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Water Sports in Lanzarote
The Atlantic is – next to the climate – one of the biggest attractions the Canary Islands have to offer, and Lanzarote’s waters are often pointed out for their excellent conditions. The average water temperatures (rarely below 19ºC - 66ºF) allow for the practice of a wide range of water sports all year round. The south coast is especially inviting for swimming, diving, snorkelling or boat excursions including game fishing, whereas the north coast, with its rougher conditions, provides an ideal playground for windsurfing, surfing, sailing, etc… Do not underestimate the strength of prevailing winds that are usually at their strongest on summer afternoons.
Sailing
Sailing along Lanzarote’s shores, where the trade winds provide ideal conditions, is also a very popular pastime for islanders and visitors alike. Even if you have no experience at all and you want to find out what is it that attracts so many to this beautiful sport, just charter a yacht and try your hand at it. There are many registered clubs and organizations that offer comprehensive courses and provide all the necessary equipment for hire. They even organize sailing outings where others do the heavy work, while you enjoy the trip.
Swimming
Keen swimmers are well catered for in Lanzarote. The island boasts some excellent beaches, sometimes featuring imported sand, very inviting to visitors who wish to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic. The most popular beaches have the ‘European Blue Flag’ standard and are attended by lifeguards. Special care should be taken if there are rocks nearby and when swimming off beaches in secluded areas. It is always sensible, wherever you swim, to find out before whether there are dangerous currents in the area.
In general, it can be said that the conditions of the sea off the south coast are more in favour of swimming and snorkelling than on the north coast due to the presence of sea currents.
Windsurf
Lanzarote is a paradise for windsurfing – for visitors and locals alike, for professionals, experienced windsurfers or for beginners. All along Lanzarote’s coastline, you will find schools and centres specialized in teaching windsurf. The presence of wind won’t be a problem, as trade winds are a constant around here. Lanzarote is such an ideal windsurf location that many champions favour the island for their training. You’ll find windsurf schools on the beaches at Tias, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca and La Santa.
Costa Teguise, and particularly the beach of Las Cucharas, is one of the best windsurf spots on the island, where the wind really picks up in the afternoon, so mornings are more adequate for beginners. Free-stylers will find their favourite place here, due to the flat-water conditions and strong and steady winds further out. The beach off the Club La Santa at the village of La Santa on the north coast provides a sheltered lagoon for beginners. The wind conditions are always at their best during the summer months (May, June, July and August).
Surf
Many say about Lanzarote as surf destination that it comes right after Hawaii and that it has some of the best waves of all Europe, especially off the northern and north-eastern shores – both recommended only for experienced surfers. One of the toughest surf spots, even challenging the technically proficient, can be found at the beach near Jameos del Agua, where the waves break in multiple sections over the volcanic reef. Also, waves and currents can get quite turbulent in this area when the tide heads out. Access is not easy and you have to cross rough volcanic terrain, so adequate footwear is recommended.
Other well known surf areas are the beaches of Arrecife (southeast), La Santa, Caleta Caballo, Caleta de Famara, Playa de San Juan, Mírador del Rio, (all along the northern shore), Orzola (at northern tip), La Francesa and Montaña Amarilla (both on the islet of La Graciosa), Punta Mujeres at Ponta de Papagayo (at the south-eastern tip)… just to name some of them!
Scuba-diving
Diving in Lanzarote’s surrounding waters means exploring a sub aquatic volcanic world with an incredible variety of marine life. Lanzarote is a diver’s paradise with crystalline waters and underwater sceneries of rare beauty. Off the harbour of Puerto del Carmen, a number of wrecks have been sunk to create a fascinating marine park, bubbling with life. On a short swim to the wrecks you will have the opportunity to see common ray, cow nose ray and angel sharks.
Fully experienced dive guides, with excellent knowledge of Lanzarote’s dive locations, deal with divers of all levels (from beginners to experienced) in almost any language. You can find diving centres in all the tourist areas of the island, particularly along the south and south-eastern coast where – due to calmer waters – divers and snorkellers find paradisiacal conditions.
Game Fishing
The Atlantic Ocean surrounding Lanzarote also provides excellent conditions for game fishing and if you want to try your hand at it – or you are already an enthusiast of this sport – head for the marinas and harbours on the south coast (Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, Playa Blanca) or Caleta del Sebo (on the islet of La Graciosa). All of them offer professionally equipped boats for charter, some even specializing in shark fishing. The main species caught in the waters off these ports are blue marlin, tuna (the best season for these two species is between April and November), swordfish and bonito. As Lanzarote is renowned for its rich fishing grounds and many anglers want to try their luck, we recommend that you book early!
Marine Excursions
One of the best ways to get a good view of Lanzarote is from offshore, and there is a wide range of marine excursions available in almost all harbours. The offers include a trip on a racy catamaran or on a genuine two-masted fore-and-aft schooner on which you can get the pirate feel… and even whale watching is possible during their migration season! Most craft leaves from Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Puerto Calero, covering mainly Lanzarote’s south coast, but there are also excursions to the islets of La Graciosa and Alegranza, which take off in Orzola at the northern tip of the island. Apart from mini-cruises along Lanzarote’s shores and to secluded beaches, there are also longer trips that will take you to neighbouring islands, often including light meals and providing opportunities for exploring new places.
Booking is easy as marine excursions are offered almost everywhere… just make your choice!
Parascending, Jet & Water Skiing
Parascending, jet skiing, water skiing, a trip on a speedboat and other adrenalin producing activities are mainly offered at the major resorts. The ever popular banana boats, pedal boats and sea kayaks are also available for hire on many beaches and make a good way of getting out on the water with your children.
Submarine Safaris
Discover Lanzarote’s stunning underwater world … without getting wet … on a mini-submarine!
Submarine Safaris SL, located in Puerto Calero’s marina, offers an unforgettable experience on board of a highly sophisticated tourist submarine, equipped with large viewing points, each with its own TV monitor showing alternative viewing angles as well as a digital display panel where you will be receiving information regarding the submarine. If you book your dive from Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, Submarine Safaris SL will provide you with a free daily bus service to Puerto Calero, and the same happens if you book from Playa Blanca but only on set days.
Subcat, another company located in Puerto del Carmen, operates the only submarine-catamaran in the Canary Islands. Visitors are welcomed at ‘La Casa Roja’ with a drink and some information about the dive. The true adventure starts with a 15-minute regular cruise trip, where people can enjoy the views from offshore on the deck. After that, the Subcat will start a magnificent 60-minute dive descending to around 30m (98ft) below sea level. Here you’ll be able to see the most amazing wreck in Lanzarote and much of the incredible marine life of these rich waters. The submarine-catamaran is equipped with seats for 27 passengers, each with a TV monitor connected to external cameras. There is also a free bus service to the submarine and back.
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Sailing
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Windsurfing
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Bodyboarding
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Scuba-diving
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Deep-sea fishing
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Parascending
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