathing.
The Beach is in the centre of the resort and therefore can become very busy during peak season. It is said to enjoy the most sunshine on the Island, making it a good bet during the winter if it is overcast elsewhere.
Playa de los Amadores
This is Puerto Rico’s second beach and is located to the west of the main centre. The 800 meter long Beach has a cap of imported golden sand and protective jetties have been built to protect it from the open sea.
There are strict rules enforced here, with no ball games or radios allowed, giving it a quieter atmosphere than Puerto Rico’s main Beach.
Puerto de Mogán
The small Man-made beach at Puerto de Mogán is well sheltered and composed of Golden Sand. The adjacent seaside-promonade with it’s Cafes, Bars and Restaurants is very pleasant indeed and help give this beach a somewhat more refined atmosphere than some of the other seaside towns on the Island.