Gran Canaria is the Canary Islands’ second most populous island, and a big hit with travellers from cooler countries further north. Gran Canaria has year-round sun, a laid-back feel and plenty of beaches. Like its neighbours, Gran Canaria is a volcanic island, giving it a dramatic interior landscape of lunar rocks and lush green slopes. Exploring Gran Canaria beyond the beaches is a must for anyone who has a spirit of adventure.
Gran Canaria’s volcanic origins mean that it lacks rivers and forests, meaning a Gran Canaria white water rafting trip can’t be done. The same applies to the other Canary Islands. There are no rivers to speak of anywhere on the islands. So if you want a white water fix, what can you do?
There are some alternatives….and for them, you’ll need to head to the sea. The obvious one is sea kayaking. If you want battle white water, you’ll find plenty of places around the coast of Gran Canaria where you can do it. You can cast off in the calm waters off one of its beaches, and then work your way around the island’s edge, facing rocks and cliffs as you go. There are plenty of operators around the island offering guided trips over some of the trickier sections of coast. It is a different challenge to rafting, but certainly no less fun.
Other ways to conquer the water on Gran Canaria include windsurfing and sailing. If you’d rather head for the mountains, a mountain biking trip down some of the island’s volcanic slopes could be a dry alternative to hurtling down a mountain river! You might not be able to have a Gran Canaria white water rafting trip, but you can have a fantastic time finding alternatives.
