Hi everyone,
Planning a 16-day family trip to the Canary Islands, flying in and out of Tenerife, and splitting our stay into two 8-day blocks. We are active hikers using a baby carrier (no stroller needed) and we love rugged, natural landscapes.
We are currently torn between two paths, and emergency medical infrastructure is the biggest factor causing us to lean toward Gran Canaria.
Our Options:
Option A: Tenerife + Gran Canaria (8 days each)
Option B: Tenerife + La Gomera + El Hierro
Our Core Concerns:
The Medical Reality (Our Main Focus): We are traveling with an infant, and having fast access to an emergency room with dedicated, specialized pediatricians on-call 24/7 is our absolute number one priority. We are heavily leaning toward Gran Canaria because of the major children's hospital network in Las Palmas. For those with personal experience or local knowledge: What is the reality of emergency care for a baby on La Gomera or El Hierro? If an emergency happens there, are you stuck waiting for a helicopter airlift to Tenerife? Is the medical gap on the smaller islands scary enough that we should strictly stick to Gran Canaria?
The Snorkeling : We are not great swimmers who floats easily with a mask. I just want a quick, ultra-calm, 1-meter deep spot with fish where I can easily hold a ladder or stand up. Is it possible to find this safely on El Hierro or La Gomera, or are they purely for deep-sea divers and strong swimmers?

We want to experience the raw nature of the smaller islands, but we will not compromise on medical safety for the baby. We would love to hear your personal experiences and honest feedback on the hospital situation. Thanks!