The spectacular La Gomera beaches can be enjoyed year-round thanks to a warm moderate climate. You will have your choice of wide sandy beaches with excellent amenities and beautiful isolated coves with dramatic cliffs and wild waves.
| BEACH | TOWN | ROAD ACCESS |
|---|---|---|
| Charco Del Conde | Valle Gran Rey | Yes |
| La Puntilla | Valle Gran Rey | Yes |
| Playa De La Calera | Valle Gran Rey | Yes |
| Playa De Las Arenas | Valle Gran Rey | No |
| Playa De Valle Gran Rey | Valle Gran Rey | Yes |
| Playa De Vueltas | Valle Gran Rey | Yes |
| Playa Del Ingles | Valle Gran Rey | Yes |
| Playa De Chinguarime | Playa Santiago | No |
| Playa De Santiago | Playa Santiago | Yes |
| Playa De Tapahuga | Playa Santiago | Yes |
| Playa Del Medio | Playa Santiago | Yes |
| Playa De Avalos | San Sebastian | Yes |
| Playa De La Cueva | San Sebastian | Yes |
| Playa De La Guancha | San Sebastian | No |
| Playa De San Sebastian | San Sebastian | Yes |
| Playa Del Cabrito | San Sebastian | No |
| Playa De Iguala | La Dama | No |
| Playa De La Negra | La Dama | No |
| Playa De La Rajita | La Dama | Yes |
| Playa De La Caleta | Hermigua | Yes |
| Playa De Santa Catalina | Hermigua | Yes |
| Playa De Alojera | Alojera | Yes |
| Playa De La Cantera | Alajero | No |
| Playa De Vallehermoso | Vallehermoso | Yes |
What Are La Gomera’s Beaches Like?
A typical La Gomera beach is small with black volcanic sand or shingle. If you are searching for long white beaches with endless lines of sun loungers, La Gomera may not be the place for you.
The more popular beaches tend to be wider and sandy, with plenty of amenities nearby. However, if you are looking for solitude, head for one of the small idyllic coves that can only be accessed via boat or on foot. You may be rewarded with an entire beach to yourself.
La Gomera has a reputation as a hippy destination, and some of the La Gomera beaches are known for attracting nudists. The most famous is Playa del Ingles at Valle Gran Rey.
One important word of caution is that swimming at La Gomera beaches can be dangerous, particularly during the winter. Some beaches aren’t suitable for swimming (especially for children) at any time of year. We recommend you take the advice of a local tourist office before swimming.
Charco Del Conde (Valle Gran Rey)
Charco del Conde is a small, pretty, sheltered bay in the heart of Valle Gran Rey. The water is surrounded by a string of natural rocks, which help to protect the water from the waves. The water is normally very calm and feels more like a small lake or lagoon. In fact, the word “condo’ means “puddle”.
This beach is sandy, with some umbrella shades, so it is an excellent choice for anyone with small children. Charco del Conde’s central location means that there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops within easy reach of the beach.
La Puntilla La Gomera (Valle Gran Rey)
La Puntilla is a small section of rocky beach at the end of a wide bay in north Valle Gran Rey. The location of the beach is marked by a huge prominent bronze statue that sits on the promenade.
The statue known as Hautacuperche commemorates an indigenous leader in the rebellion against the Spanish conquistadores.
La Puntilla is one of the less popular stretches of beach in Valle Gran Rey, which means that it is a peaceful place to hang out and enjoy the views of the bay.
Playa De La Calera (Valle Gran Rey)
Playa de la Calera can be found at the north end of a kilometre-long bay in Valle Gran Rey. This section of the shoreline widens to give a mainly sandy beach, which is close to cafes, restaurants and shops.
The bay is protected on one side by the promenade wall, which means that the water is sheltered and often safe for swimming. It is one of the most popular La Gomera beaches and a great choice for families.
Playa De Las Arenas (Valle Gran Rey)
Playa de las Arenas is a wide beach, very attractive, with spectacular cliff and ocean views. This is a partially sandy beach with relatively calm waters means it is popular for swimming, especially with locals.
There are also trees along the edge of the beach which provide shade from the sun, and the beach is also said to be popular with nudists.
However, Playa de las Arenas recently became difficult to access following a rockfall onto the only road to the beach. The road is indefinitely closed as the cliff area is considered unsafe. This means that for now, the only way to get to the beach is by boat.
Playa De Valle Gran Rey (Valle Gran Rey)
Playa de Valle Gran Rey (also known simply as La Playa) is the central stretch of beach along a kilometre-long bay in north Valle Gran Rey. The southern part of the beach is very rocky and quite narrow, but there are sander patches at the northern end.
Playa de Valle Gran Rey doesn’t have amenities at the beach itself. However, there is a good selection of restaurants and cafes at the beach’s northern end (near Playa de la Calera) and at the southern end (near La Puntilla).
Playa De Vueltas (Valle Gran Rey)
Playa de Vueltas is at the southern end of Valle Gran Rey, on the south side of the port. The beach shares its water with the town’s harbour, but the water is very clean and clear.
This is one of the few sandy beaches in La Gomera, and it is sheltered from the wind and waves by the harbour walls. This means that it is generally safe to swim here and a great choice for families.
Playa de Vueltas has picture-postcard views of the harbour, neatly lined up sailing boats, and dramatic views of the volcanic cliffs and the sea. The beach also has plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops nearby.
Playa Del Ingles (Valle Gran Rey)
Playa del Ingles lies at the northern end of Valle Gran Rey, just outside the main town. Although it is a popular beach, rocks and sand dunes mean that you can normally find a quiet section to yourself. It is also one of the best places in town to watch the sunset.
For decades this beach has been known as a destination for hippies and nudists. There are quite a few (unofficial) nudist La Gomera beaches, but Playa del Ingles is the only one close to amenities.
One very important point is that you shouldn’t attempt to swim at Playa del Ingles. I have seen at least one website that describes the waters here as calm and safe for swimming, but this is definitely not the case.
There are strong undercurrents even when the sea appears calm. At the beach, there is a sign that states that 27 people have died swimming here in the past 10 years.
Playa De Chinguarime (Playa Santiago)
Playa de Chimguarime is a wide isolated beach that is a mix of mainly rock and gravel. This idyllic beach is surrounded by spectacular cliffs, rocks and caves with beautiful crystal-clear water.
There isn’t road access to the beach, so it isn’t widely used. However, it is still quite popular with hippies, and there is a good chance that you will find a handful of people camping here, plus the occasional nudist.
The easiest way to access Playa de Chinguarime is to drive to neighbouring Playa del Medio and then walk. It is a relatively short but steep walk. If you are lucky enough to catch a very low tide, it is possible to walk from Playa del Medio through a large short cave.
Playa De Santiago (Playa Santiago)
Playa de Santiago is a popular beach in the heart of the small resort town of Playa Santiago. It is a long beach at around 800 metres, but the western (harbour) end of the beach is separated by a low concrete pier.
The pier, along with the main harbour wall, provides a sheltered bay with a beach that is usually safe for swimming. An attractive promenade with restaurants and cafes overlooks the beach. There are also shops nearby.
Playa De Tapahuga (Playa Santiago)
Playa de Tapahuga (sometimes spelled Playa de Tapachuga) is a short drive from Playa Santiago but is quiet and a good place to escape the crowds. People were camping here when we visited, including some in makeshift shelters at the base of the cliffs. You may also come across nudists at this beach.
This is a very attractive bay with a steep beach and crashing waves. We did see a couple of people swimming here, but the waves are strong, so use caution.
The main downside for me was the abandoned buildings at the edge of the beach which were an eyesore. There aren’t any cafes/restaurants here, but there is a sheltered area with seating, tables and a BBQ area for you to cook your own food.
Playa Del Medio (Playa Santiago)
Playa del Medio is a stunning, partially sandy beach which is a short drive from Playa Santiago along a narrow road. The beach is free of any buildings. You will just find crystal-clear water, crashing waves and spectacular cliffs and caves.
When we visited, some people were camping in makeshift shelters in caves. However, it is a pretty large beach, and you are likely to find a quiet space for yourself. Note that there is a good chance that you will come across nudists here.
Playa De Avalos (San Sebastian)
Playa de Avalos is a beautiful, clean, and generally empty beach. It is around 200 metres wide with a pebbled beach and several low circular shelters built from stones.
As one of the eastern La Gomera beaches, Playa de Avalos has an incredible view of Mount Teide volcano on the island of Tenerife. If you can make it there before dawn, Playa de Avalos is a perfect place to watch a sunrise.
It is possible to swim in the sea at Playa de Avalos, and the cliffs provide shelter for the bay. However, the beach is quite steep, and the waves can be rough, so seek advice before swimming here.
Playa De La Cueva (San Sebastian)
Playa de la Cueva is one of two La Gomera beaches in the port town of San Sebastian. It is on the western side of the town’s port, has good amenities and is just a few minutes walk from the centre of San Sebastian.
Playa de la Cueva is an attractive beach, and it has excellent views across the water to Mount Teide volcano in Tenerife.
This beach can be windy, but the cliffs and the sea wall behind it provide shelter for the bay. This is one of the sandier beaches on La Gomera, but it still has some rocky areas.
Playa De La Guancha (San Sebastian)
Playa de la Guancha La Gomera is a stunning, isolated beach just a few kilometres south of San Sebastian. There isn’t road access to this beach. You will need to take a boat or hike there.
The hike from San Sebastian is along a beautiful cliff-top trail, It is very steep in sections, but you may be rewarded with the entire beach to yourself. When we visited Playa de la Guancha, there were just four other hikers there.
Playa De San Sebastian (San Sebastian)
Playa de San Sebastian is in the heart of the port of San Sebastian. It has excellent amenities. There is a cafe/restaurant at the edge of the beach and is just a few minutes walk from the main area of shops and restaurants.
This beach is very sheltered, the waters are calm, and it has one of the sandier beaches on La Gomera. It is also one of the safest beaches on the island for swimming and is popular with families.
On the downside, Playa de San Sebastian is busier than many other beaches on La Gomera, but is it quite wide and spacious. It is an attractive beach despite being close to the town’s harbour and port, although the occasional massive cruise ship can spoil the view.
Playa Del Cabrito (San Sebastian)
Playa del Cabrito is an idyllic isolated beach around 6 km south of San Sebastian. You can’t access the beach via road; the only options to reach Playa del Cabrito are via hiking trails or by boat.
The shortest hiking routes are approximately 14-kilometre round trips, either from San Sebastian or the village of Ayamosna. The San Sebastian route is the easiest of the two, with less climbing involved.
Playa De Iguala (La Dama)
Playa de Iguala is a remote, deserted beach with stunning volcanic cliffs. The beach is less rocky than many on La Gomera, with patches of coarse sand/gravel.
The bay is characterized by Punta de Iguala at the western end of the beach and the volcanic Roque de Iguala, which sits dramatically at the end of the bay.
This is a difficult beach to access unless you have a boat. However, anyone who makes it here will be rewarded with solitude and probably the entire beach to themselves.
Playa De La Negra (La Dama)
Playa de la Negra is around 250 metres wide and a mix of sand and gravel. The bay is sheltered, and the water is crystal clear and generally calm. The beach can be safe for swimming, depending on the conditions.
Access is either by boat or hiking trail, but if you make the effort, you will have the beach to yourself. The shortest walk to Playa de la Negra is from Calle Arguayoda, a steep, narrow gravel road.
Playa De La Rajita (La Dama)
Playa de la Rajita is one of the more unusual La Gomera beaches. This wide isolated bay is home to an old abandoned fish cannery, which gives the place an eerie atmospheric feel.
However, there is a lot of concrete, and you may find the old buildings something of an eyesore that spoils the natural beauty of the bay.
Despite this, the views out to the ocean are beautiful, as they are everywhere in La Gomera. The beach is volcanic rock without any sand, but the water is clean and crystal clear.
Playa De La Caleta (Hermigua)
Playa de la Caleta is an attractive beach with great views of Mount Teide of Tenerife. There is road access to this beach, but the last few kilometres of road are narrow, with blind bends and some steep drops.
However, if you can make it, this beach is surprisingly well-equipped with toilets, showers, a beach bar and a recreational area. However, you may find the facilities closed in the winter.
The beach is very rocky, and the sea is normally too rough to be safe for swimming.
Playa De Santa Catalina (Hermigua)
Playa de Santa Catalina is one of the larger La Gomera beaches, more than half a kilometre long. The sea can be rough, so it isn’t always suitable for swimming, but the waves and the abandoned Pescante de Hermigua make for great views.
Playa de Santa Catalina lies at the end of the lush Hermigua Valley by a hamlet of the same name. The beach is often referred to as Playa de Hermigua as it is just 2-3 kilometres from this small town.
You can normally visit the ruins of the eerie Pescante De Hermigua at the south end of the beach. Unfortunately, the trail to the ruins was closed due to falling rocks when we visited, but you can still get great photos from the beach.
Playa De Alojera (Alojera)
Playa de Alojera was probably the most beautiful of the La Gomera beaches we visited. It has cliffs, dramatic dark rocks and crashing waves. The sea can be very rough at any time of year, but the views are spectacular, and it is a great place to watch a sunset.
Playa de Alojera lies close to the pretty village of Alojera, which is a 2-kilometre climb up a steep road. The village is home to two small bars/restaurants, which double as mini-markets and the Casa de la Miel de Palma.
This interpretation centre sells palm honey products and provides information about the history and production of palm honey in La Gomera.
The sea is too dangerous for swimming for much of the year, but it does have a small sheltered saltwater pool. However, even this pool can be unsafe, as the waves crash over the top when the sea is rough.
Playa De La Cantera La Gomera (Alajero)
Playa de la Cantera is a stunning beach with crystal clear waters and dramatic rocky cliffs. It is around 300m wide in a sheltered bay, which is safe for swimming for much of the year.
There aren’t any amenities at this beach or any access by road, which means it is often completely deserted. Whale-watching tour boats sometimes anchor in the middle of the bay while their customers swim from the boat, but it is rare for these boats to come to shore.
Playa De Vallehermoso (Vallehermoso)
Playa de Vallehermoso, around 3 kilometres from the town of Vallehermoso, is a great family beach in the summer. At the edge of the beach is the Parque Maritimo de Vallehermoso, with two pools, sun loungers and a restaurant. However, note that this is closed in the winter months.
If you bring your own food, there is a picnic area with chairs, tables and a grill to cook your food. The beach itself has some umbrella shades, but the sea is rough and unsafe for swimming; also, the beach is rocky.
Conclusion: Your Ultimate Guide to La Gomera’s Beaches
So, you’ve just explored the ins and outs of La Gomera’s beaches, each with its own unique charm and allure. From the family-friendly Charco Del Conde in Valle Gran Rey to the isolated beauty of Playa De La Cantera in Alajero, La Gomera offers a beach experience for every type of traveller. Whether you’re an adventure seeker looking for hidden coves or someone who prefers the convenience of amenities, this Canary Island has got you covered.
Remember, La Gomera’s beaches are not just about sun and sand; they’re about the unique volcanic landscapes, the dramatic cliffs, and the crystal-clear waters. But a word to the wise: always heed local advice about swimming conditions, especially during the winter months.
So, what’s stopping you? Pack that sunscreen, grab a good book, and head to one of these stunning beaches. Trust me, whether you’re a local or a tourist, the beaches of La Gomera are not to be missed.
Questions to Ponder:
- What’s Your Beach Personality? – Are you the type who loves the hustle and bustle of popular beaches, or do you crave the solitude of hidden coves?
- Safety First, Always – How important is it for you to have lifeguards and other safety amenities at the beach?
- Cultural Experience – Are you open to experiencing the local culture at some of the less commercial beaches, where you might encounter nudists or local hippies?
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