Sailing

Sailing along Lanzarote's shores, where the trade winds provide ideal conditions, is 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, there are plenty of opportunities to learn with experts. 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 just enjoy the trip.

Swimming

Keen swimmers are well catered for in Lanzarote. The island boasts some excellent beaches, sometimes featuring imported sand, and are 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, and in secluded coves, to make sure you have an escape route when the tide comes in!

In general, the conditions of the sea off the south coast favour swimming and snorkelling more than those on the north coast, but as long as you use common sense and don't venture out too far, there are great swimming experiences all round the coastline.

Windsurfing

Lanzarote is a paradise for windsurfing - for visitors and locals alike, for professionals, experienced windsurfers or for beginners. At various points along the Lanzarote coastline, you will find schools and centres that specialise in teaching windsurfing, especially around 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 often better 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).

Surfing

Many say that the quality of the Lanzarote surf is right up there with places like Hawaii and that it has some of the best waves in Europe, especially off the northern and north-eastern shores. Both are recommended only for experienced surfers, though supervised lessons are also available at Famara. 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 de Caballo, Caleta de Famara, Playa de San Juan, all near to the Mírador del Rio, (along the northern shore), Orzola (at northern tip), La Francesa and Montaña Amarilla (both on the islet of La Graciosa - reached by ferry from Orzola), 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 sunken wrecks create a fascinating marine park, bubbling with life. On a short swim to the wrecks you will have the opportunity to see common rays 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 all major languages. You can find diving centres in all the tourist areas of the island, particularly along the south and south-eastern coast, for example Playa Blanca, or Puerto del Carmen.

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). There are 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, many visiting anglers want to try their luck.

Boat Trips

One of the best ways to get a good view of Lanzarote is from offshore, and there is a wide range of boat trips available. The offers include a trip on a racy catamaran (out of Puerto Calero), a cruise around the islands of Lobos and Fuerteventura (that leaves from Playa Blanca) and even whale watching is possible during their migration season! Most boat trips and excursions leave from Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca or Puerto Calero, covering mainly Lanzarote's south coast, but there are also excursions to the islets of La Graciosa and Alegranza, which leave from 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 at Puerto del Carmen, or Playa Dorada (near Playa Blanca).