Gran Canaria is best known for its beaches, but along the coastline there are numerous natural pools created by lava and shaped by the ocean. In some cases they are simple hollows carved into the rock, in others proper pools used by the island’s inhabitants.
They are places that allow you to connect with the Atlantic in a different way from traditional beaches.
Las Salinas de Agaete
Located on the edge of Puerto de las Nieves, these are the best-known natural pools on the island. The volcanic pools face directly onto the ocean and offer a spectacular setting, especially when the sea is rough.
Roque Prieto
On the north coast, near Santa María de Guía, lie the pools of Roque Prieto. Less visited than those at Agaete, they retain a more local atmosphere and offer a glimpse of a less touristy part of the island.
El Puertillo
Near Arucas, El Puertillo combines a small beach with natural pools. It is one of the favourite spots for locals from the northern area to swim during the summer.
Charco de San Lorenzo
More sheltered and less well known, this stretch of coastline offers a series of natural pools shaped by lava. The presence of waves and rocks creates a landscape very different from the sandy beaches of the south.
Los Charcones de Arucas
One of the most striking spots on the northern coast. The natural pools lie at the foot of tall volcanic cliffs and offer a very direct view of the meeting point between lava and ocean.
When to visit
The natural pools are accessible year-round, but it is important to check sea conditions before entering the water. In heavy swells some areas can become dangerous.
The natural pools reveal a different side of Gran Canaria — they are not simply places to swim, but the visible result of millions of years of volcanic activity and the constant action of the ocean that has shaped the entire archipelago.
