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Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are an ideal destination for UK scuba divers: combining year-round warm temperatures and stunning diving with the convenience of a four hour flight.

Schooling grunt fish in Lanzarote

The Canary Islands, renowned for clear waters, diverse marine life, and stunning volcanic underwater landscapes, offer exceptional scuba diving experiences year-round, attracting divers to explore their unique underwater ecosystems.

The Canary Islands are a volcanic archipelago off the coast of north-western Africa. Consisting of seven large islands and six smaller ones, the Canary Islands are renowned for their year-round warm temperatures and the rugged beauty of the volcanic landscapes.

Scuba divers are well catered for thanks to the balmy climate and stunning diving, including reefs, caves and wrecks. The rocks are covered in anemones, sponges and soft corals and are home to a variety of marine life, including grouper, tuna, barracuda, monkfish, moray, octopus, rays and seahorses. At certain times of the year it is also possible to see dolphins and whales.

Why We Love Canary Islands

Fantastic year round diving, crystal clear waters, diverse marine life, volcanic landscapes, and underwater attractions like wrecks and sculptures, offering unforgettable adventures for scuba divers of all levels.

Phil, RegalDive

Canary Islands

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Highlights

Wreck diving and thriving coral reefs at Puerto del Carmen.
Lanzarote’s unique underwater sculpture museum at Museo Atlántico.
The golden beaches of Playa Chica, ideal for the whole family.
A great option for learning to dive, or gaining experience.

Canary Islands Dive Locations

Your next diving holiday starts here

Stingray & diver in Lanzarote

Lanzarote

The volcanic landscape of Lanzarote is so impressive on the surface is equally as awe inspiring underwater, with lava flows and…

Canary Islands Resorts & Hotels

Swimming pool at HG Lomo Blanco Apartments in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Lanzarote

HG Lomo Blanco Apartments

The family friendly apartments of HG Lomo Blanco offer an easy base for discovering Puerto del Carmen’s delights. This budget…

8 days from £945

Swimming pool at sunset at Costa Calero Hotel in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Lanzarote

Hotel Costa Calero Thalaso & Spa

In the authentic town of Puerto Calero the Hotel Costa Calero Thalaso & Spa is a high quality resort with numerous facilities…

8 days from £1,395

Swimming pool at Labranda El Dorado in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Lanzarote

Labranda El Dorado

Located in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Labranda El Dorado is an enviable apartment complex just a short walk from our partner…

8 days from £1,065

Gallery

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Canary Islands

Angel shark in the Canary Islands

Shipwreck in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Schooling fish in the Canary Islands

Common eagle ray in the Canary Islands

Common octopus in the Canary Islands

Museo Atlantico in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Hermit crab in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Nudibranch in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Beach on Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote in the Canary Islands

Octopus on a night dive in the Canary Islands

Angel shark in the Canary Islands

Shipwreck in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Schooling fish in the Canary Islands

Common eagle ray in the Canary Islands

Common octopus in the Canary Islands

Museo Atlantico in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Hermit crab in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Nudibranch in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands

Beach on Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote in the Canary Islands

Octopus on a night dive in the Canary Islands

Canary Islands Information

While there is excellent scuba diving on many of the islands of the Canary Islands, the dramatic volcanic landscapes and consistently good visibility of Lanzarote truly stands out.

There are a range of convenient, direct flight options from the UK including regional departures. Lanzarote is just four hours flying time from the UK.

Which location should I visit?

Lanzarote

The rocks are covered in anemones, sponges and soft corals and are home to a variety of marine life, including grouper, tuna, barracuda, monkfish, moray, octopus, rays and seahorses. At certain times of the year it is also possible to see dolphins and whales.

From directly in front of Safari dive centre, divers have access to the best dive sites Lanzarote has to offer. The bay is protected by rocky outcrops and is suitable for beginners and the more experienced diver, providing varied and interesting diving with many drop offs and caves to explore.

Near the shore the sea bed is sandy and drops away to steep volcanic walls. The volcanic landscape that is so impressive on the surface is equally as awe inspiring underwater with lava flows and cave formations providing divers with some fantastic areas to explore. The harbour wall wreck dive site is a designated Underwater Park containing a number of wrecks.

Situated on the East Coast and 20 minutes from the airport, Puerto del Carmen is the main hub for diving and accommodation on Lanzarote.

Puerto del Carmen is made up of the downtown area of La Tiñosa and laid out around the old fisherman’s port and the “New Town”, which has developed along the shoreline and the promenade Avenida de las Playas.

La Tiñosa is a charming area to unwind over a drink and watch the fishing boats come and go. Wander into the nearby square and you can take in local life, with a game of boules or just sit down a watch the world go by. With its well-established restaurants, La Tiñosa is definitely a must for those who love fine foods in wonderful surroundings.

The new town of Puerto Del Carmen is bustling with activity and offers a fantastic variety of both daytime and night-time activities to suit all ages. Its main beach - Playa Grande - is the largest on the island and faces a long strip which hosts a huge variety of restaurants, shops and bars.

Playa Chica (the location of our partners at Safari Diving) is a sandy beach with rock pools. It is an ideal beach for the whole family and non-divers too, who can enjoy sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling. There are also lots of shops, bars and restaurants nearby.

Tailor-made holidays & twin-centres

There's excellent scuba diving on many of the islands of the Canary Islands, from Lanzarote in the east to Tenerife to the west. There are options for Regaldivers to focus on one island or embark on a longer island-hopping adventure tailored to your own requirements.

The most common ways to travel between the islands are by ferry or airplane. Regular ferry services connect the main islands, making island-hopping convenient. Alternatively, domestic flights operate between the major airports on each island, offering quick and easy access.

What to see when

The Canary Islands' most renowned resident is the elusive angel shark, a critically endangered species. While sightings are most frequent in Lanzarote, divers should be aware that the prime time to spot these magnificent creatures is during the cooler winter months, from November to March. Many divers prefer visiting these islands in the warmer summer months, when they have the opportunity to encounter seahorses, octopuses, cuttlefish, groupers, rays, barracudas, and spider crabs. Various whales, dolphins and sharks are also seen frequently throughout the year.

Angel shark in the Canary Islands

Nov-Mar

Angel sharks

Likelihood: Quite likely

The cooler winter months attract enigmatic angle sharks to the Canary Islands

Seahorse in the Canary Islands

year-round

Seahorses

Likelihood: Quite likely

Three species of seahorse can be spotted year-round in the Canary Islands

Spiny butterfly ray in the Canary Islands

Jul-Sep

Spiny butterfly rays

Likelihood: Likely

Best seen in shallow coastal waters in summer months. Spiny butterfly rays can also be seen during Oct-Jun but are less likely

Octopus in Sardinia

year-round

Octopus

Likelihood: Quite likely

Octopus sightings are possible year-round in the Canary Islands

Dolphin in Sardinia

Year-round

Dolphins

Likelihood: Quite likely

Bottle nosed dolphins are found year-round. Atlantic and striped dolphin are more seasonal.

About Canary Islands

When to dive the Canary Islands

The best time to dive in the Canary Islands is from May to October, when the water temperatures are warmer, ranging from 20°C to 25°C, and visibility is at its peak. During these months, the weather is generally more stable, providing ideal conditions for diving. However, the Canary Islands offer year-round diving opportunities, with the winter months also offering good visibility and a chance to see different marine life, such as angel sharks. This makes the Canary Islands a versatile diving destination, suitable for visits at any time of the year.

Who is Canary Islands diving suitable for?

Diving in the Canary Islands is suitable for a wide range of divers, from beginners to advanced. Novices can enjoy calm, shallow reefs and numerous dive schools offering certification courses, while intermediate divers can explore moderate depths and accessible wrecks rich in marine life. Advanced divers will find thrilling opportunities with deep dives, challenging wrecks, and underwater caves. The region also caters to specific interests like marine biodiversity, underwater photography, and night diving, making it ideal for families, solo travellers, and adventure seekers alike.

What's the best way to dive the Canary Islands?

The best way to dive the Canary Islands depends on personal preferences. Staying at a resort provides convenience, allowing divers to enjoy daily excursions, comfortable accommodations, and easy access to local amenities and dive schools, ideal for those who prefer flexibility and a more relaxed pace. On the other hand, a liveaboard offers a more immersive experience, with the opportunity to explore a wider range of dive sites, including more remote and less crowded locations, while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow divers and the convenience of having all diving logistics handled. Both options offer unique benefits, making it easy to tailor the diving experience to individual preferences and diving goals.

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