La Palma is home to some of the world's most unique beaches (Image: Getty) The island of La Palma, also known as “La Isla Bonita” (the pretty island) is one of the lesser-known Canary Islands . This paradise island, lesser known that famous neighbours Tenerife and Lanzarote, is home to incredible volcanic landscapes, lush green forests, and star-studded skies. However one of the island’s most unique features is its beaches, all of which are characterised by distinctive black sand.
function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.
primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114945&playerApiId=v114945');document.
getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)}window.top.
addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.
playerApiId==="v114945"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.
detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript()ExpressApp.
Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript()ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)}) This striking yet eerie colour results from La Palma’s volcanic history , which has also shaped its dramatic landscape.
Playa de los Cancajos, is one of the beaches in La Palma which has entirely black sand (Image: Getty) Don't miss...
Holiday hotspot just as beautiful as the Canary Islands with hardly any tourists [LATEST] I worked in Tenerife for two years - island has a dark side tourists rarely see [LATEST] Secluded beach in beautiful bay that's always being voted UK's best [LATEST] In 2021, a devastating volcanic eruption dramatically altered the island. The eruption which lasted 85 days — the longest on record for La Palma — blanketed the island in clouds of dark smoke, flows of lava and piles of ash. The molten lava, stretching almost four miles long and two miles wide at its peak, destroyed La Palma West’s Coast, claiming everything in its way.
This included homes, church towers, and banana plantations, severely impacting the local economy and tourism. Around 7,000 residents were forced to evacuate the island during the eruption. The eruption fundamentally transformed the island, redrawing its coastline where the lava pushed out into the sea and created two new peninsulas.
It also left these Sci-Fi-like black beaches. This devasting volcanic eruption lasted 85 days, destroying La Palma's west coast and the entire tow (Image: Getty) Despite their dark appearance, the sand on these beaches are not a result of neglect, but are rather a composition of finely ground-up lava rocks. The black sand has an advantage over typically lighter or “normal” sand as it absorbs heat more effectively, making beaches more comfortable to be on even at lower temperatures.
But just to note, this will not prevent you from getting sunburnt. Furthermore, this sand is often described as being sharper than normal sand and therefore slightly uncomfortable when it gets into your clothes, so try to keep that in mind. Trending SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.
This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy La Palma boasts untouched beauty (Image: Getty) Travellers on TripAdvisor have ranked Playa De Los Cancajos, Playa Nogales, and La Playa de Charco Verde among the best beaches to visit in La Palma.
One reviewer commented that Playa de Los Cancajos, was “one of several secluded beaches with volcanic black sand” that had “fantastic mountainous views”. Others praised its suitability for snorkelling and its amazing rock formations, describing it as a “fabulous place”. So if you are looking for an alternative summer holiday destination, La Palma’s unique landscape and iconic black beaches might be the perfect spot.
Don’t forget your sunglasses or your La Roche Posay sunscreen though! Related articles Insane tourist attraction where you travel 700ft into a volcano's magma chamber Urgent volcano warning issued after earthquakes spark major eruption fears The Canary Island with black sand beaches less tourists than it's neighbours Beach 'paradise' is the 'cheapest' all-inclusive destination this summer.
