Lanzarote Beaches

There are so many beaches on the Canary Island of Lanzarote, you can be sure to find one to suit your needs. However, not every beach is suitable for everyone ….. It all really depends on what you want from a beach!

If you are intending to take part in some serious water sports during your holiday, then you will probably choose a beach which is right for just that. Such a beach is not likely to be used by people wanting to swim as more often than not the beaches for sport are far too dangerous for even the most advanced swimmer. Famara Beach at Teguise on the north of the island is superb for experienced wind-surfing although the wind in these parts can be very rough. There are six kilometres of huge breakers reaching the fine white sands. Adjacent to the beach are the sand dunes, with the mountains in the background. The village of Famara close by offers a small selection of restaurants, bars and cafes. Playa de Los Picollos is another beach which is popular with wind-surfers when the wind picks up.

When holidaying with children you will want a bucket and spade type beach and will probably enjoy a day down at El Reducto. This is the beach of Arrecife, the capital city of Lanzarote. Here the gentle waters and golden sands make a perfect haven for safe bathing and sand castle building. This beach is accessible by local bus but if you are making your own way there by car, there are plenty of car parking spaces. You will also be able to use the showers after bathing and there are places scattered along the promenade where you can buy refreshments of anything from a drink to a three course meal. This beach also features the San Gines Lagoon. This is a natural pond of sea water where the local fishermen leave their small boats.

Another great fine-sand beach is El Caleton Blanco. As the name suggests, the beach is white and the formation of the volcanic rock provides lots of little sheltered bays which are great for swimming and sunbathing. You are also allowed to camp here and use the facilities of the site. There is adequate parking and the local bus stops here too.

The crystal clear waters and fine white sand of the collection of bays known as Papagayo Beach can be found in the south of the island but you really need a jeep to get there as access is via nothing more than a dirt track. Some parts of this beach are designated as naturalist although this is becoming less and less popular and nowadays there are many families out on picnic days in this area. There are several stunning spots along this stretch of the coastline and these are pointed out to the passengers of the passing boats travelling to and from Playa Blanca.

El Risco beach in the municipality of Haria incorporates a thousand meters of fine white sand but the beach is extremely windy. With a four hundred meter descent to the beach (and the same climb back up again) it is unsuitable for people who are not good on their feet.

The Playa Grande is the main beach located at the resort of Puerto Del Carmen. It is a lively beach bordered on one side by the ocean and on the other by the promenade. Although the centre of Puerto Del Carmen is right on the doorstep, beach sellers walking up and down the sands will offer you all you need by way of refreshments and snacks.

Playa de Matagorda beach is a collection of small golden sands which are ideal for swimming and wind surfing. This beach, however, is not the quietest of places to relax as it is very close to the runway at Arrecife airport.

Moving along to the resort of Playa Blanca we have two beaches. The original beach before the resort grew in popularity with the tourists, is the smallest and faces the port with views of Los Lobos Island in the distance. The Playa Dorada beach is the new man made beach where you also have a choice of cafes and bars. Both of these beaches are great for safe bathing, especially with children, as the sands slope very gently into the sea and the waters are calm.

There are many other beaches of varying sizes on the island of Lanzarote. Some are black sand, some golden and some fine white so you are sure to find a beach to suit you, be it large or small, busy or secluded.