| Lanzarote’s excellent water conditions and warm climate make it an ideal location for a wide range of water sports all year round. If you are looking for action and adventure the north coast offers perfect waves for surfing and windsurfing, whilst the south coast is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving. Many visitors enjoy swimming in Lanzarote’s crystal clear waters, with temperatures rarely falling below 19 degrees. The main resorts have beautiful golden beaches, most of which have been awarded the Blue flag. The fabulous Playa Dorada in Playa Blanca has a calm lagoon of water – perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Because Lanzarote is a volcanic island, please take extra care when diving into the sea, due to the rocks and lava on the seabed. If swimming in the north of the island, always look for red flags in case the sea currents are too strong for swimming far out or in deep water. Also on the beaches of the major resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca there is the opportunity to take part in parascending, go on a banana boat, have a ride on a jet ski, go water skiing and hire a pedal boat.
| Surfing in Lanzarote is likened to that of Hawaii – it has some of the best waves or ‘surf breaks’ in Europe. The most well known spot, which is for more experienced surfers, is at La Santa, located in the north of the island. The challenging waves and currents here break in multiple sections over a volcanic reef. One of the breaks to watch out for is nicknamed ‘The Slab’. Another well known surf spot in the north is Famara, a 6km long stretch of golden sand with an excellent variety of waves, suitable for all levels of surfer. There are a couple of local surf schools and shops which hire out a range of surf and boogie boards throughout the year. Other places worth a visit for surfers include Jameos del Agua, Caleta Caballo, San Juan and Orzola. There are also many surfing schools for all ages and levels in each of the main resorts. | 
| Playa de las Cucharas in Costa Teguise has the most excellent all year round conditions for wind surfing. The wind is calmer during the morning, so it is a good time for beginners wishing to take up a new sport. In the afternoon as the wind picks up, the flat water conditions and strong steady winds are perfect for experienced freestylers. There is a specialised windsurfing school in the resort and equipment can also be hired. Lanzarote is a popular destination for athletes in training for windsurfing competitions. For beginners and younger sports enthusiasts, in the village of La Santa there is a sheltered lagoon – perfect for learning those manoeuvres. One of the most popular water sports in Lanzarote is scuba diving. The clear waters of the Atlantic are perfect for the sport, offering good, year round visibility. The underwater flow of lava has formed many reefs with crevices and ledges filled with a massive variety of fish and invertebrates. There is a choice of dive centres, with fully experienced guides that have excellent knowledge of the sport and location and can accommodate any level of diver. The centres are located in each of the main tourist resorts, including Puerto del Carmen – where a number of wrecks have been sunk to create a fascinating marine park. There are a wide range of marine excursions offering the best way to get a good look at Lanzarote. Generally, most of the excursions leave from the harbour in Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero marina, or Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca. Trips such as spending a morning or afternoon aboard a luxury catamaran with an unlimited supply of food and drinks included are extremely popular. Also in Puerto Calero it is possible to embark on a submarine safari – this promises to be the underwater adventure of a lifetime. Seats in front of large viewing ports and TV monitors showing alternative angles ensure total viewing pleasure of the outside underwater world. The Subcat in Puerto del Carmen starts with a short sail to take in the fabulous views from the top deck. Following this, guests are then asked to enter inside, as the vessel descends around 30m below sea level and gives an amazing insight into the sea life surrounding a sunken wreck. Sailing is extremely popular in Lanzarote, due to the perfect wind conditions around the island. There are several options allowing tourists to charter a boat. If you are an experienced sailor, with all of the necessary paperwork, then it is possible to ‘bare boat’ charter and be skipper for the day. For those who are less experienced, who want to learn the ropes, it is possible to be part of a crew on a 4-5 hour excursion, which will include food and drinks. Finally, those who want to experience sailing without the work can hire a boat with full crew who will cater to your every need. There are a selection of registered clubs and organisations offering a variety of sailing courses. An excellent day out for fishing enthusiasts has got to be one of the deep sea fishing excursions available at either Puerto Calero marina, the harbour in Puerto del Carmen or Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca. A professional and experienced team will take you to the best fishing spots and you will have use of their quality equipment, suitable for the particular type of fish you are trying to catch. This article was written by Stacy Orton who is a member of the locations development team at Premier Holidays. Premier Holidays offers a wide range of luxury private villas in Lanzarote, including Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca. |