| Lanzarote is
situated just 70 miles off the coast of Africa and is the
most easterly of the Canary Islands. The island is 37 miles
(60km) long and 12 miles (20 km) wide, making it the fourth
largest island in the Canaries.
Lanzarote enjoys a mild dry
climate with average daytime temperatures ranging from about
21°C in January to 29°C in August. Annual rainfall is just
140mm (5.5 inches). This makes Lanzarote the perfect year-round
destination.
As with the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote is Volcanic
in origin. Due to the recent eruptions during the 18th and
19th Centuries, many parts of Lanzarote appear to be from
another world, often described as 'lunar' or 'Martian', so
much so that parts of 'Planet of the Apes' were shot here.
The dry climate (and lack of erosion) means that the
Volcanic Landscape appears much as it did just after the
eruptions.
Amongst the many stunning Volcanic features of Lanzarote
is the longest Volcanic Tunnel in the world, the Atlantida
Tunnel, which is over 7 km long and includes the La Cueva de
los Verdes and Jameos del Agua.
Despite the Volcanic nature of the island, Lanzarote has
several beautiful white beaches such as at Playa Blanca and
Papagayo.
Local authority regulations on the amount and style of
development mean that there is no billboard advertising and
no high rise buildings in Lanzarote (with the exception of
the Grand Hotel in Arrecife).
Timanfaya national Park
The Montañas del Fuego (Fire
Mountains) were created between 1730 and 1736 when more than
100 volcanoes, covering more than 50 km², rose up and
devastated this part of the island (including several
villages). The last eruptions were in 1824, however due to
the low rainfall (and therefore lack of erosion) this area
appears much the same as it did just after the eruptions. In
1968 the area was declared a national park, Parque
Nacional de Timanfaya.
This part of the island is a must for any visitor to the
island because of its unique 'Martian' landscape and rare
plant species.
After you arrive at the visitors Car Park you will witness
several demonstrations of 'how hot' the area is (temperatures
just a few metres below the surface reach between 400°C and
600°C).
Dry brush thrown into a hole in the ground catches fire
immediately, while water poured into a bore hole erupts
seconds later in the form of steam - like a mini-geyser.
The 'El Diablo' restaurant provides an impressive backdrop
to all of this and serves Canarian food which is cooked
using geothermal heat (A cast-iron grill placed over a large
hole in the ground). It is advised to arrive here early if
you would like to sample the food, since the Kitchen closes
at 3.00pm.
While it is not possible to just wander freely around the
Volcanoes, a Coach Trip around the National Park (La Ruta de
los Volcanos) is included in the entry fee. The Tour
features an Audio Commentary that includes excerpts from the
diary of a local Priest who was an eyewitness to the
devastating Eruptions.
It is also possible to take a Camel ride across the Volcanic
landscape (not included in the entry fee).
Admission: 8 Euro (Includes Coach Tour around the National
Park)
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Timanfaya National Park -
Lanzarote |
The Cueva de
los Verdes or Green Caves is part of the
Atlantida underground Cave system formed some 3000 years ago
during the eruptions of Monte Corona.
The original inhabitants, the Guanches, used to shelter here
from Pirates that once tormented the island.
The tunnel is over 6 km long with an additional 1.6 km under
the sea and is the longest Volcanic Tunnel in the World (the
underwater section has not been fully explored), although
only about 2 km are open to the public.
The cave measures more than 15 meters wide and 15 m high.
Jameos del Agua
Jameos Del Agua, located in the north of Lanzarote, is part
of the Atlantida volcanic cave system formed by the
eruptions of the Corona volcano about three to four thousand
years ago. This larger cave system with it's centre in Haria
also includes the Cueva de los Verdes.
The word 'Jameo' refers to a volcanic cave with a collapsed
roof, of which there are many in this part of Lanzarote.
The Lanzarote-born artist César Manrique has helped to
create this spectacle, where these natural 'jameos' have
been turned into an Auditorium, Swimming pool, Gardens and
Restaurants, while still blending into the surrounding
volcanic landscape.
The natural Auditorium has seating for 600 and is renowned for its
excellent acoustics. There are regular shows put on here,
which include Folklore Music (the traditional music of the
Canary Islands), AudioVisual displays and a Disco on
Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The Cactus Garden.
Jardin del Cactus was designed by the late Lanzarote Artist
Cesar Manrique.
This impressive collection of Cacti, which were selected by
the Botanist Estanislao Gonzales Ferrer, features well over
1000 species of Cactus.
The restored windmill and strange metal sculptures make for
an impressive contrast against the dry volcanic landscape.
SUBMARINE SAFARIS
Submarine Safaris SL, located on the beautiful island of
Lanzarote, operate one of the worlds most sophisticated
tourist submarines from the exclusive marina of Puerto
Calero. The clarity of the waters and variety of marine life
around the island of Lanzarote, makes their dive a truly
once in a lifetime experience.
Onboard the submarine you will be allocated your personal
seat, right in front of the submarines large viewing ports
(800mm/3ft), ensuring total viewing pleasure to the outside
underwater world. Each view port has its own TV monitor
giving you alternative viewing angles, along with a digital
display panel giving continuous information about the
submarine...
SUB FUN TRES (the name of the submarine) was built at a cost
of 3.5 million US Dollars. She is designed for safety and
total comfort so that passengers can fully enjoy their dive.
The cabin is maintained at normal atmospheric conditions, so
pregnant women, heart patients and persons with ear problems
will not be affected in any way. Due to safety equipment
onboard the submarine, they are unable to take children
under 2 years of age.
The actual dive will take approx. one hour. This includes
boarding and disembarking the submarine. Each dive carries a
tour guide who will give a comprehensive explanation in
German, English and Spanish about the dive and submarine.
Cameras are perfectly suitable for taking pictures inside
the submarine. We recommend a high speed film (400 ASA) in
order to capture all the sights. Remember to watch out for
flash back of the large viewing windows, from the flash of
the camera. This can be over come by holding your camera as
close as possible to the window...
A visit to Puerto Calero should be on your list of "Things
to do" during your Holiday in Lanzarote. The staff at
Submarine Safaris will be more than happy to answer any
questions that you may have about the submarine at their
reception centre. They have their own Submarine Cafe and
Shopping Facilities with a large number of products and
souvenirs. They are also the Kodak Express agents for Puerto
Calero where you can develop all your digital holiday snaps,
or copy them onto CD to view when you return home. All
clients going on-board the submarine are entitled to a 10%
discount on all photo development and products.
Kids can visit their web site and practice driving their own
submarine or complete the colouring competition (prizes
every month) and pop it into Shark's mouth when you visit us
at Puerto Calero.
Prices:
Adult: €48
Child: €28 (2 yrs to 14yrs)
Children under 2 yrs, are unable to board due to safety
reasons.
Lanzarote Beaches
Lanzarote has a large variety of wonderful beaches. From
the beautiful white sands of the North to the dark volcanic
sands of Puerto Del Carmen, one will be amazed by this
contrast that is unique to Lanzarote
The main beach in Puerto Del Carmen is known as Playa
Grande. This is a long beach facing the busy resort. There
are numerous beaches in the area running from Arrecife
airport, Guacimeta, right through to the old town of Puerto
Del Carmen. Adjacent to the old town lies a beautiful
picturesque beach, Playa Chica. This beach is host to a wide
variety of sporting activities. Here one can take diving
lessons, rent jet skis, go Parasailing or do a touch of
Snorkeling.
In the South of the Island near the resort of Playa Blanca
lies the most beautiful beach of all, Papagayo. This
fantastic white beach is a must for beach lovers and
although nudist bathing is common it is by no means
compulsory.
For those who love surfing and Body Boarding the beaches of
Famara and La Santa, in the West, both present fabulous
opportunities. Famara is world famous for its surf but would
not be recommended to the fainthearted.
La Santa Sports Complex, as well as being the training
ground for international sports stars, is also surrounded by
a beach and Wind Surfing lake.
At the North of the island, near Orsola , there are a number of white
sandy beaches. The sand is blown over from the Sahara desert.
The beaches are isolated but can be accessed by foot. In the
Northeast lies the Resort, Costa Teguise. The main beach
here is known as Las Cucharas and is famous amongst the
windsurfing community. In fact it has been the breeding
ground of international champions.
Finally, Arrecife, Lanzarote's capital, has a wonderful
golden beach, El Reducto. This beach faces a number of
Canarian bars where one can have traditional coffee,
Cortado, or a relaxing cocktail.
Sports & Leisure
In the main, sporting activities tend to be related to
the sea, Lanzarote is perfect for windsurfing, swimming,
diving, surfing, and fishing.
In Puerto del Carmen there are numerous diving schools, deep
sea fishing excursions, jet ski hire, parasailing and much
more. Also in the resort there are professional gyms
providing sporting facilities including squash and tennis
The resort of Costa Teguise is famous for its excellent
windsurfing conditions while Famara and La Santa, in the
west, have some of the best surf in the world.
Other popular sporting activities on the Island include hand
gliding, Trekking, Climbing, Caving, cycling and golf.
Puerto Calero is a wonderful leisure Marina, where you can
participate in numerous nautical activities.
Lanzarote is such a popular sporting destination that every
summer it is host to the Ironman competition, which is one
of the most famous triathlon events in the world.
Lanzarote NightLife
While Lanzarote is not nearly as boisterous as Tenerife
or some of the Balearic Islands, there is still plenty of
Nightlife to suit most tastes.
The centre of Nightlife in Lanzarote is the 'Avenida de las
Playas' in Puerto del Carmen and the 'Centro Atlantico' in
particular, however there are Bars and Discos in all of the
main resorts.
If you are looking for a taste of Spanish nightlife (the
non-tourist oriented places), then Arrecife is the place to
go.
You should also be aware that in Lanzarote, a 'Night Club'
and a 'Discoteca' are not the same thing. A 'Night Club' is
actually a Brothel! |
