Black sand, a marked open-water swimming route and a coastal trail give Melenara a variety of attractions: the beach, water training and insights into the tidal zone. When planning your visit, it is therefore worth considering which aspect of the area appeals to you most—and how much time you want to set aside for the beach, exercise or culture.
Playa de Melenara: Beach and Swimming
Playa de Melenara is 350 metres long and has black sand. It has held the Blue Flag continuously, year-round, since 2000. These are two distinctive features to help you get your bearings at the beach: its dark sand and its long-standing award. Supervised swimming is also available year-round, with amphibious chairs, crutches, walking aids and therapeutic swimming aids. If you plan to use this service during your visit, you can check the relevant details in advance.
The Merendero de Melenara has six tables, two of which have been adapted for people with reduced mobility. This adds a specific place to relax to the beach facilities. The beach and the Merendero can be considered different parts of a visit: one is the 350-metre Playa, while the other is an area with tables and a designated accessibility adaptation.
Open-Water Swimming and Coastal Route
Melenara is part of the buoy-marked open-water swimming channel between Salinetas and Charca de Taliarte. The Taliarte–Melenara–Salinetas swimming channel provides a safe area for open-water swimming training year-round and is approximately 1,000 metres long. A line to guide swimmers is located 100 metres from the coast and 50 metres from the navigation zone. This makes it different from a simple beach visit: the focus is on a marked route, guidance in the water and an area specifically designed for training.
If you prefer to explore on land, the Ruta por la costa offers a different way to spend your time. It starts at Playa de La Garita, passes through Melenara and ends at Playa de Salinetas; the route takes approximately two hours. Along the way, participants learn about coastal geomorphology and the tides, and discover the biodiversity of the tidal zone. The approximate duration and stated learning topics provide a clear basis for planning, while the swimming channel and coastal route offer distinct experiences.
The Coreano wreck also lies in Melenara Bay, but can only be reached by boat. The described half-hull of the ship is at a depth of 30 metres and is covered in gorgonians. This makes the wreck a separate point of interest for divers; it differs both from training in the marked swimming channel and from the coastal route.
Neptune and the Biblioplaya
Near the small Muelle by the beach stands Neptuno, a 4.20-metre-high bronze statue by Luis Arencibia Betancor. It was inaugurated on 1 September 2001. Its location near the small pier links a walk along the Playa with a specific work of art; its name, material, height and inauguration date also make Neptuno a clearly identifiable cultural landmark in Melenara.
Another cultural highlight is the Biblioplaya de Melenara, a recurring summer cultural venue with a programme for families and children. The seasonal offer for 2026 includes free book lending, daily newspapers, internet access and reading areas. It also features cultural activities aimed particularly at children and families. The seasonal Biblioplaya and the beach facilities described as available year-round therefore have different timeframes: bear this distinction in mind when planning your visit.
Getting There
Take the GC-1 for another ten kilometres, then take exit 17 towards Melenara. As road conditions and signage may change, check the information before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Risco Blanco, Lomo Quiebre, El Chorrillo, Tejeda, Valsequillo, Maspalomas, Santa BrĂgida, Santa MarĂa De GuĂa De Gran Canaria.
Return to the main travel guide: Gran Canaria.
