Güigüí Beach is a black-sand beach in the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás, on the west coast of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. No road reaches it. The way in is a hike of 5 to 5.6 km over a mountain and down through a valley, or a boat from the sea. The beach is known for its isolation, the scenery along the trail and sunsets over the Atlantic, and it is clothing-optional.
Guigui Beach
Local name: Playa de Güigüí
Remote clothing-optional black-sand beach on Gran Canaria's west coast, reached by a mountain hike or by boat.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not accessible for wheelchairs or visitors with limited mobility: the only ways in are a strenuous mountain hike or a boat.
- Parking
- No parking at the beach; the nearest mapped car park is about 3.5 km away in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- Strenuous: 5 to 5.6 km over a mountain and down a valley, two to three hours to the beach, with the climb repeated on the way back. Hiking shoes recommended.
- Transport
- No bus stop nearby; the beach is reached on foot or by boat.
- Hours
- Open shore, no set hours.
What makes it special
The walk is the point. The trail climbs over a mountain, then drops down a valley for a long time before the sea shows itself, and the scenery on the way earns every drop of sweat. At the bottom, black sand runs out to the open Atlantic with cliffs behind it and nothing built anywhere in sight.
Because getting here takes half a day of effort, the beach never feels busy. The coast faces west, so in the evening the sun goes down straight into the sea.
Good to know
- Carry food for the day and at least two litres of water each: there is nothing to buy on the trail or at the beach.
- There are no toilets at the beach, and none nearby.
- Wear hiking shoes. This is a real mountain walk, over a ridge and down a valley.
- The walk in alone takes two to three hours, so plan a full day; a short stop at the beach does not repay the climb.
- The beach is clothing-optional.
Getting there
There is no road to Güigüí Beach and no bus stop nearby. You come on foot or by boat.
The hike runs 5 to 5.6 km to the beach and takes two to three hours. It goes up and over a mountain first, then down through a valley that ends on the shore, and you face the same climb on the way back. The nearest mapped car park is about 3.5 km away in a straight line. Leave spare water in the car for when you return.
Best time to visit
Best: an early start, with the climb done before the heat builds and a long stretch of the day left for the beach.
Avoid: setting out in the midday heat, or starting so late that the walk back runs into darkness.
The trail crosses open mountainside with little shade, and on this west-facing coast the sun sets over the sea: a fine sight from the sand, but staying for it means walking out in the dark with a torch.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Guigui Beach on the map
The beach faces the open Atlantic and takes breaking waves and currents: swim only when the sea is calm and never turn your back on it. The trail is exposed and far from help, so carry plenty of water and a torch.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Güigüí Beach?
The trail runs 5 to 5.6 km over a mountain and down a valley to the beach, and the walk in takes two to three hours.Can you reach Güigüí Beach without hiking?
Only by boat. No road reaches the beach.Is there food, water or a toilet at the beach?
No. Bring food for the day and at least two litres of water per person. There are no toilets at the beach or nearby.Is Güigüí Beach a nudist beach?
It is clothing-optional.Can I stay for the sunset?
The sun sets over the sea here, but staying for it means hiking back over the mountain in the dark, so a torch is essential.