Playa de Maspalomas

The main gay beach can be found between Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles. Here is where the boys (and slightly older gentlemen) lay down in the sun, hand around at the bar or swim in the ocean.

It's not so much a beach as a piece of desert 8 kms long by 3 kms wide with 4 meter high sand dunes!

How to get there?

To get there take a taxi to Plaza del Faro then walk east until you come to 'Spot No. 7'

The gay beach can be reached by a 10 minute walk from the Maspalomas lighthouse or via a 20 minute walk via the dunes from the Riu hotel in Playa del Ingles. And that walk is entertaining (but more about that later).

The gay beach is easy recognisable at the the rainbow flag at the little kiosk near the water. If you want to be comfortable, you can hire a chair. You can also lay down between the men near the water on the dune at the right. As every gay beach, you're able to get a sun taint right all over, bath clothing is optionable. And therefore, you'll be able to see the beatiful young boys and the not so beatiful older guys in all their glory....

Apparently there are two 'Spot No. 7's', so make sure you're at the right one.

The Gay Beach at Maspalomas

Information and Images Courtesy of gaymengc.com - Gay Men's Gran Canaria Guide

The gay beach at Maspalomas is a great place to sunbathe and people-watch. You can do it cheaply by just laying out your towel on the sand (just watch out for the tide) or pay to hire a sunbed (€5 for a hamaca and a sombrilla - €2.50 if you just want to soak up the sun).

If you take your own sun umbrella, make sure it's well-anchored in the sand. On some days, sudden gusts of wind have been known to uproot them, which sends them bowling along the beach and risks injury to other sunbathers. Bear in mind that the sun is strong here, and you need to use appropriate sun protection.

It's a clothing-optional beach (but put something on to go and buy a drink at the kiosco). You can get to it by walking through the dunes from the Riu Palace hotel, or by walking from the lighthouse at Maspalomas. Either way, it's a long walk, but well worth it, as it's one of the island's nicest beaches.

If you go swimming, follow the instructions of the lifeguards who patrol the beach and obey the warning flags. Under some conditions, there are strong currents, and you need to take care: overall though, it's a nice place for a swim.

The legendary beach kiosco No. 7 sells a wide variety of drinks - a bottle of water currently costs €1.30 - plus a limited range of rolls, sandwiches, chocolate bars and crisps etc.

Playing at the dunes

However, the main attraction of the gay beach (and maybe of the whole island) are the sand dunes behind the gay beach. At around four o'clock, many people leave the beach for a short and refreshing walk trough the the dunes, to explore the beauty and magnitude of gay nature. A lot of men camp here for the day instead at the beach, being out of the wind at wait for the catch of the day. This is really to place to get to know your fellow tourist a little bit closer...

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