Nogales Beach

From Puntallana village the drive takes around 10 minutes; from Santa Cruz de La Palma allow 20 minutes heading north along the coast road. A small free car park sits at the cliff top above the beach. From there, a steep staircase descends to the shore — take it slowly, as the steps become slippery when wet. Naviera Armas operates ferry services to La Palma from the mainland and other Canary Islands, with crossing times ranging from roughly 110 minutes to 330 minutes depending on your departure point.

Before or after your descent, the Mirador Playa Nogales just 100 metres away gives you a commanding cliff-top view of the beach and coastline — one of the best vantage points on this stretch of the island. A short drive brings you to the Mirador de San Bartolo and the Mirador Literario Günter Grass, both worth a stop for sweeping northeast coast panoramas. Further afield, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve laurisilva forest of Bosque de Los Tilos is under 7 kilometres away, and the volcanic grandeur of Caldera de Taburiente National Park is reachable within 14 kilometres.

The beach itself has no food or drink whatsoever, so plan ahead. Casa Asterio is the closest option at around 2.5 kilometres, followed by El Tendal at roughly 4 kilometres. A cluster of choices — Bar El Vaquero, Restaurante San Andrés, and Bar Cafetería La Placita — are all within 5 kilometres if you want a proper sit-down meal after the hike.

The nearest accommodation is Residencia El Drago, about 5.7 kilometres from the beach. Further options include Aparthotel Castillete at 8.2 kilometres and Banana Garden at 8.6 kilometres, both offering a base from which to explore the northeast of the island at a relaxed pace.

The cliff-top Mirador Playa Nogales, just 100 metres from the car park, is your best shooting position — arrive in the morning when the light hits the dark sand and eroded cliffs from the east. Golden hour before sunset from the staircase mid-descent gives dramatic side-lighting across the cliff face and the deep blue water below.

Do not enter the water. Strong currents and wave action are present year-round, and swimming is not recommended under any circumstances — the open-ocean exposure makes conditions unpredictable even on calm-looking days. The staircase descent is the only way down and can be treacherous when wet, so wear shoes with grip. Avoid visiting between November and March, when northeast trade winds and heavy swells make conditions rough and the descent genuinely hazardous. There are zero facilities on the beach — bring everything you need, including water, food, and sun protection.