Best beaches in the Canary Islands: 8 stretches of sand to help you choose the right island

Pale sand on black rock. A pool of still water at the foot of a cliff. In the Canary Islands, the beach photo changes from island to island.

There is a reason behind it. Each island has a different age, relief and wind, and that decides whether the sand is white, golden or volcanic.

Among the best beaches in the Canary Islands are dunes that look like a desert, urban beaches with their own reef and natural pools carved into the lava. And the archipelago’s mild climate lets you go down to the sea in almost any month of the year.

This selection brings together eight, from Fuerteventura to La Palma, so you can choose an island according to the plan you fancy. If you are looking for a weekend of sea and strolling, one of them is sure to suit you.

Fuerteventura: dunes and lagoons

1. Corralejo Beach

In the north of the island, inside the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, white sand stretches for kilometres beside turquoise water.

The dunes are made up mostly of fragments of shells and marine organisms. Opposite you can see the silhouette of the island of Lobos, very photogenic in the low light of sunset.

(And yes, walking along the shore late in the day, when the sand turns pink, is one of the best things to do on the island.)

2. Sotavento Beach

In the municipality of Pájara, in the south, Sotavento has large sandbanks. When the tide rises, a shallow lagoon forms between them.

That lagoon is a natural school for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Outside the sports areas, the beach is wide and very quiet for walking.

Gran Canaria: city and desert

3. Las Canteras Beach

In the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Canteras is among the most highly rated urban beaches in Europe. Its secret is La Barra, a natural rock ridge about 200 metres from the shore.

La Barra slows the swell and leaves a large pool of calm water. With a diving mask you can see sargos and other fish without leaving the city.

Secret tip: at low tide, La Barra emerges and the water is even stiller. It is the best moment to snorkel close to the shore.

4. Maspalomas Dunes

At the southern tip of the island, the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve combines a sea of golden sand with a very long beach. At the end appears the Maspalomas lighthouse, inaugurated in 1890.

The dunes are crossed on marked trails, which it is best not to leave in order to protect the area. As evening falls, the light draws the sand crests beautifully.

Tenerife: Saharan sand and a sunny south

5. Las Teresitas Beach

About 7 kilometres from the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, beside the village of San Andrés, Las Teresitas is a golden-sand beach with sand brought from the Sahara in the 1970s.

A breakwater protects it from the open swell. The water is calm and there are rows of palm trees, a perfect combination if you are with children or want a swim without waves near the capital.

If food interests you, San Andrés is a fishing village with a tradition of fresh fish. It is worth leaving lunch for after the swim.

6. Las Vistas Beach

In the south of Tenerife, between Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Américas, Las Vistas is a wide strip of blond sand protected by a breakwater. It is almost a kilometre long.

It is very accessible and its water is usually calm. Next to it, the seafront promenade has many terraces to end the day.

Lanzarote and La Palma: coves and lava

7. Papagayo Beach (Lanzarote)

In the south of Lanzarote, inside the Los Ajaches Natural Monument, Papagayo is a small shell-shaped cove with very clear water.

You reach it along a dirt track, and access by car has a small fee. The sandy bottom is ideal for swimming with goggles.

8. Charco Azul (La Palma)

In the municipality of San Andrés y Sauces, in the northeast of La Palma, Charco Azul is a natural pool carved into the volcanic rock. The sea flows in between the stones and renews the water.

It has walkways and prepared access points, and it is one of the most photographed swimming spots on the island. When the sea is rough, it is wise to follow the signs in the area.

Before you swim: in natural pools and on the open beaches of the north, the swell changes quickly. Always check the state of the sea and the flags before going in.

The best beaches in the Canary Islands on video

To see how some of these beaches look, this video of Gran Canaria is a good preview:

How to get around between islands

If you want to see beaches on several islands, the practical approach is to combine domestic flights with ferries between neighbouring islands. There are regular connections between Tenerife and La Gomera, and between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

On each island, renting a car makes it much easier to reach remote coves, dirt tracks like the one to Papagayo and coastal viewpoints that public transport does not reach.

If you only have a few days, choose one or two islands and avoid spending half your getaway in airports. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote combine well by ferry; Gran Canaria and Tenerife work well for a sea-and-city break.

What to pack

On the islands with the strongest trade winds, such as Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, check the orientation of each beach. If a strong wind blows from the north, look for sheltered coves or bring a beach windbreak.

Also bring comfortable footwear for walking on volcanic rock, a diving mask and a light jacket. When the sun goes down, the Atlantic breeze gets quite cool.

Which island would you start your route along the Canary coast with?