Playa Santa Catalina

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 over the water are a special sight too.

As for the water, it’s usually quite rough, so if you are planning to swim then you should take great care. There are no lifeguards here, so only very strong swimmers should consider going for a dip here, and make sure you have someone else with you.

Surfers can occasionally be spotted thanks to the big waves, but for swimmers it’s a better idea to take a dip in the natural saltwater pool at the eastern end of the beach. You’ll still feel some of the waves crashing over you and you’ll also be enclosed, so it’s much safer.

As for the gravel, it’s not the most comfortable and there are no loungers or deckchairs here, so you won’t find a whole load of sun worshippers on this particular stretch. Most of the people who visit here come for the views and the away-from-it-all feel.