Las Palmas Snorkelling

We were here in January and I had a terrible dose of Man Flu. I had spend a couple of year planning to come here to snorkel and swim in the protected waters of Las Canteras beach, to get here and come down with man flu was the limit. We managed to tour almost all the local pharmacist for gripe del hombre drugs (my made up Spanish translation for man flu).

After days with a face like a slapped arse I said “screw it” and went in the water anyway. Diving down more than 3m was impossible, my sinuses were so screwed, and so I had to content myself with the surface.

In January the water is about 17^oC, this is too cold for me and so I used a recently procured Zone 3 swimmers wet suit. They are designed for triathletes, and allow you to swim front crawl in absolute comfort, as the neoprene is thinner around the shoulders. I think these suits are magnificent. There was a mix of people some with wet suits and some without, all those snorkelling had a suit on, and I think it is best in water at this temperature if you are not exercising hard.

The best time to go in the water here is at low tide, as the reef offers you very calm water over a very large area. The sea life is great here; there is a lot to see, I would recommend the place to snorkel addicts like me.

If you like to surf the other end of the beach is perfect for this with no reef to protect the shore, when we were there, there were lots of surfers and there seemed to be loads of place to hire kit.

We plan to return to Las Palmas in near future so that I can have another go without man flu (I hope).

Well a year on we return, the weather is appauling but the water is still good for a snorkel. This time I have a few underwater shots and a video. OK it is not exactly the Blue Planet but you get the idea, its a great place to snorkel, with clear waters and lots to see, am I repeating myself?

las palmas from the reef off las canteras beach

turbulent waster as tide comes in las canteras

Links to More Snorkelling and Swimming

More From Gran Canaria

Visited more pharmacies than restaurants, searching for Spanish treatments for man flu. Gripe del hombre (it does not translate)

Man flu, I have man flu, all this way to snorkel here and I feel shit. Still I went in with my wetsuit on. diving was painful!

Las Palmas Snorkelling

Gran Canaria

Canary Islands

Spain

Booking for 4 days here in January was a mistake. Weather very bad and stuck in a C�sar Manrique style, uncomfortable accommodation. We are leaving early, sod the money.

Back in our old apartment from last year, much better than the hole we just stayed in near Las Canteras beach.

Good Accomodation Las Palmas

Gran Canaria

Canary Islands

Spain

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