La Palma beaches guide · the Canaries
12 standout La Palma beaches, from the calm resort bay of Puerto Naos to the dramatic black sand of the wild west coast — grouped by coast, with access and swimming notes.
Curated by the Beach Atlas team · Updated July 2026
La Palma, the northwestern Canary nicknamed la isla bonita, is a steep, densely green volcanic island whose beaches are almost all black sand born of eruptions. A high mountain spine shelters the east coast, where the calm town beach of Santa Cruz de La Palma sits below the island's handsome capital, while the open west coast faces the Atlantic full-on and runs wilder and wavier. Browse every verified beach on the island in La Palma.
The gentlest swimming is on the sheltered east and in the resort bay of Playa de Puerto Naos in the southwest; much of the rest of the west coast is dramatic, dark and exposed, better for a wild walk than a calm dip. This is a curated best-of — pick a coast below, then read each beach page for sea state and access, or compare filters across the islands on the best beaches pages.
Screened by the island's mountainous interior, the east coast holds La Palma's calmest urban swimming. Santa Cruz de La Palma is a sandy town beach with generally calm to moderate water and gentle waves suited to families, right beside the capital. Just along the coast, El Puertito is a small sheltered cove of black volcanic sand tucked in a natural bay, with consistently calm water that makes it one of the island's most reliable swims, and the little pebble beach of Playa del Callejoncito is a quiet, low-key stop on the same shore.
The southwest is the resort heart of the island. Playa de Puerto Naos is a broad mixed sand-and-pebble beach in a sheltered bay, backed by a promenade and benefiting from the mild local climate — the most developed, family-friendly beach on La Palma. Further south toward the Fuencaliente lighthouse, Playa de la Zamora Grande is a dark-sand beach sheltered from the trade winds with moderate waves, its smaller neighbour Playa de la Zamora Chica a quieter volcanic-sand cove, and Playa del Faro a dramatic black-sand beach by the lighthouse where strong currents mean views over swims.
The west coast takes the Atlantic head-on and is where La Palma feels most raw. Playa de La Bombilla and Playa de la Hilerita are black volcanic-sand beaches often churned by northwesterly swell, calm enough to bathe only on settled days. Playa de las Cabras is a secluded black-sand cove with strong waves, Playa de Malpique an open, dark-sand beach for experienced swimmers, and up on the northwest coast Porís de Puntagorda is a rugged pebble cove framed by cliffs that draws cliff jumpers rather than bathers.
Showing #1 – #10 of 12 beaches
Why go: Playa de Puerto Naos is a mixed sand-and-pebble beach on the southwest coast of La Palma.
Playa de Puerto Naos is a mixed sand-and-pebble beach on the southwest coast of La Palma. Located in a sheltered bay, it typically experiences moderate wave conditions, making it suitable for swimming and water activities.
Our photographer is on the way
Why go: Santa Cruz de La Palma beach is a sandy urban beach located on the east coast of La Palma, sheltered from the prevailing northeasterly winds by the island's mountainous interior.
Santa Cruz de La Palma beach is a sandy urban beach located on the east coast of La Palma, sheltered from the prevailing northeasterly winds by the island's mountainous interior. The sea is generally calm to moderate, with occasional swells from the Atlantic.
Our photographer is on the way
Why go: El Puertito is a small sheltered cove on the east coast of La Palma, characterized by black volcanic sand.
El Puertito is a small sheltered cove on the east coast of La Palma, characterized by black volcanic sand. Its location in a natural bay protects it from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in consistently calm waters ideal for swimming.
Why go: Playa de La Bombilla is a black-sand beach on the west coast of La Palma, open to the Atlantic Ocean.
Playa de La Bombilla is a black-sand beach on the west coast of La Palma, open to the Atlantic Ocean. Its exposure to prevailing northwesterly swells often results in wavy conditions, making it less suitable for calm swimming.
Why go: Playa de la Hilerita is a small black volcanic sand beach on the west coast of La Palma, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean.
Playa de la Hilerita is a small black volcanic sand beach on the west coast of La Palma, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is located in a semi-urban area with roadside parking, and its open exposure typically results in moderate wave conditions.
Why go: Playa de la Zamora Chica is a small beach on the western coast of La Palma, characterized by dark volcanic sand.
Playa de la Zamora Chica is a small beach on the western coast of La Palma, characterized by dark volcanic sand. The shore is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in moderate wave conditions that are suitable for swimming with caution.
Why go: Playa de la Zamora Grande is a sandy beach on the western coast of La Palma in the Canary Islands.
Playa de la Zamora Grande is a sandy beach on the western coast of La Palma in the Canary Islands. Sheltered from the prevailing northeast trade winds, it typically experiences moderate wave conditions. The beach features dark volcanic sand and roadside parking, offering a straightforward coastal access point.
Our photographer is on the way
Why go: Playa de las Cabras is a sandy beach on the west coast of La Palma, exposed to the Atlantic swell.
Playa de las Cabras is a sandy beach on the west coast of La Palma, exposed to the Atlantic swell. Set in a volcanic cove, the beach features black sand and is often subject to strong waves, making it less suitable for casual swimming.
Why go: Playa de Malpique is a sandy beach on the west coast of La Palma, facing the Atlantic.
Playa de Malpique is a sandy beach on the west coast of La Palma, facing the Atlantic. Its open exposure results in moderate to strong waves, making it more suitable for experienced swimmers than for calm bathing.
Our photographer is on the way
Why go: Playa del Callejoncito is a small pebble beach on the east coast of La Palma.
Playa del Callejoncito is a small pebble beach on the east coast of La Palma. It is a quiet spot with roadside parking, offering access to the island's volcanic shoreline. The beach experiences moderate wave conditions typical of the eastern shores, which are influenced by the trade winds but remain less exposed than…
Frequently asked questions