La Graciosa Island Cruise with Lunch and Water Activities Lanzarote

La Graciosa, the eighth Canary island

La Graciosa is a small island of about 29 square kilometres just north of Lanzarote, separated by a narrow channel called El Río. Its two villages, Caleta de Sebo and Pedro Barba, are tiny, and most of its streets are sand rather than tarmac. Since 2018 it has been officially recognised as the eighth inhabited island of the Canaries, and it has kept a quiet fishing-village character that feels far from the main resorts.

A La Graciosa cruise from Lanzarote lets you see the island as sailors do, with its golden dunes, extinct volcanoes such as Montaña Bermeja and Montaña Amarilla, and long, empty beaches. On this cruise the boat sails along the coast rather than landing on the beach, so your time is spent on the water. Live commentary explains the geology, the fishing tradition and why the island has stayed so undeveloped.

Swimming, snorkelling and kayaking in a sheltered bay

The cruise anchors in a sheltered bay where the water is calm and clear, and the crew chooses the exact spot according to wind and sea conditions. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkelling equipment to look for fish over the sandy and rocky bottom, or paddle a kayak along the shoreline. The water around La Graciosa is famously clean and turquoise, which is a big reason why a day trip to La Graciosa is so popular.

Bring swimwear, a towel and sun cream, and a windproof layer for the crossing, as the channel can be breezy. If you get seasick easily, take precautions before boarding. Because the boat does not land, this is a good option for travellers who prefer swimming and lounging on board to walking on the island.

The Chinijo Archipelago marine reserve and the Famara cliffs

La Graciosa belongs to the Chinijo Archipelago, which includes the islets of Montaña Clara, Alegranza, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste, and it is protected as a natural park with one of the largest marine reserves in Europe. The waters here are rich in fish, and the islets are important nesting places for seabirds. From the boat you may see seabirds and, with some luck, dolphins.

On the way, the sheer wall of the Risco de Famara on Lanzarote's north-west coast rises above the sea, and the crossing shows you the north of Lanzarote from a completely different angle. The best time to take the cruise is on a clear morning or early afternoon, when visibility is at its best and the sea is calm.

Lunch on board, timing and pickup

Lunch is served on board, together with soft drinks and water, and the crew also handle the kayaks and snorkelling equipment. The tour departs at 11:00 and lasts about six hours, which gives time for the crossing, the bay stop and the return. The guide speaks English, and other languages may be used on the same cruise.

You can choose to meet at the departure quay, whose exact location is shown on your voucher, or add pickup and drop-off from the meeting point nearest your accommodation. Pickup points are in areas such as Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Arrecife and Puerto Calero, subject to availability. Hotel pickup is included only in the option that says so.