LA GRACIOSA
What to know about La Graciosa?
The island is part of the Chinijo Archipelago. The population is about 752. Tourism is the main industry along with fishing. Every year, tourists flock to the island for its tempered climate and its sandy volcanic coasts. The island has a school, lyceum, post office, supermarkets, medical center, pharmacy, bank, port, beaches, bar-restaurants, and a square. Streets and roads on La Graciosa are unpaved sand. Motor vehicles are strictly prohibited and limited to a handful of licensed vehicles for special purposes. Access to the Island is by a 35-minute ferry crossing from Orzola on Lanzarote to the harbour in the village. There is a campsite on the Island situated on Playa del Salado at the western edge of Caleta del Sebo.
The island is extremely arid and entirely made up of bushes and dry soil. Its length is 8 km and its width is 4 km. There are no natural water sources on the island; desalinated water has been piped directly from neighbouring Lanzarote. There are several isolated mountains on the island, the tallest of which is Agujas Grandes rising to 266 m. Playa de la Cocina is a well-known beach in the southwestern part of the island.
How did I feel on the island?
Amazing!
I took a day trip from Lanzarote to visit La Graciosa, which turned out to be one of the highlights of my travel journey. I couldn’t wait—first, to escape Lanzarote; second, to be out on the ocean with the ferry; and third, to experience a small developing island with only a handful of residents. I arrived with childlike curiosity and excitement.
I absolutely loved the raw, untouched surfaces, the desert landscape, and the wide-open spaces that liberated me. Beautiful, open, loving, unfiltered, and pure energies flowed through me. I felt one with the universe, which is why I believe that La Graciosa could be the eighth chakra—a center above our heads connected to divine love and spiritual selflessness. It truly felt that way!
All the chakras below were open and functioning in harmony, and on La Graciosa, I reached a point of “I’ve arrived.” This is my home in the universe. El Hierro was my home in earthly life, but La Graciosa is the home of homes. Even the colors appeared divine and clear! I saw the most beautiful blue ocean and the most peaceful, inspiring coastline of all the islands. I didn’t even touch the food in my bag during my trip because I was nourished by the breathtaking views. I wished I could stay longer than just a day to fully embrace this feeling and explore the entire island. It was truly magical!
I could envision myself falling asleep under the vast, starry sky, feeling at home among the stars. I’ll definitely make a comeback and try camping here! The idea excites me beyond measure.
PLAYA DE LA COCINA
I met a French sailor who joined me for snorkeling, and together we discovered a sleeping shark in the bay. It was a smaller-sized shark, and I didn’t want to disturb it, so I admired it from the surface of the water. It was thrilling, though! Later, I went to see the sailing boats and hopped onto the deck of José's boat for a quick look before the ferry set out. I think I would love sailing—I can’t wait to try it!
GALLERY
Coastal walk from the port to Playa de la Cocina.
There are no cars to hire or bring to the island; the only options are walking or hiring a bicycle. However, with sand everywhere, I didn't see the point in renting a bike. I felt it would just be an extra burden to carry and look after, so I chose to walk instead. I noticed a man in front of me with a bicycle, but he never actually sat on it. He either pushed it alongside him or, as you can see in the picture below, carried it on his shoulders. This clearly proves that the best way to explore the island is on foot. Just prepare some water, food, a swimsuit, sun protection, and a camera if you enjoy taking photos. That’s all you need!
By the time I walked back from the bay to the port (about 4 hours later), the water this man is crossing in the photo had dried up.
HOUSES AND UNPAVED SANDY STREETS
I tried to be artistic in capturing myself in the desert, but it was too late to experiment with poses as my battery was running low, and I needed to save at least 10% to navigate my way back to my accommodation.
I returned to Lanzarote on the last ferry at sunset, and something absolutely wonderful happened! The sun created stunning red light as its rays peeked through the clouds, resulting in a dramatic sky dance as it sank behind the ocean. Everybody turned around on the ferry, snapping pictures and recording videos. The captain stopped the boat, allowing us to watch "our movie." When the sun disappeared completely, he restarted the engine, and we, the passengers, applauded, thanking him for stopping the ferry and letting us remain present in that magical moment. As we set off, the red lights continued to stream through the mountains on Lanzarote, making it look as if the island was on fire, while the clouds above the glowing horizon resembled smoke. I couldn't take photos due to my low battery, but I didn't regret it; I was able to fully immerse myself in the experience. So much beauty and gratitude flowed through me. I felt connected, and the feeling of loneliness faded away.
Thank you for reading and following my journey! I hope I could inspire you to travel, whether to the Canaries or to other breathtaking locations in the world. Be connected, be open, and be your truth. Allow yourself to heal and grow through your travel experiences and trust that you are always led to where you need to be.
Until next time.
♡