Playa de Valle Gran Rey

Playa de Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera

At the mouth of the ravine that gives the municipality its name, in southwest La Gomera, lies Playa de Valle Gran Rey: an urban coastal strip of black volcanic sand that brings together several bathing stretches under a single name. It is not a single cove but a succession of beaches strung along the town's seafront, backed by a promenade, restaurants and white houses climbing up the valley. It is one of the most popular coastal spots on the island and, for many visitors, the gateway to the relaxed atmosphere of Valle Gran Rey.

A succession of black-sand stretches

The whole is divided mainly among La Calera, La Puntilla, La Playa and Vueltas, forming a coastline just over a kilometre of dark sand. La Calera is the longest stretch and one of the largest beaches on La Gomera; it concentrates the most complete services and a pleasant seafront promenade. La Puntilla stands out for its calm atmosphere and its sunsets, very popular at the end of the day. Vueltas, next to the port of the same name, is sheltered within the harbour, which gives it a family character with gentle waves. The black sand and clean water make this coastline a regular spot both for bathers and for diving enthusiasts, as the seabeds of the area are well known among those who practise scuba diving.

Services and how to get there

As an urban beach, it has a good range of services, especially in the La Calera stretch. Access is easy and pedestrian from the town itself, with parking nearby, a bus stop and a connection via the GM-1 road, which links Valle Gran Rey with San Sebastián de La Gomera. Bars and restaurants along the promenade let you spend the day without leaving the sand. The Valle Gran Rey Town Council runs a surveillance and rescue service operating on the municipality's beaches, reinforced in season, so always respect the instructions of the lifeguards and the flags.

Featured services

• Type of sand: black, of volcanic origin

• Showers and footbaths: available, especially in La Calera

• Toilets: in the La Calera area

• Bins and cleaning: daily cleaning service

• Surveillance: municipal lifeguard service in season

• Parking: in the vicinity of the promenade

• Dining: bars and restaurants along the seafront

Swimming and safety

The main bathing stretches, such as La Calera, La Puntilla and the sheltered Vueltas, usually offer calm conditions and are the most suitable for family bathing. For the youngest ones, the nearby Charco del Conde forms a shallow, protected natural pool. Even so, this is a coastline open to the Atlantic to the southwest: the sea can change, there is swell on some days and other nearby spots (such as the neighbouring Playa del Inglés) have strong currents. Check the state of the sea before going in, do not be over-confident with the swell, and always respect the flags and the instructions of the rescue service.

If you are looking for more coastal options in the archipelago, you can explore the rest of the beaches in the directory. For official, up-to-date information about the municipality, check the Valle Gran Rey Town Council and the tourism portal La Gomera Travel.