La Santa is a small, quiet fishing village on the north coast of Tinajo. A small landing stage and fishing boats give the coastal village a picturesque character; restaurants serve local seafood. If you are looking for a hotel in La Santa, it is worth exploring the different sides of the village: coastal features, natural history and maritime tradition.

Coast and Geology

Playa de La Santa (Pueblo) in Tinajo is 130 metres long and consists of sand and rock. The island of La Santa has a different geological composition: it consists of the remains of a basaltic ʻaʻā lava flow and is surrounded by a boulder beach. The beach description and the geology of the island thus offer two different insights into the coastal landscape.

Palaeontological History

The La Santa palaeontological site in Lanzarote is classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Government of the Canary Islands reported this classification on 1 April 2011. The site consists of scattered fragments of an ancient coastline that formed during the last interglacial period, about 135,000 years ago.

One of the site’s distinctive features is the coral Siderastrea radians. It is associated with the beginning of the Upper Pleistocene and a period of maximum warming. This coral has since disappeared from the Canary Islands. In La Santa, therefore, the geological formation of an ancient coastline coincides with a tangible indication of former life forms.

Saladar, Walking Trail and Water Sports

The Los Risquetes walking trail starts and ends at the Saladar de La Santa. It is an easy trail suitable for all visitors; local conditions may change. Check them before setting out. The Saladar is a salt-marsh ecosystem with species adapted to flooding by seawater at high tide and intense sunshine at low tide. These two conditions are part of the area’s ecological character.

Water sports are also part of what La Santa offers, though activities and requirements vary. The Ría de La Santa is suitable for beginner windsurfers; conditions and services may vary. Escuela de Surf Franito offers surfing lessons for beginners, those looking to improve and high-performance athletes. As the range of courses may change, check what is available if you are planning to take a lesson.

Maritime Tradition

The Festividad del Carmen is celebrated in the fishing village and is steeped in a strong maritime tradition. A recurring feature of the festival is a procession along the nearby coast: fishermen and their families decorate boats and escort the Virgin along the coastal route. The specific events may vary. If you would like to experience the festival, check the relevant dates and programme.

The festival tradition and the fishing boats reflect different aspects of La Santa’s maritime character: communal celebration and the everyday life of a fishing village. Restaurants in the village serve local seafood. Together with the coastal landscape and the palaeontological site, this creates a varied picture of the small village, without requiring everyone to share the same interests.

Discover more destinations: Mancha Blanca, El Cuchillo, La Vegueta

For the broader travel overview: Tinajo.