Playa de Tauro is the south coast's reinvented sun-trap — a sheltered bay of pale imported sand tucked between the busy resort of Puerto Rico and the pretty harbour of Puerto de Mogán on Gran Canaria. Once a wild pebble beach in a barren valley mouth, it was redeveloped into a broad, groomed crescent of soft sand with calm, shallow water and a real feeling of space. Backed by dramatic ochre cliffs and blessed with some of the most reliable sunshine on the island, it's a fine spot for an easy beach day away from the busiest crowds.
How to get there
Tauro sits on the sunny south-west coast, a few minutes' drive west of Puerto Rico and around 40–45 minutes from the south airport. The coastal road links it easily to the surrounding resorts, and local buses and taxis stop nearby. There is parking close to the beach, which makes it a convenient stop for drivers exploring the coves along this coast. Because it's slightly set apart from the main resort strips, it rarely feels as hectic as its better-known neighbours.
Photo: Gerd Fahrenhorst · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · scaled
What it's like
The beach is a wide, gently curving bay of clean, pale sand — a deliberate transformation from the grey pebbles that were here before. It faces south into the sun and is framed by tall, arid cliffs that give it a slightly wild, amphitheatre feel despite the modern grooming. There's plenty of room to spread out, and the open layout means it seldom feels cramped even in high season. The overall mood is relaxed and low-key, a contrast to the marina bustle just along the coast.
Tauro is proof that the south coast still has room to breathe between its big resorts.
Swimming and safety
Swimming here is generally calm and family-friendly. The bay is fairly protected, the water usually gentle, and the seabed shelves slowly, so it suits paddlers, children and anyone who likes an unfussy swim. The pale sand and clear shallows make it inviting on a hot day. As with all Atlantic beaches, conditions can change with wind and swell, so watch the flag system and any lifeguard guidance, and take normal care when the sea picks up.
Tauro catches sun for most of the day and is a touch quieter than the neighbouring resort beaches — a good choice if you want space to lay out your towel without a scramble for a spot.
Facilities
As a redeveloped beach, Tauro comes with the essentials in place: sunbeds and parasols to hire, showers and toilets, and lifeguard cover in season. There are places to grab a drink or a bite nearby, though the scene is more low-key than the packed promenades of the bigger resorts. If you want a wider choice of bars and restaurants, the marinas either side put plenty within a short hop. It's an easy beach to enjoy for a few hours or a full day.
Best for whom
Tauro is for families who want calm, shallow water, for sun-seekers chasing the south coast's dependable rays, and for anyone who prefers a bit more elbow room than the flagship beaches offer. It works well as a change of scene if you're staying nearby and fancy something quieter. If you'd rather have the gentlest, most enclosed swimming on the coast, the engineered bay at Amadores is close by; for marina life, boat trips and a livelier buzz, head into Puerto Rico.
Nearby
You're right in the heart of the south-west's string of coves and resorts. The calm-water favourite of Amadores and the busy marina of Puerto Rico are just to the east, while the charming, canal-laced village of Puerto de Mogán — with its colourful houses and Friday market — lies a short drive west. Boat trips, watersports and dolphin-watching all leave from the harbours along this coast. For the bigger picture of the island and where to stay, see our full guide to Gran Canaria.