No. 24 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

32
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 24
Bufadero de La Garita
A volcanic geyser on the coastline of Gran Canaria
By Mathias Valles
Every edition of It's Gran Canaria highlights a wide
range of natural treasures that this Atlantic island
is home to. It boasts a popular and opulent landscape
that goes far beyond the beautiful images
that we have internalised over time thanks, in part,
to the promotion of tourism on the island, namely
the idyllic beaches, steep cliffs, green valleys and
towering mountains.
The island also, however, offers an endless array of
lesser-known environments, ready to be explored
and which never disappoint. These locations are
full of charm and who knows, any one of them may
also make their way to the top of our personal list
of must-see spots in Gran Canaria.
The location I would like to talk about today, el bufadero,
is an authentic volcanic wonder. It is situated
in the municipality of Telde, the fifth largest on
the island, which has more than 10 km of coastline.
One of the coastal towns here is La Garita, which
features a wholly unique geomorphological element
in the midst of the surrounding ocean. This
curious place, which almost seems to have been
placed there purposely in order to further decorate
the multiform basalt landscape that predominates
in the area, is a deformation in the rocky
soil of volcanic origin located right on the island’s
coastline.
El bufadero comes in the shape of large underwater
cavity which water pours into, mainly during
high tide, with each coming and going of the
waves, forming large and spectacular waterfalls as
it falls into the interior before shooting upwards
seconds later at great speed through a hole in
the rock in the form of a "bufada" or jet, (hence its
name). This is due to the pressure released by the
tide compressing the water as it passes through
the cracks and peculiar shapes under the surface.
The water that shoots upwards, like a geyser, can
reach a height of several metres and the sound it
creates is mesmerising. It is an almost hypnotic
spectacle to observe how the water fills and empties
this lava container with each of the impacts of
the waves caused by the tide.
It is, however, important to bear in mind that the
sea can be dangerous in the surrounding area
when there are people practising water sports, so
it is advisable to follow the safety instructions to be
observed in the area, and to be cautious. It should
be noted that, just in case anyone has thought they
might try, it is totally forbidden to go swimming in
this cavity due to its highly hazardous nature.
The place is perfectly geo-referenced on sites such
as Google Maps. Just enter the term "El bufadero"
in the search engine and it will show you the exact
location. You can also be guided by the loud bursting
sounds that can be heard in the area, which
can be an extra help so that you don't overlook this
natural attraction.
Just a few metres along from here is the Mirador
del Bufadero, a recently remodelled viewpoint that
is perfect for contemplating this natural spectacle
in a peaceful and totally safe way, sitting on one of
the eight benches that it has been equipped with.
There is also a free parking area just 50 metres
away, which means you have no excuse whatsoever
to postpone this visit.
The viewpoint is located on a promenade almost
2 km long and in a perfect state of repair. The latter
runs along different beaches in the area, all
of them of black sand, and its route can lead you
to admire another natural, fascinating and little
known capricious spots such as the Cueva de los
Mil Colores (Cave of 1,000 Colours) or Cueva de
la Reina (Queen’s Cave), as it appears on Google
Maps.
This cave is located on another stretch of coastline,
with vertical walls against which the sea is usually
pounding hard. Inside is a shallow natural circular
pool of crystal-clear water. The floors seem to
have been carpeted with algae and the walls of
this grotto reveal different layers of eroded rock,
displaying a great variety of colours, which is why
it was given the name it has. Don't forget to wear
good quality non-slip footwear as the cobbled
path and the natural algae floor can be slippery.
This spot is ideal both for photography and, of
course, for swimming, but please be reminded
that for the latter the greatest care must be taken.
Keep an eye on the state of the sea and do not
take unnecessary risks, as the Cueva de la Reina
can only be visited at low tide.
You can make the most of a visit to the surrounding
area, as Telde boasts a rich history, a great cultural
heritage and fascinating architecture as one
of the oldest towns in the region. Touring this area
offers a fine opportunity to enjoy a fun-packed day
out discovering unique landscapes.