#431 European Rank
Playa de Maspalomas
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Wouter Hagens (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.46/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.7°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€49/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Calm & Glassy
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces S (180°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces S (180°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
S (180°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the S-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Playa de Maspalomas: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.7°C
Air ~37°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 22.7°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.6°C | 23°C | Refreshing |
| February | 18.9°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 18.9°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 19.3°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| May | 20.1°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| June | 21.3°C | 35°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.9°C | 37°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.7°C | 37°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 23.3°C | 35°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 23.2°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 22.1°C | 28°C | Ideal Swimming |
| December | 20.7°C | 25°C | Refreshing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Spain Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 7 Jun – 9 Dec (>21°C) · 184 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.7°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Playa de Maspalomas for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Playa de Maspalomas (Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.7°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €16–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces S (sheltered from N winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/playa-de-maspalomas-es/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Playa de Maspalomas
A Sahara in miniature where hundreds of hectares of golden dunes tumble straight into the Atlantic.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Direct pedestrian access via Maspalomas promenade, the historic lighthouse (Faro), and Playa del Inglés
•Protected Status / Environment: Reserva Natural Especial de las Dunas de Maspalomas (protected dune field, lagoon, and palm grove)
•Notable Feature: Vast expanse of golden sands merging with 400 hectares of mobile desert dunes and the 1890 Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Balanced Concession Mix
Free Public Sand (75%)Private Concessions (25%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€16low season→€30August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Regulated municipal umbrellas alongside spacious free public sectors. Ample towel space available.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Spanish coastal law classifies all sand as public domain (dominio público). Concession zones are strictly demarcated.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. Accessible via regional coastal roads (27.736°N, -15.585°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Playa de Maspalomas involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Generally calm and gently shelving.
•A protected 400-hectare reserve of desert dunes.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Playa de Maspalomas?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa de Maspalomas
What is the water temperature at Playa de Maspalomas?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Playa de Maspalomas averages 22.7°C (73°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Playa de Maspalomas?
Playa de Maspalomas is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
Is Playa de Maspalomas good for families with kids?
Yes, Playa de Maspalomas is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Playa de Maspalomas?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
Head-to-Head Destination Matrix
Tenerife vs Gran Canaria: Canary Islands Beach Guide
More Beaches in SpainRegional Guide
4.9
Balearic Islands (Ibiza), Spain•Balearic Sea (Mediterranean)
Warmest water in Balearic Sea (Aug)
26.5°C sea
70/day
Golden Sand
30°C• Kids
Stays from €70/n
4.8
Galicia (Rías Baixas / Cíes Islands), Spain•Atlantic Ocean
3rd Highest scenery score in Atlantic Ocean
18.5°C sea
38/day
White Sand
24.5°C• Kids
Stays from €38/n
4.7
Mallorca (Santanyí / Cape Ses Salines), Balearic Islands, Spain•Balearic Sea (Mediterranean)
2nd Longest swim season in Balearic Sea · 147 days
26.2°C sea
46/day
White Sand
30.5°C• Scenic
Stays from €46/n
Warmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n