Best beaches in Lanzarote

Best beaches in Lanzarote introduction

To find the best beaches in Lanzarote your have over thirty five unique and different beaches chose from.
Which beach or beaches would be the best beach in Lanzarote for you?

Lanzarote’s best beaches

In this article we set out to identify the best beaches in Lanzarote for you.

We get asked what are the best beaches in Lanzarote all the time.

There is not one best beach for everyone. The best beach in Lanzarote depends on you and what you are looking for in a beach.

For example a young family on holiday will chose a different preferred beach to a visiting surfer or swimmer on holiday in Lanzarote.

The answer starts by deciding what you want from your beaches, then you can find your favourite beach or beaches.

The article below aims to categorise all the Lanzarote beaches so you can then decide which ones are for you.

The types of beaches on offer in Lanzarote include:
Sunbathing beaches, central beaches, quiet beaches, picturesque beaches, sports beaches, naturist beaches and more.

Some of the beaches in Lanzarote can please more than one group. Some beaches in Lanzarote are good for the family and sports people, they offer both safe beach fun and facilities with wind, surf and waves.

Below is the beach information guide that will reveal the best beaches in Lanzarote that are best for you.

All the Lanzarote beaches split in categories to best suit your needs.
Here we categorise the Lanzarote beaches by groups of interest.

Please take note and care. If there are waves there are currents. The bigger the waves the stronger the currents. Currents can take you out to sea.

Safe family beaches in Lanzarote:

These are the Lanzarote beaches within the tourist resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. These beaches have nearby facilities, clear warm water, no dangerous currents and probably close to your accommodation.

Puerto del Carmen, Playa del los Pocillos beach:-

This is a very large beach located in the North of Puerto del Carmen. There is a huge area to sunbathe and play. At big high tides a lagoon appears. The Northern end of the beach has shelter from the wind. There are lots of bars, restaurants and shops nearby. The sea is normally calm with no dangerous currents.

Puerto del Carmen, Playa Grande beach:-

Playa Grande is located to the South of Puerto del Carmen. Is more sheltered from the wind than Los Pocillos. Like Los Pocillos there are lots of facilities, sun beds, bars, restaurants and even an offshore fun park and paddle boat hire.

Puerto del Carmen, Playa Chica beach:-

This beach is similar to the others for facilities, water quality and shelter from any winds. The beach is smaller with the amazing bonus loads of fish to see whilst snorkelling. Take some bread. Not to be missed.

Puerto del Carmen other beaches:- There are many other beaches in Puerto del Carmen. All are close to facilities, safe and good for the family. Some are more or less busy. Puerto del Carmen beaches start to the North near the airport and carry on in a southerly direction up to Playa Chica near the old town harbour. The beaches in the North past Matagorda normally have far fewer people.

Playa Blanca , Papagayo beaches:-

The Papagayo beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Lanzarote. You will need a car to get there. Safe waters, clear sea, good snorkelling. Little to no facilities, take all you need with you.

Playa Blanca, Playa Dorada:–

Central beach, safe, good facilities can get a little busy

Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo:-

Central beach on Western side of Playa Blanca. Facilities, safe, good for all family.

Costa Teguise beaches:

All the Costa Teguise beaches safe for the family. These beaches include Playa de los Charcos, Las Cucharas, El Jablillo and Playa Bastian. The best family beach would be Jablillo as it is very sheltered and safe, a close second would be Las Cucharas. Both beaches are central and surrounded by faciities.

Most Beautiful beaches in Lanzarote

Here is a list of the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote. The most naturally beautiful beaches are mostly outside the tourist resorts so getting to them will need a hire car. All the beaches in Lanzarote are beautiful, with warm clear seas but some distinguish themselves that little bit more.

In resort beautiful beaches:
Costa Teguise has the lovely Playa del Jablillo. This is a central town beach that is very safe. Great for swimming and snorkelling. Lovely golden sand on one side with some rocks around the other sides.

Playa Chica is a beautiful beach in Puerto del Carmen. The main charm of Playa Chica comes under the sea when snorkelling. The amount and variety of fish in Playa Chica is stunning.

Beautiful Lanzarote beaches outside the main resorts.

The most beautiful and least crowded beaches in Lanzarote are to be found outside the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. To arrive at these beaches you will need a hire car. Hire cars are very cheap on Lanzarote so it is well worth the effort.

Caleton Blanco beach – Set along the North Coast of Lanzarote two kilometres before Orzola you will find Caleton Blanco beach. This really is a stunning and unspoiled place made up of one main lagoon and lots of smaller ones. The sand is almost white and the water crystal clear. There are no facilities so bring all your own. Parking is just in front of the beach at the same level.

Caleta del Mojon Blanco – This idyllic white sandy beach is located four kilometres to the East of Caleton Blanco. The beach is a small bay with a sand bank a few meters off shore. On the waters edge there are several wind shelters for windy days. The sand is white and water clear. There can be some waves here so take care.

Papagayo – The seven Papagayo beaches of Lanzarote are famed as some of the most beautiful on the island. Located just to the East of Playa Blanca this South facing stretch of coast is broken up into several beaches all linking at low tide. The most iconic beach is the last one along the headland called ‘Playa del Papagaya’. There is a restaurant and a bar on Playa del Papagayo, the other beaches have no facilities. The South facing aspect of the Papagayo beaches means they are normally sheltered from the Lanzarote winds.

Famara beach – Famara beach is known for its rugged natural beauty and surf. The five kilometre long Famara beach is backed by the 600 meter high El Risco cliffs which certainly add to the dramatic aspect.

The long continuous beach has several zones starting next to the town of ‘Caleta de Famara’. After the town is the busiest section of Famara beach where there is a beach road and parking, this gets busy by 11am.

To find the quieter sections of Famara beach follow the road that goes up the hill to the right of the urbanisation known as the Famara bungalows. Follow the road past the bungalows, left along the top where the road turns into a track. Keep following the track as it heads back down hill to the beach, the track then follows the beach and gets quieter with far less people.

Famara beach has constant waves, with waves come rips and dangerous currents. Take great care if swimming in the sea at Famara it can be very dangerous.

Best beaches for swimming in Lanzarote

The best beaches for swimming in Lanzarote are the ones with the calmest waters with no distractions from other swimmers. The swimming beaches of Lanzarote are all in the main resorts as this is where there is the calmest sea.

Here is a list of the best swimming beaches in Lanzarote:-
Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen:- This is the largest and most sheltered beach in Puerto del Carmen. Swimmers swim parallel to the beach.

Playa del Jablillo, Costa Teguise: Very sheltered bay with shallow inlet stopping waves from entering. Swimmers take the route from one end of the bay to the other.

Playa Bastian, Costa Teguise: More of a sea swim feel to this swim. Route of swim is from Playa Bastian parallel to the coast on the left as far as Playa el Jabllilo just around the headland then back.

Playa Flamingo, Playa Blanca:- The beach is a sheltered bay to the West of Playa Blanca.

Playa Dorada, Playa Blanca:- The beach is a sheltered bay to the East of Playa Blanca.

Best sea sport beaches in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a great location for the sea sports of Surfing, Wing Foiling and Windsurfing. The summer trade winds bring good conditions for windsurfing and wing foiling in Lanzarote. Winter time brings waves and lighter winds making perfect conditions for surfing.

Best Wing Foiling beaches in Lanzarote

Las Cucharas beach in Costa Teguise – Las Cucharas is a good wing foiling location. In the Las Cucharas bay the wind is sheltered from the buildings, as you go further the wind becomes stronger. This location is more for advance wing foilers.

The lagoon in La Santa – The La Santa lagoon is a great place to learn Wing Foiling in Lanzarote. The lagoon is not very deep and closed on all sides so you cannot get into trouble by being blown down wind.

Playa Honda beach – Playa Honda beach is perfect for beginner and intermediate wing foilers. The beach is located next to the Lanzarote airport.

Famara beach – Famara beach is strictly for advanced riders. Winds can vary hugely but are often lighter than they look. There are great waves but also strong currents.

Best beaches for surfing in Lanzarote

The surf in Lanzarote is amongst the best in Europe. The very best surfing waves in Lanzarote are over reefs and are the domain of advanced surfers. The best reef waves in Lanzarote are in the areas of La Santa, Caleta Caballo, Punta Mujeres and Famara. The best surfing waves at beaches are in Famara.

Famara beach has an abundance of surf schools and a long wide sand beach with breaking waves along its full length. Famara is a great place for surf lessons and to improve you skills.

Best beaches for Windsurfing in Lanzarote
Playa Las Cucharas is the best beach for windsurfing in Lanzarote. Windsurfers have been coming to Lanzarote for many years for its constant summer winds and waves. Other beaches in Lanzarote that are good for windsurfing include Playa Honda and Jameos del Agua.

SCUBA diving in Lanzarote
Scuba diving can be practiced in Lanzarote all year round. Good locations are Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Mala. There are lots of SCUBA diving centres in Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen

Secret beaches of Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a small island with some amazing and stunning beaches. The volcanic formation of the island means there is little silt build up in the sea keeping it clear, blue and beautiful. As well explored and known as the island is Lanzarote still has some secret beaches. If you like beaches with white sand, clear blue seas and few people around then here is a list of Lanzarote’s lesser known or secret beaches.

Playa del Risco

This is probably the least crowded beach on Lanzarote but definitely the hardest to get to. Access is via a long walk down a twisty cliff path. The cliff path is the only way in and out of the beach so not suitable for young children or unfit adults. Take plenty of water and supplies.

See the location of Playa del Risco via this link:

La Caleta beach

La Caleta beach is just off the main LZ1 road as it heads North along the North East coast of Lanzarote. There is a car park on the other side of the road. The beach is small with some rock shelters. Normally very few people around. The beach looks into a sheltered bay with clear water. Access to the sea is via the small sandy beach.

See the location of La Caleta beach via this link:

Caleton Blanco and Caleta del Mojon Blanco:

These are lesser known beaches mentioned in the ‘Most beautiful beaches’ section above.

Caleta del Mojon beach

Caleta del Mojon beach is located just before Caleta del Mono Blanco. Park in a small dirt parking area on the other side of the road.

This is a lovely white sand beach with a large sand areas to occupy and explore.

There are lots of sun bathing areas. Access to the sea is steep and rocky at low tides. Take care when in the sea here as large waves can come crashing in with large rocks just below the surface in certain places.

See the location of Caleta del Mojon via this link:

Summary of the Lanzarote beaches

Lanzarote has a beach to suit the needs of any beach lover visiting the island. From sunbathers to active sea sport people you can find what you need in the huge variety of Lanzarote beaches.

Always take care of the waves and currents.