Beaches

Playa de las Arenas

Playa de las Teresitas

Playa de Santa Cruz de La Palma

An urban beach of volcanic sand beside the capital's Avenida Marítima, at the foot of its historic seafront.

Charco Azul

A natural volcanic pool in El Golfo (Frontera, El Hierro), with a turquoise basin beneath a basalt arch, parking and a wooden sun deck.

El Tamaduste

El Tamaduste is a natural pool set into a coastal village in the municipality of Valverde, in the north-east of El Hierro. The inlet forms a sheet of clear, sheltered water that is good for swimming, and at its far end opens the so-called boat cave, tied to the island's oral tradition. The village has for generations been the summer place of the herreños themselves, and it remains one of the liveliest bathing spots in the municipality.

Playa de Las Alcaravaneras

A golden-sand city beach on the eastern edge of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, facing the harbour. At around 550 metres long and almost 100 wide it is the capital's second largest beach, and the one locals actually use. The sheltered water stays calm, which makes it an easy swim for families.

Playa de La Concha de Lobos

La Concha, also known as La Calera, is the most visited beach on Islote de Lobos, the small island facing Corralejo off the northern tip of Fuerteventura. Its horseshoe shape shelters it from the prevailing wind, so the water usually stays flat and clear over a bed of fine white sand. It is a short walk from the landing jetty. The whole islet is a Natural Park and visitors need a permit arranged in advance.

Piscinas Naturales "El Caletón"

El Caletón is the set of natural pools at Garachico, formed by the lava flow of the 1706 eruption, the one that buried the harbour that had made the town rich. As it cooled, the basalt left a run of pools and channels that the sea refills with every tide. They are now fitted with walkways and steps, and they occupy the seafront of the historic centre, beside the castle of San Miguel.

Playa del Risco del Paso

A 6.5 kilometre stretch of white sand on the south coast of the Jandía isthmus, in Pájara. Part of the Sotavento system and a well established windsurfing and kitesurfing spot.

Playa del Risco (Playa Bajo el Risco)

A wild beach of sand and pebbles at the foot of the Risco de Famara cliff, facing the Chinijo archipelago and the old salt pans.

Playa del Jablillo (El Jablillo)

A small, sheltered cove in Costa Teguise, protected by a breakwater that keeps the water calm and clear.

Playa de Alcalá

A quiet beach in the fishing village of Alcalá, in Guía de Isora, with dark sand, natural pools and a seafront promenade beside the harbour.

Playa de La Garita

A golden-sand town beach in Telde, on the east coast of Gran Canaria, much loved by locals and sheltered in a calm bay.

Playa de Arinaga

Promenade beach at Arinaga, in the municipality of Agüimes on Gran Canaria's east coast, with a fishing-village feel and calm waters.

Piscinas Naturales de Mesa del Mar

Volcanic natural sea pools at Mesa del Mar, on the northern coast of Tacoronte, reached through a tunnel cut into the cliff.

Playa de la Enramada

A wide dark-sand beach beside La Caleta in Adeje, Tenerife, prized for its sunsets.

Playa Chica

A sheltered cove in Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, perfect for family bathing and snorkelling in calm water.

Playa de Esquinzo

A wide golden-sand beach on the Jandía peninsula in southern Fuerteventura, quieter than its neighbours Sotavento and El Matorral.

Playa de la Pared

A surf beach on the west coast of Fuerteventura, at La Pared, known for its cliffs, dark sand, and celebrated sunsets.

Playa de Meloneras

A small cove of fine sand at the western end of Maspalomas, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, linked to Playa de Maspalomas by a promenade from the lighthouse.

Piscinas Roque Prieto

Volcanic natural pools on Gran Canaria's north coast, in Santa Maria de Guia.

Piscina Natural La Maceta

Volcanic natural pools in the El Golfo valley of El Hierro, with a shallow kids' area and services.

Playa del Confital

Wild volcanic sand-and-rock beach north of La Isleta, a surfing mecca.

Playa de Nogales

Unspoilt black-sand beach at the foot of a cliff, reachable only on foot.

Charco Los Chochos

Secluded natural pool on the coast of Buenavista del Norte, in the Teno massif area.

Costa Calma

Wide pale-sand beach in southern Fuerteventura with turquoise water and steady wind, ideal for watersports.

Piscinas Naturales Los Abrigos

Cluster of natural pools next to the fishing village of Los Abrigos, in southern Tenerife.

Charco De La Laja

Volcanic natural pool on the north coast of San Juan de la Rambla, with crystal-clear water.

Playa Chica

Small sheltered cove in Puerto del Carmen with calm water, very popular for snorkelling and diving.

Playa de Papagayo

Golden-sand cove within the Los Ajaches Natural Monument in southern Lanzarote, with clear, sheltered waters.

Playa de Sotavento de Jandía

Nine kilometres of pale sand and a turquoise tidal lagoon between Costa Calma and Morro Jable: the world sanctuary of windsurfing and kitesurfing in southern Fuerteventura.

Playa de Ojos de Garza

A semi-urban beach in the municipality of Telde, on the eastern coast of Gran Canaria, with some 450 metres of fine golden sand mixed with pebbles and a moderate swell. Houses of the old fishing quarter come almost down to the water and a short seafront promenade runs along it. This is the closest beach to Gran Canaria airport, so aircraft pass low over the bay on their way in and out.

Playa Charco los Sargos

Charco de Los Sargos hides at the foot of a cliff on the El Golfo coast, in the municipality of Frontera, close to La Maceta and Las Puntas. The sea has cut a series of clear water basins into the lava, more exposed to the swell than the neighbouring pools. A short path leads down from the parking area. There is no lifeguard, so bathing is best at low tide with a calm sea.

Piscina Natural Alcalá

Also known as the Charco de La Jaquita, the natural pools of Alcalá are a cluster of volcanic rock basins on the south western coast of Guía de Isora. The sea has carved several bowls of clear water out of the black lava, now fitted with steps, showers and terraces to rest on. You reach them along the seafront walkway from Playa de Alcalá. At high tide with a strong swell, extra care is needed.

Playa El Veril

Playa El Veril takes up the stretch of coast between San Agustín and the eastern end of Playa del Inglés, right below the Costa Canaria promenade. It is a run of small coves sheltered by volcanic rock spurs that break the wind and keep the water calmer than on the wide open beaches next door. The sand is dark and mixed with pebbles, so water shoes help. Showers, toilets, sunloungers and access ramps are all on site.

Playa de Tacorón

A cove on the southern coast of El Hierro, in the municipality of El Pinar, beside the road running down to La Restinga. It is a run of lava inlets, dark volcanic sand and natural rock pools inside the Mar de las Calmas marine reserve, the most sheltered stretch of sea in the archipelago. There is little sand and a lot of rock, with steps down into the water, and a barbecue area beside the car park.

Charco La Vaca

Charco La Vaca is a natural pool set into the volcanic rock of the Punta Negra shoreline, in Santiago del Teide, between Playa de la Arena and Puerto de Santiago. It is not a sandy beach but a hollow among dark lava flows that the sea fills and empties with the tide. You reach it on foot from Calle Acacia, through a narrow alley between houses and a short descent whose final stretch runs over bare rock.

Piscinas Naturales de Soco Negro

Volcanic rock pool on the shore of Arinaga, in the municipality of Agüimes on the east coast of Gran Canaria. Lava rock forms a sheltered natural pool where the water stays calm even while the sea moves on the far side of the rim. That makes it a practical choice for families with children and for anyone who would rather swim without breaking waves. Access runs from the town of Arinaga itself, level with Calle Colón.

Playa de Timijiraque

Beach of dark sand and rounded pebbles in the municipality of Valverde, right next to Puerto de la Estaca, which makes it the first beach most people see when they reach El Hierro by ferry. It is one of the widest sandy stretches on the island, and traces of old salt pans survive nearby. Wind and swell turn up often, which is why surfers keep coming back. Watch the water for a few minutes before going in and take the current seriously.

Playa de Las Marañuelas

An urban beach of around 279 metres in Arguineguín, in the municipality of Mogán, with dark sand. It is an everyday beach, away from the large tourist resorts of the south. It appears in the beach listing of the Mogán municipal tourism portal.

Piscinas de La Caleta

Natural sea pools at La Caleta, a small coastal hamlet in the municipality of Valverde on the eastern side of El Hierro. The sea comes in over lava flows and leaves bathing pools with an uneven bottom. The island's official tourism portal lists them as a bathing site with an entry of their own.

Playa Bastián

A beach of around 375 metres in Costa Teguise, in the municipality of Teguise, with sand between golden and dark and stretches of rock. It sits next to the seafront promenade and has a barbecue area, which gives it a strongly family feel. It is the least busy of the main Costa Teguise beaches and appears on the official list of Lanzarote beaches.

Playa La Jaquita

Coastal stretch of Alcalá, in the northern half of Guía de Isora, made up of three small black sand beaches linked by a promenade of some 700 metres. Natural rock pools and sun terraces open up between the coves, with a green strip running along the walkway. Facilities include changing rooms, accessible toilets, showers, a lifeguard and first aid post, a kiosk, a play area and sunbed and parasol rental.

Playa de Vallehermoso

Dark volcanic sand beach at the seaward end of the Vallehermoso valley, on the north coast of La Gomera. The Castillo del Mar stands beside it, along with the maritime park and its pools where you can swim sheltered from the swell. It is the municipality's access to the sea and one of the biggest coastal draws in the north of the island.

Playa de La Guirra

Roughly 700 metre beach on the east coast of Fuerteventura, next to Caleta de Fuste, with very calm water and a landscaped promenade. A sound choice for families with small children.

Playa Esmeralda

White sand beach with turquoise water on the Jandía coast in Pájara, over 400 metres long. Access is by dirt track, which keeps visitor numbers low, and nudism is practised as normal.

Playa de Radazul

Black sand beach at Radazul, in the municipality of El Rosario. It combines two sheltered coves with an open bathing area, plus a solarium terrace, gardens and a playground.

Playa del Mal Nombre

Undeveloped golden sand beach south of Costa Calma, in the municipality of Pájara on Fuerteventura, with no buildings on the shorefront.

Playa de Mogán

Golden sand beach in a sheltered bay at Puerto de Mogán, on the southwestern corner of Gran Canaria, with unusually calm water.

Playa del Castillo (Caleta de Fuste)

Some 600 metres of fine pale sand in a sheltered bay at Caleta de Fuste on the east coast of Fuerteventura, about ten minutes from the island's airport.

Playa de Gran Tarajal

Fuerteventura's main urban beach, some 800 metres of black sand at Gran Tarajal (Tuineje), with a Blue Flag, a promenade of local terraces and full facilities.

Playa Montaña Amarilla

Semi-urban pebble cove about 50 metres long at the foot of Montaña Amarilla in San Miguel de Abona, with very clear water and regular snorkelling and diving use.

Playa de la Garita

Golden sand beach open to the Atlantic at Arrieta, blue flag in recent seasons, with village services alongside.

Charco Manso

Volcanic natural pool with rock arches on the north coast of El Hierro.

Playa de San Juan

Blue Flag black-sand beach in a quiet fishing village on Tenerife's west coast.

Piscinas Naturales de Bañaderos

Adapted natural pools on the Banaderos coast, with a sunbathing area.

Charco del Tancón

A turquoise natural pool among the Los Gigantes cliffs at Puerto de Santiago. Highly photogenic, with a blowhole that means bathing only in calm sea at low tide.

Playa del Puertito de Adeje

An unspoilt cove in a small fishing village in southern Tenerife, with crystal-clear water and good snorkelling, free of development.

Popcorn Beach (Playa del Bajo de la Burra)

A natural beach near Corralejo covered in white, popcorn-shaped rhodolith grains, a curious corner of northern Fuerteventura.

Playa del Roque de las Bodegas

A black volcanic-sand beach beside the fishing village of Taganana, in Anaga, popular with surfers and surrounded by guachinches serving fresh fish.