Mogán opens its first museum dedicated to fishing

This new museum space recreates the rich history of Gran Canaria's fishing traditions and invites visitors on a virtual journey into the high seas to experience ancestral fishing methods firsthand.

Museo de la Pesca (Fishing Museum) in Mogán

Located in the municipality of Mogán, in the southwest of Gran Canaria, this unique attraction offers both a physical and virtual tour through the history of Canarian fishing. As soon as you enter the site – located in the Las Gallanías Recreational Park, just a stone’s throw from the beach at Puerto de Mogán– you are greeted by the ambient sounds of the Atlantic and the cry of seagulls. The journey continues with informative panels (available in Spanish, English, and German) that explore the history of the industry and the deep-rooted bond between local fishers and the sea.

Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán
Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán
Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán

Right at the entrance, you’ll find a traditional falúa (boat) complete with all its original gear: oars, rowlocks, fishing lines, and specialized traps for moray eels. This is a truly authentic exhibit; named the Mari Rita, this vessel sailed the waters of Mogán for many years. In fact, nearly every object in the museum has been used at sea at some point. This authenticity creates a "living" museum. Detailed explanations of every piece of equipment – from the intricate nets and buoys to the rods and fish traps – allow visitors to marvel at the ingenuity and skill of the Mogán fishers.

Interior view of the Fishing Museum in Mogán

The museum also features a wealth of photographs and graphic archives honouring the men and women who shaped the maritime traditions of the town and the wider Canary Islands. As the first museum in the archipelago dedicated exclusively to fishing, it serves as a vital guardian of this coastal memory.

Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán
Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán
Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán
Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán

Virtual reality: fishing for albacore and sardines on the high seas
Undoubtedly, one of the museum's greatest draws is the Virtual Reality (VR) experience. By putting on the VR headsets, visitors are instantly transported to the open ocean. You’ll find yourself in the middle of a tuna and albacore fishing expedition, experiencing the frantic energy of the rods and the sway of the boat. You can also witness the anchovy and sardine catch, or watch the hauling of heavy traps from the ocean floor – a feat requiring immense strength and technique in the deep waters far from the coast. A visit to this museum offers a profound insight into the daily lives of the fishers who still venture out into these Atlantic waters, famed for their bountiful catches and artisanal traditions. This wealth of information is also accessible via various QR codes. Once scanned, they transform the compact museum into an expansive space that feels as though it has countless rooms to explore. Combined with the VR experience, it invites you to truly immerse yourself in the adventure of fishing in the Atlantic.

Close-up of the interior of the Fishing Museum in Mogán

To arrange a tour of the Museum, please call in advance: Telephone: (+34) 928 158 800 Extension: 1132 or by sending an email to presidencia@mogan.es.