Pozo Izquierdo: Gran Canaria's Wind & Waves Capital

Pozo Izquierdo is Gran Canaria's windsurfing capital Pozo Izquierdo is Gran Canaria's windsurfing capital

Home to the annual Wind & Waves festival and a stage of the World Windsurfing Tour, Pozo Izquierdo (known as Pozo) is Gran Canaria's windiest town and the centre of its world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing scene.

As you may have gathered, the wind is very much the star of the show at Pozo.

Pozo Izquierdo town guide

pozo 2The town itself, surrounded by gleaming white windmills and tomato farms, is small and unassuming; nothing more than a few strips of colourful houses facing the sea. 

Pozo has a long pebble beach, a small, sheltered black sand beach (called El Ribanzo), a few cafes serving up big portions, and lots of windsurfing schools and centres.

There is a little more to Pozo Izquierdo that boardsports; just south of town you'll find the Salinas de Tenefé which are Gran Canaria's largest and most attractive saltpans. Access is via a track and the pale pink flor de sal (fine, mineral-rich salt scoped off the surface of the pans) is well worth picking up. 

Windsurfing at Pozo Izquierdo

Pozo Izquierdo windsurfingThe action at Pozo happens just offshore thanks to its consistent onshore wind from the northeast and long right-breaking waves.

The pros head to Pozo during the summer when the wind roars thanks to Gran Canaria's east coast wind acceleration zone, but conditions are ideal all year round for beginners.

When the PWA World Tour arrives in town, Pozo throws a party; the Wind and Waves Festival. Sailing action, live music and, of course, plenty of beer make the town the coolest spot in Gran Canaria.

Windsurfing schools at Pozo Izquierdo

If you want to learn to windsurf in Gran Canaria, then head to a windsurfing school in Pozo. The island's experts all live in town and the conditions here are the most consistent anywhere on the island.

Even in summer when the pros are bashing the big waves there are sheltered spots close by that are perfect for beginners.

The town has a whole ecosystem dedicated to windsurfing and kitesurfing with windsurfing schools, windsurfing shops and excellent windsurfing rentals if you haven't brought your own board to Gran Canaria.  

  

Additional Info

  • Lat/Long: 27.827621, -15.424081

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  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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