Maspalomas Sand Dunes, Tourist information & guide
Photograph Riu Maspalomas Palace hotel. The best view over the rolling expance of the Maspalomas sand dunes is from the elevated Viewpoint (Mirador) in rear,i.e. seawood side, of the hotel. Access is through the Arcade with shops in the centre of the hotel, just under the large RIU sign
Description of Maspalomas Sand Dunes
The Maspalomas Sand Dunes are a nature reserve and naturists paradise for sun worshipers into nude sun bathing. The dunes can be reached by walking along the beach from either of the resorts. Maspalomas or Playa del Ingles, If you are coming from Playa del Ingles resort centre then head for the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas and go through the large arched entrance, along to the end of a short lane. You can try your hand out at riding a camel or horse.
Even in winter the sand can get too hot to walk on so don't forget your flip flops, sandals or trainers. This is particularly noticed on the southern sides of the dunes especially if there is no breeze.
Location of Maspalomas Sand Dunes
On the south tip of Gran Canaria , one of the Canary Islands, Spain. The Maspalomas Sand Dunes are situated between the towns of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas.
- The dunes are backed by the Maspalomas Golf Course, the largest golf course on Gran Canaria
- Behind the golf course is the Campo International resort and then on the north east is Sonnenland
- To the east is Playa del Ingles
- To the north is Maspalomas
- and to the west is Meloneras
Camel Riding in Maspalomas Dunes
Click Photo for larger Image
Your Professional guides take you through the dunes
Sit in chair type seats
Enjoy the dramatic dune scenery
About a 30 min. ride
- It is recomended to wear/bring comfortable clothes, sunscreen, a hat, and water & of course your camera
- Children younger than 3 years can ride with their parents for free
- Passengers weighing over 15.7stone, 110kg or 220lbs, will not be able to experience a camel ride
More Information & reviews Camel Riding in the Maspalomas Dunes
Facilities in Maspalomas Sand Dunes
Along the beaches that fringe the sea you can find:
Bar Snack Kiosks
these are small square beach bars, selling food and drinks located every few hundred metres. The kiosks are numbered from 1 to 7 the nearest kiosk to the lighthouse is number 1 until you reach kiosk number 7 which is on the Gay beach in a central location along the front. As you continue towards Playa del Ingles the numbers start to descend again and Number 6 is on the Nudist Beach and Playa del Ingles Kiosk number 1 is at the far end away from the sand dunes.
Sun lounger beds and parasols
are available for hire. They are located near the kiosks
Restaurants, Cafe & Bars
There are no restaurants in the sand dunes, but snacks & drinks are available at the kiosksAt the eastern and western ends the width of the dunes narrow as you approach the two resorts of Maspalomas(west) & Playa del Inglis (east).and turn into resort beaches backed by bars & restaurants. There are also life guards in these resort areas.
Police Patrols
The dunes are patrolled by police on sand buggies, horseback or 4 wheel drive cars.
Maspalomas Sand Dunes Beaches & Waters edge Walk
- The sand dunes are fronted by magnificent beaches that run from the Faro lighthouse at Maspalomas to the far end of Playa del Ingles. There is a constant stream of tourists walking along the firmer sand near the Atlantic ocean edge.
- This is a very popular walk.
- With cafe bar kiosks every 200-300 metres you can always stop for a cold drink, cup of coffee or refreshing snack.
- The ocean is also very handy for an invigorating swim.
- If you don't want to walk back for the return journey there are plenty of buses that run between the 2 resorts.
See Nearest bus stops for the beach & sand dunes
Walking through the Sand Dunes
maspalomas dunes markers
- There are many walking trails through the dunes. The main routes are marked by upright poles marked with a coloured band denoting the route. There are maps with the main routes on near the entrances to the dunes.
- In the valleys between the dunes you can lose the cooling sea breeze & it can become very hot so we advise carrying a bottle of water. You can also lose your bearings. As a precaution at a vantage point face the direction you wish to go in then take a note of the direction of the sun and use this for direction guidance, remembering that the sun is moving across the sky in a clockwise direction by 2.5 minutes on a watches face per 1 hour.
- The sand on the sides of the dunes facing the sun can become too hot to walk upon in bare feet.
- Walking away from the main routes & smaller trails is extremly tireing, because of the very soft sand a some vert steep sided dunes.
Maspalomas Sand Dunes Bars & Restaurants
- You have a selection of restaurants and bars at both the Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles ends of the dunes.
- In between along the coast line you will find several small bar cafe Kiosks which all look alike and have numbers on them.
- The numbering starts at No 1 is located in both Maspalomas and at the far end of Playa del Ingles where the beach is a narrow strip. The numbers increase as you walk along the sea front towards the centre of the dunes. Number 7 at the gay beach is the largest number.
- The kiosks sell snack food, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea
Maspalomas rolling dunes
Click thumbnails to enlarge.
Maspalomas dunes lone palm
Maspalomas dunes lone walker
The large bush like pine trees and the occasional palm trees help to stabalise large areas of the dunes. Other areas are slowly on the move drifting with the prevaling winds
Maspalomas Nude Beach
Maspalomas Nudist Beach
Nudist Beach Sign
The nude beach has moved from it's location next to the Gay beach to a section of the beach on the eastern side of the point. There is a beach cafe/bar kiosk on the beach.
It is now much closer to Playa del Ingles and located to the south east of the
Riu Maspalomas Palace hotel
This is Gran Canarias place to go for that all over tan.
Remember to use strong sun block on body parts that have not had as much exposure to the sun.
See Location of Maspalomas Nude Beach on our Maspalomas Sand Dune Map
Maspalomas Gay Beach
The Gay beach has a cafe bar kiosk Number 7. Sun beds & sun shade parasols are also available.
The Gay beach is just behind the V shaped dip in the dunes on the horizon. Just Inland from the Gay Beach is a large flat area of darker sand that has a sandy salt crust. One of the main paths through the dunes passes on the landwood side of this flat area
The Gay beach section is at bar kiosk number 7, approximately half way between Playa del Ingles & Maspalomas
Virtually the whole of the Sand dune area is a vast cruising area, especially in the areas with bushes and at the top of many of the dunes with clumps of bushes on the top.
See Location of The Gay Beach on our Maspalomas Sand Dune Map
Waters Edge walk Playa del Ingles to/from Maspalomas
The Playa del Ingles to/from Maspalomas walk is a very popular walk that several hundred people do each day.
You can paddle you way along or stay just above the waterline, or even a bit of both.
If you get tired you can always stop at one of the beach kiosks for a hot or cold refreshing drink and or a bite to eat.
You can do the walk a round trip of catch a bus at the start or end of your walk.
In order to cut out walking uphill in Playa del Ingles I recommend catching the bus in Maspalomas, a much flatter area.
Transport for Sand Dunes - Local Buses, Taxis, Hotel / Apartment Courtesy buses
The nearest bus stops for the beach & sand dunes are:
- Maspalomas
- Maspalomas bus station. 450m directly inland from the lighthouse (faro)
- Hotel Courtsey coaches. 450m from the public toilets & changing rooms on the eastern side of the Maspalomas beachfront restauraunts, follow the path that runs along the western side of small lake, La Charca de Maspalomas. The coaches stops are spread out on the road where the path meets the road, Calle OceanÃa.
- Playa del Ingles
- Av. de Tirajana 460m directly inland from Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas
- Plaza Maspalomas Shopping Centre 320m from the beach along Av. de Gran Canaria. This stop is near the far end of Playa del Ingles.
- Playa del Ingles Bus Station located even further east, next to Tropical Shopping Centre. 200m from the beach, via a lot of steps.
Buses
Local Global buses will take you near to the sand dunes in either Maspalomas or Playa del Ingles,
Nearest Bus Stops for the Beach
Bus routes Southern Gran Canaria
Courtesy buses
Many Hotels & Apartments run Courtesy buses to the beach. Usually there are 2 runs to the beach, in the morning and at lunch time, & 2 return trips at lunch times and late afternoon. Check at reception for times and bus stop locations.
Taxis
The location of Taxi Ranks are shown on the Maspalomas Map
