Mojo Dive - Tu centro de buceo en Lanzarote
Google 5/5 (1,728 reviews)
25 km away as the crow flies
Lanzarote · Canary Islands · Atlantic
Max. depth · 50 mCharco del Palo, Lanzarote: Volcanic Formations and Reef Life
Descend into a purely volcanic landscape at Charco del Palo, where rock formations give way to deep walls and hidden caves.
What makes this site special
- Purely volcanic rock landscape
- Cliffs and natural caves below 10 metres
- Diverse representation of Canarian ecosystems
- Transition from rock to sand banks
- Deep black coral forests beyond 40 metres
For subtitles in English: start the video firstthen click the gearat the top right of the video, select “Subtitles/CC”, then “Auto-translate” and choose “English”.
Charco del Palo about the site
Charco del Palo provides a distinct dive experience on Lanzarote's northern coast, especially valuable when south-westerly seas make other sites challenging. The site is defined by its purely volcanic rock landscape, which transitions from a shallow, algae-covered reef to deeper formations. You'll begin your descent over this diverse rocky terrain, noticing how the structure changes as you gain depth, moving from a gently sloped seabed to more dramatic features.
Below 10 metres, the volcanic rock gives way to impressive cliffs and overhangs, forming a series of natural caves and small grottoes. Traversing these underwater structures, you encounter a varied topography that encourages exploration. The interplay of light and shadow within these formations creates an atmospheric environment, revealing the detailed textures of the ancient volcanic rock and the marine life that shelters within its crevices.
The site offers a condensed representation of the Canary Islands' diverse ecosystems within a compact area. While you navigate the volcanic architecture, observe how the environment supports a range of marine species found within the region. This rich variety means you can spend time appreciating both the grander geological features and the smaller inhabitants that blend into the rocky substrate and sandy patches.
As you move deeper, the rocky landscape eventually smooths out and disappears into extensive sand banks. These sandy areas often host different species compared to the reef, providing a contrast in the underwater environment. This transition zone is worth exploring for its distinct life, and for the way it highlights the edge of the volcanic structure before the seabed changes composition entirely.
For divers with the qualification and experience, the ultimate depths of Charco del Palo reveal forests of black coral (Antipathes galapagensis). Situated beyond 40-50 metres, these deep-water corals are a feature of the deeper Canary Island ecosystems. Reaching these formations requires careful planning and appropriate gas management, offering a glimpse into a less frequently visited part of the reef system.
Diving conditions
Depths at Charco del Palo extend to 50 metres, requiring an Advanced Open Water certification at minimum for full site exploration. While some sections are accessible to all levels, the deeper black coral forests are reserved for divers with suitable training and experience in deep diving. Lanzarote's waters typically maintain a temperature between 18°C and 23°C year-round, making it a viable dive destination regardless of the season.
Three dives not to miss
Map of hotels, dive sites and dive centres in Lanzarote
Dive centres in Lanzarote
Hotels in Lanzarote
Frequently asked questions about Charco del Palo
When can you dive Charco del Palo?
Charco del Palo is a viable dive destination regardless of the season, with Lanzarote’s waters typically staying between 18°C and 23°C year-round. The site is especially valuable when south-westerly seas make other sites challenging, so you can consider it in any season while noting this weather context.
What certification and experience do you need at Charco del Palo?
Some sections of Charco del Palo are accessible to all levels. However, full site exploration requires Advanced Open Water certification at minimum. The deeper black coral forests are reserved for divers with suitable training and experience in deep diving, so your qualification determines which parts you can explore.
How deep does Charco del Palo go, and what is found there?
Charco del Palo reaches depths of 50 metres. Below 10 metres, you can explore volcanic cliffs, overhangs, natural caves, and small grottoes. Beyond 40 metres, the deeper formations include black coral forests, with the deepest areas requiring appropriate training, experience, careful planning, and gas management.
What can you see while diving at Charco del Palo?
At Charco del Palo, you can see a purely volcanic rock landscape, algae-covered reef, cliffs, caves, overhangs, and small grottoes. The terrain transitions from rock to sand banks, supporting different species, while the site represents varied Canarian ecosystems and includes black coral forests in its deeper areas.
