Pozo & Aringa (Gran Canaria)
- Overview
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Getting There
- Where to Stay
- Food & Nightlife
- Activities
- Photos
- Reviews
Pozo & Arinaga Overview
Pozo Izquerido and Arinaga are located about 10km south of the Las Palmas airport and 17km north west of Maspalomas and its resorts.
Pozo and Arinaga are separated by about 3kms, and between them provide a variety of conditions for a windsurfing holiday, Pozo being famous for its high wind and waves, and Arinaga for its flat water. Both locations are best suited to those whose primary objective is to focus on windsurfing, because the amenities are much less than those of the resorts close to Bahia Feliz further to the south west.
The temperatures are also very pleasant during the winter months. In the south, the thermometer hardly drops below 22-24 ° C during the day. At night it can be a bit cooler (16-19 ° C), but still pleasant. The water temperatures are around 20-23 ° C in winter, sometimes dropping to 18.
The coolest months are February and March. Thereafter, the water temperatures quickly climb back to over 20 ° C. In summer, the air temperature can peak at 30 ° C, and at night it cools down to 19-21 ° C. The water temperatures are around 22-26 ° C.
A long leg short arm wetsuit in winter, and a shorty wetsuit in summer is adequate for most.
The Sailing
Pozo
Pozo Izquierdo is located only 12kms north of the resorts around Bahia Feliz, and is the best known spot on the whole island, famous for its regular and high winds. It works with swinging wind directions all year round, with the strongest wind between May and September. Due to the tricky launch spot with rocks and a shorebreak, it is an area best suited to advanced sailors. However, it’s not always wavy, and when it isn’t, the bump & jump conditions are still excellent. Pozo village offers a good infrastructure for windsurfers, a few gear shops with rental options, apartments for rent, gear storage, restaurants and bars, and two little super markets. However, there isn’t a great deal to do for non-windsurfers!
Arinaga
3kms north of Pozo is Bahia de Formas at Salinas de Arinaga. Protected by a windward tongue of land, it offers flat water on the inside, wind chop in the medium section and some long swells outside. The Wind is usually similar to Pozo, but because of the flat inside area it is perfect for intermediates to learn waterstarting and other manoeuvres. It is a great spot for less experienced sailors, and for those who are based at the windsurfing resorts in the Bahia Feliz area that are looking for more wind, particularly in Summer. The beach is a bit stony, but gets sandier towards the water.
The windspeed statistics below show the percentage of days with wind above 15 knots (force 4 bft) and the average air and water temperatures at Pozo and Arinaga:
Month Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Wind 60 65 74 76 70 80 95 80 70 75 75 67 Air 24 23 25 26 29 28 30 31 29 28 26 24 Water 21 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 26 25 24 21 Best Suited To (Pozo and Arinaga)
- Intermediates and advanced freeride year round at Arinaga
- Beginners and improvers year round at Aranaga
- Advanced and very advanced wave sailing year round at Pozo
Hazards
- The Pozo launch area can be very hazardous in high wind conditions.
Pros
- Flat water at Arinaga for all levels
- World class conditions for expert high wind sailors at Pozo
- Blue water
- Wind throughout the year
- More reliable wind in summer compared to Bahia Feliz Bay in the south
- Mild winter temperatures
- Nearby accommodation
- Quieter than other areas for those that want it
- Easy gear hire
- Lessons
Cons
- Winds can get very strong in the afternoons in summer for those unprepared
- Not a great deal to do locally for non-windsurfers.
- Could be too quiet for some
- Tricky launching at Pozo
- Not much else at the sailing spot at Bahia de Formosa, which is 1km from the infrastructure of Arinaga
For Non-Sailors
- SUPping
- Surfing
- Watching world class sailors at Pozo from a bar overlooking the sea
Pozo & Arinaga Windsurfing
For Non-Sailors
Other activities for non-windsurfers at Pozo
- SUPping
- Surfing
- Watching world class sailors at Pozo from a bar overlooking the sea
Aringa Windsurfing
The sailing in Arinaga takes place at Bahia de Formas, a quiet beach about 1km from the centre of Arinaga.
The wind is usually similar to Pozo, and therefore has consistently high winds that blow over 20 knots (force 5) 200 days of the year. However, Bahia de Formas is a very versatile windsurfing location for a variety of different levels. Protected by a windward tongue of land, it offers flat water on the inside, wind chop in the middle section for easy jumping, and then longer swells further on the outside.
Because of its flat area on the inside, and the lighter winds in the mornings, the area is ideal for learning. As the wind rises through the day, it becomes a perfect environment for intermediates to learn water starts, jibing and other manoeuvres. Advanced sailors can then enjoy the windy afternoons in the small chop.
The beach is of made up of pebbles, but further into the water it becomes sandy.
There is no infrastructure at the beach of Bahia de Formas. However, the town of Arinaga has a far greater holiday infrastructure than Pozo, with plenty of bars, restaurants, supermarkets and accommodation options. There are also a number of diving schools.
Despite this, it is still a lot quieter than the resorts 20km to the south.
Best Suited To
- Beginners and improvers in the mornings
- Intermediate and advanced sailors in the afternoons
Hazards
- It can get very windy
Best gear to use
- Large wide boards for beginners
- Freeride boards
- Slalom and speed boards
- Freestyle boards
- Wave boards when windy
- All sail sizes depending on discipline and experience
For non-sailors
- SUPping
- Surfing
- Snorkelling,
- Canoeing at the town of Arinaga
- Diving at the town of Arinaga
Arinaga Windsurfing Centres
There are no windsurfing centres located at Bahia de Formas. The shops in Pozo provide the equipment and tuition, and drive a truck to Bahia de Formosa to conduct the daily sessions as required. Those that want to rent and don't require any teaching can hire their equipment in Pozo and drive to Bahia de Formosa to sail.
For those that want to stay in the busier resorts to the south close to Bahia Feliz, both the Bjorn Dunkerbeck Centre and Fanatic Boarder Centre, which are located at Bahia Feliz Bay 12kms away, provide day trips to Bahia de Formosa with equipment to use, subject to demand. This way windsurfers can sail Arinaga in summer when the winds are too light in Bahia Feliz, but also enjoy the holiday resort lifestyle offered further south by night, as well as have access to lots of other activities.
Windsurfing Centres
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
All-inclusive packages, car rental, windsurf rental (Witchcraft, F2, Ezzy, Loft) Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Beginners Gear Rentals
- Kids Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
Surrounded by palm trees, the Fanatic Boarders Centre is located directly on the beach next to the Hotel Orquidea within the Bahia Feliz Resort, and is open every day for windsurf equipment rental and windsurfing tuition. The centre also has a rescue boat on standby. There is also limited space available (approx. 4-5 persons) for those with their own equipment Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Repair Shop
lessons (all levels), rental (Tabou, JP, Starboard, Severne, Gaastra, Ezzy) and repairs. Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Beginners Gear Rentals
- Kids Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
Pozo Winds is located at Pozo Beach and provided windsurfing lessons (all levels), plus rental gear (Fanatic, Quatro, Goya, Simmer & North). They also rent surfboards & SUPs and have good range of retail items. Read more...
Pozo & Arinaga Kitesurfing
There is no kitesurfing in Pozo and Aringa
Getting to Pozo & Arinaga
Getting to Pozo
Numerous airlines link Gran Canaria to the European cities.
Gran Canaria Airport is the only international airport on the island and is located in the eastern part of Gran Canaria on the Bay of Gando (Bahía de Gando),19 km (12 miles) to the south of the island capital Las Palmas.
Pozo is a 15 minute 10km (7 miles) drive south from the airport.
Car hire is very inexpensive on Gran Canaria and is the most efficient and effective way to get around the island. It is the best way to make the most of the wind and water conditions and visit the other attractions of the island away from the resorts.
Public Transport Services
Gran Canaria has a regular bus service operated by Guaguas.
https://www.guaguasglobal.com/en/
There are regular buses from the airport to Pozo every 20 minutes.
Transport Services
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Pozo Accommodation
Pozo has some accommodation for windsurfers. There is the Centro International de Windsurf windsurfing hostel overlooking the beach that also has windsurfing storage. There are also apartments to rent out in Pozo, but at busy times in the summer, particularly during the PWA world cup in July, accommodation in Pozo may be hard to find, and it may be necessary to search for some in Arinaga, or the big resorts to the South between Bahia Feliz and Maspalomas.
The accommodation options in Pozo are not family or resort style. They tend to be more budget oriented and are more suited to dedicated windsurfers that have come to Pozo to sail only.
Featured Accommodation
- Star Rating:
- Unrated
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
Room Facilities:- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Private Bathroom
- Balcony or Terrace
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Communal Lounge Area
- Street Parking
50 Knots Hostel is located on the beachfront on the North end of Pozo and is for 18 year olds+ Rooms contain 2 single beds or double bed plus bunks and a self-cater kitchen. There is a shared lounge/tv area and outdoor terrace. Free wifi is provided and free on-street parking is available. Read more... - Star Rating:
- Unrated
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
- Family
Room Facilities:- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Balcony or Terrace
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Communal Lounge Area
- Street Parking
Guesthouse Ca Artu is located near the beach in Pozo and offers single bunk beds in 6-bed dorms, double rooms and family rooms for up to 4 guests. All rooms used shared bathroom facilities. There is a communal lounge area with TV as well as communal kitchen. An Italian breakfast is included in the nightly rate. Towels are provided and Read more... - Star Rating:
- Unrated
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
- Triple
Room Facilities:- Views
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Outdoor Pool
- Communal Lounge Area
- Communal Kitchen
- Street Parking
CIW Hostel is located right on the beach at Pozo and doubles as a diving resort. It has bedrooms for singles, twin/doubles and triples all with shared bathroom facilities. Rooms have either pool views or sea views. There is a communal lounge / TV area and a large pool for guests. Free street parking is available in the area and Read more...
Food & Nightlife in Pozo
Information coming soon
Featured Restaurants & Bars
- Spanish Cuisine, also catering for vegetarian & vegan. Read more...
Pozo Activities & Culture
There is not much else going on in Ppzo if you are not a windsurfer. There are a couple of bars and restaurants but they are more there for the windsurfers to replenish themselves rather than have a big night out.
Other Activities - Water
- SUPping
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing – but for experts only.
Other Activities – non water
- Walking along the beach
- Watching world class sailors at Pozo from a bar overlooking the sea
Non sporting activities and culture
There really isn't any in Pozo! However, with a car, the whole of the island will become accessible, and there is a great deal to see and do.
Featured Activities
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- Accommodation Nearby
- Waves
- Sailing Centre(s)
- Equipment Rentals
- Tuition
- Surfing
Pozo
Gran Canaria
35119
Spain
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