Rare 'black alert' issued for Canary Island as tourists told to 'stay away'
UK holidaymakers travelling to a Canary Island this summer have been warned over a rare 'black alert'. The unusual warning has been issued to tourists travelling to the island of La Graciosa.
Graciosa Island, more commonly known as La Graciosa, is a volcanic island in the Canary Islands of Spain, which is found roughly 1.2 miles north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río. Like the rest of the Canary Islands, it was formed by the Canary hotspot - a plume of unusually hot magma in the Earth's mantle.
The Spanish region has been described as one of the last places in Europe with no asphalted roads and one of the least explored and the most peaceful of the Canary Islands. The island is a volcanic massif that's shaped by molten ash and lava, adding to its dramatic topography.
According to Birmingham Live, the ecological organisation has published its annual Black Flag list for Spain.
Included on this year's list is the Playa de Caleta de Sebo, the 'town beach' of La Graciosa's capital, as well as the Playa de la Francesa, a little further along the coast.
Ecologistas en Acción's annual report, which has been highlighting environmental mismanagement in Spain since 2005, lists the beaches given a black flag this year.
According to Ecologists in Action, the beach in Caleta de Sebo is in a 'poor state of conservation', with waste from boats, beach users and restaurants contributing to pollution.
At Playa de la Francesa, they warn of the problem of catamaran tours arriving at the site 'holding parties, meals, games, and contests with loud music and leaving waste behind on the sand and in the water.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
They claim that catamaran passengers throw chicken scraps to birds, mainly seagulls, which can hit the hulls of the boats while trying to catch them and throw leftover rice into the sea to feed the fish.
However, La Graciosa is also home to an array of white sandy beaches, including Playa de la Cocina, which is located at the foot of the Montaña Amarilla volcano.
As for activities to be enjoyed in the glorious sunshine, La Graciosa has it all, including exhilarating boat trips, diving, jeep tours and even a visit to Chinijo Museum in Caleta de Sebo, all coming in highly recommended
To reach this island gem, you will need to take a ferry from Lanzarote with several crossings per day that take about 25 minutes.
Lanzarote is a go-to for British holidaymakers alongside the other Canary Islands hotspots like Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Last year, Ecologists in Action awarded a black flag to Playa Blanca town beach after incidents of sewage leaks. Playa Blanca is one of just two Lanzarote beaches which retained its Blue Flag this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Spain rule change all UK passport holders should know about
Travel experts are warning Brits to check their passports now Holidaymakers planning getaways to Spain, among other destinations, are being urged to check their passports now. This is because of a lesser-known travel rule introduced after Brexit, which has been known to catch some people out. All UK residents require a valid passport for international travel. British passports can be obtained by British citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British overseas citizens, British subjects, British nationals (overseas), or British protected persons, according to HM Passport Office. And with the final weeks of summer holidays approaching, travel specialists at are warning travellers to check their documents now. Expert Alvaro Iturmendi said: "Nothing ruins the end-of-summer buzz faster than being turned away at the airport because your passport is not valid. "It is easier to get caught out than you might think. Our research found that less than half (43%) holidaygoers, know that if you are heading to the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your departure date." As Mr Iturmendi clarified, UK passport holders visiting the Schengen zone - including Spain, France, Greece and many other European counties - must ensure their passport's "date of issue" falls within 10 years of their arrival date. Additionally, the passport's "expiry date" must extend at least three months beyond their intended departure from the Schengen zone. If your passport fails to meet entry requirements, you'll probably be turned away at your departure airport. So it's definitely worth double-checking yours right now. And if you're after a speedy replacement passport, it could set you back as much as £222 for the one-day premium service. The current estimated waiting period is a maximum of three weeks, though government officials warn it can occasionally drag on longer "if we need more information, or we need to interview you". Those affected will be contacted during the three-week timeframe. A standard adult passport for anyone aged 16 and above costs £94.50 when you apply online, or £107 if you use the paper application form.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
The secret gem Scottish fishing village with beach 'in walking distance'
"Was a lovely place to stay for a relaxing break." Scotland is home to many picturesque regions, but few are as stunning as the East Neuk of Fife. The area is renowned for its idyllic harbours and magnificent coastal views. In the East Neuk of Fife, there are many spectacular seaside towns and villages. The Daily Record recently did a deep dive on the former royal burgh of Crail, which is located around just 90 minutes from Edinburgh by car. Another gorgeous settlement in the East Neuk is St Monans. Also known as St Monance, the village and parish is named after Christian missionary Saint Monan. Home to a population of around just 1,100 people, St Monans is a great day trip destination for those looking for a bit of peace and quiet as summer comes to a close. The village is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its 17th and 18th century homes along its harbour, as well as its easy access to scenic beaches. One of the top attractions in St Monans is the St Monans Tidal Pool, which was recently named by the Daily Record as one of the top swimming destinations in the country. The outdoor pool, which was restored by local residents, is situated in the shadow of an old windmill. In terms of places to stay in St Monans, the village features a variety of holiday homes to rent out. One of these is Fishermans Loft, which according to its listing on offers "splendid uninterrupted views over the harbour". The second-floor flat features one bedroom and sleeps up to two guests, which may make it appealing to those seeking a romantic getaway. The property is available to book for as little as £457. Inside, there is an open-plan lounge, kitchen, and diner that overlooks the sea and harbour. The kitchen features an electric oven and gas hob, while the bathroom includes a shower over bath. While there might not be a garden at the property, according to the listing, the beach "is within walking distance". On Fishermans Loft has received very positive feedback, though there are only 18 reviews. One recent guest shared: "Was a lovely place to stay for a relaxing break on the Fife coast. Felt like home from home except this one had a sea view!" Another echoed: "Excellent location had all the facilities that you would need. Perfect for a base to explore." Elsewhere, another holiday rental in the East Neuk of Fife is Invermay in the village of Pittenweem. The two-bedroom home sleeps up to four guests. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the traditional fisherman's cottage is situated right along the seafront of Midshore. It is available to book through Sykes Holiday Cottages at a price of £792 for two nights. According to the listing, Invermay benefits from "uninterrupted sea views from every room". In addition to its bedrooms, the property features a country-style kitchen and diner, a sitting room with dual-aspect windows, and a bathroom with a tub and overhead shower. On Sykes Holiday Cottages, Invermay has an overall rating of 4.9 out of five. Visitors have praised its "lovely views and great location".
North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- North Wales Live
North Wales city ranks among five worst seaside resorts in the UK
A trip to the seaside can be a delightful way to spend a day during the seemingly endless school holidays. From frolicking in the waves to indulging in an ice cream, it's a quintessential British outing. Regrettably, not all coastal towns have the same picturesque allure. While many resorts are striving to enhance their appeal, there remain some seaside towns that fall short of expectations. Which? recently conducted a survey involving nearly 4,000 members about their experiences at popular UK resorts, compiling a list of the top and bottom-rated seaside towns. Which? participants were asked to evaluate aspects ranging from the beach to the pier/promenade area, the calibre of tourist attractions, food and drink, and overall value for money. This enabled them to formulate a destination score as a percentage, leading to the the creation of their rankings. Bangor in North Wales was ranked second worst in the survey with a disappointing score of just 38%. This could be attributed to the small sample size, which resulted in no ranking being available for the beach and seafront. Bangor had previously been ranked last in a similar survey by Which? in 2024, so this represents a slight improvement. The city did manage to secure a respectable three stars for scenery, and two stars for parking. However, Which? readers who visited the city for its seaside charm ended up only awarding Bangor one star for value for money, leading to it being so low in the rankings. The city was only beaten to the dubious honour by Bognor Regis, which took the unfortunate title of the worst seaside town in the UK, according to Which? members. The West Sussex town, home to a large Butlins resort that accommodates nearly 6,000 holidaymakers at peak times, scored poorly for its seafront/pier, food and drink options, tourist attractions, and scenery, resulting in an overall score of just 36%. The survey saw Fleetwood in Lancashire and Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset in joint fifth place with a 46% score each. Both towns received a mere two stars for their beaches and a disappointing one-star for their seafront/pier and food and drink offerings, reports the Mirror. However, they did achieve average scores for parking and tranquillity, earning them two star ratings for overall value for money. Essex seaside towns, Clacton-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea, secured third and fourth place with scores of 42% and 43% respectively. Southend's beach was particularly criticised, earning just one star, while Clacton received one-star reviews for its tourist attractions and scenery. Both Essex towns only managed to score a single star for value for money. 5. Fleetwood and Burnham-on-Sea (tied) 46% 4. Southend-on-Sea 43% 3. Clacton-on-Sea 42% 2. Bangor 38% 1. Bognor Regis 36%
