Gran Canaria is an incredibly versatile holiday destination. One aspect in which it excels is for families who thrive on getting out in the great outdoors and getting their thrills! There are numerous activities that are safe, fun, and perfect for adventurous older children and parents open to new experiences.
This list is not a comprehensive itinerary for young thrill seekers, but it is an excellent appraisal of what the Spanish island has to offer.
Coasteering
Coasteering is about exploring the cliffs and caves in Puerto Mogan. Led by experienced guides, who are well versed in safety manoeuvres and have a strong knowledge of the ravines, anyone over the age of 12 can join a group to traverse the rocky sea faces of the island. Activities include zip-lining into the water, via ferratas across the heights and rappelling down the cliffs. There are also plenty of intriguing caves to explore, and safe but exciting jumps into the waters of the east Atlantic from cliff-edge vantages.
The only qualification needed is being able to swim and have a reasonable head for heights. It’s an exhausting day out but the ache you will feel at the end of the adventure is the very best kind.
Canyoning
Much like the coasteering adventure, this activity requires a base level of fitness because of how physically involving it is. On a trip out lasting around six hours, you’ll be accompanied by well-trained instructors who know the areas and all the equipment very well. This is another way of adventuring through ravines, down cliff faces and across gorges.
The tough terrain hides some of the best areas of the island, by virtue of how difficult these landscapes are to reach. Young teenagers can tap into the excitement of vaulting natural hurdles, overcoming anything that is thrown their way, and feel a tangible sense of achievement at the end.
Sea Trek
This is one of the most bizarre holiday activities available anywhere in the world – but one of the most memorable for that. The clue is in the name and you’ll walk along the seabed at a depth of five metres in special headgear, into which air is pumped from a cable above the surface.
Five metres might not sound very far down, but it is plenty deep enough to enthral the family and envelop youngsters in the incredible and diverse underwater world. This natural aquarium is available for 30 minutes at a time, all the while under the careful eyes of watchful instructors and divers.
Camel Excursion
A camel tour through the lush Fataga Ravine is a little less intense or involved as the pursuits mentioned above, but it is still an outdoor activity that will be memorable for everyone – no matter what their age. For around an hour, you’ll trek over the sun-beaten landscape via this ancient means of desert travel, with mountains and volcanic peaks rising up around you on all sides.
You’ll get to know the idiosyncrasies of the camels and stop for lunch in the beautiful and isolated Fataga village. Being a part of a 30-camel caravan – now that truly is a unique feeling.
How to Get There
The Spanish islands off the west coast of Africa are well facilitated from British airports, with a number of airlines running regular services for the four and a half hour flight. Pre-booked Gran Canaria transfers will make the transition from departures lounge to hotel as painless and comfortable as possible – leaving you and your family more time to get out and enjoy the thrills of the great outdoors.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Gran Canaria transfers, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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