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Lanzarote

Destination Overview

Lanzarote, often called ‘Island of Eternal Spring’, has a subtropical desert climate and is the northernmost and easternmost island of the Canaries measuring just 60km from north to south. It rose from the sea during a massive volcanic eruption some 15 million years ago and offers warm clear waters around its 130 miles of coastline. The Canaries are part of Spain however they are closer to Africa, being just over 60 miles from southern Morocco.

Offshore there are spectacular volcanic rock formations, and the beaches range from stunning golden coves to volcanic stretches with black sands. Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen are home to some of Lanzarote’s famous beaches, along with Papagayo Beaches in the south. Boasting over 300 days of sunshine each year this destination is perfect for summer and winter breaks, with a flight time of just four hours from the UK.

A trip to Lanzarote would not be complete without a visit to the Volcano Park at Timanfaya, here you can follow a route defined by the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique taking in the spectacular expanse of colourful dormant volcanos where around 360 cones rise up from the granular black sands. Manrique’s rallying was the reason for it being forbidden to build high rise structures and display advertising billboards resulting in stunning unobstructed island views. As musy see is The House of Manrique which has been built over five interconnecting volcanic bubbles in the lava flow, or visit one of the many attractions created by Manrique where architecture is integrated with nature, such as the Cactus Garden or Montanas del Fuego, El Diablo Restaurant.

The island is a popular choice for activity holidays for the whole family with lots to do such as surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddle boarding, and of course scuba diving; or for those wanting to stay on dry land, hiking and cycling. There are an abundance of festivals and fiestas across the island throughout the year where together you can enjoy music, dancing, colourful costumes, and decorated floats. Lanzarote’s markets also offer a fantastic atmosphere and entertainment, whether you are looking for souvenirs or locally made handcrafts you will be spoilt for choice. On Sundays, the sleepy town of Teguise is transformed into a lively market with hundreds of stalls where locals and tourists come to haggle and socialise in the sunshine. After dark you can take your pick of evening pursuits, if you are looking for a family-orientated evening then head to one of the many quaint little tavernas, or for something a bit more lively visit Café del Mar or Puerto del Carmen where you can dance until dawn.

Average temperatures in Summer (April-October): Air 24-29°c / Sea: 19-23°c

Average temperatures in Winter (November-March): Air 21-23°c / Sea 17-20°c

Diving Information

The best time to dive Lanzarote is June to October if you prefer warmer temperatures, however it is possible to dive all year round. The Atlantic Ocean is clean and clear with good visibility to 30m as standard, and over the years the underwater flow of lava has formed many reefs, attracting an array of colourful marine life. There are also caves, tunnels, sheer walls, and a variety of small wrecks to explore.

Lanzarote is a mixture of both shore and boat diving, and there is a great selection of marine life to see including grouper, tuna, barracuda, monkfish, moray eels, seahorse, octopus, and rays. At certain times of year, you can also encounter dolphins and whales.

This destination also offers divers a unique experience, Museo Atlantico Lanzarote, Europe’s largest underwater museum. Located in a sheltered area near Coloradeas, Playa Blanca, divers can immerse themselves amongst the impressive sculptures of Jason deCaires Taylor, at a depth of 12-14m. One of the remarkable pieces is a human gyre consisting of 200 life-size sculptures placed in a never-ending circle. Designed as a huge artificial reef and consisting of 10 groups of sculptures, the artist wanted to highlight the beauty of the underwater world and emphasis the need to protect it.

One of the most popular dive sites of Lanzarote is The Cathedral, with a depth of 30m this site got its name from the large cavern that is said to resemble a cathedral complete with an alter area. Large groupers can be found here, and the surrounding reef has many ledges, and a wreck of a small fishing boat lies below the reef wall. The Blue Hole gives divers a taste of adventure, the tunnel connects with a shallow area to the cliff that descends into spectacular depths. At Richie’s Place giant walls go into the abyss, with amazing drop offs, caves, underwater canyons, arches, and sand bars. For wreck lovers there are the harbour wrecks of Puerto del Carmen, these are a nice collection of purposely sunk fishing vessels at depths of 12-40m where rays, angel sharks, amber jacks, cuttlefish, and barracuda can be seen.

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