Golden El Cabron's beach is famous amongst divers but only gets a few local visitors. The snorkelling is spectacular, and it was named after a bucaneer.

We've got them so we know that once you've got kids, going to the beach becomes an expedition. Here are the Gran Canaria beaches that have the safe water, easy-access facilities and activities to make a family beach day as effortless as possible. 

Every tourist coming to Gran Canaria comes within metres of Ojos de Garza beach, but nobody ever visits.

Split in two by a little headland, La Aldea is the west coast's only beach that's accessible by car. 

Tufia hamlet is famous for it's existential battle against the Spanish government. Its beach, tiny as it is, is the headquarters of resistance.

The tiny patch of sand called Aquamarina Beach isn't much to look at, but it's got a great swimming channel and a perfect lunch spot right next door.

Medio Almud beach is a natural and nudist beach in south Gran Canaria that is rarely crowded. 

Guayedra beach is where nature-loving locals from all over the north of the island go for nudist sunbathing in the west coast sunshine.

A tough beach to get to, but El Juncal rewards the intrepid with great swimming, total peace and rare Barbary falcons.

The south Gran Canaria beach where you're most likely to find a Canarii relic: Llano de los Militares, just east of El Pajar and Arguineguín, has its own archaeological ruin.