Playa de la Francesa

Playa de la Francesa, La Graciosa (Caleta de Sebo)

Playa de la Francesa is one of the most visited beaches on La Graciosa, the small island in the north of the Canary archipelago that belongs to the municipality of Teguise. Located on the island's south coast, just over two and a half kilometres from Caleta de Sebo, it opens onto a wide bay of pale sand and waters of an intense turquoise colour. It is part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park, which explains its virgin character and the almost total absence of buildings around it. Its great appeal is the contrast between the white of the sand, the blue-green of the sea and the imposing wall of the Risco de Famara, on neighbouring Lanzarote, which rises on the other side of the El Río strait.

A sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay

The beach stretches for about 435 metres, with an average width of close to 30 metres, and forms a gentle horseshoe curve facing south. This layout protects it from the wind and the prevailing swell, so its waters usually stay calm and shallow. A rocky area divides the beach into two sectors; when the tide rises, the bay fills with water and becomes a true lagoon of great transparency, perfect for floating and watching marine life. It is one of the most recommendable options on the island for going with the family and for those seeking a serene swim, although it is worth remembering that this is an unsupervised beach: there is no lifeguard service, so caution and watching over children are each visitor's responsibility.

Snorkelling, kayaking and boat anchorage

The clarity of the water and the abundance of fish make La Francesa an excellent place for snorkelling and kayaking. It also has a good anchorage area, so it is common to see sailing boats and excursion vessels anchored off the shore; many visitors arrive precisely by sea to spend a few hours bathing. Because of its proximity to Caleta de Sebo and the boat landing point, in high season it can gather quite a few people during the central hours of the day. If you are looking for more beaches with this same natural character, you can browse the rest of the beaches in the archipelago in our directory.

How to get there from Caleta de Sebo

La Graciosa is an island without asphalt or private vehicle traffic, so access to the beach is always along dirt tracks. From Caleta de Sebo, the capital, you can reach it on foot in a little under an hour or by bicycle in about twenty minutes, bearing in mind that on some sections the accumulated sand forces you to dismount and continue on foot. It is also possible to hire one of the island's 4x4 taxis, which cover the route in a few minutes. To plan the trip and the ferry times from Órzola, it is worth checking the information on the boarding points and consulting the official tourism website of Hola Islas Canarias.

Practical facts

• Location: south coast of La Graciosa, about 2.5 km from Caleta de Sebo (municipality of Teguise, Lanzarote)

• Type of sand: fine white sand

• Length: approximately 435 metres

• Surroundings: a virgin beach within the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park

• Services: no services or lifeguards; bring water, shade and food

• Access: on foot, by bicycle or by 4x4 taxi from Caleta de Sebo; also by sea

• Ideal for: calm bathing, snorkelling and kayaking