FinFloy Natural Pool

Put a mask on and the pool comes alive: fish and octopus turn up while you snorkel. Seawater washes in straight from the Atlantic, so the water stays fresh, and high tide is when the pool looks its best.

Lift your head and the view runs across the sea to La Gomera, with La Palma on the horizon too when the air is clear. If swimming in the pool does not appeal, the black sand beaches of Alcalá lie along the same shore.

• The pool is sometimes drained or closed, and there is no notice about it anywhere.
• It is at its best at high tide, when seawater washes in. Check the tide table before you set out.
• There are no shops at the pool and no drinking water nearby: bring food, water and anything else you need.
• Public toilets stand about 120 m from the pool in a straight line.

The pool sits on the seafront promenade at Alcalá. By car, the nearest car park is about 215 m away in a straight line; a second one, with an unpaved surface, lies about 430 m off.

By bus, get off at the Isora Alcalá stop, about 490 m from the pool in a straight line. A tourist information office stands about 500 m away if you need directions or a tide time on arrival.

Best: high tide on a calm day. Avoid: days of heavy swell.

At high tide seawater washes straight into the pool and keeps it fresh, while a rough sea throws waves over the wall and clouds the water for snorkelling. Late in the day the sun drops toward the sea on the La Gomera side, so the evening light comes in low across the water.