There’s something about Lanzarote that takes place beneath the surface, beyond its core of lava and its lunar landscapes – a calmness, a rhythm, a liquid heartbeat that connects with those who immerse themselves in its ocean. It’s not just a place to swim, it’s a place to reconnect.
Swimming in Lanzarote is not just about training or racking up the metres. It’s about merging with an environment that envelops you, challenges you and calms you. Here, every stroke you take in the sea is an intimate conversation with the Atlantic, and every lap in the pool is a ritual of perseverance and self-improvement. That’s why the island is a favourite destination for swimmers from all over the world, from both beginners and elite swimmers to those seeking epic challenges in open water.
An island designed for swimming all year round
Lanzarote is an aquatic paradise. It doesn’t matter if it’s January or August: the sea always welcomes you with mild temperatures and crystal-clear waters. The thermometer hovers between 18º and 23º C throughout the year, allowing you to swim without a wetsuit, or with a thin one if you prefer. What’s more, many of its beaches are sheltered from the wind and waves, making them perfect, safe places to swim in open water with complete confidence.
You won’t usually find jellyfish here, and there are no treacherous currents, and no surprises. Just you, the sea, and time suspended between one stroke and the next.
Perfect beaches for open water swimming
We accompanied José Juan Aranda, elite swimmer and ambassador for Lanzarote Sports Destination, as he explored the calm waters of Playa Chica and Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen. These two connected gems are perfect for those who love to swim freely, surrounded by marine life, submerged lava, and light. You’ll love swimming from one beach to another and enjoying the marine life between strokes.
But these are just two of the many beaches that Lanzarote offers for swimming. Here are five perfect options where you can start discovering the island from the water:
- Playa Chica (Puerto del Carmen) A small, sheltered beach with calm waters. Perfect for swimmers who are just starting out in open water or for working on your technique in calm seas and enjoying the fish that live among the rocks.
- Playa Grande (Puerto del Carmen)This spacious beach has areas marked for swimming in a straight line without interruptions, ideal for those who are training for distance. It’s also the beach where the Sailfish Open Water Lanzarote crossing takes place, as well as the swimming leg of the legendary Ironman Lanzarote, recognized as the second toughest Ironman in the world after Hawaii!
- Playa del Reducto (Arrecife) This large bay of shallow water is very well protected. It’s usually calm even on windy days.
- Playa Flamingo (Playa Blanca) Located to the south, it has clear waters with hardly any waves thanks to its breakwater – a delight for training bilateral breathing and enjoying the surroundings.
- Playa de La Garita (Arrieta) This is the perfect beach for anyone looking for a little more character, as it’s one of the island’s surfing areas. Here you can train in more open water on days when the sea is calm, but it generally offers stable conditions. It requires more experience, but it’s magical.
Crossings and competitions to challenge you on the island
Training in Lanzarote can also be part of a trip with a goal. Throughout the year, the island hosts some of the most iconic open water crossings in the archipelago, ideal for setting yourself a personal challenge, enjoying an unforgettable experience, or preparing for a longer crossing in the future.
Here are some of the most notable events:
- Travesía La Bocaina (15 km): This connects Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) with Corralejo (Fuerteventura) – a legendary challenge for experienced swimmers.
- Sailfish Open Water Lanzarote: this race has already become a benchmark event, attracting swimmers from all over Europe. With three distances, 1.9 km, 3.8 km, and 5 km, it takes place in the crystal-clear waters of Puerto del Carmen in an atmosphere where competitiveness is combined with a great atmosphere.
- Travesía El Río: This race crosses the narrow channel of crystal clear water between the two islands of La Graciosa and Lanzarote. It’s a 3 km sporting challenge involving both currents and waves: a challenge which offers the reward of reaching the magical island of La Graciosa.
Each crossing is more than a competition: it’s a celebration of the bond between swimmer and sea.
And for pool lovers, Lanzarote offers first-class facilities
Can you imagine being able to train all year round in an outdoor pool? This is one of the great attractions of Lanzarote! Your own UV ray “tanning bed” where, in addition to working on your swimming technique and preparing for your sporting goals, or simply enjoying the pleasure of swimming, you’ll also get a nice tan. What more could you ask?
Although the sea inevitably takes centre stage, Lanzarote also offers perfect spaces for training in the pool. The island has several Olympic or semi-Olympic pools where you can work on your technique, speed, or simply complete your training sessions.
Some notable centres where you can train:
- Club La Santa (Tinajo):Three 50-meter outdoor pools with marked lanes, timers, and everything you need for professional training.
- Sports Club Puerto Calero (Puerto Calero): In addition to a fully equipped gym, this sports centre has a 25-meter pool with six lanes.
- Sands Beach Active Resort (Costa Teguise): Has seven outdoor pools including a 25-meter pool with eight lanes, plus a children’s pool if you’re coming to Lanzarote to swim with your family.
- Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort (Costa Teguise): A 50-meter outdoor pool with everything you need for training, with lanes available to the public.
- Club Santa Rosa (Costa Teguise): The Santa Rosa Club sports centre has four 25-meter pools, two outdoor and two indoor, within the sports centre.
Swimming in Lanzarote: a sense of well-being that cannot be measured in time
Swimming is a demanding sport, but Lanzarote also makes it a deeply rewarding experience. Here, you don’t just train. Here, you clear your mind of stress, breathe deeply, and feel balance entering your body. The island envelops you with its light, its pleasant temperature, and its ocean in a visit that seems tailor-made for you.
In the images accompanying this blog, you can see José Juan Aranda gliding through the transparent waters of Playa Chica during a solo swimming session. His pace is calm and steady. In the group photos, the energy changes: smiles, shared goals, waves of camaraderie. Because Lanzarote is also that: a place where you can swim alone or with others, at your own pace, with your own goals, but always in harmony with the environment.
What are you waiting for? Come and take a dip in Lanzarote life!
Whether you’re preparing for your next crossing or dreaming of floating in a turquoise sea surrounded by silence and light, Lanzarote is waiting for you.
Make swimming your excuse to discover an island that will take care of you, train you, inspire you.
And remember: here, every stroke not only brings you closer to your goal. It brings you closer to yourself.
