What to do in La Palma

Q: What is the best activity to do in La Palma?

The most unique activity in La Palma is kayaking from Porís de Candelaria to the Cueva Bonita, a natural sea cathedral open to the ocean and only reachable by water. It is suitable for all levels, with a local guide and calm seas on the west coast. Next come hiking in the Caldera de Taburiente and stargazing at the Roque de los Muchachos.

Q: How many days do I need to see La Palma?

With 3 days you can see the essentials: the west coast and kayaking, the Caldera de Taburiente and the green north. With 5 to 7 days you can enjoy the island without rushing, adding the volcanic south, Los Tilos and several nights of stargazing.

Q: When is the best time to visit La Palma?

La Palma can be enjoyed all year round thanks to its mild climate. For kayaking, from May to October the sea on the west coast tends to be especially calm. The sky for stargazing is excellent on almost any clear night of the year.

Local guide to what to do in La Palma: kayaking to the Cueva Bonita, hiking, stargazing and the best activities on the island

La Palma, the greenest and most westerly of the Canary Islands, is a small paradise for anyone seeking authentic nature away from mass tourism. Its must-dos: paddling by kayak to the Cueva Bonita, a natural cathedral open to the sea and only reachable by water, walking through the colossal Caldera de Taburiente, and gazing at one of the cleanest starry skies on the planet from the Roque de los Muchachos. In this guide, as locals who live here, we tell you what is genuinely worth it and how to make the most of every day of your trip to La Palma.

And if you could only do one thing, we are clear about it: kayaking from Porís de Candelaria to the Cueva Bonita. It is the most unique experience in La Palma and the one guests most ask to repeat.

The best experiences in La Palma

Kayaking to the Cueva Bonita from Porís de Candelaria, La Palma

1. Kayak to the Cueva Bonita

Most unique

Paddle from Porís de Candelaria to a sea cave where the light turns the water turquoise. Only reachable by sea. Suitable for all levels, with a local guide.

Kayak guide → Book from €45 →

Sunset kayak over the ocean on the west coast of La Palma

2. Sunset kayak

The same route to the Cueva Bonita, but with the sun sinking into the Atlantic and the coast turning orange. Canarian snack on the way back.

More info → Book from €60 →

Surprise hiking route through hidden corners of La Palma

3. Surprise hiking route

Every Saturday

Every Saturday, a different destination chosen by a local guide. The Los Tilos forest, northern viewpoints, trails almost no one walks. Let yourself be surprised.

More info → Book →

And don't miss…

🌋 Caldera de Taburiente, one of the largest erosion craters in the world, with waterfalls and Canary pine forest. See hiking routes →
⭐ Stargazing at the Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma is a Starlight Reserve and home to one of the largest observatories in the northern hemisphere. Some of the cleanest skies on the planet.
🏘️ Porís de Candelaria, a village of houses hidden inside a cave by the sea, the starting point of our kayak trips. Discover it →
🍷 Canarian cuisine, wrinkled potatoes with mojo, local cheeses, malvasía wines and island bananas. Food guide →
🌊 Natural pools and black-sand beaches, crystal-clear volcanic rock pools all along the coast.

Which is the best company for kayaking in La Palma?

If you are looking for the best kayaking experience in La Palma, and one of the best in the Canary Islands, the trip to the Cueva Bonita from Porís de Candelaria is hard to beat: a sea cave only reachable by paddling, with local Palmeran guides, small groups and a 5.0 out of 5 on Google. At Vive La Palma Tour Experience we have spent years showing the west coast to travellers from all over the world, with full equipment and departures on calm seas.

So when someone asks us what activities they can do in La Palma, or which is the best active-tourism company on the island, we are clear: experience the sea and the mountains with people born and raised here. And by booking directly on the website you get the best price.

Book my kayak experience

Explore everything about La Palma on our blog

Local guides, routes and tips to make the most of your trip. See the full blog →

Kayaking in La Palma

Hiking in La Palma

Excursions in La Palma

Porís de Candelaria

Cueva Bonita

Canarian cuisine

Culture & fiestas

La Palma in 3 days

La Palma in 7 days

See the full blog →

Activities at a glance

Activity	Duration	Level	Ideal for
Kayak to Cueva Bonita	1.5-2 h	All	Couples, families, beginners
Sunset kayak	2-3 h	All	Couples, photography, special moments
Surprise route (hiking)	Half day	Medium	Adventurers, returning visitors
Stargazing / Caldera	Varies	Easy, medium	Nature and astronomy

Why experience them with local guides

We are not a big agency: we are locals from La Palma who show our island the way we would like it to be shown to us. Our guide Gianluca and the local team know every corner of the coast and the trails, and they put care and good vibes first. That is why our guests rate us 5.0 out of 5 on Google (21 reviews, all five stars).

★★★★★

"One of the most special moments of our trip to La Palma. Gianluca and Mario put so much heart into it; you can feel their passion for their island. A 100% must."

, Lula A. (Google)

🧭

Local guides

Born and raised here. They truly know the island.

🌊

Calm seas

In summer, the west coast is like a river. Safe and quiet.

⭐

5.0 on Google

21 real reviews, all five stars.

Frequently asked questions about what to do in La Palma

What is the best activity to do in La Palma?

The most unique is kayaking from Porís de Candelaria to the Cueva Bonita, a natural cathedral open to the sea and only reachable by water. Suitable for all levels, with a local guide and calm seas. Next come hiking in the Caldera de Taburiente and stargazing at the Roque de los Muchachos.

How many days do I need to see La Palma?

With 3 days you see the essentials (west coast and kayaking, Caldera de Taburiente and the green north). With 5 to 7 days you enjoy it without rushing. We have 3-day and 7-day itineraries.

When is the best time to visit La Palma?

All year round, thanks to its mild climate. For kayaking, from May to October the sea on the west coast is usually especially calm. The sky for stargazing is excellent on almost any clear night.

Are the activities suitable for children and beginners?

Yes. The kayak trip to the Cueva Bonita is suitable from age 5 and requires no previous experience: we give a briefing and full equipment. Many hiking routes have easy sections for families.

How do I get to Porís de Candelaria?

It is in the municipality of Tijarafe, on the west coast. Access is via a narrow, winding road; if you prefer not to drive, we work with a trusted local taxi driver. We explain everything when you book.

Ready to experience La Palma?

Book the island's flagship experience: kayaking to the Cueva Bonita with local guides.

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