Off the coast of the Atlantic Morocco, Lanzarote holds some of the most beautiful diving sites in Spain. Early in 2016, the destination was enriched with a new and original diving site with the inauguration of the underwater museum Atlantico which brought this Canary Island into the spotlight.UnderwaterAn average temperature on the island of 21°C, with water at a minimum of 18°C. What more could a cold-afflicted diver dream of within less than 4 hours flight from Paris? Located not far from the largest marine reserve in Europe (over 70,000 hectares), Lanzarote’s seabeds teem with life, sponges, multicolored corals where one can find crustaceans, nudibranchs, groupers, and sometimes an angel shark… But the blue is also very interesting for observing pelagic species (tunas, trevallies…) thanks to visibility reaching up to 40 meters. Around thirty diving clubs are situated around the island. Among them are French-speaking clubs:
– Aquasport Diving, located on the east coast in Puerto del Carmen. Géraldine and Éric show you the richness of the island’s underwater world. They also offer day trips to dive on the neighboring island of La Graciosa.
– Rubicon Diving in the heart of Marina Rubicon in the south of the island in Playa Blanca, ideally located to take you to the new underwater museum. Open since 2004, it is affiliated with FFESSM, SSI, ANDI, and PADI. And it is in the south of Lanzarote that Europe’s first underwater museum, the Museo Atlantico, was inaugurated early in 2016 in the depths of Playa Blanca. Internationally renowned, artist Jason de Caires Taylor created his works in neutral PH concrete with materials that do not damage the seabed. His sculptures are designed as artificial reefs, refuges for fauna and flora in an area declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993.
On the surfaceOn land, the change of scene is complete. All around the volcanic island, fine white, golden, and black sandy beaches have exotic names: Papagayo, Puerto del Carmen, and Matagorda in the south, Costa Teguise, Arrieta, Caletón Blanco in the north. Discover the Cactus Garden imagined by artist César Manrique, admire the island of La Graciosa from El Mirador del Río, explore the Timanfaya Park and its impressive fields of solidified lava, or the green lagoon of El Golfo.
Lanzarote is also a destination for all gourmets. Fish and seafood, a wide selection of vegetables, goat meat, and black pig from the Canary Islands are on the menu… Enjoy « papas arrugadas, » these small wrinkled potatoes served with fish and a « mojo » sauce, typically spicy pepper sauce from the Canary Islands. Also do not forget to taste during your stay the excellent wines of the Lanzarote appellation, but always in moderation!Practical information
Best time to visit : from May to October.Water temperature : from 18°C in winter to 22°C in summer. 5 mm semi-dry wetsuit.Minimum required level : from beginner to advanced. Sites from 0 to over 40 meters, some dives being accessible from the shore. Many clubs welcome technical divers and offer this type of training.Time difference : – 1 h all year round.Formalities : valid passport or identity card, no visa or mandatory vaccines.
For more information: www.turismolanzarote.com/en/The cover photo is by Jason de Caires Taylor.
Find the genesis of Museo Atlantico in video
