The Canary Islands are known for their year-round climate, dramatic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, but they are not a typical beach resort. They are volcanic islands that lie straight in the ocean. This means that visitors can expect black beaches, pebbles, lava pools, and strong waves.
While not all beaches offer comfortable swimming conditions, there are still plenty of options for all types of visitors. Whether you prefer to simply enjoy the sun or participate in water sports, the Canaries have something to offer.
While you’re exploring the magnificent beaches listed in this article, you will require quality traveller’s internet by eSimPlus. It will keep you in touch with your friends and family back home, and a virtual phone number can be a great companion on your adventures.
All beaches in the Canary Islands are open to the public and free to use, but there is a charge for the use of sun loungers, which are not available on all beaches.
Beaches can be divided into two categories: equipped and unequipped. Unequipped beaches can be dangerous for swimming as they often have strong waves, sharp rocks, and a reverse current (also known as RIP), which can easily carry people out to sea. Equipped beaches, on the other hand, are found at resorts and are typically equipped with breakwaters. These beaches also have lifeguards on duty to ensure the safety of visitors.
The Canary Islands attract many tourists. Annually, more than 14 million tourists visit the islands, which have a population of approximately 2.2 million people. Most of these tourists choose to spend their holidays in Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
The first beach that we would like to bring to your attention is located in the heart of Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria Island. Las Canteras Beach has been included in the global ranking of the top urban beaches in the world.
Las Canteras is the longest beach on the island with a wide stretch of sand and a seafront promenade that extends for more than two kilometres, lined with hotels, restaurants, clubs, and cafés offering breathtaking ocean views. Despite being located in the city, this beach retains its natural beauty and offers visitors clean sea waters.
If we discuss this beach in brief, Maspalomas is the second-longest beach on the island of Gran Canaria. It is located near picturesque sand dunes. Typically, there are not many holidaymakers on the beach itself, yet at the same time, someone is constantly taking a stroll along the coastline.
Please be cautious around the waves, as they can be strong and unpredictable in certain areas of the beach. It would be best to keep a close eye on children at all times.
After a day spent at the beach, nothing can beat spending time at one of the many bars or restaurants available here, catering to all tastes.
All the beaches in the resorts of Los Cristianos and Las Américas in Tenerife are worth visiting. These two popular destinations in the south of the island offer a large common promenade as well as approximately five sizable sandy beaches. Each beach at these resorts provides a great experience for tourists.
It should be noted that Las Américas, located on the southwestern coast of the island, is of volcanic origin. To fully appreciate the breathtaking view of Tenerife and the surrounding islands, we recommend taking advantage of the cable car ride to the top of the Teide volcano.
Upon returning to the sand, tourists will not only find the black beach, but also the numerous lava formations. These formations help to protect the beaches from cold and occasionally high ocean waves, making them a unique and enjoyable experience.
This beach, located in the northeastern region of the island of Gran Canaria, has been chosen as a location for international surfing competitions, such as the Red Bull Rivals, for a reason. El Confital offers the perfect conditions for experienced surfers, as it provides fast and powerful waves.
The strong currents that flow through this area generate waves that strike from the right side and break on a volcanic ledge. This creates some of the best right-handed reef breaks in the Canary Islands.
However, it is not recommended for novice surfers to practice in this area due to the presence of dangerous reefs and large waves. Instead, they should enjoy the spectacle of the waves and the surrounding scenery.
Nogales Beach is the only wild beach on this list. There are many more wild beaches on each island compared to the number of equipped ones. Visitors should come to this area for walks, to admire the ocean, and to meditate. The area is characterised by its breathtaking natural beauty, where visitors can feel in harmony with the environment.
Please note that swimming is not permitted on these beaches due to safety concerns.
Everyone will find their ideal beach in the Canary Islands. There are black volcanic beaches, as well as numerous wild areas that require a walk through mountains to reach. We hope this information has helped you to form a little impression of the variety of beaches available for your next visit to the Canaries.
