Playa Chica (Tías): how to get there and today's wind
The Puerto del Carmen cove where the whole island dives: still water, a bottom that drops away fast, fish two strokes from shore.
Playa Chica really is small: a crescent of sand wedged between rocks in Puerto del Carmen, municipality of Tías, between the old harbour and the long Playa Grande. It gets tight on busy days, but nobody comes here for the parasol.
This cove is the most used entry point for divers on Lanzarote. The reason is the shape of the coast: a few metres out the bottom drops and the wall begins, so you swim among reef fish without a boat. Even with just a mask there is plenty to see, and the sheltered water stays calm when other spots are not.
Getting there
Drop down from the Puerto del Carmen seafront road near the old harbour; parking in the streets above. Ten minutes by car from the airport.
Good to know
Expect tanks, fins and training groups: this is the local dive centres' workplace. If you want space and sand, Playa Grande is next door; if you want to look underwater, this is the place on the island.