Puerto del Carmen beaches guide
Puerto del Carmen has several beaches, but three do most of the heavy lifting for visitors: Playa Grande, Playa Chica and Los Pocillos. Each has a different character, so which one suits you best depends on whether you want atmosphere, calm sheltered water, or space to spread out.
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is the central resort beach and the busiest in the municipality. It has fine golden sand, calm water, a length of about 1,190 metres, high occupancy and a full set of services including showers, toilets, lifeguards, umbrellas and accessibility features for reduced-mobility users. It sits right alongside the promenade, so it’s the easiest beach to reach from most hotels — see our where to stay guide for which areas put you closest.
Playa Chica
Playa Chica is the smaller, more sheltered option near the old part of town. Officially listed at about 60 metres long, it is popular with families because the natural lava formations help create calmer water, and it is also one of the key access points for diving in Puerto del Carmen. It’s a short walk from the harbour at Varadero if you want to combine a swim with a wander through the old town.
Los Pocillos
Los Pocillos is the beach to choose when you want more space. It runs for about 1,230 metres, has calm water, golden sand and a lower occupancy rate than Playa Grande, which is why it so often feels more relaxed even in busy periods. Several apartment complexes and hotels sit directly behind it — our cheap hotels guide covers a few good-value options in this area.
Puerto del Carmen beaches at a glance
- Playa Grande: ~1,190 m, central, full facilities, busiest.
- Playa Chica: ~60 m, sheltered, best for snorkelling and diving.
- Los Pocillos: ~1,230 m, wider and quieter, lower occupancy.
All three Puerto del Carmen beaches are well maintained, with lifeguard cover in season and easy access from the resort’s hotels and apartments. For more general background on the resort these beaches belong to, see the Wikipedia entry on Puerto del Carmen.
For most visitors, the answer is simple: Playa Grande for atmosphere, Playa Chica for snorkelling and diving, Los Pocillos for space. If you want to plan the rest of your days around the beaches, our guide to things to do in Puerto del Carmen covers watersports, day trips and evening options, and the best time to visit guide breaks down how the beaches feel across the seasons.