Surf’s up
From gentle sandy beaches for beginners, to secluded reefs for experts, Gran Canaria is a surfer’s playground. And that goes for windsurfing, bodyboarding and kitesurfing too. Pozo Izquierdo is the best known windsurfing spot, while the northern zone, from the Confital (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), over the waves of ‘Las Monjas’, all the way to Gáldar and its famous ‘El Frontón’ wave is the main surf area. There are nearly 20 surf schools.
Happy hiking
The size of the island, its rough terrain and its status as a World Biosphere Reserve give rise to a myriad of beautiful and varied walking itineraries, ranging from ‘coast to summit’ to winding trails. Two must-do hikes are the Camino de Santiago, a three-stage pilgrimage through the island’s volcanic scenery, and the Gran Canaria Mirador Lookout Network which connects up some of the island’s most spectacular views with great walks.
Biking bliss
Great weather and wonderful, changing mountain scenery make Gran Canaria a must for cyclists. The central mountainous area in particular is a biking paradise. Both the mountain bike and road bike routes here are characterised by the almost complete absence of flat terrain – which means tough climbs and exciting descents. Free-Motion (free-motion.com) is one of several companies offering guided excursions.
Dive in!
The volcanic origins of Gran Canaria offers divers a wealth of stunning underwater landscapes and exciting marine life, such as basking sharks, rays and barracudas. Whether novice or experienced, you can choose from around 20 different diving schools. One of the best sites is in the rugged coastal zone of the Agüimes municipality, right next to Playa de El Cabron, which has been nominated to be included in the future Arinaga Marine Reserve.
For more information on these and countless other reasons to visit the island, see
grancanaria.com
