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.
The natural pools of Soco Negro sit on the shore of Arinaga, within the municipality of Agüimes on the east coast of Gran Canaria. The lava flow that once reached the sea left a rock platform full of hollows, and in one of them this pool took shape, fed by water filtering through the rock. The result is a calm swim even on days when the sea is moving on the far side of the rim. You reach it from the town of Arinaga, level with Calle Colón, walking along the seafront.
The spot suits families, since no wave breaks inside the pool and the bottom stays sheltered, and it also works for a bit of snorkelling close to the rock. Bring water shoes or neoprene booties: the basalt carries limpets and algae and is slipperier than it looks. The state of the tide changes the experience noticeably, because a high tide refreshes the water while a low tide leaves the pool stiller and shallower. There is no sand, so the towel ends up on the lava platform itself and a mat underneath helps.
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