Take your open water journey to a sunny ‘mini continent’ in the Atlantic…
The appeal of Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria as a destination for swimmers cannot be overstated. Set on a crescent of sand, beside a small harbour used for the mooring of elegant yachts, this fishing port is a perfect place to begin a SwimTrek adventure.
It’s not just that Puerto de Mogán happens to be nested in one of the sunniest spots on the island – a peaceful enclave of sorts, known for its greenery and floral attractions. This is also a place that has been changed by the tourist trade, but without losing its essential character and appeal to those less fond of travelling in crowds.
“Otherwise known as ‘Little Venice of the Canaries’, the marina town holds onto the island cultures and traditions...”
You will often hear it being called ‘family-friendly’ and the atmosphere surely caters for all ages, especially when compared to some of its glitzy cousins in the east. You can escape to soak up the charm of nearby Mogán, or stroll the port, enjoying the local architecture unspoilt by oversized resorts.
Otherwise known as ‘Little Venice of the Canaries’, the marina town holds onto the island cultures and traditions, keeping a part of southwest coast reserved for canals, whitewashed houses, and an abundance of the flowering vine: ‘bougainvillea’. Overall, it has a Mediterranean feel – an escape from some of the island’s busier resort towns, offering relief with its calm, sunlit waters and streets lined with flowers. You might want to visit the Friday market, where local artisans offer their wares at stalls and shops. To see more of the miniature continent, you can also take a short uphill walk to the Mirador lookouts for sunset of sunrise.
Overview: The Island
Gran Canaria itself is one of Spain’s Canary Islands – a so-called ‘mini continent’ off the northwest coast of Africa, circled by the Atlantic Ocean. One of the first things you notice, arriving there, is the diversity of cultures. Residents come from a mix of Spanish, African and indigenous heritages. The food reflects the diversity of people who live here. Expect many different cuisines and exciting flavours to sample during your stay. The fresh seafood is one highlight of visiting this part of the world as well, which we will discuss in more detail below. When it comes to the island’s scenery the theme of diversity continues. From the golden sands of Playa del Inglés to the dark, volcanic shores of Agaete, this island is a photographer’s dream, offering a range of ecosystems to discover. You can venture to sandy seas and explore the undulating desert, known as Maspalomas Dunes, or delve underground to find the ancient cave dwellings of Gáldar and Telde.
As you might’ve guessed, there’s plenty to do and see when you visit the relatively small island of Gran Canaria. Bustling Las Palmas is an exciting city, which hosts one of Spain’s biggest and most colourful carnivals. The historic quarter even has a former house of the infamously well-travelled Christopher Columbus.
The north is lush and green, soothed by a cooler climate. While the south is sunnier and more parched, lined with resorts and dotted with dunes. For beach lovers, you can take endless strolls down coastlines washed by slow-moving waters. If you’re longer for a faster-paced adventure, there are plenty of water sports to try and hiking opportunities that trail off among the many inland mountains, volcanoes and forests. In fact, the interior has many panoramic lookouts to discover, especially in Tamabada Natural Park, where mountains slope into pine forests and trails snake over dusty peaks and ridges to remote villages.
“The interior has many panoramic lookouts to discover, especially in Tamabada Natural Park, where mountains slope into pine forests and trails snake over dusty peaks...”_
Of course, we can’t talk about the Canaries’ archipelago without mentioning the local swims. The western coast is notoriously wild, with waves crashing into sheer cliffs. We mostly swim the calm southern coastline on our Short Escape holiday. There are many sheltered bays for us to seek out, protected from prevailing winds, as well as cliff-edged stretches that will make you want to pause and marvel at your backdrop.
Where We Stay
Welcome To The LIVVO Apartments
Places to stay on the island include an assortment of boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and well-kept apartments with gardens and pools. We stay in a prime location – never too far away from the sea – finding time to relax after our swims at the LIVVO Apartments.
At the heart of Puerto de Mogán, this collection of comfortable and bright apartments is ideally positioned to enjoy the island’s famous sunsets and sunrises, situated right on the coast with views across the harbour.
Each apartment is based on a twin-share, configured with two beds. There are a limited number of single occupancy spaces, which can be reserved during the booking process (subject to availability). We will also have access to the pool and facilities of the hotel.
Things To Do
We’ll find time to combine your strokes in the water with some local exploration. Stray into traditional restaurants and tapas bars or wander off to find a lookout and dabble in some sunset photography. Here’s a few highlights that might pique your curiosity:
- Submarine and boat tours are available to find any marine life you might’ve missed as we thread through the surface on our sea swims, including dolphins and whales.
- A visit to Playa de Mogán is a must-do during your island stay on Gran Canaria. The golden sands are popular for their proximity to swimmable waters, as well as the backdrop of palm trees, scattered with cafes and ice cream shops.
- The marina is framed at the heart of the town, filled with elegant yachts and fishing boats. Take a seat in the waterfront restaurants or bars, sipping a drink among the pastel-painted architecture with balconies of flowers, shaded by pink and red shades of bougainvillea.
- Make time on your Friday to explore one of Gran Canaria's largest markets, picking up souvenirs and admiring the clothing, art, jewellery and Canarian delicacies on offer.
- Take the brief uphill walk to the Mirador Viewpoint at sunset. Here you'll enjoy panoramic views of the marina and beaches below.
Must-Try Local Dishes And Drinks
Finally, the highlights you foodies have been waiting for. There are many Canarian dishes to try of varying origins: Canarian, Spanish, African, and South American. There's a Michelin-starred option for the finest Canarian cuisine, including slow-cooked goat and fresh fish. The waterfront tapas bars spin out an assortment of smaller plates. You can sample everything from bacon-wrapped dates, and croquettes, to grilled fish and rabbit in salmorejo (cold Spanish soup). Here's five options we recommend:
- Papas Arrugadas con Mojo: Otherwise known as 'wrinkled potatoes', boiled to a shrivel in saltwater and served with spicy mojo sauces, essential to Canarian cuisine.
- Canarian Ropa Vieja: A warm stew served thick with chickpeas, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and shredded beef. Simple but delicious. — Fresh Grilled Fish: It's an easier sell when you're so close to the sea. Typically served with potatoes or salad, your most common catches include parrotfish, wreckfish, and red snapper ('sama').
- Sancocho Canario: Keeping things fishy, this stew is usually filled with bobbing chunks of salted cod, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and that familiar kick of mojo sauce.
- Quesillo: To satisfy those sweet teeth, we highly recommend this flan made from condensed milk-sweet. It's creamy, indulgent and near impossible to only order once.
Related Trips
Gran Canaria – Short Swims: _ Enjoy shorter swims as we explore the Canaries’ archipelago, diving into warm waters off the volcanic southern coast of Gran Canaria..._
Malta Escape: _ Dive into the waters of the Maltese archipelago and explore the perfect turquoise seas, with great underwater visibility..._
Malta Escape – Short Swims: Take your time and enjoy some of the best swimming the south of the Mediterranean has to offer - explore the many coves and sheer cliffs along the Gozitan coastline...
