Tufia Beach lies on the east coast of Gran Canaria, in the municipality of Telde. The shore is mostly rock, with black sand between the stones, and the water off it draws snorkellers and scuba divers. The hamlet of Tufia stands right behind the beach, and beside it the archaeological site of Poblado de Tufia keeps the stone houses and caves of a pre-Hispanic village. The beach has no services of any kind.
Tufia Beach
Local name: Playa de Tufia
Rocky black sand beach beside the hamlet of Tufia and its pre-Hispanic stone settlement, on the Telde coast
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible; the shore is mostly rock with black sand between the stones.
- Parking
- Free car park about 80 m away in a straight line, plus free street parking; spaces can be hard to find.
- Difficulty
- No real approach: the car park is about 80 m away in a straight line. The shore itself is uneven rock.
- Transport
- Bus stop Plaza De Toros (stop 4012), about 890 m away in a straight line; Mi Niño (stop 4021) is about 1.1 km away.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open at any time.
- Address
- Carr. a Tufia, 2, 35219 Telde, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
Put a mask on and the rocks carry on underwater. The seabed off Tufia Beach is what brings the scuba divers, and a snorkel shows plenty of it from the surface.
On land the beach is black stone and dark sand, with the low houses of Tufia standing directly behind it. Next to the hamlet, the walls of Poblado de Tufia, a pre-Hispanic village of stone houses and caves, look out over the same stretch of sea.
There is no bar, kiosk or shop to gather round, and the place stays quiet. The noise comes from above: planes cross overhead on their way in and out of the island's airport.
Good to know
- No toilets, showers or drinking water at the beach, and none nearby.
- No shop, bar or restaurant: bring food, water, a towel and something to sit on.
- The shore is mostly rock, so water shoes make getting in and out easier.
- Bring your own snorkelling kit; the underwater view is the main reason to come.
- Black rock and sand soak up the sun and there is little to shelter under, so bring a hat and shade.
Getting there
By car, the free car park sits about 80 m away in a straight line, and there is free street parking around the hamlet as well. Finding a space can be difficult, so allow time for it. From the car the beach is right in front of you, with information boards for the beach and for Poblado de Tufia close by.
By bus, the nearest stop is Plaza De Toros, about 890 m away in a straight line; Mi Niño is about 1.1 km away. The rest is on foot.
Best time to visit
Best: morning, when the beach is close to empty and the divers have the water largely to themselves.
Avoid: a rough sea, and midday in high summer.
Local beachgoers arrive later in the day, the rocky entry turns awkward in swell, and black stone with no shade gets hot under a high sun.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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Tufia Beach on the map
The shore is rock and faces the open Atlantic, which sends in swell. Enter and leave the water with care, and stay out when waves are breaking on the rocks.
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Frequently asked questions
Are there toilets at Tufia Beach?
No. There are no toilets, showers or drinking water at the beach, and none nearby.Is parking free at Tufia Beach?
Yes. There is a free car park by the beach and free street parking around the hamlet, though finding a space can be difficult.Is Tufia Beach good for snorkelling?
Yes. The seabed off the rocks draws scuba divers and snorkellers. There is no shop at the beach, so bring your own kit.Can you buy food or drinks at Tufia Beach?
No. There is no shop, bar or restaurant, so bring food and water with you.Is Tufia Beach wheelchair accessible?
No. The beach is not wheelchair accessible, and the shore is mostly rock.