The 7 Best Gomera Beaches
One of the smallest Canary Islands, La Gomera is the perfect place to get away from the throngs of tourists that flock to its bigger neighbours like Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
If you're after loud and lively, then this 146 square mile island isn't the place for you. Family-run restaurants and independent hotels are the norm here, so in tourism terms the island remains relatively unspoilt.
As a result, when it comes to beaches, you'll usually find plenty of elbow room, but a word of caution - if you're expecting golden sands and mile-long stretches then you'll be in for a shock. Most of La Gomera's seaside spots are small bays, which are made up of black, volcanic sand or gravel and rock.
The most popular beach on the island is Playa de Santiago. It's said that the sun shines for 360 days a year on this sunkissed strip of pebble beach, and while that may not be strictly true, it goes someway to explaining why it's a favourite with the locals. You'll find plenty of places to eat and drink along here too.
While none of the beaches are overflowing with tourists, some are still quieter than others, and if you want somewhere off the beaten track, there are plenty of hidden bays around the island - Playa de Medio is one such spot. This rocky cove is a mix of black sand, pebbles and rocks, with a sheer cliff backdrop. As scenery goes, it's a pretty impressive spot, and it's fairly remote too. The only road that leads into it isn't tarmacked, so most visitors take the 60-minute walk along the coast from Playa de Santiago to get there. If you do fancy venturing to this remote beach, two things to consider - firstly, you'll need to pack supplies as there are no bars or shops close by, and secondly, expect to see some fellow beachgoers in the nude.
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1. Playa de Vueltas
Falco Ermert Great for:- Swimming
This soft sand beach is tucked into a picturesque corner of La Gomera's south west coastline.
As with most of the island's beaches, the sands here are volcanic black, but unlike many of the others, this one's sheltered by a breakwater, so the waves rarely get too choppy. As a result, this spot's a popular choice with families, although that's partly thanks to the nearby facilities too - Valle Gran Rey's… read more »
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2. Playa de Alojera
Canarina If it's peace and quiet you're after, then this place hits the nail on the head.
This unique, cosy beach is nestled along La Gomera's north west coastline, just a five-minute drive away from the tiny town of Alojera.
The beach is only around 200 metres long, and it's made up of fine, black volcanic sand, which blends in perfectly with the rugged volcanic cliffs that stand tall behind it, and the… read more »
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3. Playa Santa Catalina
Rebexho This rocky black beach has bagged itself a scenic stretch of La Gomera's north east coastline.
On a practical scale, this spot's at the lower end, with no facilities to speak of, and no bars or restaurants nearby. However, it's the views that people come here for - the black gravel that makes up the beach will look pretty special on your Insta feed, and the rugged mountains that stand watch… read more »
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4. Playa de La Puntilla
dronepicr This predominantly sandy spot on La Gomera's west coast is one of the island's better connected stretches of beach.
Right next to the beach here, you'll find a hotel, plenty of places to park, and a decent sprinkling of restaurants. It's also just a 10-minute stroll to one of La Gomera's busier towns - Valle Gran Rey.
As for the beach itself, as with most La Gomera beaches, there are no facilities… read more »
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5. Playa del Inglés
© Jörg Bergmann This volcanic, black sand beach is nestled along La Gomera's western coastline, just a couple of miles north of Valle Gran Rey.
Like most of the island's beaches, there's a shortage of facilities and amenities on the sands, which helps to keep them unspoilt. Like you'd expect though, the scenery is stunning and the sand is scattered with volcanic rocks.
As for the waters, they're very calm and clear, and although there… read more »
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6. Playa San Sebastián
Rico van Manen Great for:- Swimming
One of La Gomera's busier beaches, this stretch of sand sits just outside the town of San Sebastian, which doubles up as the island's capital.
As with all of the beaches here, the sands are volcanic black and the waters are crystal clear. However, unlike many of the other beaches you'll find around the island, this one's pretty strong on the facilities front. There are toilets right by the beach, a… read more »
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7. Charco del Conde
Falco Ermert Great for:- Swimming
Nestled into a quiet spot on La Gomera's west coast, Charco del Conde is a particularly popular beach with families.
As with nearly all of the island's beaches, it's characterised by an imposing mountainous backdrop and volcanic black sands. There are lots of rocks as you approach the water too, so it's a good idea to invest in a pair of water shoes, or take extra care at the very least… read more »
