los chuchos, los angelotes o las rayas, de las que se pueden encontrar varias especies en peligro de extinción en Las Canteras. Junto a ellos es posible observar habitualmente fulas, unos ejemplares característicos del archipiélago, barri-gudas, pejeverdes o salemas y otros organismos marinos como anémonas, estrellas de mar, esponjas o ascidias. “Las rayas y tiburones suelen aparecer de noche ya que es cuan-do cazan, y es una maravilla verlos en esta playa tan segura y accesible”, explica la experta. Lo decía el filósofo Confucio: “Cada cosa tiene su belleza, pero no todos pueden verla”. ENG There are some who dare to bathe all year round, even in winter, at Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This strip of sand stretching three kilometres is not only a place for celebrating the city’s vibrant lifestyle, there’s also a lot going on beneath the water here on what’s known as one the world’s most beautiful urban beaches. Scuba diving and snorkelling are just two of the most popular sports you can do in these clear Atlantic waters, with more than a thou-sand species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae to say hello to through your mask. “Las Canteras is a natural aqua-rium, where rather than scuba diving, which you can also do, especially if you’re a beginner, the best option is to snorkel as it’s so shallow” explains Maite Asensio Elvira, who holds a degree in Marine Sciences and a Master’s in Oceanography. Declared a Special Conservation Area (SAC) and part of the Natura 2000 European Network of Protected Areas, here you can see different species of Elasmobranchii, inclu-ding stingray, angel shark and rays, with several endangered species found in Las Canteras. Alongside them you can also regularly spot fulas, a common sight in the seas around the archipelago, as well as blennies, green wrasse, salemas and other marine organisms like anemones, starfish, sponges and sea squirts. “Rays and sharks usually appear at night as that’s when they hunt, and it’s wonderful to see them near this safe and accessible beach” explains the expert. As the philosopher Confucius said: “Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it”. GRAN CANARIA © Stefano Costa © Cortesía EDICIONES SIRUELA GRAN CANARIA Vuelos // Flights: ¿Frío en enero? Si se viaja a Gran Canaria no. Air Europa conecta la ciudad con Madrid con tres vuelos al día. // Cold in January? Not if you travel to Gran Canaria. Air Europa connects the island and Madrid with three flights a day. www.aireuropa.com