(click on photos to enlarge)

After an 18 month wait, and much irritation to locals, the new beach at San Juan is opening today just in time for the Easter break.

The Ministry of the Environment and the Department of Coasts started the planning back in 1998, construction started in November 2006.

41,000m3 of sand dredged from the bay has been placed on the new 285m long beach and a new construction of a 150m breakwater to protect the bay has cost a staggering €4.8 million euros.

To add the final touch Guia de Isora council has applied for permits to operate a sun bed and umbrella hire service, as well as concessions for kiosks and beach bars.

Spain’s biggest hoteliers’ association has commented that average occupancy levels across the islands are predicted to be around 85%.

Lanzarote could top 90%, Gran Canaria 95% and Tenerife a good 85% with the busiest days anticipated by the middle of next week until Easter Sunday on 23 March.