Grau Canaria Gay Beaches

The resorts of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas share the same 6km stretch of beach which is nicely split off into sections. The gay section is more on the Maspalomas side and easy to find. (Check out our map in the curising section)

Chances are your accommodation will be in the Campo International or in Playa del Ingles. If you're staying in Maspalomas (Campo International area) head to the lighthouse ("Faro") which is one end of the beach then start walking towards the other end. You'll pass the family section, then the couples section, then the nudist section and then you're there at the gay beach by "bar number 7". Each section has a beach bar serving drinks and snacks and bar number 7 is the gay beach bar. Clothing you will see is optional.

If you're in Playa del Ingles then the quickest way (and most fun) is right through the dunes themselves. Go to the end of the biggest street in town (Avenida de Tirajana) and down the side of the Riu Maspalomas hotel and there they are, the dunes and the men heading through them to the beach.

If water isn't essential but sun is, a fun option could be to stop in the dunes themselves for the day. Half way from the hotel to the beach you'll arrive at the edge off the bushes. Instead of going straight (forgive the expression) go to the right and find a spot somewhere amidst the bushes to set up camp for the day as hundreds of people do each day.

Be sure to take a lot of liquids for the day and find some shade for breaks from the heat. In the winter expect the temperature in the dunes to be around 25C and in the summer around 35C and above.

You'll find plenty of popular sunbathing areas in the dunes with plenty of people around but keep walking and you'll find some more deserted areas and fewer people. Whilst the whole area is pretty cruisy anyone walking around the quieter parts won't be looking for shade, they'll be looking for fun! Down on the beach there's plenty of sun beds and umbrellas (2.50 euros each for the day) and if you don't fancy lugging litres of water down there with you, there's the beach bar serving drinks, snacks and music all afternoon. Everyone tends to head back around 5pm when the guys come round to collect up the sun beds and plenty of guys detour through the bushes on the walk back ;)

Elsewhere Of course Gran Canaria is an island so we have more than just once beach, Another option that might interest you especially if you have a hire car is to visit one of the more deserted and smaller beaches along the south coast of the island. Setting off from Maspalomas along the C812, this is the coastal road that goes from Maspalomas to Puerto Rico.

There are several coves and beaches en-route, some small and quiet others larger and busier. All of them are busy with locals at the week-ends. These aren't necesarily gay beaches but in general they are all "clothing optional" and fairly mixed beaches. We've always seen the guys checking out other guys and one or two have been quite cruisy some visits. If you want a cruisy beach, stick with Maspalomas but if you want something different, cruising a bonus then have a go at exploring - , on a map they all come under "Bahia Santa Agueda":

A. Entrance B. Bosque C. Los Matos D. Gay Beach No 7 E. Los Camellos

1. El Bosque.

This is the area closest to the Mirador de las Dunas (Riu Palace), and undoubtedly the most popular from around lunch time until people start to leave the beach. This area is quite dense with lots of winding paths and seculded areas popular with younger guys and those looking for privacy.

2. Los Matos.

Los Matos is the area closest to the gay beach (about 400 m). Walking through it is much easier, and so is more popular with older guys.

3.Los Camellos

In the southwestern end of the Maspalomas golf course there is a dead end street that ends at a small roundabout. Here you will find the access to the Camel Safari, a tourist attraction where you can go Camel riding in the dunes.

By day it is mostly used for access to the beach, however some cruising goes on throught the day.From about 5pm, cruising continues from the duens to the bushes between the bridge and the parking building Boulevard Las Dunas.

This environment is completely different from the forest or Matos. Most guys are local men who arrive by car directly after work, so it is more popular from 7pm to 10pm weekdays or weekends from 4 in the morning.Nudity is very rare.

4. Parks and Public Areas

As the bars and clubs of the Yumbo close between 4am and 6am, you can find guys cruising outside the pharmacy, in the gardens surrounding the tourist office (near the main entrance of the mall, on the corner opposite the Mantrix-Mykonos-Tubes-Ministry) or in the back streets near the Yumbo.