One of the best inter-island day trips in the Canary Islands. Catch the morning ferry from Los Cristianos to La Gomera's capital San Sebastián, then travel across the island to the spectacular Valle Gran Rey. Explore the dramatic terraced valley, black sand beaches, and visit a whale watching operation. Return on the late afternoon ferry.
The Fred Olsen Express catamaran crosses from Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife to San Sebastián de La Gomera in approximately 50 minutes, making La Gomera one of the most accessible inter-island day trips in the Canary Islands. Ferries depart as early as 08:30, with the last return sailing typically around 17:30–18:00, allowing around eight hours on the island. Return tickets cost approximately €55 per adult.
Arriving in San Sebastián de La Gomera, visitors step into a town steeped in Atlantic history. The Torre del Conde, a 15th-century fortified tower near the port, is the oldest surviving colonial tower in the Canary Islands. The Casa de Colón marks the anchorage where Christopher Columbus resupplied his fleet in 1492 before departing on his first transatlantic crossing. The compact town centre is walkable, with a small market, seafront cafés, and shops selling almogrote — the island's characteristic pungent cheese paste mixed with garlic, peppers, and olive oil.
Hiring a car is the most practical way to see both San Sebastián and Valle Gran Rey in a single day. The trans-island road climbs through the heart of La Gomera via Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage laurisilva forest of ancient laurel trees shrouded in mist and draped in ferns — a relic of the subtropical forests that blanketed southern Europe before the Ice Age. The park road is spectacular but winding, and the 40-kilometre drive to Valle Gran Rey on the western coast takes around 45 minutes.
Valle Gran Rey is La Gomera's most dramatic landscape — a deep terraced valley with banana plantations dropping to black sand beaches and brilliant blue water. The main beach at Playa del Inglés draws surfers and divers; the port of La Playa hosts whale and dolphin watching excursions, with resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins regularly sighted close to the island. A morning market in La Calera village sells local honey, herbal teas, and fresh produce.
For lunch, the seafood restaurants in Valle Gran Rey port serve fresh grilled fish, wrinkly potatoes (papas arrugadas) with mojo sauces, and palm honey (miel de palma) drizzled over local cheese. The return ferry from San Sebastián departs in the late afternoon, giving time to retrace the mountain road and stop at Garajonay viewpoints before leaving.
Highlights
- San Sebastián historic town and Columbus House (Torre del Conde)
- Dramatic trans-island road through Garajonay National Park
- Valle Gran Rey black sand beaches
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Traditional Gomeran food (almogrote, palm honey)
Tips for visiting
- Book ferry in advance in summer. Hire a car on La Gomera for maximum flexibility. The road across the island is spectacular but winding.
When to visit
Spring (March to May) offers lush Garajonay forest and comfortable temperatures. Avoid August when ferry demand peaks and booking last-minute becomes difficult. The 08:30 or 09:00 first ferry maximises time on the island.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry crossing from Los Cristianos to La Gomera?
The Fred Olsen Express catamaran takes approximately 50 minutes from Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife to San Sebastián de La Gomera. Several sailings run daily in each direction.
Is it necessary to book the ferry in advance?
Advance booking is strongly advised in July and August when ferries fill quickly. Outside peak season, same-day tickets are usually available, but booking ahead via the Fred Olsen Express website is always recommended to guarantee a place.
Do I need to hire a car to visit both San Sebastián and Valle Gran Rey?
Hiring a car on La Gomera is the most flexible option and is strongly recommended for the full trans-island experience. Public buses and shared taxis also connect San Sebastián to Valle Gran Rey, but services are infrequent and the journey takes longer.
What traditional food should visitors try on La Gomera?
Almogrote is La Gomera's signature dish — a sharp, pungent spread of cured cheese, garlic, and peppers served on bread. Palm honey (miel de palma), made from the sap of the Canary palm, is another island specialty often drizzled over fresh cheese.
Is La Gomera good for whale and dolphin watching?
Yes — the waters around La Gomera are among the best in the Canary Islands for cetacean sightings. Resident populations of short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are regularly encountered. Day excursions depart from Valle Gran Rey port throughout the year.