Punta Lava Lighthouse

Punta Lava Lighthouse rises on the western coast of La Palma, in the municipality of Tazacorte, right above the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the island's more unusual coastal landmarks — not just for the tower itself, but for the ground it stands on.

Where exactly is it located?

Punta Lava, also known locally as Faro de Punta del Moro, sits near the small settlement of La Bombilla, a few kilometers north of Puerto Naos. This stretch of coastline is geologically young: in June 1949, the San Juan volcano on the Cumbre Vieja ridge erupted, and a lava flow reached the ocean, cooling into a new rocky platform jutting into the Atlantic. The lighthouse therefore stands on land that simply did not exist a few decades earlier.

When was it built and how does it work?

Construction took place in the early 1990s as part of Spain's maritime signaling development program, and the lighthouse became operational in 1996. The tower stands 48 meters tall, with the light positioned at a focal height of 51 meters above sea level. It is fully automated and unmanned, maintained through remote monitoring and periodic service visits. The lighthouse emits a white flashing light with a two-plus-one flash pattern repeating every 20 seconds, visible from roughly 20 nautical miles away — about 37 kilometers. Punta Lava is one of four active lighthouses on La Palma, alongside Punta Cumplida in the north, Arenas Blancas in the southeast, and Fuencaliente in the south.

What will you actually see there?

The structure itself is a plain white tower, typical of Spanish navigational architecture from that era — no ornamentation, but a striking silhouette against the black volcanic rock beneath it. Banana plantations, common throughout this part of Tazacorte, surround the area, and small fishing hamlets and quiet beaches lie nearby. The ocean view from the site is wide and unobstructed, making it a solid sunset spot, though the surroundings remain rugged and largely undeveloped for tourism.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse is visible from the LP-2 road, which runs along the island's western coastline. The approach starts on paved road, but the final stretch of roughly 450 meters turns into a rough, unpaved track. Drivers with low-clearance cars are advised to park earlier and walk the rest of the way — it isn't far, but the ground is stony and uneven. Comfortable shoes and a bit of extra time are worth planning for, since this is a spot for a slow look around rather than a quick drive-by.

When is the best time to visit?

With no shade and minimal infrastructure on site, late afternoon works best, when the sun starts dropping toward the ocean and lights up the contrast between the black volcanic rock and the white tower. It's worth avoiding the middle of the day in full sun, since there is essentially no shelter anywhere nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Punta Lava Lighthouse? No, it's an active, unmanned facility and not open to visitors inside. You view it from the surrounding grounds only.

Can you drive there in a regular car? Mostly — the paved road ends about 450 meters before the lighthouse, after which the track is unpaved and bumpy. Cars with low ground clearance should park and walk the last stretch.

Why does the lighthouse stand on such unusual terrain? The land beneath Punta Lava was formed by the 1949 eruption of the San Juan volcano, when lava reaching the ocean created a new stretch of coastline.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes — banana plantations, small beaches, and fishing hamlets typical of the Tazacorte coast surround the site, and the LP-2 road offers further viewpoints along La Palma's western shore.