It's the closest beach to Gran Canaria airport; just 1.8 km from airport motorway exit and so close to the runway that the planes fly right over it. You can see people's heads in the windows.

Lex says: delay or too early at the airport? Just get yourself to the restaurant at this beach and enjoy Gran Canaria to the max.

Ojos de Garza (Heron Eye Beach) is as local as it comes. At high tide, most of the beach disappears but at low water it's a pretty, golden sand beach with sheltered water. In total, the beach is 450 metres long although the south end is pebbly. There's not much to do here apart from walk along the tiny beachfront promenade. The only restaurant, on the rocks at the north end of the beach, serves Canarian food and good fish.

To get to Ojos de Garza take the first exit off the motorway north of the airport and the first exit on the roundabout. Drive down to the sea past the greenhouses and you get to a dead end along the back of the beach. The houses here are literally on the sand and get wet during big tides.

Alex says: Don't block in any fishing boats when you park. The fishermen get grumpy.

This beach has no official facilities, but the little shop on the street is open mornings and afternoon (with a break for lunch). This is one of the few beaches in Gran Canaria where foreigners still get curious stares.