Playa Chica (Puerto del Carmen) – Canary Islands – Lanzarote
Site Overview
Playa Chica is the classic Puerto del Carmen shore dive, a sheltered cove with a small cave, a rocky wall and abundant fish life at 2-18 m. Groupers, morays and cuttlefish are reliable residents, and the easy entry makes it a hub for training and fun dives alike. Its location beside the town means divers can roll in from the beach and be on the reef within minutes, while the clear water rewards both wide-angle and macro. Playa Chica is Lanzarote’s most accessible all-round site. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season.
Dive Briefing
"Enter from the beach at Playa Chica and descend along the rocky wall, peeking into the small cave for groupers and morays. Follow the reef at 8-12 m, watching for cuttlefish, then ascend gradually with a safety stop in the shallows near the entry. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."
Signature Marine Life
Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Labrus spp.
Best: Year-round
Bream
Diplodus spp.
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Surge on entry
- Sharp volcanic rock
- Boat traffic in the bay
- Sun exposure
- Slippery lava
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Great for beginners, training dives and anyone wanting an easy shore dive with reliable fish life in town. It suits photographers and families, and confident divers use it for a relaxed second dive. The sheltered cove is forgiving for new sea divers. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks, beaches and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Dive College Lanzarote
- Playa Chica Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Local Dive Lodge
Puerto del Carmen • 3km away
Coastal Guesthouse
Puerto del Carmen • 5km away