Discover the Hidden Gem of Gran Canaria: Playa de Güigüí
Are you looking for a new adventure on your travels? Look no further than Playa de Güigüí, a hidden gem on the east coast of Gran Canaria, waiting to be discovered. This isolated, pristine beach, backed by high cliffs, is one of the few remaining virgin beaches on the island. The difficult access means that it’s an unspoiled paradise where you can enjoy its beauty almost entirely to yourself.
Start early if you don’t plan to be there overnight. It’s not recommended to hike back in the dark.
Starting Point from Tasartico
To get to Playa de Güigüí, you’ll need to drive to the village of Tasartico, which is around a 1.5-hour drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or 1 hour from Maspalomas. Once in Tasartico, keep driving until you arrive at a dirt road. Continue until you see a sign indicating the way to the beach, where you can park your car.
It’s a very beautiful hike. It took us two hours and fifteen minutes, one way. Plus 1.5 hours driving one way (from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). It’s definitely a full day trip.
Bring a lot of water with you. The hike is more or less 3h from Tasartico. There’s no shadow in the beach, take a hat, and tons of suncream. If you’re planning to stay overnight, be sure you find a spot protected from the wind. If you go swimming during the night you can see the luminescent plankton.
Hiking to Playa de Güigüí
The hiking route to Playa de GuiGui is approximately 5 kilometers each way, but don’t be fooled by the distance. The route is quite challenging, and you’ll need to be prepared for a strenuous hike. There’s a big hill to climb, and the only way to avoid it is by taking a boat. However, we highly recommend taking the hiking route, as the stunning landscape along the way is worth the effort. The trail is well-marked, and you’re unlikely to get lost. It takes around 2 hours to hike to the beach, depending on your pace.
I strongly suggest to leave super early in the morning, so you won’t start hiking at 11 because it’s super hot. Bring a lot of water with you (3-4L per person), there are no shops there to buy it.
Discovering Güigüí Grande and Güigüí Chico
Playa de Güigüí consists of two beaches: Playa de Güigüí Grande and Playa de Güigüí Chico. The first beach you’ll see after the hike is Playa de Güigüí Grande, a beautiful, isolated beach with stunning views. The second beach, Playa de Güigüí Chico, is only accessible at low tide or when the sea is calm enough to swim.
I would like to emphasize that it is not an easy hike. You need good shoes, sun protection and enough water. If you plan to make it a round trip during one day, I would suggest starting as soon as possible in the morning because it will take you between 2–3 hours to get to the beach. Leave the beach at around 3–4pm to get back before it gets dark, because you don’t want to do the hike without daylight.
Tips for Visiting Playa de Güigüí
There are a few things you should keep in mind when planning a visit to Playa de Güigüí:
- There are no shops or restaurants at the beach, so you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks. Make sure to pack plenty of water, especially during the summer months when the sun can be intense.
- Start your hike early in the morning, before 9 am, to avoid the heat of the day. During the summer, it’s even better to start even earlier. The trail has little shade and can be challenging in high temperatures.
- Bring enough water for the round trip, at least 2 liters per person. Pro-tip: leave (a small portable fridge with ice and) water in your car to enjoy a (refreshing) drink when you return.
- In winter, the sun sets around 6PM, so you’ll need to leave the beach around 3PM unless you plan to camp there or have lanterns for the hike back.
- There’s no phone signal or internet access at the beach, so be prepared to disconnect completely from the world.
- Nudism is permitted at the beach, so if you’re comfortable with that, go for it!
- Pack light and bring only what you need in a lightweight backpack.
- It’s also important to be aware of the tides. The smaller beach, Playa de GuiGui Chico, is only accessible at low tide, so plan accordingly.
Taking the Boat to Playa de Güigüí
Yes, it is also possible to take a boat to Playa de Güigüí. You can take a small boat in Tasartico and just pay the guy who owns the boat at the moment (in cash). If anyone has more information about this, please reach out in DM in Slack.
Conclusion
For a unique travel adventure, visit Playa de Güigüí on Gran Canaria’s east coast. This hidden beach is beautiful and quiet, with high cliffs and no crowds. To get there, you need to hike from the village of Tasartico, which takes about two hours each way. The hike is tough, so bring plenty of water, sun protection, and good shoes. Start early in the morning to avoid the heat and to return before dark. Since there are no shops or services, you must bring your own food and drinks. Playa de Güigüí has two parts: Playa de Güigüí Grande and Playa de Güigüí Chico, the latter only accessible at low tide. This beach offers a peaceful escape, and if you stay late, you might see glowing plankton in the water.
