Top Lanzarote excursions

A forever popular holiday destination, Lanzarote has a fine selection of excursions, for visitors who want to explore the island to choose from. And there is a Lanzarote excursion to suit everyone - from a tour around the eerie volcano park to a day at sea on board a luxurious catamaran.

Lanzarote volcano tour

Lanzarote was rocked by the world's longest ever volcanic eruption from 1730 to 1736, which covered around one quarter of the island - much of it fertile, agricultural land - in a sea of lava.

Today, the Volcano Park at Timanfaya is Lanzarote's most popular tourist attraction.

In 2006 alone, nearly 900,000 people visited this unique lavascape, which is home to a sea of colourful dormant volcanoes and spent cones.

The landscape here is raw and haunting, resembling how Earth must have looked when first formed millions of years ago.

Or perhaps like another world altogether - as Timanfaya is often compared to the Moon.

Indeed NASA astronauts training for the Apollo 13 mission were shown detailed images of Timanfaya in order to prepare them for their lunar landing.

Erosion has done little to disturb nature's work. The lava fields and lapilli (the black fine volcanic pebbles and stones) all retain a pristine look about them.

This is helped by the fact that visitors to Timanfaya are not permitted to walk through the park.

Instead coaches collect visitors from the car park and wend their way through the landscape.

The skilful drivers stop their vehicles at numerous points along the route so that visitors can get a proper look at the variety of incredible vistas Timanfaya has to offer.

There is also a commentary throughout the tour, provided in English, Spanish and German.

An eyewitness account of the eruptions is provided by extracts from the diary of Father Curbelo, the parish priest of nearby Yaiza.

Cesar Manrique created a visitor centre and restaurant on top of a volcano - the Islote de Hilario - in the centre of the park.

Here visitors can enjoy entertaining demonstrations which attest to the heat still emanating from many miles beneath the earth.

They can also watch their food being cooked by the same natural power source on a huge open barbecue.

Visitors to Timanfaya simply park up and then show their admission tickets as they board any of the coaches departing at regular intervals.

The tour through the Volcano Park takes around 40 minutes. Five minutes back in the direction of Yaiza is the camel station where visitors can enjoy a twenty minute ride around the perimeter of the park.

Tours are available through Last Minute Travel, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
The price for adults is €30 and for children €15. Telephone 0034 928 592554 for more information.

Lanzarote submarine safaris

Enjoy an adventure beneath the waves with Submarine Safaris on board their 3.2 million dollar yellow submarine.

Now in their eleventh year, Submarine Safaris treat guests to an excellent undersea voyage which is greatly enhanced by both the abundance of sea life and the clarity of water around Lanzarote.

Their yellow submarine - its official name is Sub Fun Tres - is one of the most sophisticated tourist-craft in the world and expressly designed for underwater sightseeing tours.

The 18.5 metre long vessel accommodates 48 people in total comfort and is dominated by two giant observation windows at each end - measuring 1.6 metres in diameter.

There are a further twenty-two viewing windows throughout. Plus every viewing window also has its own TV monitor.

The submarine dives to a maximum depth of 60 metres - encountering an incredible array of sea life on route, which are all helpfully identified by the expert on-board guide.

The cost of the excursion includes transport to and from any of the main resorts on the island.

Sub Fun Tres dives seven days a week, four times a day at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 local time.

The cost for adults is €52 and for children (two to 14 years) €30. Telephone 0034 928 512898 for bookings.

Luxury voyage with Catlanza

Enjoy a taste of luxury on board one of Lanzarote's most popular excursions - the million dollar Ocean Voyager.

Catlanza's 74ft catamaran sets sail daily from the exclusive millionaire's marina of Puerto Calero (just ten minutes from Puerto del Carmen).

The destination is the most beautiful beach on Lanzarote - at Papagayo Bay.

Here the friendly, English speaking crew drop anchor - and start preparing lunch - while guests can just lay back relax and enjoy free drinks from the complimentary bar.

Those that tire of soaking up the sun on deck can get more active and enjoy free jet skiing or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.

Thanks to the twin hulls of the catamaran the ride is smooth and stable. And Catlanza also offer separate family and adults-only sailings.

This was voted the best excursion on Lanzarote in 2006 by clients of Thomson Holidays.

Catlanza guarantee a great day out for the whole family - from infants to grandparents.

Guests are transported to and from their resort by an air-conditioned courtesy bus.

The cost for adults is €61 and for children €35. Telephone: 0034 928 513022 for bookings.

Nick Ball is the editor of Lanzarote Guidebook, the in-depth Lanzarote tourist guide