In a nutshell
- Not in the mood for lounging around? We’ve got you covered: here are the 15 coolest activities and excursions on Gran Canaria — from water sports to adrenaline adventures.
- How about a SUP tour with snorkeling stops or an off-road buggy adventure?
- Planning your first trip to Gran Canaria and want to combine sightseeing with your excursion? We’d recommend starting with a private small-group tour of the island.
Tours to the Most Popular Highlights on Gran Canaria
Private, Customizable Tour
Especially if it’s your first time on Gran Canaria, it’s great to have a local guide who shows you all the major Gran Canaria attractions and shares insider knowledge with you.
Up to seven people can join a private tour. So if you’re vacationing on Gran Canaria with friends or family, a tour like this is seriously worth considering.
You get to choose from various highlights that you then visit with your guide. That way, you only see the Gran Canaria sights that truly interest you.
Book the private small-group tour of Gran Canaria
Day Tour to the Gran Canaria Highlights
A sightseeing roundtrip of the entire island is definitely part of any Gran Canaria excursion wishlist.
Stops on this tour include the Maspalomas Dunes, the Guayadeque Gorge near Agüimes, the picturesque resort town of Mogán, and traditional cave dwellings of Gran Canaria’s indigenous people.
You’ll also have free time during the day for lunch and to explore the Venice of Gran Canaria at your own pace.
The tour takes about seven hours in total and starts and ends in Las Palmas.
Book the day tour to Gran Canaria’s highlights
E-Bike Tour through the Maspalomas Dunes with Tapas
The Maspalomas Dunes are the top attraction on Gran Canaria — and this tour lets you experience them at their best.
You cruise through the dune landscape on an e-bike at a relaxed pace, then ride on to the Maspalomas Lighthouse. During golden hour, it’s an incredibly beautiful photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.
At the end of the tour, you’ll enjoy delicious Spanish tapas and a non-alcoholic drink at a cool bar with ocean views. And there’s plenty of time to just kick back and relax in the sand.
Book the e-bike tour with tapas from Maspalomas
Water Sports on Gran Canaria
Surf Lessons for All Levels
Just like on the neighboring islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria is a fantastic place to catch your first waves.
Playa del Inglés offers ideal, beginner-friendly conditions. But if the waves aren’t cooperating, no worries — your instructor knows where the best swells are and will take you there.
Before heading into the water, you’ll get a brief theory session on the beach. In the water, your instructor stays right by your side, shows you how to improve, and helps you catch plenty of waves.
Since surfing is pretty physically demanding, there’s a small beach picnic at midday to recharge. All surf equipment is provided, so you don’t need to bring a thing.
Book surf lessons on Gran Canaria
Stand-Up Paddling and Snorkeling
Wherever there’s water, SUP is one of the most popular things to do on Gran Canaria — and it’s easy to see why. You can pick up the basics quickly, it has a wonderfully relaxing quality, and you’re still getting a solid workout. Great combination!
Off the southern coast, you’ll enjoy incredible views and get to discover the island from a whole new perspective.
And since you’re already out on the water, why not grab a snorkel and fins and jump in to spot fish and other marine life?
All equipment for SUP and snorkeling is provided by your guide.
Don’t forget: Pack (and use) sunscreen. On the water, you can get a sunburn really fast!
Book the stand-up paddling tour on the south coast
Scuba Diving for Beginners
Always wanted to explore the underwater world? You can take a scuba diving course on Gran Canaria — no experience needed.
There are several spots in the south of the island, such as Playa del Inglés or Mogán. If your accommodation is between these two areas, pickup and drop-off from your hotel on Gran Canaria are included in the price.
The course lasts three hours and a maximum of two people dive per instructor, so you get plenty of personal attention.
You will need to fill out a medical questionnaire before you get in the water — that’s standard practice.
Book the beginner scuba diving course
Kayak Safari along the Coast
The southern coast of Gran Canaria, with its hidden coves and rugged cliffs, is simply breathtaking. And it’s even better when you get to explore it by kayak, right from the water.
Kayaking is a lot of fun on its own, but you’ll also get to take in some fantastic sights along the way. Your first stop, for example, is an archaeological site where your guide shares the story of the Canarian indigenous people.
You’ll also paddle to Playa de Montaña Arena, a completely untouched and secluded beach where you can relax or snorkel in crystal-clear water. A small picnic with tasty snacks is included too.
The Coolest Amusement Parks on Gran Canaria
Trip to the Poema del Mar
Poema del Mar is a stunning aquarium with around 350 different species, located right in the port of Las Palmas — similar in concept to the Oceanarium in Lisbon.
You can explore creatures from the animal and plant worlds across three zones: the jungle, coral reefs, and the deep sea.
One standout feature is the world’s largest curved glass panel, through which you can observe the remarkable creatures of the deep sea. Poema del Mar is affiliated with the famous Loro Parque on Tenerife.
Admission costs 25 euros per person; children under 4 get in free.
Get your ticket for Poema del Mar
Cocodrilo Park
Cocodrilo Park is tucked into the mountains in the south of Gran Canaria and serves as a rescue center for abandoned reptiles and other tropical animal species.
You can get up close to alligators, tigers, snakes, parrots, lizards, and turtles. The park also takes in native animal species like deer and pigs.
Every day at 1 PM, there’s an alligator feeding show that’s especially popular with visitors.
You can reach the park by car or via a shuttle service from Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés.
Get your ticket for Cocodrilo Park
Aqualand Maspalomas
Traveling with kids? Aqualand in Maspalomas is one of the best day trip destinations on Gran Canaria.
It’s the largest water park on Gran Canaria, with more than 40 different slides. With names like Anaconda, Tornado, and Kamikaze, the adrenaline rush is basically guaranteed.
There’s also a dedicated kids’ area with swings, climbing structures, and slides — so the little ones can run wild while you relax on a sun lounger or float around in the wave pool.
Park admission costs about 33 euros for adults and 24 euros for children.
Get your ticket for Aqualand Maspalomas
Pure Adrenaline Activities on Gran Canaria
Tandem Skydive
Into real thrills? Then a tandem skydive over the Maspalomas Dunes belongs on your Gran Canaria bucket list.
The instructors at CiJump Gran Canaria have completed countless jumps and take safety very seriously.
You’ll start with a brief safety briefing and meet your tandem partner. Then you head up into the sky — all the way to 4,000 meters.
Expect 45 seconds of freefall and one serious adrenaline rush. Once your instructor opens the parachute, you’ll glide over the Maspalomas Dunes — the view is absolutely breathtaking.
You can also add photos and a video of your jump to keep the memory alive.
Book the tandem skydive over Maspalomas
Guided Buggy Tour
Guided buggy tours are among the most popular Gran Canaria excursions — and it’s easy to see why. They combine off-road adventure and sightseeing in one seriously fun package.
Stops on the buggy tour include the Pedron Gonzales viewpoint, the Fataga Valley, and the reservoir near Ayagaures.
You’ll also tear along unpaved dirt roads where you can really kick up the dust. The best part: the buggies can reach spots that a regular rental car simply can’t get to.
Don’t forget: Bring your driver’s license — you can’t drive without it. A warm jacket is also a good idea, since the wind while driving can make things surprisingly chilly.
Book the guided buggy tour around the island
Canyoning Tour with Picnic
The north of Gran Canaria is known for its wild nature, green parks, and rare laurel forests — perfect territory for outdoor adventures.
Canyoning is one of the best ways to experience this landscape — adrenaline included. You see the terrain from a completely different perspective than hiking and reach places that are otherwise inaccessible.
Expect a mix of climbing, rappelling down waterfalls, jumping into gorges, and sliding down natural rock slides.
You’ll get a full safety briefing beforehand, and your guide stays with you the whole time. All equipment, souvenir photos, and a light lunch are included.
Book the canyoning tour on Gran Canaria
Boat Trips from Gran Canaria
Whale Watching Tour
A whale watching tour is one of the absolute must-do Gran Canaria excursions — don’t skip this one.
The Canary Islands are visited each year by various whale and dolphin species, and some stay in the surrounding waters year-round. If you’ve always wanted to see these incredible marine animals in their natural habitat, this is your chance.
Your guides are experienced and know exactly where to find the animals, so the chances of coming back empty-handed are really low.
Toward the end of the tour, you’ll also stop at a secluded cove for a refreshing swim in the sea.
Book the whale and dolphin watching tour
Sailing Trip from Puerto de Mogán
A sailing trip off the coast of Gran Canaria is a wonderful way to spend a relaxed afternoon — cold drink in hand, coastline drifting by.
On board, you’ll be served drinks, beer, wine, and a delicious lunch.
Along the way, you’ll stop at one of the hidden coves along Gran Canaria’s southern coast, such as Playa Ambar — with plenty of time to swim and snorkel in the sea.
With a little luck, you might even spot dolphins or sea turtles on the way.
