Playa Chica, Lanzarote: Beach and Diving Guide

Diving is the main draw at Playa Chica, a beach in the old town of Puerto del Carmen. With over 10 dive sites and access from both shore and boat, it gives visitors a different focus from the resort's restaurants and shops. The surrounding old town adds harbour views and outdoor terraces to a beach visit.

Planning a whole day from a base nearby? See things to do in Puerto del Carmen.

Type: BeachMunicipality: TíasSection: Beaches

Diving from the beach

Playa Chica is home to over 10 dive sites, with dives available from the shore and by boat. That choice is its most distinctive feature: a diving visit can begin at the coastline rather than necessarily involving a boat trip. Puerto del Carmen has a large number of dive centres, and scuba diving is among the town's most popular activities.

Conditions around Puerto del Carmen are favourable for diving throughout the year. Water temperatures range from 19 °C in winter to 23 °C in summer, while average visibility is around 25 to 30 metres. These are general conditions for the resort, not a guarantee for a particular outing at Playa Chica.

The practical decision is which dive suits your experience and the conditions that day. A shore entry and a boat departure involve different arrangements, so the entry point, equipment and level of supervision are useful things to discuss with a dive centre before booking. The beach's range of sites does not mean every dive is suitable for beginners.

Around the old town

Playa Chica sits in the old town of Puerto del Carmen, within the municipality of Tías. The surrounding area includes the harbour and docks, with restaurants offering outdoor terraces above the marina. Boats, harbour activity and views towards distant volcanic peaks give this part of the resort a setting distinct from the main shopping and restaurant strip.

Puerto del Carmen developed from a fishing settlement. In 1904 it had 194 inhabitants, mainly working in fishing, and it acquired its current name in 1957. Tourism later reshaped the town, spreading accommodation inland from the coast. The harbour remains a visible link with that earlier livelihood, even though tourism now dominates the local economy.

A visit to Playa Chica can therefore include time around the harbour or a meal overlooking the marina without making the beach the whole day's programme. Elsewhere along the town's 7 km main avenue, beaches face restaurants, bars and tourist shops across the coastal strip. The old-town setting is the relevant distinction when choosing where in Puerto del Carmen to spend time.

Planning time in the water

The distinction between a shore dive and a boat dive matters when arranging a visit to Playa Chica. Shore access means the dive starts from the coast; a boat outing requires a departure arrangement as well as time underwater. Neither option alone tells you how demanding the dive will be. The particular site, sea conditions and your experience are the points to settle with the operator.

Winter water temperatures around Puerto del Carmen are lower than summer temperatures, despite favourable diving conditions throughout the year. Equipment advice should reflect the season and the planned dive rather than the air temperature on the beach. Visibility figures also describe general conditions, so they cannot promise what you will see on the day.

For visitors who do not dive, the beach can be combined with the old town and its harbour terraces. Swimming needs a separate judgement: favourable scuba conditions are not an assurance of safe bathing. Conditions on arrival and any instructions at the beach should guide decisions about entering the water.

Diving from the beach

What to look for

Explore Playa Chica's dive sites with a local dive centre
Choose between dives departing from the shore and by boat
See the harbour and docks in Puerto del Carmen's old town
Eat on an old-town terrace overlooking the marina
Explore Playa Chica's dive sites with a local dive centre

Playa Chica in photographs

Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Chica

Rocky shore and chain railing by the promenade near Playa Chica, Puerto del Carmen

Questions about Playa Chica

Where is Playa Chica in Lanzarote?

Playa Chica is in the old town of Puerto del Carmen, in the municipality of Tías. This places it in the harbour end of the resort rather than making it a separate beach destination outside town. The surrounding old town has harbour-facing restaurants and outdoor terraces overlooking the marina.

Can you scuba dive from Playa Chica?

Yes, Playa Chica has over 10 dive sites, with dives available from shore and boat. Puerto del Carmen also has a large number of dive centres. The appropriate site and entry method depend on your experience and the conditions, so discuss those details with the centre arranging your dive.

How warm is the water at Playa Chica?

Water temperatures around Puerto del Carmen range from 19 °C in winter to 23 °C in summer. Those figures give a seasonal guide for Playa Chica rather than a temperature prediction for your visit. For diving, ask the operator what exposure protection suits the season and the planned time underwater.

Where is Playa Chica in Lanzarote?