Playa del Cabrón is a beach near Arinaga, in the municipality of Agüimes on the east coast of Gran Canaria. It lies at the end of an unpaved track beyond the Arinaga lighthouse (Faro de Arinaga), and a wooden staircase leads down from the parking area to the sand. The site is protected under the European Natura 2000 network, and the water off the beach is a favourite of divers and snorkellers. There are no facilities at the beach.
El Cabron Beach
Local name: Playa del Cabrón
Beach on the Arinaga coast at the end of a dirt track, protected as a Natura 2000 site and favoured by divers
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Reached by an unpaved track, then a wooden staircase down from the parking area to the sand. No facilities at the beach.
- Parking
- Spaces in cut-outs along the dirt track and a larger parking area near the beach, about 150–190 m away in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- About 800 m of potholed dirt track by car beyond the Arinaga lighthouse, then a wooden staircase down to the beach.
- Transport
- No bus to the beach; nearest stop Arinaga (Polideportivo), about 1.4 km away in a straight line.
- Advance booking
- Not needed; it is an open beach.
- Hours
- Open at all times.
- Address
- Playa del Cabrón, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
Most people at Playa del Cabrón come for what lies under the surface. Local divers turn up with full kit, and on a windless morning the entry from the beach is calm and easy, with good snorkelling just offshore. The site is a protected Natura 2000 area.
The dirt track keeps the crowds away. The beach is quiet, with a few people sunbathing and nothing built on the sand. The coast faces east, so the sun comes up straight out of the sea, and an early start pays off twice: low light and the best chance of still water.
When the wind gets up the same bay changes character. The sea turns choppy, the waves roll in, and the water empties.
Good to know
- No toilets, drinking water or other facilities at the beach, and none nearby. Bring water with you.
- Rubbish bins stand at the top of the staircase down to the beach; carry everything back up to them.
- Water quality is monitored and conditions are posted at the beach. Read the notice before you go in.
- Wind decides the day: on a gusty one the sea turns choppy and diving and snorkelling are off. Bring a windproof layer.
- The last stretch is a potholed, unpaved track; take it slowly.
Getting there
The beach is a drive. Head for the Arinaga lighthouse (Faro de Arinaga); beyond it the road becomes a sandy, unpaved track of about 800 m, around five minutes at a crawl. The track is wide enough, but it is potholed, so pick your line around the holes.
Parking spaces sit in cut-outs along the side of the track, and there is a larger parking area close to the beach, about 150–190 m from it in a straight line. From there a wooden staircase leads down to the sand.
The nearest bus stop, Arinaga (Polideportivo), is about 1.4 km away in a straight line, so arriving without a car means a walk.
Best time to visit
Best: a calm, windless morning, from sunrise to around 10 am. Avoid: windy days.
This stretch of coast faces east into the wind; when it blows, the sea turns choppy, the water empties and the snorkelling is lost, while a still morning brings calm water and sunrise over the sea.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
El Cabron Beach on the map
The beach faces open sea, and in wind the water turns choppy with breaking waves. Stay out of the water when it is rough, and check the posted conditions before diving or snorkelling.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Playa del Cabrón good for snorkelling and diving?
Yes. It is a favourite of local divers and good for snorkelling, but only on a calm day. When the wind blows, the sea turns choppy and the water empties.Are there toilets or a café at Playa del Cabrón?
No. There are no toilets, drinking water or other facilities at the beach, and none nearby. Bring what you need.Is the road to Playa del Cabrón paved?
No. Beyond the Arinaga lighthouse it is a sandy, potholed track of about 800 m. It is wide enough to drive; take it slowly and steer around the holes.Can you reach Playa del Cabrón by bus?
No bus comes to the beach. The nearest stop, Arinaga (Polideportivo), is about 1.4 km away in a straight line.