Charco La Vaca

Charco La Vaca lies on the Punta Negra shoreline in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, on the south western coast of Tenerife, close to Playa de la Arena and Puerto de Santiago. It is a natural pool shaped in volcanic rock, with dark walls and water that renews itself with every swell. It helps to know what to expect: a rock pool on a rugged stretch of coast, not a developed sandy bay.

Access begins on Calle Acacia. From there a narrow alley between houses leads to a short descent and then onto the rock itself, which turns slippery when wet, so shoes with a firm sole are worth having. Before getting in, it pays to look at the state of the sea: at high tide or with a heavy swell the waves break straight into the pool and climbing back out becomes awkward. On a calm day it makes a sheltered swim, with the cliffs behind and, when the air is clear, La Gomera on the horizon.