La Garita (Telde), Sardina (Gáldar) and Arinaga (Agüimes) were the three newest beaches to get Blue Flags, an international quality standard that only goes to beaches with clean water, good facilities, access and safety, and good environmental standards.

The full list of Gran Canaria's Blue Flag beaches is: Las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; San Agustín, Maspalomas, Meloneras and El Inglés in San Bartolomé de Tirajana; Hoya del Pozo, Salinetas, Melenara and La Garita in Telde; Amadores and Mogán in Mogán; El Puertillo y Los Charcones in Arucas; Sardina in Gáldar, and Arinaga in Agüimes. 

The new awards mean that Gran Canaria now has more Blue Flag beaches than any of the other Canary Islands (Tenerife has 12). The island also has two Blue Flag marinas and a new Blue Flag walk at El Confital just north of Las Palmas.

For an overview of all of Gran Canaria's Blue Flag beaches and marinas, see our photo guide.