La Palma to Tenerife via El Hierro and La Gomera
Afer leaving the marina and staying in the anchorage just outside we left, with some friends, for El Hierro.
El Hierro has always been high on our list as it was the location of an underwater eruption in 2014.
After motoring to the end of La Palma we entered the wind acceleration zone off Fuencaliente and enjoyed some spirited sailing for a couple of hours with just reefed main and genoa in 25 – 30 knots of wind.
After that the wind moderated and we had full sail for the rest of the trip, until the last hour when a dramatic drop in wind meant we had to motor into the marina (Puerto De La Estaca).
The marina here is very new, but also quite small with little to offer other than a ferry terminal, a reasonable shower block and a “Cicar” rental car office (although not manned unless there is a ferry – book online first!)
The marina formalities are dealt with by the local marine police. They are both very friendly and helpful but only one has good English.
El Hierro is both the smallest and “youngest” island in the Canaries group. It is only 2-3 million years old in comparison to Gomera at 20 million years.
After renting a car we drove to La Restinga and walked amongst the spectacular lava flows around the area. We never did find the cave “Cuevo de Don Justo” ans we are not the first to be unable to locate it.
A walk from Valverde to Charco Manso where there is a natural swimming pool amongst the rocks. Unfortunately a high sea was running and we could not swim although it made for some spectacular displays of waves versus lava flow.
