La Santa – Fishing Village, Coast and Geology

La Santa is a small, quiet fishing village on the northern coast of Tinajo. If you are looking for a hotel in Lanzarote, the village is an interesting coastal destination with a maritime tradition, geological features and surfing opportunities. Its coast, geological history, nature and water sports each offer a different focus.

Fishing Village and Coast

A small pier and fishing boats give the coast its picturesque character. Restaurants serve local seafood, making the maritime influence evident in the food on offer as well. Playa de La Santa (Pueblo) in Tinajo is 130 metres long and consists of sand and rock. This combination is important for orienting yourself at the beach: sand and rock together make up the 130-metre-long beach. The pier and fishing boats shape the village’s coastal landscape, while the beach has its own character thanks to its mix of materials.

Palaeontological Traces and Geological History

The Zona Paleontológica de La Santa has a special historical significance and is classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural on Lanzarote. The site consists of scattered fragments of an ancient coastline that formed during the last interglacial period, about 135,000 years ago. The palaeontological feature is therefore part of an earlier coastal landscape, rather than being limited to a single findspot. Finds include the coral Siderastrea radians. It is dated to the beginning of the Upper Pleistocene and a period of maximum warming, and has since disappeared from the Canary Islands. The coastline, its dating and the coral provide specific points of reference for La Santa’s geological history.

Saladar and the Los Risquetes Walking Trail

In Saladar de La Santa, species of the salt-marsh ecosystem are adapted to being flooded by seawater at high tide and to strong sunlight at low tide. The alternation of water and sun characterises the different conditions these species are able to cope with. The Los Risquetes walking trail begins and ends at Saladar de La Santa. It is easy and suitable for all visitors; trail conditions may change. Check the trail conditions before setting off so you can take them into account in your plans.

Water Sports and Maritime Tradition

It is worth distinguishing between the water sports on offer: Escuela de Surf Franito provides lessons for beginners, improvers and high-performance athletes. Ría de La Santa is suitable for beginner windsurfers. The first option therefore caters to various surfing levels, while the Ría is specifically suited to beginner windsurfers. Another aspect of the maritime tradition is the Festividad del Carmen, celebrated in the fishing village with a strong maritime tradition. During the procession, fishermen and their families decorate boats and escort the Virgin along the nearby coast. Specific dates and arrangements may vary. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the programme in advance.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Tinajo.