Playa de Las Canteras (La Palma de Gran Canaria)

This golden sandy beach on Gran Canaria’s northeastern tip is just a few miles from the island’s capital, Las Palmas.

This place is a real hotspot for snorkellers, who flock from far and wide to check out the natural reef and the sea creatures that swim in the calm waters here. And if you fancy giving snorkelling a go but don’t have your own gear, there are plenty of shops and hire places dotted along the sands where you can pick up the essentials.

Further along the beach, and past the rock barriers, you’ll find plenty of surf schools and watersports shops, with equipment available to hire, and surfing lessons available for everyone from beginners to the more experienced. 

At more than three kilometeres long, Playa de las Canteras is a fairly sizeable beach with something for everyone. Although it gets pretty packed in the summer months, there’s a family-friendly atmosphere to the crowds here, who mingle happily with the watersports fans.

As you’d expect from a busy beach, there are plenty of places to eat and drink too, with a bustling promenade that packs in shops, bars and restaurants, with everything from family run tapas bars to global fast food joints and coffee chains.