Playa de los Cancajos

Playa de los Cancajos is La Palma's most sheltered and family-friendly beach — a set of calm black-sand coves protected by volcanic breakwaters, just south of Santa Cruz and handy for the airport. Where much of the island's coastline is wild and rocky, Los Cancajos was shaped to be swimmable: dark sand, clear water and low rock arms that tame the Atlantic swell. It's the east coast's easy, relaxed beach base and a lovely introduction to La Palma.

How to get there

Los Cancajos sits on the east coast just a few minutes south of the island capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, and very close to La Palma's airport — which makes it one of the quickest beaches to reach after you land. A hire car or short taxi ride gets you there easily, and buses run along the coast road linking the capital and the airport. The resort clusters right behind the beach, so once you're there everything is within a short, flat walk.

What it's like

Los Cancajos is a series of small, sheltered black-sand coves tucked behind low volcanic rock breakwaters that soften the waves. The dark sand, clear water and rocky edges give it a distinctly Canarian look, and a pleasant promenade runs behind, lined with hotels, apartments, cafés and dive shops. It's a compact, friendly, low-key resort beach — never brash, always easygoing — and the rocky margins between the sandy pockets are alive with fish, which is part of its charm.

Swimming and safety

Thanks to its protective breakwaters, Los Cancajos offers some of the calmest, safest swimming on La Palma, which is exactly why families gravitate here. On settled days the coves are clear and gentle, with easy entry from the dark sand, and the sheltered water is good for a relaxed swim or a snorkel around the rocks. It's still the open Atlantic, though, so respect any swell, take care on the rocks, which can be slippery, follow any flags and lifeguard guidance when the beach is supervised, and keep children within the sheltered areas.

Facilities

For a small resort, Los Cancajos is well equipped. You'll typically find sunbeds and parasols to hire, showers and toilets, and a promenade of cafés, bars and restaurants a few steps from the sand, along with dive centres that use the sheltered water for training. The compact layout makes it easy to have a drink, a meal and a swim all within a short stroll, and access to the coves is generally straightforward. Bring sun protection, as natural shade on the sand is limited.

Best for whom

Los Cancajos is ideal for families, couples and first-time visitors who want calm, swimmable water and a relaxed base close to the airport and capital. It suits snorkellers, gentle swimmers and anyone who wants easy beach days as a counterpoint to exploring La Palma's mountains and forests. It's less of a fit for those seeking a big, wide expanse of sand or lively nightlife — this is a quiet, small-scale resort — but for calm and convenience it's hard to beat on this island.

Nearby

You're perfectly placed to explore the east of the island. The handsome capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, with its historic streets, painted balconies and harbour, is just up the coast and well worth an afternoon. Inland rise the forests and the great crater at the island's heart, while the north coast hides natural pools and laurel woodland. To plan the rest of your trip around the beautiful "Isla Bonita", see our full guide to La Palma.