Playa de Güi Güi: The Complete Guide to Gran Canaria's Most Remote Beach
No road leads to Güi Güi. There's no beach bar, no sunbed rental, no ice cream kiosk, and no phone signal to speak of. To reach one of Gran Canaria's most beautiful stretches of coastline, you have two choices: hike for two to four hours over a genuinely rugged mountain trail, or arrive by boat and swim the last stretch to shore. For the right kind of traveller, that's exactly the point.
Two Beaches, One Reward
What most people call "Güi Güi" is actually two separate beaches sitting side by side in high, rocky bays on Gran Canaria's rugged west coast, within the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás. Güi Güi Chico is the smaller of the two, around 350 metres long and the first you'll reach if hiking from Tasartico; Güi Güi Grande lies just to the south, roughly 650 metres long, with its name referring to the depth of the surrounding gorge rather than the beach itself. At low tide, you can walk between the two along the shore; at higher tide, they're effectively separated by rock. Both are backed by dramatic cliffs and dark volcanic sand, and both sit within a protected natural reserve, entirely undeveloped and often close to empty even in high season.
Two Beaches, One Reward
What most people call "Güi Güi" is actually two separate beaches sitting side by side in high, rocky bays on Gran Canaria's rugged west coast, within the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás. Güi Güi Chico is the smaller of the two, around 350 metres long and the first you'll reach if hiking from Tasartico; Güi Güi Grande lies just to the south, roughly 650 metres long, with its name referring to the depth of the surrounding gorge rather than the beach itself. At low tide, you can walk between the two along the shore; at higher tide, they're effectively separated by rock. Both are backed by dramatic cliffs and dark volcanic sand, and both sit within a protected natural reserve, entirely undeveloped and often close to empty even in high season.
Getting There: Your Three Options
1. Hike from Tasartico (the classic route)
This is the route almost everyone takes. Tasartico is a quiet hamlet in the Tasartico ravine along the GC-204, reachable by car (there's parking near the trailhead, signposted as Inicio Senda a Güigüi) or, with more effort, by bus to the Cruce de Tasartico stop, still around three miles short of the village itself. From the trailhead, the path climbs steadily to the Degollada de Aguas Sabinas saddle – the highest point of the hike – in around 45 to 60 minutes, rewarding you with sweeping views over volcanic valleys, cliffs and ocean before you even reach the beach. The descent on the other side takes a further 45 minutes to an hour, over dry, rocky, exposed terrain. All told, budget two to three hours each way, and remember that the return climb at the end of a hot day is the hardest part.
2. Hike from La Aldea de San Nicolás (the longer route)
A second, considerably longer trail starts directly from the town of La Aldea de San Nicolás itself, covering around 14km and taking roughly four hours – more demanding than the Tasartico route, and generally only worth considering if you're already staying in La Aldea without a car to reach Tasartico.
3. By boat
If the hike isn't for you, boat trips run from Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, though it's worth knowing that many standard tour boats only pass by the beach or anchor offshore in the bay rather than landing you directly on the sand. For an actual landing, look for a private water taxi, or ask around the harbour at La Aldea itself, where local fishermen sometimes arrange trips out to the beach. Either way, expect to swim the last few tens of metres from the boat to shore, since boats generally can't reach the beach directly.
What to Bring: No Facilities Out Here
Treat a trip to Güi Güi as genuinely off-grid, because in every practical sense, it is. There are no shops, no guaranteed shade, and no support of any kind once you're on the trail or the beach. Pack as though you're on your own:
Water: 2–3 litres per person, minimum
Food: enough for the full round trip, plus a margin
Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat, and ideally a light long-sleeve layer for the exposed sections of trail
Sturdy footwear: proper hiking shoes, not sandals – the path is steep, rocky and uneven in places
A basic first-aid kit
Treat the swim itself as optional rather than guaranteed – conditions on this exposed west-facing coast can bring stronger waves and currents than the sheltered south coast beaches, so check conditions and don't push it if the sea looks rough, especially after the effort of the hike down.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly: yes, but only if you go in with the right expectations. This isn't a relaxed beach day so much as a genuine hiking adventure with a spectacular, empty beach as the reward at the halfway point. If you want sunbeds, a beach bar and an easy stroll from the car park, Güi Güi will frustrate you. If you want to see a side of Gran Canaria that most visitors never even hear about – untouched cliffs, volcanic terrain, and a beach with barely another footprint on it – this is one of the best things the island has to offer.
Where to Stay Nearby
Most visitors approach Güi Güi as a day trip rather than staying right on its doorstep, but a few options exist if you want to base yourself closer to the trailhead: budget travellers can look at Blue Ocean Camp in Tasartico itself, while La Aldea de San Nicolás offers mid-range options like Hotel La Aldea Suites. If you'd rather stay somewhere more established and simply drive out for the hike, Puerto de Mogán and its surrounding resorts – covered in our full Puerto de Mogán guide – make a reasonable base, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Tasartico by car.
Practical Tips
Start early: begin the hike in the cooler morning hours, both to avoid the worst heat and to give yourself a comfortable buffer before dark
Drive to Tasartico if at all possible: the bus stop is a genuine three miles short of the trailhead, adding significant extra walking before you've even started
Build in a generous time buffer: heat, fitness level, and trail conditions all affect timing more than they might on an easier hike
Check sea conditions before swimming: this coast is more exposed than the sheltered south, and conditions can change quickly
Consider the boat option if the hike feels too demanding, but confirm in advance whether the operator actually lands on the beach or simply sails past it
Summary
Güi Güi is Gran Canaria at its most unfiltered: no development, no crowds, and no easy way in. For hikers and anyone chasing a genuinely remote beach experience, it's one of the most rewarding day trips on the island – just make sure you're properly prepared before you set out, since help and facilities are both a long way from these cliffs.
