We recommend four dives located on the northeast coast of the island and in the Chinijo Archipelago suitable for different diving skill levels
Lanzarote is an island that is easy to fall in love with, a special place where human interaction with nature has been carried out in a respectful and sustainable way. Underwater, you will find an eruption of biodiversity that enriches every space touched by the sea, full of colour and life.
The Bay of Arrecife, the origin of the capital’s name
We start in Lanzarote’s capital, Arrecife. This place used to be very dangerous for sailors due to the reefs that give the capital its name (arrecife means reef in Spanish), but is now a refuge for a great variety of marine species.
The presence of man-made bridges and tunnels provides a unique experience. The Bay of Arrecife is also home to species that are not found in other parts of the archipelago, such as a marine seagrass known as “Zostera noltii” and various invertebrates, making this an environment of extreme biological and scientific importance.
“Remember to always dive accompanied”
For this dive, you can leave from almost any point in the bay surrounding the capital, but it is advisable to start in the area around the old fish factory, known as la Rocar.
You must be careful with the rocks, as this is a very shallow dive and there is usually a lot of current in this area. This is a dive for those who are looking to discover their first sensations under the sea.
The coast of Mala, magical volcanic lifts
The next stop is at the village of Mala (Haría). Continue down calle El Cangrejo until you reach the coast – at that point, there is a well-kept dirt road that leads straight to the dive site.
A few metres into the water you will come across the first volcanic tube into which you can enter to see its walls decorated with sponges and find the presence of narwhal shrimps. After leaving the first tunnel behind and swimming towards the coast of Arrieta (Haría), you will find another tunnel, about 30 metres long, in which if you are lucky you may find Mediterranean cardinalfish, forkbeards or conger eels that take advantage of the darkness of the tunnel to hide during the day.
“Enjoy the whole environment – underwater scenery, fauna and flora”
This dive is intended for advanced divers as the currents and the depth of the tunnels must be well understood before starting any exploration.
Charco del Palo, an underwater forest full of life
To the north of the east coast of the municipality of Teguise, there is a curious spot called El Charco del Palo. This small urban settlement also has interesting places to visit under its waters.
It can be accessed from various points on the shore or directly from a boat. This dive offers a perfect combination of volcano and sand, offering curious landscapes that will captivate your attention.
“The pleasure of diving comes from what you can feel without touching”
In the volcanic formations you will find moray eels, octopus, giant anemones, forkbeards and even narwhal shrimps. If you move a little further away from this landscape and go down to 40-50 metres, you will find enormous forests of black coral. Here, you need to know how to read the currents and control the decompression stages, and so this is a dive for advanced divers.
Chinijo Archipelago, the best-kept treasure
To the north of Lanzarote is the Chinijo Archipelago, made up of La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste.
Although diving is not allowed everywhere in this small archipelago, it is very difficult to make a single recommendation, as the seabed is teeming with life, with unique landscapes.
The large rocky wall located in the strait that separates Lanzarote and La Graciosa is one of the most visited places for diving. Here you can see many species that thanks to the protection of the Marine Reserve have been able to survive and procreate.
You will find specimens such as the Canarian Lobster, which is fed by the large number of crustaceans and molluscs that inhabit the area. You will also see pelagic fish such as amberjacks, barracudas and tuna that follow shoals of grunts, bogue and striped seabream. The Veril de Las Langostas can only be accessed by boat and the maximum depth reached is 25 metres. It is a recommended dive for medium level divers.
Lanzarote and La Graciosa offer a wide variety of diving centres aimed at both those who already have experience and those who want to experience their first underwater sensations. The professionals who work there will be able to recommend places to visit, depending on your level, or you can sign up for some of their guided dives and enjoy a beautiful underwater experience.
“From the moment he is born, he carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders; but man has only to dive to be free” – Jacques Cousteau
