Cueva Volcánica de Orchilla (Orchilla Lava Tube)

The Canaries are volcanic islands that rose above the ocean floor thousands of years ago, and are still shaped by volcanic eruptions to this day. As a result, the islands have an almost alien terrain with black sand beaches and dark stone cliffs. Belowground there are many caves and tunnels, some natural and others human-made.

The Orchilla lava tube is not the only tube on the islands, but it is special. Compared to other lava tubes, Orchilla is not a popular tourist point. Unlike Cueva de las Palomas in La Palma or others even further north on the island, this tube is almost completely untouched by humans and has no safety measures in place inside of it. 

The tube starts not far from the Orchilla lighthouse, near the large cross overlooking the sea. You enter it by walking down a steep staircase that gives way to complete darkness and cramped, sharp crevices for about 400 meters. Those brave enough to go through the whole thing will have a beautiful sea view.