#521 European Rank
Playa del Inglés
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Bengt Nyman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.34/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.7°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€65/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Moderate Surf
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
...
Exercise Caution
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 del Inglés: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. 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 del Inglés for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Playa del Inglés (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-del-ingles-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 & Setting4.1 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Playa del Inglés
A huge blond strand dissolving into the Maspalomas dunes, Gran Canaria's mega-resort classic.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Fully accessible urban beach with pedestrian promenades, ramps, bus connections, and parking within San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
•Protected Status / Environment: Adjacent to the Reserva Natural Especial de las Dunas de Maspalomas, a protected special nature reserve.
•Notable Feature: 3-kilometer expanse of golden sand seamlessly transitioning into the Maspalomas dunes, offering year-round bathing and vibrant tourism infrastructure.
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
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. Accessible via regional coastal roads (27.748°N, -15.569°E).
•Gently shelving and lifeguarded; light chop when the trade winds pick up.
•Nearly three kilometres of resort strand on Gran Canaria's southern tip, merging into the protected Maspalomas 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 del Inglés?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa del Inglés
What is the water temperature at Playa del Inglés?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Playa del Inglés averages 22.7°C (73°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Playa del Inglés?
Playa del Inglés is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
Is Playa del Inglés good for families with kids?
Yes, Playa del Inglés is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Playa del Inglés?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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