SERYDDA heads to Canaria!
- Serydda
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Chasing Stars in the Canary Islands: Our Astrophotography Diaries from La Palma and Tenerife with
La Palma – 16–21 May 2026
After months of anticipation, our astrophotography adventure to La Palma finally began on 16 May. As our aircraft approached the island(Bristol to Tenerife, then Binter to La Palma), the dramatic volcanic landscape rising from the Atlantic hinted at the photographic opportunities that awaited us.
We were based in the beautiful historic town of Santa Cruz de la Palma, which quickly became a welcoming home for the week. Its colourful streets, seafront promenade and relaxed atmosphere provided the perfect base from which to explore one of the world's finest astrophotography destinations.
Under the expert guidance of Jawad from Nomad Photography Tours, every day was carefully planned to make the most of the island's unique landscapes and ever-changing light. We explored volcanic terrain, ancient forests and high mountain viewpoints where spectacular cloud inversions transformed the landscape into a sea of white stretching far below us.
One of the highlights of the week was visiting the summit area around Roque de los Muchachos. At over 2,400 metres above sea level, standing above the clouds and looking across the vast Caldera de Taburiente was a breathtaking experience. The summit is also home to one of the world's most important astronomical sites, the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos. Seeing the impressive telescope domes scattered across the mountain ridge was a reminder of why astronomers and astrophotographers alike are drawn to La Palma.
As evening approached, the island revealed another side of its beauty. The after-sunset glows were often spectacular, bathing the volcanic landscapes in rich colours before darkness finally arrived.
Then came the night skies.
La Palma's reputation as an International Dark Sky Reserve is richly deserved. Once darkness fell, the heavens seemed alive with stars. The Milky Way stretched from horizon to horizon, revealing intricate details that are rarely visible from more light-polluted locations. Photographing beneath such pristine skies was a privilege and an unforgettable experience.
Each evening brought a new location, a different foreground and fresh opportunities to refine our techniques. Jawad's local knowledge ensured that we were always in exactly the right place at the right time.
Equally enjoyable was the company. It was wonderful catching up with old friends and meeting fellow photographers who shared the same enthusiasm for landscape and astrophotography. Conversations often continued long after the cameras had been packed away.
By the end of the week, memory cards were full and sleep had become optional, but nobody seemed to mind. The experience had been simply extraordinary.
Tenerife – 13–18 June 2026
Less than a month later, the adventure continued on Tenerife.
This time our base was the mountain village of Vilaflor, perched high on the southern slopes of Mount Teide. The village quickly became one of my favourite places on the island. Quiet, welcoming and perfectly located for exploring the national park, it offered easy access to some of Tenerife's most spectacular landscapes.
The volcanic scenery of Tenerife is unlike anywhere else I have visited. Much of the landscape feels more lunar or Martian than terrestrial, which explains why the island has featured in Star Wars productions and served as a testing ground for Mars rover missions.
Naturally, Mount Teide dominated the landscape throughout the week. Spain's highest mountain seemed to appear in almost every composition, whether illuminated by daylight, silhouetted against sunset skies or standing beneath the Milky Way at night.
One of the most photogenic locations was Roques de García, where the extraordinary rock formations created dramatic foregrounds against the backdrop of Teide. We returned to the area several times, each visit revealing different light, weather and photographic possibilities.
The cloud inversions were every bit as impressive as those we had witnessed on La Palma. Standing above a blanket of clouds stretching to the horizon never became routine. Every time it felt special.
Tenerife is also home to world-class astronomical facilities. During our travels we could see the observatories and telescopes located high on the mountain slopes, another reminder of the exceptional quality of the skies above the Canary Islands. Their presence added a fitting scientific backdrop to our own attempts at capturing the night sky.
The evenings followed a wonderful rhythm. After an afternoon and evening of photography, many of us would gather in and around Vilaflor to enjoy local food and good company. The restaurants were excellent, serving traditional Canarian dishes that were always welcome after hours spent carrying camera equipment across volcanic terrain.
Occasionally, a barraquito coffee became the perfect way to round off a meal. This distinctive Canarian speciality, layered with coffee, condensed milk and liqueur, quickly became a favourite. On other evenings, a glass of local honey rum provided a fitting toast to another successful night's photography.
One of the great pleasures of the trip was meeting up with friends, both old and new. The photography community is remarkably close-knit, and it was wonderful to spend time with so many familiar faces. A particular highlight was catching up with Sian and James, from Cymru, on Tenerife, whose company added greatly to an already memorable week.
As darkness arrived each night, the real magic began. Tenerife's skies were every bit as impressive as those of La Palma. With minimal light pollution and little air traffic, conditions were ideal for photographing the Milky Way, Zodiacal Light and countless stars overhead.
Some nights were filled with animated discussion as we compared compositions and techniques. Others were quiet and contemplative, spent alone with camera and tripod beneath a sky overflowing with stars.
Reflections
Looking back, these two Canary Island adventures provided everything an astrophotographer could hope for: dramatic volcanic landscapes, extraordinary cloud inversions, world-class dark skies and excellent company.
The meticulous planning and local expertise provided by Jawad and Nomad Photography Tours ensured that every location, every sunset and every night shoot offered something memorable. It was clear that the experiences had been carefully curated to maximise both photographic opportunities and enjoyment.
What I will remember most, however, is not simply the images. It is standing at Roque de los Muchachos among the telescopes above the clouds. It is watching the Milky Way rise beside Mount Teide. It is photographing the surreal rock formations of Roques de García under starlight. It is sharing meals, barraquitos and honey rum with friends after long nights under the stars.
The photographs created during these tours will be treasured forever, but they are only part of the story. Behind every image lies a memory, a friendship, a shared experience and a moment of wonder.
Two remarkable islands. Eleven unforgettable nights beneath some of the finest skies on Earth. Memories—and photographs—that will last a lifetime.
This version feels much more like a genuine travel diary, with the astronomy sites, food, friendships, and social side of the tours woven naturally into the narrative rather than reading like a tour brochure.
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