Diving & non-diving holidays in The Canaries

LA GOMERA - INTRODUCTION

Introduction | Hotels | Dive Centres | Late Offers

La Gomera, known as Isla Redonda (Round Island) is only a short hop from Tenerife, but has a totally different pace of life. The island tends to be little more than a day trip for most visitors, but if they stayed around longer they would find that the island has considerable potential for walkers and divers alike. La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands, measuring just 25 kilometres at its widest point. The scenery is stunning and, because of the relative lack of tourism, it can be explored and enjoyed in peace and at leisure. The island is blessed with a warm-all-year-round climate and low rainfall. Palm trees and bananas grow in abundance. Ideal for the hiker, La Gomera is a peaceful island of deep ravines, green valleys, spectacular basalt sea-cliffs and dense laurasilva forests. Visitors come to La Gomera not in search for sun, sea and sand, but to relax in peaceful surroundings and to explore the island's marvellous varied landsacpe on foot.

The capital, San Sebastian de la Gomera is a small port, with a delightful central plaza shaded by huge plane trees and once again thanks to the relative lack of tourism is surrounded by traditional and in many cases unsophisticated bars and restaurants. There is a wide choice of places to eat, offering splendid local fare, particularly good are the fish and vegetables. It is a botanist's paradise, and has many rare species of plants.

Valle Gran Rey, the Valley of the Great King located on the islands west coast boasts fabulous coastal paths, stunning valleys, striking waterfalls, and no shortage of gorges and ravines.

Situated on the south coast, Playa de Santiago is the home of the island's only golf course as well as a pebbly beach. Other serviceable beaches can be found just outside the island capital, San Sebastián.