Make it to any of these little beaches and you'll likely be the only foreigner on the sand. 

Sardina del Norte

Sardina is famous for its fish: both the ones still underwater and the ones on plates at its seafront restaurants. The island's Scuba community thinks nothing of enjoying both in one afternoon.

The tiny beach, just 80 metres long, is the only stretch of sand in northwest Gran Canaria. It can be a little windy but the water is crystal clear and it only gets crowded at weekends. At low tide, there's extra sand at the south end of the beach. 

Get to Sardina del Norte beach on the GC 2020 road that turns off the GC 2 motorway just past Galdar.

San Cristobal 

Walk to the little harbour in San Cristobal village and you see what might be Gran Canaria's smallest sandy beach. It's just a few square metres of golden sand but its enough for the locals and you can swim safely. The much bigger pebble beach along the front of San Cristobal village is fine for sunbathing but only swim here on calm days. 

San Cristobal is Las Palmas' only seaside village. While it's now within the city limits it still has its own identity and is famous for its fish restaurants. 

Tufia

The tiny little beach at Tufia village on the east coast of Gran Canaria disappears at high tide but is still worth a visit. There's great snorkelling and Tufia has a story to tell. The government wants the village demolished as it was built illegally in a nature reserve, but the locals are fighting to keep their seaside idyll. 

Tufia is a charming little spot and you are just yards from Aguadulce beach just the other side of the headland.

Agua Dulce

Just over the headland from Tufia is Agua Dulce beach. It can be windy but the water is calm and clear and it's a great snorkelling spot. You also get to watch the planes land at the airport as the boundary fence is at the end of the sand.

To get to Tufia and Agua Dulce, take the El Goro exit on the GC1 motorway and head for the coast. Access is easy from the Tufia car park.

Tiritaña

Nobody ever goes to Tiritaña beach between Puerto Rico and Puerto Mogán because it's about 10 minutes walk from the road. A shame because it's a lovely, natural little beach with clear, sheltered water. Mostly rocky it does have patches of sand during the summer. If you visit during the week the hermit is at work and you'll have the place to yourself.  

A shame because it's a lovely, natural little beach with clear, sheltered water. Mostly rocky it does have patches of sand during the summer. If you visit during the week the hermit is at work and you'll have the place to yourself.  

Tiritaña is GüiGüi light: Pristine and set in a lovely barranco but nowhere near as far away from the car.

Pasito Blanco

Golden sand Pasito Blanco beach hardly gets visitors because it's a pain to get to. However, once you make it onto the sand it's an excellent little golden sand beach. 

Pasito Blanco beach is tricky to get to as the access is via the private marina of the same name. While the harbour authorities can stop you driving in (tell them you are going to the restaurant) they can't stop you from walking to the beach. The access door is tucked away behind the boat yard. There's a supermarket just round the corner but no public toilets. 

Ojos de Garza

Heron's Eye beach in east Gran Canaria is the place to go to watch the planes taking off from the airport. There's a little sandy beach and one fish restaurants on the rock right by the sand. This is a deep local spot so you can expect people to start conversations just to find out whether you're lost.

Walk north along the coast for some strange sand dune landscapes right by the sea, and south for another bar right at the end of the village.

Playa Pirata

Right on the boundary between San Agustin and Bahia Feliz, Playa Pirata sees few visitors because you can't see it from the road. Access is either along the shore from Bahia Feliz or down the steep steps from the high part of San Agustín.