El Cabrón Beach in Gran Canaria

The beaches of Gran Canaria are wonderful and a delight for the senses of all those who visit the island every year. Some come looking for quiet beaches where they can relax and sunbathe, others look for more busy beaches with services that allow them to spend a pleasant day. And then there are those who look for innermost beaches in a wild environment, such as Playa del Cabrón.
 

Far from being as famous as the renowned beaches such as Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas or closer, such as the beaches of Melenara and La Garita in Telde, El Cabrón is different. This beach has something that these more well-known beaches don't have, and that’s the tranquillity and the wilder side that is still preserved.
 

In this post, we want to highlight this hidden paradise on the island Gran Canaria. Playa del Cabrón is a perfect place for all nature lovers who enjoy wild landscapes and diving

Beach del Cabrón

Playa del Cabrón beach is located in the coastal town of Arinaga, in the village of Agüimes, just 30 minutes from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
 

Its name, although it may seem rather vulgar (since cabrón is a swearword in Spanish), has its origins in the conquest of the Canary Islands. It's mainly due to an episode the pirate Pedro Hernández Cabrón, who arrived at the island around 1483, went through.

 

When you arrive at Playa del Cabrón, you’ll discover a 290 m long and 27 m wide charming beach, with fine golden sand. 

 

However, without a doubt, the best thing about this beach is its transparent watersPlaya del Cabrón has practically no waves, thanks to the small reed that protects it from the surge.  Except for some days when the wind blows a little stronger, the rest are calm and peaceful.
 

As it is a beach within a protected environment, El Cabrón doesn't have its own services like other beaches in the surrounding area. Nearby, there's only a small fishing village, but there are no bars, restaurants or supermarkets.
 

You also won't find a parking to leave your vehicle, or sun loungers, parasols or toilets. You'll be in the middle of nature and completely away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

 

If you're going to spend the day on the beach, our recommendation is that you bring food from home or buy it in the area around Arinaga, just before accessing the beach. Don't forget to bring shades because there are no shady places on El Cabrón to shelter from the sun.

What to do at Playa del Cabrón

At Playa del Cabrón, apart from enjoying an intense day at the beach in a 100% natural environment, you'll also be able to enjoy one of the best seabeds on the island.
 

For those who want to go one step further than snorkelling and discover the wonderful marine flora and fauna of the area, the best thing to do is to go scuba diving on the left side of the beach, where you'll find one of the best marine reserves in Gran Canaria and the whole world, with more than 400 marine species
 

If, on the other hand, you don't have a diving course or don't have the right equipment to dive, we recommend you to go snorkelling because you can't miss out on the wonders hidden in the waters of Playa del Cabrón.
 

In addition to all the wonders of nature that the beach has to offer, it also has archaeological and historical attractions. Nearby, there are two attached lime kilns that were built with hewn stone and stones from the surrounding area and measure around 15 metres in height.
 

Another thing you can do at Playa del Cabrón is to visit the lighthouse Faro de Arinaga, just before reaching the beach. This lighthouse was built in 1887 and covered a large unmarked area from La Isleta to Mapalomas.
 

When you reach it, you can enjoy privileged views of both Playa del Cabrón and the entire coastline of Arinaga and, if you prefer, you can enjoy the best seafood dishes with these stunning views in the background at the Faro de Arinaga Restaurant.

How to get to Playa del Cabrón

To get to Playa del Cabrón with your own vehicle, from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, take the GC-100 and take the Cruce de Arinaga exit

 

Bear in mind that the access to the beach by car is via an unpaved road. Even though, it's currently in good condition, and it won't take you more than 5 minutes to get to the beach from the centre of Arinaga.
 

If, on the other hand, you want to get to Playa del Cabrón by public transport, take bus number from San Telmo station and get off at the Cruce de Arinaga stop. 

 

From there, to get to the beach, you have to take an intercity bus that'll leave you at the beginning of the road, but don't worry, it's only a 10-minute walk, and you'll be able to see the whole coastline.

Playa del Cabrón beach: nature in its purest form

As you've read in this post, Playa del Cabrón is a real paradise that very few people know about. 

 

Relegated to a small corner of the island, it's known only to those who love diving and know the area inside out, which has a lot to offer. Apart from the marvellous marine reserve, both tourists and all the inhabitants of the island enjoy everything Playa del Cabrón has to offer.
 

El Cabrón is nature in its purest state. It's a beach that hasn't seen the hand of man take sides and modify its essence. It has remained practically intact, in a small corner of the south coast of Gran Canaria, with much to see and compete against.

 

In short, if you're spending a few days on the island, don't hesitate to visit Playa del Cabrón and the surrounding area to enjoy an experience in the heart of nature that you are sure to fall in love with.

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