Playa de Los Cancajos – The Beach Resort of the East Coast

Those arriving at La Palma Airport and heading straight for the water will sooner or later end up at Los Cancajos. The beach is just a few minutes south of Santa Cruz de La Palma – easily accessible, awarded the EU Blue Flag and equipped with everything that makes a beach attractive for families and tourists.

From Two Coves to a Tourist Beach

Los Cancajos belongs to the coastal zone of the municipality of Breña Baja – a beach resort that lives almost exclusively from tourism. Hotels, apartment buildings and holiday accommodation line the coast, with restaurants and supermarkets in the immediate vicinity.

Diving and Snorkelling

A happy byproduct of the artificial stone reefs: they became a living underwater paradise. Today Los Cancajos is known throughout the island as a hotspot for snorkellers and beginner divers who can observe colourful parrotfish, rays and octopus in the crystal-clear, calm water directly at the rocks. Diving schools offer introductory courses. Reliable infrastructure, barrier-free access and excellent water quality make Los Cancajos an all-round well-maintained, highly family-friendly bathing paradise.

Kayaking and Water Sports

Los Cancajos is the best-equipped water sports location on the east coast. Alongside diving and snorkelling, kayak tours and stand-up paddling are also available. The calm waters in the lava tongue bays are well suited to beginners. Guided kayak tours along the coast towards Santa Cruz are a great way to see the rocky coastline from the water. The tours typically last two to three hours and require no prior experience.

Accommodation in Los Cancajos

Holiday apartments and flats with sea views can be booked directly via Clariso Brena Baja.

Santa Cruz de La Palma: The Capital Next Door

Three kilometres to the north lies Santa Cruz de La Palma – the island capital with its historic old town, colonial balconies, the ship museum and one of the finest harbour promenades in the Canaries. From Los Cancajos the town is reachable by bus or taxi in just a few minutes. A day plan combining a morning at the beach with a stroll through the city is an obvious choice: beach until midday, old town in the afternoon, harbour in the evening. The old town can be explored on foot and takes two to three hours.

Breña Baja: The Municipality by the Beach

Los Cancajos lies in the municipality of Breña Baja – one of the smallest yet most densely tourist-developed municipal areas of La Palma. The municipality stretches along the east coast between Santa Cruz and the airport. Hotels, apartment buildings and holiday flats define the townscape, complemented by restaurants, supermarkets and small shops. Those staying overnight in Los Cancajos have everything they need within walking distance – self-catering is just as possible as half-board or a daily fish meal at a restaurant.

Best Travel Time for Los Cancajos

The east coast of La Palma is mild year-round, but in winter somewhat less sunny than the west coast. Trade wind clouds roll in from the northeast and can hang over the east coast while the west coast is already bathed in sunlight. In summer the east coast is warmer and calmer – for Los Cancajos this is high season. Those coming in winter who want more sunshine rent a car and regularly drive to the west side.

Airport and Arrival/Departure

La Palma Airport (SPC) is only a five-minute drive from Los Cancajos – making the beach an ideal destination for arrival and departure days. Those landing at noon and wanting to make use of the afternoon are in the water within 15 minutes. Those departing in the morning can leave luggage at the hotel and spend one final hour at the beach. This practical location makes Los Cancajos popular with transit guests exploring La Palma in two or three nights while wanting to be by the sea every day.

Dining in Los Cancajos

The Los Cancajos holiday zone has several restaurants with different focuses. Fresh Atlantic fish, Canarian cuisine with papas arrugadas and mojo, international dishes – the offering is solid and uncomplicated. For a livelier dinner, head to Santa Cruz de La Palma: the restaurants at the harbour of the island capital have more atmosphere. The last bus back to Los Cancajos runs late in the evening too, so dinner in the capital is possible without a hire car.

Safety and Beach Patrol

Los Cancajos is one of the few beaches on La Palma with regular beach patrol during high season. Lifeguards are on duty from July to September, with flags set daily. This makes Los Cancajos a particularly safe choice for families with small children. Outside the season there is no beach patrol on site – then the same rules apply as at all other beaches: pay attention to weather conditions, assess currents, and when in doubt stay out of the water.

Frequently Asked Questions