Stories of Discovery & Wonder

Wreck Snorkeling off Lanzarote: See Sunken Ships, Angel Sharks & Rays

Swim out to a submerged wreck off Lanzarote and watch angel sharks, rays and schooling fish from the surface—or make a freedive to touch the hull. This four-hour, equipment-included excursion suits most swimmers and showcases volcanic coastline marine life.

Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote•

4 hours

•By Adventure Collective•October 2025

The Experience

The morning light on Lanzarote is flat and bright as a group gathers at 09:00, kits in hand and salt already in the air. After a quick registration and mask-fit, you slip into the Atlantic and swim ten minutes across a glassy patch of sea that opens onto a submerged skeleton: a wreck sitting between 12 and 18 meters below the surface. From the buoyant safety of your snorkel, the metal lines and shadowed hull loom like an underwater ruin; for those who freedive, you can descend and press a gloved hand to the cold surface.

Before You Go

Know the swim

You’ll swim about 10 minutes from shore to the dive site; practice a 10–15 minute continuous swim in open water beforehand if you’re nervous.

Wetsuit or rash guard

Sea temps can be cool—bring a thin wetsuit or a long-sleeve rash guard for warmth and added buoyancy.

Sun and skin

Use reef-safe sunscreen and bring a hat for pre/post-activity time on shore; reflection off the water intensifies sun exposure.

Watch for seasickness

If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding—chop can build quickly on open Atlantic stretches.

Local Knowledge

Hidden Gems

•Swim the shallow reef sections toward the east side of the site where small caves attract cleaner wrasse.
•After the tour, walk the old fishing quay in Puerto del Carmen for fresh fish tapas and local conversation.

Wildlife

•Angel shark
•Round stingray

Conservation Note

Operators typically follow local marine-protection rules—avoid touching corals or the wreck structure and use reef-safe sunscreen to reduce impacts on fragile marine life.

Lanzarote’s maritime history mixes traditional fishing and international shipping; many wrecks are relics of 20th-century coastal trade and storms against volcanic shores.

What to Bring

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Mask & snorkelEssential

A well-fitting mask keeps water out and improves visibility over the wreck.

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FinsEssential

Fins make the 10‑minute swim and surface positioning easier and more efficient.

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Thin wetsuit or rash guardEssential

Provides warmth and extra buoyancy in cooler months and choppy conditions.

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Reef-safe sunscreen

Protects skin without harming the marine environment; reapply after swims.

Common Questions

Do I need to be SCUBA certified to see the wreck?

No—this is a snorkeling excursion. The wreck sits at 12–18 m and is visible from the surface; certified divers can descend further but it’s not required.

How long is the swim to the wreck?

The operator’s route requires roughly a 10‑minute open-water swim from the meeting point to the site in calm conditions.

Are there age or health restrictions?

Activity is wheelchair-accessible for meeting/boarding areas, but infants must sit on laps; not recommended for pregnant guests or anyone with serious heart or back issues.

What happens in bad weather?

The operator will cancel for bad weather (full refund if canceled at least 24 hours prior); rough seas reduce visibility and increase risk, so cancellations are common in poor conditions.