Playa de Maspalomas

Playa de Maspalomas occupies the south-western extremity of Gran Canaria, where the island's most famous natural landmark — the 400-hectare Maspalomas Dunes nature reserve — meets the Atlantic Ocean. The beach stretches for approximately 2.5 kilometres and is the wilder, more elemental counterpart to the adjacent Playa del Inglés immediately to its east. The sand is a rich golden colour, fine-grained, and shaped into shifting ridges by the prevailing north-easterly trade winds. The dunes behind the beach form a protected biosphere reserve, and access to the core dune area is controlled to preserve nesting habitat for the Eurasian stone curlew and other protected species. The beach faces south-south-west and receives moderate Atlantic swell, with wave conditions more pronounced than at the sheltered beaches of the island's northern or eastern coasts. The eastern section transitions fluidly into the resort facilities of Playa del Inglés, while the western end, closest to the historic Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse, is the most isolated and home to the beach's well-established naturist area. Sunbeds and formal facilities thin out considerably toward the dune end. The Charca de Maspalomas, a small protected wetland lagoon, lies just behind the western beach and attracts migratory waders and other waterbirds; it can be observed from the lighthouse area. The Faro de Maspalomas itself dates from 1884 and is a useful orientation landmark for the entire area. A Blue Flag is held for this beach and a lifeguard presence is maintained, though coverage at the far extremities is reduced. Paid car parking is available at the lighthouse area, and bus routes 30 and 45 serve the Maspalomas end from the wider resort.