El Golfo

The Valley of El Golfo is over 14 km long and extends from les Roques de Salmor to the look out point at El Rincon (also known as Bascos); along the entire northern coast of the Island. The abrupt cliffs are at points of 1,000 meters high and other from tree covered slopes, with lush flora and cottages are dotted throughout. The beauty spots at La Peña and Jinama offer an astounding view of El Golfo.

La Restinga

La Restinga is a small fishing Village that is located at the south eastern tip of El Hierro, this is the southern-most point of the Canary Islands. There is a small assortment of bars, fish restaurants, a few shops, and is an idyllic location for a peaceful holiday in a classic Canarian fishing Village. It is an excellent area for fishing and a favourite with diving enthusiasts having several dive centres. To the west of La Restinga, the Sea is protected from the prevailing winds by the cliffs and is known as Mar de las Calmas – which means calm sea. It has been declared an underwater national park and is a popular place for scuba divers.

La Restinga’s harbour is scattered with little fishing boats and is protected by a gigantic sea-wall. There is just a small beach at La Restinga with characteristic of the Canary Islands black sand. Further along this coast are other small isolated beaches and swimming areas from the rocks at Cala de Tacaron. A huge selection of gorgeous flora and fauna can be found in the pine forests of El Pinar, which is located not far from La Restinga.

The Parque Natural de El Hierro (along the southern part of the Sabine Pine forest on the central ridge) is a natural park. It has some interesting and well kept footpaths for walkers which provide captivating flora and magnificent views over the Mar de las Calmas.

Las Playas

Las Playas is located on the eastern side of the Island and is where the Roque de la Bonanza can be found. A rocky formation which rises 200 metres straight up from the Ocean bed, it is one of the most popular attractions on the Island. Las Playas is in a blissful locale, where the Ocean and the volcanic mountains convene. There are two viewpoints positioned around 1000m high on the East Ridge that over-look Las Playas and the Atlantic coastline giving panoramic views.

Playa de la Verodal is located in the farthest west of El Hierro and is the only adequately sized beach on the Island. It is quite isolated and prominent for its red sand. As the Island does not have many beaches, swimming and sunbathing areas have been carved out of the rocks and natural swimming pools have been created.

El Tamaduste

El Tamaduste is a bathing area that is located in the north-east of the Island next to the coastal village of El Tamaduste. This large, natural swimming pool of clear, quiet water is open to the sea extends some 60m and is around 4m wide, has fine black sand and the water is calm here. There is an anchoring area for small fishing vessels and can get very busy as it is very popular with visitors. This urban beach has facilities and also accommodation is available here. Further south, the bay and hamlet of Timijiraque with a small natural sandy beach can be found.

Tinor

Tinor is located in the centre of the plateau and is very notable due to its pyramids of volcanic ashes on green meadows. The sacred tree of the Bimbaches (Garoe) is found here, its leaves have the unique feature of storing water. Part of the old systems of canals and waterways that were used by the natives to collect the precious liquid still exists today.

Sabinosa

Sabinosa is famous for the Pozo de la Salud (well of health) which is renowned for its medicinal waters and the tranquil ambience. This phenomenal spring with its therapeutic properties, adds to the enchantment of the area, as do the intriguing underwater formations seen just off the rugged coastline.

The diving in El Hierro is considered to be the best in the Canary Islands. There's an immense range of dive sites and lots of marine life, including the largest eel garden in the world, yellow morays, parrotfish, boxfish, eagle rays and stingrays. The night diving in the harbour is terrific, there is plenty of sleeping fish, octopus, slipper lobsters, crabs and shrimps.

Some of the best dive sites include:

Baja Ribera – La Restinga: This huge pinnacle is surrounded with marine life, from large grouper to tiny nudibranchs. Nearby, there is a cave inhabited by large fish and loads of macro life. Numerous different varieties of ray, filefish and morays can also be seen.

El Arco – La Restinga: A very attractive site, with scenery that looks like gentle, undulating green hills. There is an arch at around 40m that is spectacular and surrounded by black coral, with stingrays lying in the shadows. Lots of fish life can be found here including snapper, tuna and large grouper.