Gran Canaria offers several compelling advantages for stargazing that make it an excellent choice for astronomy enthusiasts:
Less Crowded: Unlike many other locations around the world, there are fewer tour companies on Gran Canaria, meaning it will be less likely you will have to share your experience with hoards of other stargazing groups, helping to make it a much more intimate and peaceful experience.
Dark Sky Protection: The Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria, have strict light pollution laws designed to protect their status as one of the world’s premier astronomical observation sites. These regulations help maintain darker skies than you’d find in most populated areas.
High Altitude Access: The island’s mountainous terrain provides easy access to higher elevations where the atmosphere is thinner and clearer. Areas like the central highlands offer excellent viewing conditions away from coastal light pollution.
Stable Atmospheric Conditions: Gran Canaria benefits from the Atlantic’s moderating influence, which creates relatively stable atmospheric conditions with less turbulence – crucial for clear, steady views of celestial objects.
Year-Round Accessibility: The island’s subtropical climate means you can stargaze comfortably throughout the year, unlike many northern locations where winter weather limits observation opportunities.
Strategic Location: Positioned at approximately 28°N latitude, Gran Canaria offers views of both northern and southern hemisphere constellations, giving observers access to a wider range of celestial objects than locations at more extreme latitudes.
Minimal Weather Interference: The islands experience less cloud cover than many other regions, particularly in the higher elevations, providing more clear nights for observation.
Established Infrastructure: While maintaining dark skies, the island still offers the convenience of accommodations, equipment rental, and guided stargazing tours for those who want professional assistance.
The combination of these factors – protected dark skies, favourable geography, stable weather, and good infrastructure – makes Gran Canaria a standout destination for both amateur and serious astronomers.
We have been operating for years on the island, our guides are certified by the Starlight Foundation and have knowledge of astronomy as well as geology and biology of the island…also, we are friendly and fun!
…only if you twist their arm… Tips are the international sign of appreciation for a service, so we welcome Euros, US dollars, crypto and bitcoin (just kidding, we prefer the old-fashioned cash)
If you booked the guided tour, we pick you up at or close to your accommodation about one hour before sunset (exact time changes throughout the year). After a drive of approximately 30 minutes, we stop at our first location, the stunning Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas, overlooking what’s often called the Grand Canyon of Gran Canaria. Take in the views and snap some photos before we continue the journey into the island’s rugged interior passing some beautiful authentic canarian villages (this journey will be around 40 minutes). We will then arrive at the Stargazing spot where you will enjoy the colours of the sunsetting sky with a glass of Cava or a soft drink provided by us whilst our guides set up the telescopes for the night sky exploration.
At the end of the session, self-drivers can stay as long as they want while we will drive back to drop off our guided tour guests.
If the clouds block any of the viewpoints we normally use, we will assess the situation in-situ and decide whether to move to a different location or cancel the tour.
Warm clothes, closed shoes, food and drinks, but most importantly a good attitude! also you can bring binoculars and cameras if you want.
Although many people associate Gran Canaria with warm weather and sunshine, our tours take place up on the mountain and, depending on weather conditions and time of the year, temperatures can drop to freezing after sunset.
We have a limited number of coats our guests are welcome to borrow, but bring your warmest clothes and dress in layers. DO NOT wear shorts and open shoes because we do not want to hear you complain how much colder it is than you anticipated… we warned you!
We like to keep the groups as small as possible to ensure our guests have plenty of time to look through our telescopes and to interact with our guides. Our tour tops at around 40 people.
If you want an even more private and personal experience, we offer a self-drive option that allows you the freedom to stay as long as you want after the main group has gone.
We provide transportation for our guided tour groups. If you have booked this option, we pick you up at or close to your accommodation.
IMPORTANT: at this time we only provide transportation service in the south of the island. Please confirm with us that your address is within our pick-up area if you are unsure.
If you chose the Self Drive Tour, you meet us at Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas, just 10 km from Maspalomas.
You will be given clear and detailed instructions about time and locations via Whatsapp messenger the day of the tour.
After a short welcome and tour introduction, you’ll follow our team on a scenic mountain route through the centre of the island toward the stargazing site near La Plata, with the Pico de las Nieves as our backdrop.
Absolutely. Just check Google Maps in advance for traffic conditions, especially in the resort area and allow yourself plenty of time to reach the meeting point. Also be warned that at the sunset and stargazing locations cellphone coverage is spotty at best and non-existent in most cases so it will be very difficult to contact us.
We have booster seats available, but not for small children.
We offer a welcome drink when we arrive at the stargazing location but do not provide any food. You are more than welcome to bring snacks or sandwiches and to eat them at any time. No eating or drinking is allowed inside our vans and buses.
Our Stargazing sessions take place 200m outside the village of La Plata
There are no restaurants or facilities where we hold our stargazing tours. Should you need to use the restroom, you can hide behind any of the trees nearby 
so plan accordingly
Before we confirm the tour we exhaustively check weather forecast websites and monitor cloud movements via satellite images. When we confirm the tour we are confident that the conditions are going to be excellent, however, in rare instances unexpected weather can force us to cancel the tours.
You can find all the details about our Cancellation Policy in the relative FAQ paragraph.
Our natural satellite is one of the best celestial objects to marvel at, but depending on the time of the month, especially 2-3 days before full moon, the sky is not as dark and not all the deep-sky objects might be visible. We strongly recommend that you check the moon calendar to select your favorite night and, if you are not sure, send us a message and we will be happy to give you advice.
If we cancel our tours before they take place, you have either the option to be rescheduled to the next available date or to receive a full refund if you are not available.
If the conditions worsen to the point where our guides make the decision to stop the tour, you can reschedule at no cost within one year or get 50% refund. The decision to cancel a tour is made by our guides and it is final.
In such cases, if the platform allows us refunds, we will proceed to reimburse you, otherwise you need to contact the agency or platform.
Sometimes, local authorities close the roads for security reason due to fire hazard, snow or other extreme conditions. In those instances we go to alternative locations not affected by the road closures.
When we are notified ahead of the scheduled tour date, we contact you offering the chance to join the tour or get refunded. If the restrictions are applied last-minute and the tour has already started, we talk to all the guests and the guides make the final decision whether to carry on the tour at the alternative location or cancel. If all guests agree to cancel, you get 50% refund.
Traffic can be problematic in some areas at certain times of the day. Our pick-up times allow for plenty of time to arrive at the sunset location without rushing, but sometimes accidents and last-minute closures can cause delays. We usually arrive 30 minutes before sunset but we shall not be held responsible for delays due to traffic. In addition, we shall not be held responsible for delays due to guests arriving late at the agreed meeting point.
If you cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled tour date, you will be fully reimbursed (as allowed by many booking platforms as well).
If you do not participate in the tour and you do not notify our staff, you will not be reimbursed.
We strive to communicate with our guests before the scheduled tour so that nothing remains unclear. We shall not be held responsible for canceling due to adverse weather conditions, if you are not reachable using Whatsapp Messenger or if you fail to provide correct contact data. Also keep in mind that cellphone coverage up on the mountain is not available in most places, so we are not responsible if you cannot contact us at that point.
For example, if your car breaks down on the way to your meeting point with us and you call us or send us a message, we will reschedule you to the next available tour.
We are human beings and understand that there are sometimes unexpected situations, so in that case contact us and we will find a solution together.
We value our guests. We like to keep the groups as small as possible because each of our guests counts. It is your responsibility to make sure you participate in the tour you booked and plan your other activities for that day, so you will not be reimbursed if a conflict in schedule does not allow you to join the tour even after notifying us.
