Best Canary Island Beaches
When it comes to beaches, it's hard to top the glorious Canaries and their gorgeous shores. From pristine man-made bays to nature's own creations, sun-seekers swarm to the sub-tropical paradise for a coastline like no other. With a whopping 500 beaches of all shapes and sizes, choose between quiet and calm or windy and wavy – the only thing that rarely changes is the water temperature. A tantalisingly toasty 20°C year-round! So what're you waiting for? Seas the day with some of the best Canary Island beaches.
The Canaries' Best Beaches
No two Canary Islands are the same, so it only makes sense that their beaches follow suit! With heavenly holiday villas on the awesome foursome, you're sure to find your perfect match.
Dive into Lanzarote's crystal clear waters, dig your toes into Tenerife's wide golden sand arcs, stare in disbelief at Gran Canaria's gargantuan sand dunes and fall in love with Fuerteventura's flawless sheltered coves…
Lanzarote
Lovers of all things sun, sand and sea will find beach paradise in Lanzarote! Almost 100 beautiful bays cover the coastline, from black volcanic sand to exotic coves all lapped by crystalline waters. One of the most well-known sandy spots on the island, Playa de Papayago is a collection of captivating coves sloping into gentle, warm waters. Perfect for little paddlers! Thanks to their stunning location in Los Ajaches Natural Park on Lanzarote's southern tip, the beaches are unspoilt and enjoy the best weather on the island!
Most of us prefer our holiday drama free, unless you're talking about a dazzlingly dramatic coastline of course! Picture-perfect Playa de Famara is one of the most beautiful areas on the island. Nestled in the northwest, bustling holiday resorts are a distant memory on these spectacular shores. Backed by towering cliffs and rugged rock formations, the spellbinding beach is swimming in space – which means no sharing your favourite sand spot with anyone else! Bliss for holidaymakers who're looking to get away from it all. Wind whips up the wild waves, making Famara a playground for surfers of all abilities!
Tenerife
Wide golden arcs add a heavenly holiday spark when it comes to Tenerife's beaches. Blue Flags galore line these shores, with a huge helping of family friendly man-made stretches to boot. Picturesque Playa de la Enramada is bliss for couples who enjoy lazy beach strolls. Feel at one with nature as you saunter along the calming coastline – this is the place to be for rest and relaxation.
A stone's throw away, the lovely Las Vistas is a Blue Flag beauty made for family fun! Often hailed as one of the best beaches on the island, it's a hit for most holidaymakers. Calm waters are perfect for little ones, while big kids can ride banana boats and play on pedalos. If you're after a 'something for everyone' activity, be sure to hop aboard one of the famous glass-bottom boat tours.
The iconic black sands of awe-inspiring Los Gigantes showcase some of nature's finest masterpieces! Head to Tenerife's most westerly point to view the volcanic handiwork in all its glory. Captivating cliffs rise 800 metres above the sea, and tower over black sands and a crashing waves below. The unique beach packs a punch with wow-factor – so get your camera at the ready. For the best views head out to sea and stare in awe as the spectacular scene unfolds. The 'Cliffs of the Giants' plunge dramatically into the surrounding sea, making it a haven for marine life, so don't be surprised if you spy a playful porpoise or two!
Gran Canaria
Turquoise waters, soft sands and wonderful watersports are all part of Gran Canaria's sun-baked beachy beauties. Choose between balmy climes and buzzing resorts, or rugged coastlines and off-the-beaten-track surfer hotspots. Magnificent Maspalomas and its Saharan-sized dunes are one of the island's most prized natural attractions. Millions of years in the making, the area is wonderfully wild and protected by the Canarian government thanks to its beauty and range of ecosystems. Time your visit at either sunset or sunrise and get ready for a showstopping spectacle like no other!
Playa de Amadores is a peaceful and relaxing safe-haven tucked away on the stunning southwest coast. Well protected from the Atlantic waves by breakwaters, the sea is nice and calm for your little water babies. Families favour the Blue Flag bay for its fantastic facilities and beachfront bars and restaurants. The crescent-shaped cove attracts copious couples too! Whether you're looking to take a gentle stroll, scale the clifftops to the nearby town of Puerto Rico or simply top up your tan – it's a magical Mediterranean marvel. Not to mention Playa de Amadores translates to 'The Lovers Beach'.
Fuerteventura
The stunning shores of fantastic Fuerteventura are holiday heaven! Miles and miles of pristine coastline, bathing beautifully in year-round sunshine make the island a real life paradise for beach lovers. With over 150 to choose from, get ready to discover some of the most dazzling and dreamy beaches in all of the Canaries!
Sotavento beach is a southeastern gem. A whopping 17 miles of sand stretches out as far as the eye can see, and its sheer size is enough to leave visitors speechless! Spacious shores make for a peaceful day out, so find your own private spot and soak up the jaw-dropping natural beauty. Sea temperatures are a delightful 21°C year-round – perfect for both winter escapes and summer holidays to boot. Adrenaline junkies can try their hand at wet and wild watersports, with windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions consistent thanks to steady trade winds.
The lovely Lobos Island is a ten minute boat trip from the northern resort of Corralejo (a blissful beach bordering the Dunes National Park of the same name). A protected landscape, Lobos islet is the place to go for an unbeatable back-to-nature feeling! Remarkably rugged, it's a stunning sanctuary surrounded by clear waters teeming with marine life. Hiking the island takes a little over an hour and is the best way to get up close and personal with your spellbinding surroundings. Once you're content with your intrepid explorations, roll out your towel and make the most of the gorgeous secluded beaches.
The Canaries are a year-round sunshine spectacle, so beach lovers are in luck whatever the season! Take a look at our Canary Island winter holidays for some inspiration…
