Diving & non-diving holidays in The Canaries

LA PALMA - INTRODUCTION

Introduction | Hotels | Dive Centres | Late Offers

La Palma, known in full as 'San Miguel de la Palma' is a triangular shaped island that has a total surface area of approximately 707 square kilometres. It is 45 kilometres long and 28 kilometres wide with the highest point being Roque de los Muchachos, 2,426 metres above sea level. It is the most north-westerly island of the archipelago, with the big-sister island, Tenerife to 85 kilometres and the African coast to 445 kilometres. Recently dubbed 'La Isla Bonita' (Pretty Island) it certainly lives up to its name. La Palma has been relatively untouched by divers and there are areas of strong current, but it is very unique. The water is fabulously blue contrasted with the blackness of recently formed lava arches and caves. In the south at Playa Nueva, the diving is much more accessible and the area has been colonised by parrotfish, bandtail chomis, dusky grouper and amberjack.

The island capital is Santa Cruz de La Palma. While Santa Cruz has always been the main port, the main town in the west of the island, Los Llanos de Aridane has been the centre of La Palma's farming industry, and some call it the island's secret capital on the grounds of its comparatively bustling atmosphere. This town is very well suited for walkers due to its location in the Aridane Valley, close to the entrance of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. The old town centre around the pretty main square, Plaza de España, is an appealing place for just pottering around.