Natural Pools in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote: Where, When and How to Swim
In the Canary Islands, a charco is the spot where the sea finds its way into the lava but the waves stay outside. We have already covered them in Tenerife and El Hierro; now it is the turn of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, where the same lava coastline behaves quite differently: some pools are best visited at high tide, others at low tide.
This is not a ranking. What we set out here is what the official tourism websites say about each pool: which tide suits it, whether there are steps, showers or a lifeguard, and where you need to take particular care.
Before you go in: five things that apply to every charco
The tide decides everything, and the ideal one varies from pool to pool. The official tourism website of the Canary Islands gives a recommended tide for every pool: low tide for some, mid tide for others, and close to high tide for a few. We note it below, pool by pool. You can check the tide table in any marine weather app.
At most pools the lifeguard is only there in summer. At most of them the lifeguard service is seasonal, and many have no supervision at all.
If the swell is big, keep away from the shore. The Canary Islands Government's emergency services ask you not to go near the water when the sea is unusually rough, even if it looks calm at that moment. We cover coastal warnings in detail here: Coastal warnings in the Canary Islands.
Water shoes. The lava is sharp, sea urchins are common on the rocks, and wet, weed-covered stone is very slippery, including the steps down into the pools.
In an emergency, call 112. We have a separate article on rip currents: Rip currents in the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria: the north coast
Most of Gran Canaria's charcos line its north coast. For most of them the official website also flags strong swell: the pool itself can be calm while big waves break just behind its wall.
Charco de San Lorenzo, Moya
Two large man-made pools at El Pagador; the bigger one measures roughly 75 × 45 m. There are showers, changing rooms, toilets, steps and a car park, restaurants nearby, and even some sand along part of the shore. The official website recommends low tide and marks it as suitable for children, but warns of strong swell. No lifeguard is listed. See the full listing.
Los Charcones, Arucas (Bañaderos)
A large double pool next to El Puertillo, ringed by a wall that you can walk along at low tide. Blue Flag in 2026: it is the only natural pool in Gran Canaria to have received one this year. There is a car park, a sunbathing area, showers and a children's area, with restaurants nearby. Recommended tide: mid. Lifeguard in summer only. See the full listing.
El Agujero, Gáldar
Three natural pools, one of them open to the sea, and according to the official website the spot most visited by locals. Right beside it lies the La Guancha-El Agujero-Bocabarranco archaeological site. There is a car park, a sunbathing area and toilets, but no supervision, and the official website warns of strong swell. Recommended tide: mid. See the full listing.
Roque Prieto, Santa María de Guía
Two pools reshaped by human hand: some parts are very shallow, while elsewhere the water is three metres deep. There is a wide sunbathing area with railings, the car park is a few minutes' walk away, and otherwise facilities are few. Recommended tide: mid. Lifeguard in summer only. The council has closed the pool temporarily before (in February 2024, because of a burst pipe), so it is worth checking that it is open. See the full listing.
Las Salinas, Agaete (Puerto de las Nieves)
Three pools in the fishing harbour of Puerto de las Nieves, linked to one another by lava channels. Concrete pillars break the force of the waves. It is easy to get down to from the village (via Calle El Muelle), and there is a car park, a sunbathing area and public toilets. Recommended tide: mid. Lifeguard in summer only; the official website notes wind and moderate swell. See the full listing.
Gran Canaria: the capital and the east coast
Piscinas de La Laja, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
A town bathing spot at the southern entrance to the capital, beside the seafront promenade. There are three pools: a crescent-shaped children's pool, a 50 m sports pool and a family pool. Lifeguards and toilets are seasonal. Worth knowing: there are strong currents on La Laja beach, so take extra care outside the pools. See the full listing.
Soco Negro, Arinaga (Agüimes)
A family-friendly bathing spot in Arinaga, on a stretch sheltered from the ocean. The council's beach list also records it as a 166 m dark-sand beach. The council maintains wooden decking, railings and public toilets on Avenida del Soco Negro, and beach lifeguard cover runs during Holy Week and in summer. One misunderstanding to clear up straight away: in Arinaga the Blue Flag went to the beach, not to Soco Negro. See the full listing.
Lanzarote: the north-east coast
Lanzarote's best-known charcos are on its north-east coast. None of Lanzarote's natural pools received a Blue Flag in 2026.
Charco del Palo, Haría
Three designated bathing areas: two pools that fill and empty with the tide, and a third from which you can swim out into the open sea. The island's tourism website specifically asks you to swim only in these areas, because beyond them the sea is no longer friendly. There are paved stone sun terraces, and crescent-shaped stone walls shelter you from the wind. This was Lanzarote's first naturist community, dating back to the 1970s: swimming without clothes is the norm here. See the full listing.
Punta Mujeres, Haría
A 2 km stretch of coast with several pools; two of them are well protected from the open sea, and there is also an enclosed pool suitable for children. Metal steps lead down into the water, and the steps and sunbathing areas are the only human additions. Near the boats the shore is more exposed and the waves are stronger. Recommended tide: mid. The village bar is right next door. See the full listing.
Caletón Blanco, Órzola
White sand and black lava: the sand is of organic origin, while the lava came from the La Corona volcano some 20,000 years ago. Part of the little coves is filled by a natural pool of crystal-clear water; some sections, sheltered by the rocks, are fine for children, while others are deeper. According to the official website, the time to come is at almost high tide. There is a car park but no lifeguard, and the Cabildo (the island council) says it draws a lot of visitors. See the full listing.
Lanzarote: the south coast
Los Charcones, Yaiza
A string of pools along the shore, running for about 2 km from the Pechiguera lighthouse, five minutes by car from Playa Blanca. There are deep and shallow sections, and the sea constantly renews the water. This is the most spectacular spot in this article, and also the most exposed: there is no supervision, and the official website explicitly warns that it is dangerous to go near the shore, especially on days with big waves. Recommended tide: low. If you have any doubt at all about the state of the sea, do not come here. According to the map, the tarmac ends at the Faro Park development, and from there a dirt track and footpath lead to the pools: if you are coming in a hire car, check your rental agreement, as many rental companies' insurance does not cover damage on unsurfaced roads. See the full listing.
Fresh water to finish: Charco Azul, El Risco (Agaete)
This is not a sea pool but a natural rock pool in a ravine, fed for much of the year by a waterfall coming down from Tamadaba and Tirma. A walk of about 30 minutes, roughly 3 km, leads here from El Risco. According to the island's tourism website it is at its best from January to May; in summer you need to be careful because of the heat, and if the water is not flowing, swimming is not recommended. See the full listing.
Quick picker
With small children: the children's pool at La Laja, the enclosed pool at Punta Mujeres, Los Charcones in Arucas (with a lifeguard in summer).
If you want a lifeguard: in summer, Los Charcones in Arucas, Roque Prieto, Las Salinas and La Laja.
For a proper swim: the 50 m pool at La Laja, and when the sea is calm, the open-sea section of Charco del Palo.
Experienced swimmers only, in calm weather: Los Charcones (Yaiza).
If you are heading to Tenerife or El Hierro, we have rounded up the charcos there too: The best natural pools in Tenerife and Beaches and natural pools in El Hierro. For sandy beaches, see The best beaches in Gran Canaria and The best beaches in Lanzarote.
Note: services (lifeguards, toilets) are seasonal and can change, and individual pools may also be closed for maintenance. Before you set off, check the state of the sea and any coastal warnings.
Sources: Hola Islas Canarias (the official tourism website of the Canary Islands), its individual pool pages and its Safe swimming page; Gran Canaria Turismo (grancanaria.com); LPA Visit (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria); Agüimes town council (aguimes.es); Santa María de Guía town council; Turismo Lanzarote and the Cabildo de Lanzarote's tourism platform; official Blue Flag 2026 list (ADEAC); Gobierno de Canarias, emergency services: advice for coastal hazards.
Cover photo: Las Salinas, Agaete. Grgor12, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.