La Gomera – guide

Beaches

Almost every valley in La Gomera ends with a pebble or black volcanic sand beach. Safe baths are only possible for some people, on most southern beaches – on others swimming, due to strong sea currents, can be risky. Najbardziej uczęszczane plaże to Playa Santiago oraz Playa de La Calera i Playa de la Puntilla w Valle Gran Rey; sun lovers should also visit San Sebastian, Hermigua and Vallehermoso. One of the most charming beaches on the island is Playa de Alojera. Naturism is allowed in Playa de Inglæs, Vueltas Beach, Chinguarime Beaches, Middle Beach i Tapahuga.

Ports

There are three ports on La Gomera, where you can moor: w San Sebastian (Marina of San Sebastian de la Gomera; 922141769, fax 922871362, mlg@marinalagomera.com; 28° 05″ 30″, N 17° 63″ 53″ W; VHF; 316 places), w Playa Santiago (Port of Playa de Santiago; 922895275, fax 922895906, www.puertodecanarias.com; 28° 01″ 00″ N, 71° 21″ 00″ W; 33 places) and in Valle Gran Rey (Puerto Valle Gran Rey; 922805476, www.puertosdecanarias.com; 28° 05″ 48″, N 17° 21 “00” W; 20 places). As with the other islands, it is worth calling at least one day before the planned port call and booking a place.

Leisure with children

La Gomera is a good place to stay with children, however, provided, that their parents or guardians can organize their time at the beach or during a walk in the forest. There are no amusement parks and zoos, so popular in the resorts of Tenerife or Gran Canaria, on the island. An interesting idea is to take part in a whale-hunting expedition, to see the famous Los Organos cliff. You can also go on a half-hour donkey ride from Valle Gran Rey.

Active recreation

La Gomera is a perfect place for people who like active recreation in the tone of nature, mainly walkers, however, also people who prefer other forms of activity will find something for themselves here. You can choose from bicycle tours, boat trips, diving courses, fishing in the open sea, golf, horse and donkey rides, and even paragliding flights.

Hiking

There are more than 200 km of routes of varying difficulty. Trails both run along the coast, as well as in the highlands – there are especially many trails in Garajonay National Park.

Setting off on the trail, a map is a must: very useful, along with a short description 20 suggested routes, can be obtained at tourist information points or downloaded from the Internet before departure (www.gomera-island.com). More

detailed publications can be purchased at bookstores in San Sebastian and yalle Gran Rey. The maps prepared by Kompass and Freydag are especially worth recommending & Berndt oraz Discovery Walking Guides. English publishing house DWG (www.walking.demon.co.uk) offers a guide to Walk La Gomera! (j. The.), containing a detailed description 35 coastal and highland routes.

Planning a walking trip, be prepared for different types of weather - the differences in altitude in La Gomera are really big, and as altitude changes, the weather changes rapidly. Even if there's a Colorado beetle on the coast, it can get chilly and rainy around the middle of the island, therefore when setting out on a journey, you must bring warm clothes, but you shouldn't forget about the sun hat as well.

Planning an island hike, you can take advantage of the wide range of companies that organize guided hiking tours. This trip may turn out to be a good idea primarily because of this, that you don't have to worry about transportation from your hotel to the trail and back, nor go back to somewhere parked car. An additional advantage of organized trips are guides – people in love with the island, often foreigners, islanders by choice. Companies operating on the island offer full-time tours- and half-days, usually for ten participants. Prices hover around 30 €. At the expense of more expensive trips (e.g.. organized by Temocodó) usually lunch is included.

Useful addresses Viajes Temocoda (c / El Calvario 154, San Sebastian de La Gomera; 922141251, fax 922141009, www.temocoda.com). The offer includes hiking, climbing, for the more demanding limousine tours around the island.

Luipe Tours (Plaża de La Encarnación s / n, complaint; 922146028, fax 922146028, luipetours@yahoo.es, www.luipetours.com). Hiking, bicycle trips, bus tours.

Lead (Bile. of mails 74, Great King Valley; 922805726, info@timah.net, www.timah.net). Wandering around the island and booking hotels.

You Yes! (Avda. Maritime La Puntilla, will!!e Great King; 922807037, info@andaya.de, www.andaya.de). Timah branch specializing in the organization of multi-day trekking (accommodation and meals in agritourism lodgings).

Gomeraventura (Ctra. General 56, hermigua; 646075163 i 649979773, fax 922144057, info@gomeraventura.com, www.gomeraventura.com). Three friends organize hikes, climbing and ” bicycle trips.

Whale and dolphin watching

La Gomera is a good spot for whale and dolphin watching. The tours are organized by specialized companies from Valle Gran Rey and Playa Santiago. Most of the ships go north of the island, where near the Los Organos cliff.