DIVING IN LANZAROTE
19 November 2009
By Jim Moroney,
Last October I was in Lanzarote for ten days. I spent the first few days in Puerto del Carmen old Town.
Eight dives with Safari Diving based
on a sandy beach, from where all the other operators on the Island come to dive. The beach is sheltered & currents are no problem. It takes a little getting used to, as does the water temp of about 24C, this is the Atlantic after all!
The Dive centre supplies all kit if required, it is owned by an English couple with guides of several nationalities all speak good English.
Most of the dives are out of the small sheltered bay with a sandy bottom. It is more a family beach rather than a long strand type.
As you get out about 25mtrs
the bottom drops away, the local Grouper
pops up & greets you, “just more divers” & goes about his daily business, his name is Felix. All the fish & there are many, are relaxed with the divers, they swim past unimpressed, but not afraid so they can be very close indeed. Striped bream & Green lizard fish are plentiful. Also Sting Rays one about 2m wide, two Angle sharks, Octopus & Trumpet fish there was always something to see.
There are Reefs, overhanging ledges & a swim through arch. All a short swim from the bay. They also have a boat which goes out from the harbour wall just next to the Centre. You kit up & walk around the corner to the boat, booties or flip flops are required as the pavement is tarmac & gets very hot in the heat of the day.
The boat is open, when on board you sit on a bench; the trip to the site can be 5 or 10 mins. It just goes along the coast a short way & drops divers in on some wrecks or near the harbour wall. The Viz was great while I was there.
It does not travel out far from the coast as it gets deep very quickly & beyond hobby diving limits. The staff were attentive & professional with pre dive briefings. They of course do training for both BSAC & PADI..
Check out their web site www.safaridiving.com I have attached some photos you may find interesting. There is at least one weeks diving whatever your 
diving qualification. They use 5 mm suits & supply 12 or 15l tanks. Nitrox is available but as most dives
Are out from the beach & return the profile is gentle. One of my dives was 62mins to 21mtrs.
The final dive of the trip had a 2 wrecks, Angle shark in the sand & swimming + a ray flying past it was brill.
Would I go back you bet I would.
The Lanzarote used to be regarded as a cheap destination, not so now
thanks to the euro rate, hopefully it will improve.
Posted byAl at 9:40 AM 0 comments
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