Thursday, 23 July 2015 06:54

Is Gran Canaria Safe For Swimming?

Swimming in Gran Canaria is safe and fun Swimming in Gran Canaria is safe and fun www.photosgrancanaria.com

The ocean around Gran Canaria is warm and calm, especially in the south around the resorts, plus the big beaches have lifeguards and easy access to the water

Provided that you are sensible, don't swim out too far and stay away from rocky shores when there are waves, the Gran Canaria sea is as safe as it comes.

Sharks and beasties

There are plenty of sharks living around the Canary Islands but there has never been a shark attack. Most Canarian sharks are small and harmless and the big ones don't hunt near the shore as there are no seals or penguins. This means that there's no chance you'll get eaten by mistake. 

While the sea around Gran Canaria is packed with fish, none of them are dangerous and the few poisonous ones are small and shy. The only way you'll get bitten by anything in the sea in Gran Canaria is if you poke a crab.

While we do occasionally get jellyfish on the beaches, they are mostly harmless and the lifeguard towers fly a flag if they are in the water. If you get stung, don't do anything silly like pee on it; Just head to the nearest lifeguard and they'll give you soothing cream. 

Swimming areas

Most beaches have marked swimming areas were it is safe to swim in calm shallow water. If you feel like swimming in deeper water, just don't go out beyond the buoys and you are perfectly safe. If you do snorkel in open water, use a dive buoy to make sure that boats can see you. 

Big waves

The north coast of Gran Canaria often has big waves, but the south coast is sheltered and calm. If there are big waves, stay away from rocky areas and don't swim if the lifeguards towers fly a red flag. 

 

Published in Sports & Activities

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros
    Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros

    Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.

    Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion. 

    DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate. 

    Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen. 

    ATMs too

    The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.

    If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.

    More details in this Daily Telegraph article.

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 4303 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.