CanCanaria Adventure Week 2026
CanCanaria Adventure Week is not just another winter escape in the sun. It’s a carefully curated week where people come to move, breathe, challenge themselves, and just as importantly meet others, laugh, build friendships, and discover Gran Canaria beyond the postcard clichés. With hiking, canyoning, surfing, scuba diving, yoga, meditation, themed nights and calmer beach moments, the event stands out for its rare balance: outdoor adventure + wellbeing + social connection, in an openly LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere.
To understand what makes this week so distinctive and why it has been growing so quickly I spoke with Patrick Marmion, the organiser. His answers reveal something bigger than a simple “friends’ trip”: CanCanaria Adventure Week is becoming a winter fixture for LGBTQ+ travellers who want community, activity, and a meaningful way to experience the island.
A young LGBTQ+ adventure (born in 2023) that’s already becoming a must
Let’s start with the basics: the event is still new.
How long has the event been running?
According to Patrick Marmion, it has been running since January 2023. In just a few editions, it has moved from “new idea” to “date to save”, with returning participants and plenty of newcomers drawn by the promise of an active, social, well-organised week.
Attendance growth that speaks for itself
One of the most striking indicators is the rise in participation.
Patrick Marmion sums it up clearly: “each year we grow around 30% we started with around 20 people this year was closer to 200.”
In other words: a start at around 20 participants, then steady growth to close to 200 on the most recent edition he referenced. For a niche concept (LGBTQ+ + adventure + destination week), that’s a strong signal: the format is meeting a real demand.
Video by Franck Magmedia
Who runs CanCanaria Adventure Week? A “family” more than a company
It’s easy to assume an event like this is run by a large production team. Here, the story is different.
A collective organisation model
Asked how many people are involved and who manages the event, Patrick Marmion explains: “we have a group of friends who make up the CanCanaria Family, each bringing different skills and more importantly time to make the event work.”
That “CanCanaria Family” idea isn’t just branding. It describes a community-led model: friends with complementary skills, investing real time to make the event happen. In a world where many events feel copy-pasted, this kind of human-scale organisation can be a major advantage creating a warmer atmosphere and a more attentive participant experience.
The concept: adventure, wellbeing, and social life (without pressure)
On the official site, CanCanaria Adventure Week is described as a mix of “outdoor excitement, mindfulness, and social events” on Gran Canaria.
Outdoor activities highlighted
The programme promotes a wide range of experiences, including:
Hiking
Climbing
Sailing
Via ferrata
Surfing
Canyoning
Scuba diving
Skydiving
This variety matters: it brings together different profiles (regular athletes, curious first-timers, travellers who want a guided “try it safely” approach) and lets people build a week that fits their energy level.
Fitness and wellness: body and mind
The wellbeing component isn’t an afterthought. The site mentions:
Beach workouts (strength and HIIT)
Stretching
Meditation
Yoga
Sunrise 5 km runs
Beach games
The message is clear: you’re not only coming to party you’re also coming to feel good, reset, and enjoy the island’s natural setting.
Social events, including low/no alcohol options
On the social side, the week includes:
Group meals
“Learn Spanish” afternoons
Nightly socials and themed parties
Pool party
Cultural experiences
Bowling and mini golf
Alcohol-free or low-alcohol events
That last point is worth highlighting: offering social moments without alcohol (or with minimal alcohol) broadens the audience and reduces social pressure. It’s often where real inclusivity becomes tangible.
2026: the biggest new feature is mindfulness
For the 2026 edition, Patrick Marmion points to a major addition: “the biggest thing we added was mindfulness events such as meditation and workouts on the beach.”
It fits the shift in what many LGBTQ+ travellers are looking for today: experiences that combine fun, health and connection without automatically defaulting to the “club + after + rough recovery” pattern. Here, nightlife exists, but it doesn’t dominate the entire experience.
The site also lists “New for 2026” additions such as:
Laugh yoga
Cycling and fitness events
More meditation and mindfulness sessions
Sunset walks
More opportunities for beach relaxation
Partners: more venues, more local companies
An event that grows is also an event that deepens its local network.
Growth in partner participation
On partner growth, Patrick Marmion explains: “each year we include more venues and more importantly local companies who provide adventures every day of the year. We also increased the number of local companies such as vineyards and rural economy.”
This is key: it’s not only about adding nightlife venues, but also strengthening ties with local adventure providers and even integrating experiences linked to vineyards and rural initiatives. For participants, that’s often what turns a holiday into a real discovery: stepping outside the usual circuits and meeting a living, diverse island.
Practical information: what to know before you go
The “What you need to know” page provides very concrete guidance useful to avoid surprises.
Essentials: water, sun, layers, cash
A few key recommendations:
Water: bring at least 1 litre more than you would normally drink on an activity; use bottled water.
Sun cream: essential, even in winter.
Layers: hot in the sun, colder in the shade and after sunset.
Cash: helpful for quick stops (snacks/drinks) and tips.
Meeting point
The site lists a meeting point: Buddies Bar – Ground Floor, Yumbo Centre (departure times vary by activity and should be checked on the agenda page).
Weather: Gran Canaria is not “one climate”
The reminder is important: the south coast can feel hot in the sun and chilly at night; the north and mountains can be colder and wet. Microclimates are part of the island’s reality so a smart packing strategy matters.
Insurance and safety framing
The site mentions public liability coverage and strongly recommends suitable travel insurance, noting that some activities may not be covered by standard policies.
2027: dates are already on the table
A sign the event is planning ahead: Patrick Marmion already shares a concrete detail for the next edition. Asked about ideas for 2027, he gives the dates: “25th – 31st January 2027.”
Announcing early helps international travellers plan and anchors the event in the winter calendar.
A message from the organiser: togetherness and friendship first
To close, Patrick Marmion sums up the intent behind the project: “CanCanaria Adventure Week is designed to bring people together, celebrate friendship and to give people the opportunity to explore Gran Canaria through sports and outdoor activities.”
Beyond the activity list, that’s the heart of it: creating a positive social space where people can be themselves, meet others, and experience the island through movement.
Why CanCanaria Adventure Week fits Gay Mag
Because it aligns with several strong trends in LGBTQ+ travel today:
The need for community (meeting people beyond apps, in a healthy setting)
The return of sport-as-pleasure (feeling alive, not just “consuming” a destination)
The search for whole-person wellbeing (body + mind)
The desire for local discovery (partners, rural economy, off-the-beaten-path experiences)
And because in the middle of the European winter, Gran Canaria remains a climate refuge while also being an exceptional natural playground.
Key takeaways
CanCanaria Adventure Week has been running since January 2023.
Attendance has surged: from about 20 participants at the start to close to 200 on the most recent edition mentioned, with around 30% growth per year.
The 2026 edition highlights mindfulness (meditation, beach workouts, and more).
2027 dates are already announced: 25–31 January 2027.
Sources (web):
Sources (interview): Patrick Marmion’s answers provided by Franck.
Photos by Henry Falco and social media
For comments or projects, please contact me.
