Updated January 19, 2019

ESPAÑOL

Along with Garajonay National Park, La Gomera is famous for this impressive natural monument, formed by basaltic columns rising from the sea.

FORMATION

The island of La Gomera, like the rest of the Canary Islands, is volcanic, and began to form (not to get to the surface) about 70 million years ago. Basaltic columns are formed when basaltic lava cools slowly inside a volcanic cone. While it cools, it solidifies, losing volume compared to when it was liquid, reason why it breaks in prims-like form, generally hexagonal. Long time later, the surrounding volcanic cone disappears through erosion, hading being formed by softer elements (generally volcanic ash), leaving the columns exposed, usually vertical.

This erosive mechanism is responsible for the formation of the frequent “roques” typical of the island. In this case, the sea eroded part of the original volcanic cone, leaving this 200 meters wide and 80 meters high monument visible, although much of it is submerged. The appearance of these vertical columns gives its name to Los Órganos (the Organs).

Of extraordinary beauty, it is one of the best examples of basaltic columns in Spain and Europe.

HOW TO GET THERE

It is located on the sea, on the north coast of the island, near the village of Vallehermoso, which has no port. To visit it, unless you have your own boat, it is necessary to hire an excursion from the towns of Valle Gran Rey (closest) or, less frequent, Playa de Santiago. They last approximately 2 and a half hours, since it takes almost an hour to get there, especially if the sea is not calm:

• Tina Excursiones: 24 meters long boat for 50 people. From April to October; Wednesday at 2:30 pm, € 35.
• Speedy Adventure La Gomera. Since I went on a yellow inflatable boat, it had to be this company that I used. Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 9 am, and sometimes on Sundays at 11 am. On demand, they make additional excursions any day of the week at 2 pm. 40 €.

All of these companies offer dolphin and whale watching tours.

THE VISIT

The first thing is to reach the picturesque village of Valle Gran Rey, nestled in a volcanic valley, and head to the port, from where you can hire excursions if you had not previously booked by phone or internet.

Since it’s going to be an hour of navigation, you would better try to enjoy the views:

So we are here, in Los Órganos…

MORE ON NATURE IN LA GOMERA:

<GARAJONAY NATIONAL PARK                   HERMIGUA VALLEY>

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