La Gomera - island tour with a Polish-speaking guide
About this experience
La Gomera sits 60 kilometres from Tenerife and feels like a different part of the world. Instead of resorts you get switchback roads, a forest wrapped in mist and villages where people still talk to each other by whistling. This is a full-day trip, accompanied throughout by a Polish-speaking guide.
How the day runs
A coach takes you to the port of Los Cristianos, where you board the ferry. The crossing takes about 50 minutes. With a bit of luck you will spot pilot whales or dolphins on the way, as the channel between the islands is one of their regular routes.
The first stop on the island is the green Hermigua Valley and an aloe plantation. You learn how the plant is grown and what is actually made from it, which changes how you look at the creams in every souvenir shop afterwards.
Then comes Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It holds one of the largest and best preserved laurel forests on the planet. The trees stand in mist, and local legend still has witches running the place.
Lunch and the Silbo whistled language
Lunch in a local restaurant is included in the price: Canarian dishes, wine and dessert. During the meal there is a demonstration of Silbo Gomero, the whistled language listed as UNESCO intangible heritage. Islanders used it to carry messages across ravines, and today it is taught in schools. It is the only fully developed whistled language still in daily use anywhere in the world.
The last stop is San Sebastián, the island capital. The house and monument of Christopher Columbus stand here, as this was his final port of call before the 1492 voyage. You also look inside the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
Who this suits
This is for people who want to see the Canaries beyond the hotel strip, families included. Do count on a long day though: two ferry crossings, winding mountain roads and several stops. If hairpin bends do not agree with you, or you want a day on a sunbed, this is not the trip.
Practical details
Bring your passport or ID card, as you will not board the ferry without one. Hotel pickup is included if you are staying in the south, from Los Gigantes through Puerto Santiago, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje and Las Americas to Golf del Sur. You can also make your own way to the port in Los Cristianos and we will send the exact location.
From Puerto de la Cruz transport costs an extra 18 euros per adult and 10 euros per child, and the trip from that town runs on Mondays only. Add your hotel name in the order notes, and we will confirm the pickup time and point after booking.
How the tour goes
Pickup and transfer to the port
We pick you up from your hotel and you travel by air-conditioned coach to the port in Los Cristianos.
Ferry crossing
The crossing to La Gomera takes about 50 minutes. Along the way you might spot pilot whales or dolphins.
Hermigua Valley and the aloe vera plantation
The first stop on the island. You will learn how aloe vera is grown and which products are made from it.
Garajonay National Park
A walk through a laurel forest listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the largest in the world.
Lunch and the Silbo demonstration
Lunch in a local restaurant with Canarian dishes, wine and dessert, and a demonstration of the Silbo Gomero whistled language during the meal.
San Sebastián and the return
The island capital with the Columbus house and monument and the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, then the Fred Olsen ferry back to Los Cristianos.
What's included
- ferry crossing Los Cristianos to La Gomera and back
- travel around the island in a comfortable air-conditioned coach
- a Polish-speaking guide with you all day
- lunch at a local Canarian restaurant
- a visit to an aloe vera plantation in the Hermigua Valley
- entry to and a walk in Garajonay National Park
- a demonstration of the whistled language Silbo Gomero
- hotel pickup from the resorts in the south of Tenerife
Pick-up
Hotel pickup is included if you are staying in Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, Alcalá, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso, La Caleta, Costa Adeje (including Fañabé), Playa de las Américas or Golf del Sur. The ferry leaves from Los Cristianos, so from hotels in Los Cristianos you walk to the port yourself. From Puerto de la Cruz the trip runs on Mondays only, for an extra 18 euros per adult and 10 euros per child.
Good to know
- bring your passport or ID card, as it is required to board the ferry
- the ferry crossing takes about 50 minutes each way
- the tour from Puerto de la Cruz runs on Mondays only
- transport from Puerto de la Cruz costs an extra 18 euros per adult and 10 euros per child
- enter the name of your hotel in the order notes
- we give the pickup time and point after booking, so select the right option in the form
- the operator may change the route due to weather or traffic restrictions
- free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start, 100% refund
- What to bring: passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, a hat, water for the journey, comfortable clothes
FAQ
Yes. A Polish-speaking guide is with the group all day, from the hotel pickup, through the ferry crossing and every stop on the island, until you get back. You get all the stories, practical information and the Silbo demonstration in Polish.
The crossing takes about 50 minutes each way, departing from the port in Los Cristianos. The islands are about 60 kilometres apart. Along the ferry route you can sometimes spot pilot whales or dolphins, as these are their regular feeding grounds.
Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included and features typical Canarian dishes, wine and dessert. During the meal there is a demonstration of the whistled language Silbo Gomero, which is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Hotel pickup is included for the resorts in the south, namely Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, Alcalá, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso, La Caleta, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Golf del Sur. You can also get to the port in Los Cristianos on your own.
Yes. A passport or ID card is required to board the ferry, so without one you cannot travel. Check it the evening before, as the pickup is early in the morning and there is no time to go back to the hotel for it.
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