Playa Grande is Puerto del Carmen's main beach — a long crescent of golden sand sweeping for almost a kilometre along the central stretch of the resort, sheltered from the Atlantic swell by an offshore reef. The water is clear and reaches swimmable temperatures year-round, the slope into the sea is gentle, and the lifeguard cover and sun-lounger rentals are reliable. It is the busiest beach on the island in school holidays.
The promenade behind the beach is lined with restaurants, bars and shops; the eastern end is closer to the old harbour and tends to be calmer, while the western end runs into the resort hotels. Showers and toilets are spaced along the seafront, and the small Centro Comercial Atlántico complex behind the beach has supermarkets and chemists. Best time of day is early morning before the crowds, or the last hour before sunset when the light over the volcanic mountains is at its best.