Vintage-style picture of Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

Puerto Rico Harbour: Puerto Base and Puerto Escala

Ferries to Arguineguín and Mogán, fishing trips and fresh fish

Puerto Rico harbour has two separate basins: Puerto Escala in the west and Puerto Base in the east. Ferries leave for Arguineguín and Mogán, fishing and boat trips depart from the piers, and restaurants on the quay serve fresh fish.

Overview

Puerto Rico harbour is more than a beach resort marina. Two harbour basins sit side by side in the bay, each with its own entrance: Puerto Escala in the west, opposite the beach, and Puerto Base in the east, below the hotel complexes. Together they have more than 500 berths for boats from 6 to 60 metres long. Almost everything that happens on the water in Puerto Rico starts here: ferries, fishing trips, diving trips and boat excursions.

Two Harbours, Two Roles: Puerto Escala and Puerto Base

The two basins grew up at different times. Puerto Escala is the older one, with a breakwater of about 100 metres. It lies right in front of the beach promenade. Today it is mainly home to excursion boats and scheduled ferries, including the glass-bottom boats and fast boats for day trips.

Puerto Base is the newer and larger basin, with a 300-metre breakwater and a Blue Flag. It lies on the east side and is the real yacht marina. Private sailing and motor yachts moor here, and so do most of the boats for fishing and diving trips. Visiting yachts are normally directed to Puerto Base, because Puerto Escala is mainly used by local boats and tourist ferries. Both basins are guarded around the clock and have electricity, water and sanitary facilities at the pontoons.

Ferries to Arguineguín and Puerto de Mogán

If you want a short boat trip along the coast, Puerto Rico is a good place to start. Scheduled ferries run along the Costa Mogán. The company Líneas Salmón runs glass-bottom water taxis from Puerto Escala, right opposite the beach. They stop at Arguineguín, Anfi del Mar and Puerto de Mogán. The trip to Mogán takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the stops. A second company, Líneas Blue Bird, offers a similar route with landing points at several places in the bay.

These are not pure sightseeing boats. They are regular ferries with fixed timetables. They suit you well if you want to visit the fish market in Arguineguín, or if you simply want to see the steep coast from the sea without booking a full-day boat tour.

Good to know: timetables and prices of both companies change with the season. Please check them with the ferry companies shortly before your trip.

Fishing Trips and Deep-Sea Fishing

Together with Pasito Blanco, Puerto Rico is one of the main bases for deep-sea fishing on Gran Canaria. Most of the specialist fishing boats are small to medium charter boats for six to twelve people. They moor at the pontoons of Puerto Base. From there you can join half-day or full-day trips for big-game fishing.

What you can catch depends on the season. The list includes tuna, bonito and dorado (mahi-mahi). From June to October you may also target blue marlin; the waters around Gran Canaria are known internationally for it. In the winter months, many boats also offer bottom fishing for grouper, sea bream and barracuda. Most charters are all-inclusive, with rod, bait, licence and often a snack on board. Most fish are released again. In some cases you may keep your catch.

Fishing at the Harbour: Tradition and Change

Puerto Rico was once a small fishing village, before tourism began in the 1960s and 1970s. Today it no longer has a busy fishing fleet with daily landings like Arguineguín or Puerto de las Nieves. The harbour now focuses almost completely on yachts, water sports and excursion boats.

If you want to see the contrast, take the ferry to Arguineguín. It is a short trip away and still has a real fish shop (pescadería) on the quay that sells fresh catch every day. In Puerto Rico itself, "fishing" today mostly means sport-fishing charters, not professional fishermen in small boats.

Fresh Fish on the Quay

You do not have to go without local fish in Puerto Rico. Several family-run restaurants on the harbour front specialise in fresh fish and seafood. Some have a direct view of the boats and serve grilled fish, paella and the catch of the day.

Some charter operators can arrange for your own catch to be cooked in a harbour restaurant, for an extra charge. This is not standard everywhere, so ask the charter company before you book.

Typical Canary Island Fish: What to Try

You will see the same classic dishes on most menus around the harbour:

• Vieja (parrotfish) – the classic Canary Island fish, mild and firm
• Cherne (wreckfish) – firm white meat, often served as a fillet
• Sama (a type of sea bream) – popular grilled whole
• Atún / bonito (tuna) – fresh as a steak or smoked
• Dorado (mahi-mahi) – the typical catch on fishing trips, also found on menus
• Pulpo (octopus) – usually grilled or in salads