Diving site Puerto del Carmen

 

 

 

Puerto del Carmen is the main tourist center of Lanzarote. Our Dive Center is located in Matagorda shopping center, next to Playa Chica, where we make most of the dives. Generally we dive from the shore with an easy access and short distance to the sea. We will find quickly at 20 m the impressive and fantastic volcanic wall that drops down to 40 m and goes along 4 km NW.

 

The Wrecks
Anemone´s Wall
Richie´s place
Waikiki
Playa Chica
Cathedral
El Hoyo (Blue Hole)
Little wreck
Tuna´s point
Shrimp cave and pink coral
El Poril
Matagorda´s beach

 

Boat Dive

Shore Dive

Level: Basic

Level: Medium

Level: High

3 pictures of a movie at the Wrecks. On the top: detail of the deepest wrecks, at 25 m. Bottom pictures: the trawler at 18 m. November 2006.

These wrecks can be found a few meters out of the harbor of Puerto del Carmen, just a few minutes boat trip from Playa Chica.

The first wreck we will find is an old trawler located at 18 m. The rest of the wrecks sit at 30m and they are more damaged by the pass of time, around 20 years. Very interesting to dive carefully around the broken parts.

Containing about 8 wrecks you would need to dive this site a few times to fully explore the whole area. Barracuda, Jacks, Tuna and big sting-rays can regularly be seen on this dive. The top wreck allows some penetration only for experienced divers.

Encrusting anemones. Picture Iván Vilella, instructor at Techno-Diving Lanzarote.

A lava flow full of crevices and alcoves perfect for exploring for a huge variety of colorful anemones, Uniquehorn shrimps and those precious stunning Yellow tree corals of which two can be found at this brilliant dive site - one of them in as little as 20m!

Yellow tube sponge, picture November de 2006.

This dive site guarantees a very diversified dive! There is an abundance of fish life including Groupers, sting rays, Angelshark, Trumpet fish plus a very beautiful Tree coral in an alcove at around 22m. Sponge encrusted rocks, lots of anemones and black coral ensure a very colorful dive!

Sting-Rays are common at this dive site.

This is a paradise for photographers with its majestic overhangs and caverns which feature the usual big fish like sting rays and Groupers but as well shoals of cardinal fish and many Moray eels this has to be a favorite of every diver! Beginners can linger around between 6m and 18m and the more experienced can go south to the reef and explore the rocky outcrops and the wall going down to 40m plus.

Playa Chica ...

Canary damselfishes swimming against the little current at Playa Chica, 14 m. Picture: March 2006 with visibility about 50 m.

Ornate wrasses at Playa Chica, just 3 m. August 2005.

A protected cove with easy access from the beach. With guaranteed heaps of fish.

Ideal for beginners, photographers and shallow water divers.

This bay makes a fantastic site for night diving.

Sea star close to the Cathedral at 30 m, September 2006.

Formed during the volcanic eruptions this large cavern is encrusted with soft corals on the walls and ceiling. The depth at the entrance reaches over 30m but then slopes gently up to the back of the cavern revealing a shimmering image as fresh water meets salt forming a halocline at the rear of the cavern. Things to see are Large Grouper, Moray eels and Rays.

On the return journey above the Cathedral you can swim through the bubble fields, created by your exhaled air trapped against the roof of the cavern. This air then filters up through the sand and on towards the surface.

Groupers close to the Blue Hole are used to the presence of divers.

One of the most beautiful dives in Lanzarote

The top of the hole is at approx. 25m and drops to about 35m. A torch is recommended to get the most from this dive.

Things to see are Great Barracuda, Large Grouper, Angel shark and Sting Rays.

The little wreck, 29 m. Picture: August 2007

A very nice relaxed dive starting off in the sheltered bay of Playa Chica and leading towards the edge off the reef where a small wreck can be found. The edge of the reef is at 18m and you will be welcomed by one of our friendliest groupers on the island. For the more advanced a nice swim through can be found at about 30m! This site is frequently visited by traveling through sting rays and Angelsharks.

Angel shark. This is a very common shark in winter time.

It is one of the most spectacular dive sites of Lanzarote with a stunning topography and huge nosy friendly Groupers coming as close as 10 cm to the divers!

Beautiful pink coral

Follow the reef to find the rare pink coral that has made its home inside an alcove formed by cooling volcanic lava.

Large shoals of small fish such as sardines frequent this dive site.

Seaslug, only a few cm length. June 2006.

This dive begins in the bay of Playa de La Barrilla and gradually leads to a depth of 12 meters. The bay is frequented by numerous divers and the fish are fed so marine life is in abundance. Outside of the bay and leading around to the right is a small harbor wall where cuttlefish, octopus and sea horses can be found. This site is a favorite of novice divers. Also an interesting night dive spot.

October 2007 encounter with a loggerhead sea turtle in a night dive at Matagorda´s beach, depth just 5 m.

50 m from our diving center we get out kit ready in front at the diving school and access this dive just walking from there. Nice night dives with unexpected encounters like sting-rays, angel sharks and even a turtle, but that only happened once. We can get our wet suits of under a warm shower back in the diving center.