Gran Canaria is a snorkelling paradise. Its volcanic coastline, crystal-clear waters and year-round warm temperatures harbour an incredible diversity of marine life — from colourful tropical fish to octopus, rays, turtles and even angel sharks. Here’s our guide to the island’s very best snorkelling spots, with practical tips to help you make the most of every dive.
1. Puerto de Mogán — Family-Friendly Snorkelling
The sheltered waters of Puerto de Mogán are perfect for beginner snorkellers. The southern breakwater area offers shallow rocky bottoms teeming with bream, parrotfish, trumpet fish and damselfish. Visibility is usually excellent thanks to the calm, protected waters. Ideal for families with children and first-timers. With AquaFun, you can combine snorkelling with a boat trip to Güigüi to access more pristine spots unreachable from land.
2. Güigüi Beach — Virgin Underwater Paradise
Güigüi Beach, accessible only by boat or after a gruelling 3-hour hike, offers completely virgin seabeds. Submerged volcanic rock formations create a rich ecosystem home to groupers, moray eels, octopus and dozens of reef fish species. Water clarity often exceeds 20 metres. Our Güigüi boat excursion includes snorkel equipment and ample time to explore these unique underwater landscapes.
3. Sardina del Norte — The Hidden Gem
On Gran Canaria’s northwest tip, Sardina del Norte beach surprises with incredibly transparent waters and abundant marine life. Sandy bottoms with rocky patches are home to rays, cuttlefish, seahorses and schools of salema. It’s one of the few places on the island where you can regularly spot angel sharks — a harmless, critically endangered bottom-dwelling species.
4. El Cabrón (Arinaga) — Marine Reserve
Widely regarded as Gran Canaria’s best snorkelling and diving site, El Cabrón in Arinaga is a marine reserve with spectacular biodiversity. Giant trumpet fish, barracuda, moray eels, nudibranchs and sea turtles inhabit these volcanic seabeds. Access requires walking along a rocky path, but the underwater reward is absolutely worth the effort.
5. Tufia — Natural Rock Pools with Marine Life
The small coastal village of Tufia offers natural pools and a sheltered cove perfect for relaxed snorkelling. Mixed sandy and volcanic rock bottoms are home to bream, salema and parrotfish. The sea here tends to be calm even when there’s swell elsewhere on the island, making it a reliable year-round option.
Snorkelling by Boat: Reaching the Best Spots
Many of Gran Canaria’s finest snorkelling spots are inaccessible from shore. AquaFun’s boat excursions from Puerto de Mogán take you directly to hidden coves and reef areas where snorkelling is exceptional. Full equipment included. Book your snorkel boat trip and discover the most spectacular underwater world in Gran Canaria.
Beyond snorkelling, enhance your Gran Canaria experience with parasailing over the coast, deep sea fishing adventures, a private boat charter, a romantic sunset cruise, or an unforgettable boat party celebration. All adventures start with AquaFun Mogán.
