Imagine gliding over crystal clear waters, surrounded by the volcanic beauty of the Canary Islands, before diving into a vibrant underwater world teeming with life.
Discover the best kayaking and snorkelling excursion in Lanzarote and the best places on the island to feel the magic of Lanzarote from a unique perspective: above and below the water.
Kayaking and snorkelling on Papagayo beach from Playa Blanca
With a duration of 4 hours, this is the best kayak route with snorkelling in Lanzarote.
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An adventure in the waters of Lanzarote with the activity “Kayaking and snorkelling on Papagayo beach from Playa Blanca“. You will discover the beauty of Papagayo beach from a unique perspective, both sailing over the water and snorkelling under it.
The meeting point is Princesa Ico street in Playa Blanca, in the south of Lanzarote, where the instructors will welcome you and give you all the necessary equipment. Once you are equipped and ready for action, the adventure begins. With the kayak as your means of transport, paddling through the crystal clear waters, you’ll head towards the paradise beach of Papagayo. For approximately 50 minutes, you’ll delight in the panoramic views of the coastline and enjoy the feeling of freedom that kayaking gives you.
When you arrive at Papagayo beach, you’ll leave the kayaks to one side and dive into the turquoise waters to explore the marine life by snorkelling. For 45 minutes, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in an underwater world full of colour and life. Watch as starfish gently drift by, fish swim around you and, if you’re lucky, you might even spot majestic manta rays. The beauty and tranquillity of this marine environment makes you connect with yourself and your surroundings.
After enjoying this unique experience, you will take a well-deserved rest on Papagayo beach, where you can relax and recharge your batteries with a delicious snack included in the activity. You will have time to relax on the golden sand, sunbathe and enjoy the paradisiacal atmosphere of this place.
Once the break is over, you’ll kayak back to the starting point in Playa Blanca. On the way back, you can once again enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and take pictures to immortalise this memorable experience.
When you reach the shore, you will receive the photos taken by the team during the tour, so that you can relive the best moments of this aquatic adventure.
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Kayaking and snorkelling in Lanzarote – The best spots and sites
If you prefer to kayak or snorkel on your own without hiring excursions, I recommend these places to do it on the island of Lanzarote:
Puerto del Carmen – Playa Chica
This charming resort town on the southeast coast of Lanzarote is famous for its lively nightlife and long sandy beaches, which are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. Playa Chica is especially known as one of the best places for water activities, with calm and safe waters filled with a variety of fish species that can be explored even in the shallower areas.
Playa Blanca – Playa Flamingo
On the south coast of Lanzarote lies the tourist area of Playa Blanca, an oasis of tranquillity with long walking trails and wide beaches. Playa Flamingo is a great snorkelling destination, where breakwaters protect the beach and attract marine life. Here, you can spot schools of barracuda, parrot fish, trumpet fish, and occasional angel sharks and rays in the sand.
Arrieta – Charcón Beach
This picturesque village in the southeast of Lanzarote offers the Playa del Charcón, a small rocky bay which, although not the best place for snorkelling, provides a pleasant swim while discovering Atlantic fish such as wrasse and gilthead bream. You can also admire the Casa Azul de Casa Juanita, one of the most iconic houses on the island.
Costa Teguise – Jablillo Beach and Bastián Beach
In Lanzarote’s third largest tourist town, Costa Teguise, you will find the beaches of Jablillo and Bastián, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Surrounded by breakwaters that ensure their safety, these beaches allow you to swim with a variety of fish species in a relaxing environment.
Papagayo Beaches
These stunning beaches are a must-see destination in Lanzarote. The 5 Papagayo Beaches – Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, Playa de Papagayo, Caleta del Congrio, Puerto Muleas – provide an almost Caribbean experience with their turquoise water and golden sand. These beaches, sheltered from the wind thanks to their location, offer calm and clear seas, ideal conditions for an excellent day of snorkelling.
10 tips for kayaking and snorkelling in Lanzarote
- Prepare properly: Make sure you have everything you’ll need with you: a good snorkelling mask, fins, a life jacket for the kayak and sun protection.
- Use biodegradable sunscreen: The sun in Lanzarote can be very strong, so sun protection is crucial. But at the same time, make sure you don’t damage the marine ecosystem with harmful chemicals found in some sunscreens.
- Hydrate yourself: Heat, sun and physical activity can quickly dehydrate you. Make sure you take plenty of water with you.
- Respect marine life: Don’t touch or disturb any marine creatures you may see while snorkelling. Remember, you are a visitor in their home.
- Pay attention to sea conditions: Currents and swell can change rapidly. Make sure you understand the conditions before you go out.
- Hire a guide if you are a beginner: If you are new to kayaking or snorkelling, it can be useful to hire a guide or join a group excursion.
- Don’t stray too far: Keep the coastline in sight while kayaking and snorkelling to avoid getting disorientated.
- Dress appropriately: Wear a long-sleeved shirt while kayaking to avoid sunburn and consider a wetsuit if you plan to snorkel for a long period of time, as the water can be cold.
- Avoid areas with heavy boat traffic: For your own safety, avoid kayaking and snorkelling near areas with heavy boat traffic.
- Follow local recommendations: Locals and tour guides will know the best and safest locations for kayaking and snorkelling, so be sure to ask for advice.
The snorkelling and kayaking experience in Lanzarote
Gliding through the crystal clear water in your kayak, the volcanic island of Lanzarote unfolds before you like a watercolour painting, its black, brown and reddish tones contrasting vividly with the endless blue of the Atlantic. The sound of the waves lapping gently against the sides of the kayak and the chirping of seagulls in the sky compete with the steady rhythm of your breathing and the splash of the paddles.
The kayak cuts through the calm water like a hot knife through butter, leaving a frothy trail in its wake. The horizon, where the blue sky meets the blue sea, seems unreachable, a thin, ethereal line marking the boundary of your world. All around you is a dance of light and colour, the bright sun splashing diamonds on the waves and tinting Lanzarote’s volcanic mountains with a palette of shifting shadows.
And then you stop, take off your T-shirt and put on your mask and fins. As you submerge, you feel the cool, salty water envelop your body, muffling the sounds of the outside world and enveloping you in peaceful silence. You open your eyes to reveal a whole new universe, an underwater garden of sponges, anemones and corals, in every colour imaginable.
Underwater, fish swim curiously past, their scales gleaming brightly in the filtered light. You come face to face with tropical fish, dodgy octopus and dancing seahorses. You dive into schools of silvery fish that open and close like velvet curtains. Occasionally, a majestic stingray glides across the sandy bottom or a curious grouper peeks out from its hiding place on the rocks.
When diving in Lanzarote, you feel like an explorer in a new and exciting world, observing the mysteries of the marine life around you. Every rock, every crevice, can hold a new surprise. The beauty of this underwater world is astounding, and you feel a deep connection with the nature around you.
At the end of your adventure, when you resurface and climb back into your kayak, you take with you the wonders and mysteries of the sea. As you paddle back to shore, with the setting sun tingeing the sky with shades of red and gold, you know you have experienced something truly special, a communion with nature that you will never forget.
