Does La Palma have black or light sand beaches?

La Palma mainly offers black volcanic beaches. Los Cancajos, Bajamar, Charco Verde and Playa Nueva have black sand. Long, light sand beaches like those on Fuerteventura or Gran Canaria are not typical of La Palma.

Is Puerto Naos on La Palma open again?

The official island information still refers to a closure of Puerto Naos due to volcanic gas emissions after the 2021 eruption. Visitors should check closures on the same day and not automatically plan Puerto Naos as a normal bathing spot.

Is there an entrance fee for the beaches on La Palma?

No entrance fee is stated on the official beach pages for the beaches mentioned. Public beaches are generally free. However, costs may arise for parking, sunbeds, food and drink, water sports or hire cars.

Which month is warmest on La Palma?

According to AEMET climate normals for 1991–2020, September is the warmest month at the La Palma Aeropuerto station. The driest period runs from May to September.

Which beach on La Palma is suitable for families?

Charco Verde on the south-west coast is regarded as a family-friendly bay with calm water and road access. The beach offers ramps and walkways for people with reduced mobility and pushchairs.

Where can you snorkel on La Palma?

According to visitlapalma.es, Los Cancajos on the east coast is suitable for snorkelling and cave diving. The bay has warm black sand and comparatively little wave action. The volcanic underwater landscapes are a central part of the island's offer.

La Palma: the best beaches and swimming spots

Which beaches on La Palma are best equipped?

Los Cancajos in Breña Baja is on the east coast. The semi-urban bay has warm black sand and comparatively little wave action. It is suitable for snorkelling and cave diving.

According to visitlapalma.es, there are toilets, showers, sunshade and sunbed hire, parking, bus connections and accessible routes. Restaurants, hotels and apartments are nearby.

Playa de Bajamar in Breña Alta is near Santa Cruz de La Palma, between the marina and the Risco de la Concepción natural monument. The black sand beach is present. There are cafés and restaurants in the surrounding area.

For Bajamar, visitlapalma.es lists parking, showers, toilets, places to eat, public transport and accessible routes.

Which swimming spots are suitable for families and people with reduced mobility?

Charco Verde in Los Llanos de Aridane is on the south-west coast. The bay is easily reached by road and has parking.

According to visitlapalma.es, the beach offers a beach bar with terrace, outdoor showers and ramps and walkways for people with reduced mobility and pushchairs.

Los Cancajos and Bajamar are also described as accessible on the official beach pages. Charco Verde is regarded as a family-friendly bay with calm water and road access.

What should visitors know about Puerto Naos and Playa Nueva?

Puerto Naos in Los Llanos de Aridane is in the main tourist centre of the south-west coast and is considered the largest beach on La Palma. Access is by car; a car park is above the cliff.

The official island information still refers to a closure due to volcanic gas emissions after the 2021 eruption. Puerto Naos should therefore not automatically be planned as a normal bathing spot.

Playa Nueva, also called Playa Echentive, is at the foot of the Teneguía volcano in Fuencaliente. The black sand beach is around 300 m long and feels comparatively natural and remote, but can be reached by car.

What are the climate and best time for a beach holiday on La Palma?

The AEMET climate normals for the La Palma Aeropuerto station are based on the 1991–2020 reference period.

The driest period runs from May to September. June to August are particularly dry, with 1 to 2 mm of precipitation and 0.3 to 0.4 rainy days. For swimming and beach holidays, June to October are typically the most reliable.

Winter remains mild but brings more precipitation. According to AEMET, November sees 70 mm over 6.8 rainy days, and December 80 mm over 7.9 rainy days. Sunshine hours are 222 h in July and 138 h in December.

A reliable monthly series for sea temperature is not included in the available AEMET data. Likewise, no officially defined, annually identical periods for calima or trade winds can be derived from it. Current values and warnings: CITA weather (cita.news/de/wetter.html) and AEMET.

What safety rules apply on La Palma's beaches?

Only swim when the sea is calm and pay attention to local warning flags and advice from the rescue services. Do not enter the water alone on unguarded stretches of coast. Surf and rip currents can occur even in apparently calm weather.

In strong wind, high waves or calima, avoid staying on exposed cliffs and rocky coasts. Bathing shoes are advisable on volcanic sand and rocks; hot or unstable areas on volcanic coasts must not be entered.

Supervise children constantly in surf zones and at natural bathing spots. La Palma is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: do not take lava, stones, plants or shells as souvenirs and take all waste away with you.

What alternatives are there if a beach is closed or the sea is too rough?

If a beach is closed or the sea is too rough, Los Cancajos or Puerto de Tazacorte offer more sheltered bathing. Puerto de Tazacorte has developed into the main bathing and leisure beach in the west; a breakwater provides comparatively calm water.

Charco Verde is suitable as a family-friendly bay with calm water and road access. Bajamar near Santa Cruz is a town beach frequented by locals, with cafés and restaurants in the surrounding area.

For nature experiences and photography, Nogales, La Zamora, La Veta and Echentive are more suitable. Nogales is also a well-known surf spot; the official information warns of strong currents and waves there. After a narrow road, La Veta still requires around 20 minutes on foot.