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A guide to water sports in Lanzarote
Considering that Lanzarote is an island which sits in the middle of the Atlantic with all those winds and waves, it’s no wonder this is a fantastic water sports destination. Lanzarote lies only 75 miles off the coast of Africa, which means glorious weather all year round. The temperature rarely falls below 22°C even in the depths of the winter. In fact, it’s one of the best places you could find to take to the water. So you can experience all the water sports in Lanzarote you could ever wish for. Here's a video to inspire you and whet your appetite!
Now you have an idea of what Lanzarote is like, carry on reading to find out where to go for each type of water sport, where the best beaches are, where to discover the best views, and most importantly, which venue is the best match for your current level of water sport experience, whether you’re a novice or a pro.
Surfing and kite surfing in Lanzarote
Known as the Hawaii of Europe, Lanzarote is one of the best places to learn and practise water sports, and is especially good for both surfing and kite-surfing.
Playa Famara
Considered Lanzarote’s own surf central, Playa Famara is great for beginners as well as those who are more advanced. It is situated on a fabulous bay with the Risco Mountain as a backdrop, and offers six kilometres of beach with no reefs or rocks to get in the way.
For beginners, there are a number of surf schools, and at the northern end of the beach the waves are smaller, making it the perfect location for practice. This beach also has stunning views of the landscape, especially when the light changes and creates even more dramatic colours, changing the water from turquoise to emerald.
For the experienced surfer, the rest of Playa Famara is ideal, it’s so good that even the professionals come here to practise..
Address: Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote
How to get there by public transport: Take the bus line No. 20 from Arrecife’s main bus station to Caleta de Famara
Playa Honda
Playa Honda is another great surfing beach – long, wide and best when the wind blows from the east. It’s ideal for every level of expertise, and is situated close to a quiet, more-residential area with a great promenade filled with cafes, tapas bars and restaurants. So there are plenty of places to relax and refresh after a day on the waves.
Address: 35509, Las Palmas, Spain
How to get there by public transport: Take the bus line No. 21 from Arrecife to Playa Honda
Playa Arrieta
Playa Arrieta is also a good place to learn with an array of schools and classes for all levels. This beach is particularly good for beginners because its wide sandy floor helps to soften any falls. Summer is the best time for all water sports, but particularly for kite surfing as there is often more wind, and smaller, less-powerful waves.
Address: 35542 Arrieta, Las Palmas, Spain
How to get there by public transport: Take the bus line No. 07 from Playa Blanca to Playa Arrieta
Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is a venue meant only for the brave and the really advanced, but it is as much in demand as it is exciting. Head there in June to see how it should be done when Lanzarote hosts the annual European Freestyle Pro Tournament. Breath-taking is the only way to describe it!
Address: 35508 Costa Teguise, Las Palmas, Spain
How to get there by taxi: A taxi from Arrecife to Costa Teguise (8.3 km) costs € 20.00 on average
Water and jet-skiing
These are two of the most popular Lanzarote water sports which can be found at almost all of Lanzarote’s beaches. Playa Blanca is the natural hub for most activities and operators.
You can also try your hand at parascending/parasailing while the truly intrepid (or you might say foolhardy) can opt for a flyboarding excursion – great if you fancy being propelled through the air by jets of water pumped though a giant hosepipe!
For a slightly gentler seawater experience, you could opt for a ringo ride on the waves, or perhaps go for a banana boat ride.
Address: Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain
How to get there by taxi: A taxi from Arrecife to Playa Blanca will cost an average of € 52.00
Scuba-diving and snorkelling
Whether you choose to dive or simply snorkel, exploring underwater in Lanzarote is one of the best things to do on holiday. The water is clear and warm with excellent visibility, which means there are some great dives around the island.
If you have always wanted to learn to scuba dive, you couldn’t choose a better place, as there are a number of academies that will take you from beginner status to completing your PADI certificate in no time at all.
Snorkelling is even easier to enjoy, and some of the best places in Lanzarote for underwater exploring are around Playa Blanca. Whether snorkelling or diving, there are wonderful sights to behold with masses of rainbow-, zebra- and parrot fish as well as angel sharks, the odd manta ray, and some seahorses to mention just a few. Best of all, there are no nasties such as jellyfish.
Sailing and kayaking
Fancy renting your own boat and crew to explore the Lanzarote coastline? By taking a boat, you can explore some of the beautiful little coves and beaches which are inaccessible by road. As you go further out to sea, you may well spot dolphins and the occasional hammerhead shark (so make sure you keep those fingers and toes out of the water at all times). What better way to fulfil your millionaire fantasies? You, a yacht and the open sea!
Closer to land, there are plenty of places you can rent a kayak for an hour, or even a day, and head off around the coast for a little ‘me-time’ exploration. If you prefer being in a group there are many organised tours – kayaking is a terrific way to explore your surroundings, and surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it.
More exciting water sport adventures & experiences
If you want an underwater experience without getting wet, then book a trip in a yellow submarine from Puerto Calero and take in these views from inside a nice, dry viewing-mobile. You can also enjoy a different marine perspective with a visit to the Museo Atlantico and its artificial reefs and wrecks.
The best thing about Lanzarote is that it offers something for everyone: active travellers can use it as a giant water park – for skiing, surfing and diving, and those who just want to relax can just enjoy its many great beaches. The adventurous can explore its inland volcanic landscapes, art lovers can discover the works of the great Canarian artist, César Manrique while the inquisitive can simply head for the island’s picturesque towns and villages.
And if you’ve loved finding out about this island, check out our pages on the sister islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
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