Charco Manso

El Hierro


The narrow HI151 meanders 4km north from Echedo, past shrubs and volcanic rock, to these natural saltwater pools dotted with spectacular lava arches. On a fine day the clear turquoise waters are heavenly, though at high tide or when the ocean is stirred there can be strong currents. Be especially careful around the caves dug into the shore; peek into them on a calm day, but never swim here. There's an erratically open kiosk for light bites by the water.

The cave bottoms are pocked with tunnel-like holes called tragadores (literally, ‘swallowers’) that can suck you in as the tide ebbs.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby El Hierro attractions

1. Pozo de las Calcosas

1.54 MILES

Clustered around a natural north-coast pool, this 18th-century summer village of traditional generations-old small houses made of lava rock (called…

2. Ermita de San Pedro

2.43 MILES

Dating to the 17th century, this whitewashed roadside church with a stone-adorned tower and a Mudéjar-style artesonado (ceiling of interlaced beams with…

4. Plaza Quintero Núñez

2.86 MILES

The town's central, multilevel plaza hosts a couple of bars and restaurants, along with the graceful town hall (built in typical Canarian style) and the…

5. Casa de las Quinteras

2.96 MILES

At this cluster of small yellow-washed stone houses turned ethnographic museum, multilanguage exhibits on rural island life take in traditional clothing…

6. Árbol Garoé

3.79 MILES

According to legend, the Bimbaches' ancient holy tree, the Garoé, miraculously spouted water, providing for the islanders and their animals. Today we know…

7. Piscinas de La Caleta

3.94 MILES

At the south end of town, huddled against expansive coast-and-cliff panoramas, La Caleta's turquoise salt-water pools are well maintained and ideal for…

8. Mirador de la Peña

4.52 MILES

Designed by famous Lanzarote-born artist César Manrique in 1989, the clifftop Mirador de la Peña (just a kilometre west of agricultural hamlet Guarazoca)…

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