Gran Canaria Sports

 

The superb all year climate makes Gran Canaria a favourite year-round venue for amateur and professional sporting types.
There's a whole range of sports, from diving to sailing, fishing to windsurfing, available on the island.
The principal water-sports centre is Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria.

Deep-sea fishing – barracuda, tuna, shark, and sailfish are just some of the specimens that fishermen can find when practising deep-sea fishing. The major part of the resorts organises fully equipped fishing trips and the principal charter marinas at Gran Canaria are located at Las Palmas (Santa Catarina Pier), Pasito Blanco and Puerto Rico.

Diving –diving is very popular in the island because of its warm, crystal clear waters. Of course it can't be compared to the scenery divers find in exotic diving destinations, but be aware of some encounters with rays, groupers, barracudas, turtles, tropical fishes and occasionally some sharks. In Gran Canaria look for the Náutico School (Faro Hotel in Maspalomas), the Sun Scub School (Buenaventura Beach Hotel in Playa del Ingles), and Top Diving (at Puerto de Mogán).
Sailing – if you have sailing in your blood look for the sports marinas (puerto deportivo), local sailing clubs and federations. You can rent yachts or catamarans for day excursions or longer trips. In Gran Canaria there are lots of places were you can go. In Las Palmas search for the Federación de Vela (Sailing Federation), the Puerto Deportivo, the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria (Puerto de la Luz). In Maspalomas head to the Catamaran Club, the Maspalomas Yacht Club, and the Puerto Deportivo de Mogán. In Puerto Rico look for the Aristocat (Puerto Escala) or for the Puerto Deportivo.

Water-skiing – there are many locations offering water-skiing, jet ski and also some parascending facilities. On Gran Canaria, the place to go is Puerto Rico water-ski school.

Windsurfing – this is, almost for sure, one of the most popular sports practised off almost any reasonable beach. Doesn't matter where you are, you always seem to have enough breeze to head out with your board and sail.
For windsurfing in Gran Canaria you can pick up one of these suggestions: Playa de las Canteras (Las Palmas), Dunkerbeck F2 Windsurfing School and Passat School (both in Maspalomas), and Sailing School (Puerto Rico).

Cycling – if you are trying to get away from the crowds and head for the hills, try the mountain bikes, available for rent in almost all resorts on Gran Canaria.

Hiking – away from the coast there are plenty surprising countryside landscapes to explore. Some say that the Caldera de Bandama is one of the most perfectly formed volcanic crater in the Canary Islands. Every year, thousands of coach trippers gaze down into the caldera, yet very few tourists actually venture down to the valley floor. Anyone who is moderated fit can do the walk. If it’s a nice day take a drink and picnic.

Golf - the demanding Golf courses have hosted international 'Open's. There are not many options available, but the ones you have are rated at a good quality level. All of the following have a driving range, practice putting green, club and trolley hire and clubhouse. In Gran Canaria you will find two golf courses: the Campo de Golf Maspalomas, located on the edge of the dunes and an oasis, and the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas (Club Bandama), the first ever to be formed on Spanish territory.

Carting – in Gran Canaria you have a place where you can go carting, the Gran Carting Club, claimed to be the largest track in the world at 1.650 m. It also features mini-motor bikes for children aged over 10.
Tennis – this sport is played to a very high standard at club level. Most of the larger hotels have tennis courts that are hired out to the public.

Canarian Wrestling (Lucha Canaria) – this is a spectator sport practised throughout the islands and is a popular tourist attraction. The basic objective of this sport is to throw the opponent to the ground, in teams usually composed by 12 wrestlers.