Sailing

Gran Canaria is a sailor’s dream, especially from April to October. The sailing centres are Las Palmas, where the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) departs from, and the south coast, specifically Puerto Rico, Pasito Blanco, Arguineguin and Puerto de Mogán. In these ports a number of schools offer equipment hire and tuition. Gran Canaria has some of the best practicing conditions and local sailing clubs have produced several Olympic champions. Head to any resort by the sea and you will easily find a school or company providing you with what you need to start sailing.

Windsurfing

Gran Canaria is considered one of the best places in the world for windsurfing. It can be practised all along the coast from the east to the south, but there are also very good conditions at Playa de las Canteras in Las Palmas and at Gáldar in the northwest corner.

If you want to see the top windsurfers in action head to Pozo Isquierdo, where winds can go up to 60 km/h per hour and to Playa de Vargas, venue for the PWA Wave Classic Grand Prix.

If you’re just starting this sport, it’s best that you stick to sheltered harbours like Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán.

Bodyboarding & Surfing

These water sports are best practised on the north coast, between Las Palmas and Gáldar. Constant on-shore winds provide surfers with ideal conditions and waves that can be up to 5 metres high.

There are also good conditions on the east coast, around Arinaga, and in the south between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas.

If you don’t want to bring your own board, there are several places on site where you can hire the necessary equipment.

Scuba Diving

The underwater world in Gran Canaria is fascinating, with subtropical fishes, shipwrecks and caves being some of the beauties you will be able to see on your way down.

Finding a fully certified diving school in one of the major seaside resorts won’t be a problem. Most of them offer beginner and advanced courses for more experienced divers and also rent out diving equipment. Beginners should always start in sheltered harbours first before trying the open sea.

When diving in Gran Canaria you shouldn’t miss the marine reserve of El Cabrón off the east coast at Playa del Cabrón (here the diversity of fish and marine vegetation is really amazing), Pasito Blanco with its ideal conditions for underwater photography and two wrecks to explore for experienced divers or the fascinating diving sites of La Isleta in the northeast and Sardina in the northwest of the island.

Deep-sea fishing

The major resorts in Gran Canaria have several companies offering deep-sea fishing, but the best harbours to set out from for this sport are Puerto de Mogán, Pasito Blanco and Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico’s more than 50 deep-sea fishing world records speak for themselves. The main species to be found off the coast in these regions are several varieties of tuna and marlin, swordfish and, occasionally, sharks.

Real Club de Golf

Founded by British expatriates in 1891, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas is actually the oldest golf course in all Spain. Situated south of the Pico de Bandama, this course boasts wonderful views over Caldera de Bandama, a spectacular volcanic crater.

Designed by Mackenzie Ross, this is a par 71, 18-hole course, with 2 putting greens, practice tee, pitching green, instructors, pro-shop, club hire service, restaurant and an excellent wine cellar. There are also two tennis courts, a horse-riding area and a swimming pool.

Location: Carretera de Bandama s/n – Las Palmas
http://www.realclubdegolfdelaspalmas.com

El Cortijo de Campo

This course has been the venue for important international championships as well as the centre for the Peugeot Oki Tour and the Professional Senior and Women’s Spanish Championships. Designed by Blake Stirling (Head Designer of Pete Dye) and Marco Martín, this par 72, 18-hole course has fast greens and, with up to six tees per hole, offers a great variety and many difficulties. It also boasts six lakes and more than six hundred century-old palm trees surrounding them. Other facilities and services available are a golf school, practice course, chipping green, putting green, practice bunker as well as a service for the hire of carts, bags and clubs.

Location: Autopista del Sur G.C. 1 / Km 6,4 - Telde
http://www.cortijogolfcenter.com

Maspalomas Golf

Maspalomas’ golf course is surrounded by dunes, which had a great impact on the design of the course, created by Mackenzie Ross. It is an extremely long and flat course with lengthy, wide lanes. Even on the hottest days, the proximity of the sea and the mild breezes cooled by the trade winds make a visit to this course a wonderful experience.

International events have taken place on this 18-hole, par 73 course, which boasts a practice green, driving range, instructors, facilities for the hire of carts, bags and clubs, shop, restaurant and snack bars.

Location: Avda. T.O. Neckermann - Maspalomas
http://www.maspalomasgolf.net

Salobre Golf

The Salobre Golf is one of the newest golf courses in Gran Canaria, set in a magnificent scenery with ravines and volcanic landscapes typical for the south of the island, the lush greenery of the course forming a strong contrast to its surroundings.

Roland Fauré designed this interesting and demanding course, a par 71, 18-hole course covering a length of 6 km. Its facilities include a golf school, practice area, driving-range, putting green, club hire, hydro-massage, pro-shop and restaurant with terrace.

Location: Autopista Gran Canaria 1 / Km 53 - Urbanización El Salobre - Maspalomas
http://www.salobregolfresort.com