Playa de Timijiraque

Playa de Timijiraque lies on the east coast of El Hierro, in the municipality of Valverde and only minutes from Puerto de la Estaca. That position turns it into a first stop for many travellers who step off the ferry and want a swim before driving up into the interior. The road that links the harbour with Valverde runs above the bay, so reaching it by car is straightforward. The shore mixes dark sand with rounded pebbles, and rock walls close the cove and set the volcanic tone of this stretch of coast.

It ranks among the longest sandy stretches on El Hierro, which is unusual along a coastline ruled by cliffs and rock pools. Remains of old salt pans survive nearby and recall how this strip of shore was once worked. Wind and swell show up often, so surfers and bodyboarders keep the spot on their list, while anyone who simply wants to swim does well to read the sea first and respect the current. Footwear that copes with pebbles and enough water make the visit easier, because natural shade is scarce.