Punta de Galdar Natural Pools

You float in still water inside the rock while the Atlantic crashes on every side of you. That contrast is the whole point, and on a calm, sunny day the surf is the only noise.

After a storm the pools change character. The sea comes up, white water is thrown across the dark rock, and the show is the waves themselves, best watched from dry ground well back from the edge.

The main pools are not the only ones. More lie in the rocks along this stretch of shore, so walk around a little before you settle in, and watch your footing as you go.

• Check the forecast first: wind and rain spoil the visit, and a calm, sunny day is the one for swimming.
• The rock around the pools is slippery. Wear shoes with grip and move slowly.
• There are no toilets, no drinking water and no information point nearby. Bring water with you.
• The pools have no wheelchair access, and the parking is not adapted either.

The pools lie on Punta de Gáldar, a point on the coast north of the town of Gáldar, and the last stretch is on foot. The nearest car park is about 1,460 m away in a straight line, with a second one about 1,730 m away; the walk on the ground is longer than either figure.

By bus, the nearest stop is Almacen El Blanco, about 1,490 m away in a straight line.

The final steps to the water are over wet rock, which is slippery. Take them slowly, especially with the sea running high.

Best: a sunny day with little wind, when the pools are calm enough to swim in.

Avoid: windy or rainy days, when the sea churns and cloud takes the colour out of the water.

The shore faces the open Atlantic, so the state of the sea decides everything here: check wind and swell before you set out, and on a rough day come to watch the waves and stay out of the water.