Las Conchas Beach

Fine white sand, clear turquoise water and, on most days, almost nobody else along 610 m of shore. The quiet is the thing: wind, surf and very little else.

The red flank of Montaña Bermeja rises behind the sand, and offshore the islet of Montaña Clara breaks the horizon. Wind is part of the place. Visitors before you have stacked stones into several windbreak circles along the beach, and that is where to set down your bag.

The way in belongs to the visit too. The track from Caleta de Sebo crosses the bare interior of La Graciosa, and from a bike saddle you watch the island's landscapes change on the way across.

• Bring all your water and food: there are no shops, toilets or drinking water at the beach, and none nearby.
• Expect wind. The red flag goes up on windy days, and there is no lifeguard post to call on.
• The stone windbreak circles on the sand are the only shelter; there are no trees for shade.
• The beach is used for nude bathing.
• The walk from Caleta de Sebo is monotonous; a bike halves the time and keeps it interesting.

The ferry lands you at the harbour in Caleta de Sebo, and from there Las Conchas Beach is about 5.2 km away across the island. Walking takes about an hour, and the track is monotonous. Cycling takes about half an hour, and an electric bike makes the ride easy. Taxis with drivers, in 4x4 vehicles, also make the run if you would rather save your legs.

No bus serves the beach and there is no car park nearby, so whichever way you choose, the trip starts in Caleta de Sebo. Pack light and carry everything you will need for the day.

Best: a calm, clear day, setting out in the morning or the late afternoon.

Avoid: red-flag days if you came to swim, and the walk out under the midday sun.

The beach faces the open Atlantic, so the wind decides whether the sea is fit for swimming, and both the track and the sand are bare, with no trees to shade you in the middle of the day.