La Palma has beaches, streams, waterfalls and puddles where bathing is a luxury within everyone's reach. Far from the world, paradisiacal, with black sand or fresh water filtered through its mountains, the beaches and pools of this island, declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, are a gift for the visitor who can enjoy these natural spaces of unforgettable baths. One thing is clear when we talk about the beaches in La Palma: the noun "massification" is unknown and it is not necessary to get up early to take your spot.
Beaches Far From the World: Nogales, Echentive, La Veta, La Zamora
For visitors fleeing overcrowding, La Palma has plenty of places to bathe in private. Surrounded by cliffs and open to the Atlantic Ocean the beach of Nogales offers everything that makes La Palma beautiful: mountains, trails, lava, the ocean and lots of green. Located in Puntallana, this natural space is a unique mixture of lush vegetation and 450m of fine black sand. It’s also a favorite place for surfers. Of course, you have to take your own food and water, because it’s far from everything. Also be very careful because it has strong currents and the waves can also be strong. A beach where you have to exercise extreme caution.
Echentive beach is reached through the road that borders the volcanoes of San Antonio and Teneguía. It resembles a lunar landscape that ends on a coast where there are multiple bends. The largest is that of this beach which, moreover, hides three pools on its upper right margin.
La Zamora beach, in the same municipality, but at its westernmost end, is another place to enjoy solitude and tranquility, without overcrowding.
Finally, Veta Beach, in Tijarafe, is accessed by a narrow road and then a path that takes about 20 minutes. This trail leads to this beach of fine black sand, surrounded by curious houses where the townspeople go to spend the summer.
Beaches in the City and Near Fishing Villages
La Palma also offers bathing possibilities in urban areas. The beach of this municipality lies along the entire avenue of Santa Cruz de La Palma. As if playing the role of boardwalk of La Palma, it gives respite and entertainment to the Palmerians of Santa Cruz, and to all those who need sea breezes and bathing throughout the year. In addition to being the longest beach in the capital, there are a whole range of restaurants and shops on the other side of the avenue. It is also properly marked so that lovers of kitesurfing, windsurfing and windfoil enjoy challenging the wind.
El Charco Verde, in Los Llanos de Aridane, is another beach near the urban area. It is close to the island's other large urban beach, Puerto Naos which is currently closed as a result of the emanation of gases from the eruption of September 2021. To admire the most beautiful sunsets, there is nothing like approaching the beach of Tazacorte port. And, if we talk about moments of the day to admire, we can not miss the sunrise on the beach of los Cancajos, in Breña Baja, on the east side of the island. Another urban beach, equipped with all kinds of tourist services and very close to the capital and the airport.
Bajamar beach is also in Breña Alta. This beach, one of the most visited by the local population throughout the year, comprised of black sand and measures approximately 700m long, in which to enjoy a swim or any of the nearby cafes and restaurants.
And after a good meal, there is nothing like relaxing on the beach of Puerto de Tazacorte, the longest in the whole island with black sand (almost 2km). This beach is ideal for families as it has a breakwater that slows down the sea currents and waves. In addition, like the rest of the aforementioned beaches, it has a blue flag, and several amenities such as hammock rentals, a promenade, a bus stop and parking areas.
Pools, Porís [Small, Natural Harbor] and Natural Pools
Nature is capricious and in its whims it has endowed La Palma with pools and natural swimming pools where you can enjoy a pleasant dip. A great plan for the family. The aforementioned Echentive pools in Fuencaliente, El Charco Azul, in San Andrés y Sauces, and the natural pools of La Fajana, in Barlovento, are comprised of salt water fed by the waves. Each has areas of calm tide for the little ones and others open to the sea to experience the Atlantic Ocean in its full intensity, always sheltered by the rocks of the coast. La Salemera, on the coast of Villa de Mazo, also has a large pool that delights young and old in a small picturesque fishing village. No less spectacular is Puerto Paja, in Puntallana, on the coast and without nearby services, a place to escape. Or those of Lomada Grande, in Garafía, which must be accessed by a track with a 4x4 vehicle and then a trail.
Another separate chapter is made up of the so-called Porís, i.e., small natural ports that once served to dock boats carrying food and necessary products to the most remote areas. These are historic corners that have become not only bathing places, but also picturesque and traditional places. The Porís de Puntagorda and the Porís de Candelaria are two good examples of this. The first is well accessed by a path that descends from the village, or by a road. The second is also accessed in the same way, but it is convenient to note that the road stands out for being very steep, very narrow and with precipices on the sides, so the best option may be to walk down and climb in the same way or by booking a taxi.
It is important to bear in mind that, even if they are porís and pools, the state of the sea must be respected because they are nourished by the waves that reach them or are in direct contact with the sea. If the sea is turbulent, bathing is not convenient.
Streams and Waterfalls of Spring Water
To reach the stream of the Caldera de Taburiente you have to walk the path that surrounds the pine forests inhabiting this National Park of volcanic origin. In other words: enter the heart of the Caldera de Taburiente either from the Los Brecitos Viewpoint (PR LP 13), entering the crater’s bowels while descending toward it and admiring the impressive dikes and peaks that surround it. Within this monument to nature is also the Waterfall of Colors which, thanks to the high iron content of its waters, possesses unique shades of the entire palette of reds and oranges.
The water of La Palma, spring or salt, revitalizes the entire family, whether you want to flee from crowds or want to have lunch or dinner while watching the sunset by the sea.