Diving La Graciosa, Lanzarote

Divers in Lanzarote have been waiting years for the opportunity to dive the waters of La Graciosa, which is the spectacular island off the north coast of Lanzarote. It has been protected for some time, but is known to be somewhere where you might catch a glimpse of with Hammerheads and also to offer some great drift diving due to the strong currents in the straight between the islands known as El Río. The island has tow villages, and miles and miles of golden sandy beaches

After nearly 4 years of negotiations with the normally intransigent Island Cabildo, its open!  A new dive centre on La Grasioca called Centro de Buceo Archipielago Chinijo. I have not had the chance to try the diving yet, but have checked out the centre which is run by a very helpful and friendly José Martin.

It looks to be a well equipped and run organization. One very helpful thing is that in the past to get permission to  dive in this Marine reserve area has been a nightmare, involving amongst other things, taking all your documents to a notary to be authorized. Then if you got permission it was for one day only!! However after a lot of work, this dive centre has got the license to take people out, so you do not have to worry about that.

They have two large ribs (8.5 metres) and a hard boat and  the diving is a mixture of drift and wall and reef. The cost is €30 with your own equipment or €35 with the centers' equipment.

There are some logistical things to deal with, for example, at the moment they cannot take the Ribs into Orzola on Lanzarote to collect you, if however there are more than 10 in the party they can collect you with the hard boat.

This means that you will have to take the ferry over, at a cost of €10 for residents or €20 for non residents, however from what I have seen sailing around these outer Islands, I think the extra cost will be justified in some spectacular dives.

The Gordonisimo team here in Lanzarote will be checking out the diving in La Graciosa in the coming weeks, so be sure to either sign up for updates or to check back often.

If you’re planning a trip to the island and fancy a dive there, contact the dive center on +34 629 451 430 or via email jose.lagraciosa@gmail.com

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