La Gomera is visible from almost every beach in the south of Tenerife, a dark shape across the water, and it feels like a different world once you arrive. The island is small and nearly circular, cut by deep ravines that radiate from its centre, with terraced valleys on the lower slopes and a mist-fed forest of ancient laurel on the heights. That forest is protected as Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walking in it, among moss-covered trunks and drifting cloud, is a complete contrast to the lava fields of Teide. La Gomera is also known for Silbo Gomero, a whistled language once used to send messages across the ravines and now recognised by UNESCO as intangible heritage, and for a quiet, rural way of life that has changed slowly. San Sebastián de La Gomera, the capital, is the port where the ferry docks and where Christopher Columbus is said to have stopped before crossing the Atlantic. The day trip we link to handles the crossing and the island circuit for you, with lunch and wine included.
How it works
The excursion leaves from the south of Tenerife, crosses by ferry from the port of Los Cristianos, and spends the day on La Gomera with a guide, with lunch and wine included. Expect a long day of around ten hours, with the crossing taking roughly an hour each way, and with a coach tour of the island between the ferry times. Travellers staying in the north of the island can often be collected too, but the transfer adds to the length of the day, so check the pickup details.
What to expect
The route usually combines viewpoints over the ravines, a stop in or near the forest and a meal in a local setting, so you see the island but only briefly. This is the honest trade-off of a one-day visit: you get an overview and the scenery, not time for the long walks that the national park rewards.
The day is rated lower than most of the island’s tours by travellers, who most often mention the length of the day and the time spent on the road and the ferry, so go in expecting a sampler rather than a deep visit. The sea crossing can be rough in windy weather, so take a tablet if you are prone to seasickness.
Making the most of it
Bring a layer, because the forest is cool and damp, comfortable shoes and your passport or identity card. If you love walking, consider staying a night or two on La Gomera instead and using the island’s own network of trails, and use this tour as a taster. For a lighter day, the fast boat trips from the south coast of Tenerife that sail along the Los Gigantes cliffs offer a shorter taste of the same strait.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day excursion with a ferry crossing from Los Cristianos and a coach tour of La Gomera, with lunch and wine included.
Best time
A calm, clear day for the crossing; the forest is atmospheric in cloud but views over the ravines need clear air.
How long
Roughly ten hours in all, including about an hour on the ferry each way.
Tips
Take a layer, comfortable shoes and your passport or identity card, and a tablet if you get seasick.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want to see a second Canary island without arranging ferries and buses themselves.
- Families
- Workable for older children, but the day is long and the road and ferry time may tire young ones.
- Couples
- A change of scene with viewpoints and a leisurely lunch.
- Pair with
- A whale-watching trip from Puerto Colón, which sails the same strait.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How do you get to La Gomera from Tenerife?+
By ferry from the port of Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife to San Sebastián de La Gomera. The crossing takes roughly an hour, and the tour handles it for you.
Is the La Gomera day trip worth it?+
It gives a good overview of the scenery and the forest, but it is a long day with limited time at each stop. Walkers may prefer to stay on the island overnight.
What is Garajonay National Park?+
It is an ancient laurel forest on the high ground of La Gomera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is often wrapped in cloud. It is the island’s most famous natural sight.
What is Silbo Gomero?+
It is a whistled form of Spanish once used to send messages across the island’s deep ravines. UNESCO recognises it as intangible cultural heritage.
Do I need my passport?+
Take your passport or national identity card for the ferry, as it is a sea crossing between islands. Check the booking details for what the operator asks you to bring.
