Hotels in La Restinga

La Restinga

La Restinga is a small fishing village at the southern tip of El Hierro, part of the municipality of El Pinar, and the southernmost settlement in all of Spain. It grew up around its harbour, where artisanal fishing of semi-pelagic species still employs a significant share of the people who live here. The village faces the Mar de las Calmas, a stretch of sea sheltered from the trade winds and protected as the Punta de la Restinga - Mar de las Calmas marine reserve. Its calm waters, almost tropical in character, are home to species not found anywhere else in the Canary Islands, and the local fishery has developed fishing methods of its own. The reserve has made La Restinga one of the best diving destinations in Europe. Visibility often reaches 20 to 40 metres, and sites such as El Bajón, a submerged mountain off the coast, and the reef of Punta Restinga are known for their large groupers. The harbour quay is itself a dive site for beginners and experienced divers alike, at depths of about 8 to 16 metres, and it is also dived at night. Several dive centres in the village offer courses and guided dives for every level. The climate is very stable all year, and this corner of the island is among the sunniest and driest on El Hierro. La Restinga suits divers, snorkellers and travellers looking for a quiet seaside village at the very edge of Europe.