What water sports can you do in Las Canteras?
Las Canteras offers paddle surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, surfing, jet skiing and open-water swimming — all in one place. With 3.1 km of protected coastline, La Barra reef keeping the waters calm, and water temperature between 18°C in winter and 24°C in summer, it's Gran Canaria's most complete water-sports destination. Beginners can try SUP from €15/hour; diving baptisms start at €60. [Casita Palmera](/) is 30 metres from the beach — step outside and you're in the water in two minutes.
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What are the most popular water sports?
Paddle Surf (SUP)
The trendy sport in Las Canteras. Perfect for beginners thanks to the calm waters.
| Information | Detail |
|-------------|--------|
| Best zone | Playa Chica - La Puntilla |
| Level | Beginner to advanced |
| Rental | €15-20/hour |
| Beginner class | €35-50 (1-2h) |
| Best time | 8:00-11:00 (less wind) |
#### Where to Rent
| School | Location | Rental Price | Class |
|--------|----------|--------------|-------|
| Las Canteras SUP | Central promenade | €15/h | €40 |
| Ocean SUP | La Cícer | €18/h | €45 |
| Surf School Las Canteras | Playa Chica | €15/h | €35 |
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Kayak
Explore the Las Canteras coast by paddling. You can reach coves inaccessible on foot.
| Information | Detail |
|-------------|--------|
| Best zone | La Puntilla - El Confital |
| Level | Beginner to intermediate |
| Rental | €15-25/hour |
| Guided tour | €40-60 (2-3h) |
| Best time | Morning |
#### Recommended Routes
| Route | Duration | Difficulty | What to See |
|-------|----------|------------|-------------|
| La Barra | 1h | Easy | Reef, fish |
| La Puntilla - Confital | 2h | Medium | Cliffs, caves |
| Complete lap | 3h | Medium-high | Entire coast |
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Snorkelling
Las Canteras' crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkelling. La Barra creates a natural aquarium.
| Information | Detail |
|-------------|--------|
| Best zone | La Barra - La Puntilla |
| Level | All |
| Equipment rental | €10-15 |
| Guided tour | €25-40 |
| Water temperature | 18-24°C |
#### What to See
| Species | Frequency | Season |
|---------|-----------|--------|
| Sea bream | Very common | All year |
| Fulas | Very common | All year |
| Parrotfish | Common | All year |
| Octopus | Occasional | All year |
| Angel sharks | Rare | Winter |
| Rays | Very rare | Summer |
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Diving
Discover Gran Canaria's seabed. There are dive centres for all levels.
| Information | Detail |
|-------------|--------|
| Best zone | El Cabrón, Sardina |
| Level | Try dive to advanced |
| Try dive | €60-90 |
| Dive (with certification) | €40-60 |
| Open Water Course | €350-450 |
#### Dive Centres
| Centre | Location | Speciality | Try Dive |
|--------|----------|------------|----------|
| Davy Jones Diving | Port | PADI courses | €70 |
| Buceo Gran Canaria | Las Canteras | Try dives | €65 |
| Blue Water Diving | Port | Technical diving | €80 |
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Jet Ski
Adrenaline on the water. Guided tours along the Gran Canaria coast.
| Information | Detail |
|-------------|--------|
| Location | Port of Las Palmas |
| Duration | 30 min - 2h |
| Price | €80-200 |
| Minimum age | 18 years (driver) |
| Licence | Not required on guided tours |
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Boat Trips
Enjoy the sea without effort. From short trips to full-day excursions.
| Type | Duration | Price | Includes |
|------|----------|-------|----------|
| Coastal trip | 1-2h | €25-40 | Views, drink |
| Sunset | 2h | €40-60 | Cava, snacks |
| Sailboat excursion | 4-6h | €60-100 | Food, snorkel |
| Whale watching | 3h | €50-70 | Dolphins, whales |
#### Whale and Dolphin Watching
Gran Canaria is one of the best places in Europe to see dolphins and whales.
| Species | Probability | Season |
|---------|-------------|--------|
| Bottlenose dolphin | 80% | All year |
| Pilot whale | 70% | All year |
| Common dolphin | 50% | All year |
| Bryde's whale | 20% | Spring |
| Orca | 5% | Variable |
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Guide Prices 2026
Equipment Rental
| Equipment | 1 hour | Half day | Full day |
|-----------|--------|----------|----------|
| SUP board | €15-20 | €30-40 | €45-60 |
| Single kayak | €15 | €25 | €40 |
| Double kayak | €25 | €40 | €60 |
| Snorkel gear | €10 | €15 | €20 |
| Surfboard | €15 | €25 | €35 |
| Wetsuit | €5-10 | €10-15 | €15-20 |
Classes and Courses
| Activity | Group class | Private class | Full course |
|----------|-------------|---------------|-------------|
| SUP beginner | €35-45 | €50-70 | €100-150 |
| Surf beginner | €30-40 | €55-70 | €120-180 |
| Try dive | €60-80 | €90-120 | - |
| Open Water | - | - | €350-450 |
| Kayak tour | €40-60 | €80-100 | - |
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Water Safety
Beach Flags
| Flag | Meaning | Recommendation |
|------|---------|----------------|
| 🟢 Green | Safe swimming | Enjoy |
| 🟡 Yellow | Caution | Swim carefully |
| 🔴 Red | Swimming prohibited | Do not enter water |
| ⬛ Black | Beach closed | Evacuation |
Safety Tips
Emergencies
- Emergency: 112
- Lifeguards: On beach 10:00-18:00
- Red Cross: Station at central beach
- Maritime Rescue: 900 202 202
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best activity for beginners?
Paddle surf (SUP) is ideal for beginners due to Las Canteras' calm waters. Snorkelling in the La Barra area is also very easy and rewarding.Can I do water activities all year round?
Yes, thanks to the Canarian climate. Water temperature varies between 18°C (winter) and 24°C (summer), always acceptable. In winter, a shorty wetsuit is enough.
Where are the water sports schools?
Most are on Las Canteras Promenade (central zone) and at La Cícer (surf zone). Look for chiringuitos with rental signs or book online.
Do I need prior experience for diving?
No, you can do a try dive with no experience. An instructor accompanies you on a 20-30 minute dive at shallow depth (5-8m). Price: €60-80.
Is it safe to swim at Las Canteras?
Very safe in the area protected by La Barra (90% of the beach). There are lifeguards from 10:00 to 18:00 and waves are moderate. Avoid El Confital unless you're an expert swimmer.
What clothes do I need for water sports?
- Swimsuit for SUP, kayak, snorkel
- Shorty wetsuit (optional) in winter
- Quick-dry clothes for afterwards
- Water shoes or reef shoes for walking on rocks
What's the average activity price?
Rental: €15-25/hour. Group classes: €35-50. Excursions: €40-80. Try dives are around €70.Can I rent equipment without a class?
Yes, if you have experience. Most companies rent equipment without supervision. For diving you need certification (Open Water or higher).