Explore: Arrecife (Marina Lanzarote)
General Info
Arrecife has been the capital of Lanzarote since 1852. The city owes its name to the rock reef (‘Arrecife’ is Spanish for ‘reef’) which covers the beach located in the city.
Marina Lanzarote, operated by Puerto Calero marina management, opened here in October 2014 and takes up the majority of space within Puerto Naos (the old fishing harbour).
A current listing of navigational aids for Arrecife can be found on the Spanish Navy website. (Note: the list is in Spanish).
Position: 28° 57’41″N, 13° 32’29” W (Harbour Entrance).
Clearance
See Canary Islands Formalities for full details of clearing into and out of the country.
This is a Port of Entry.
If birthing at the marina, the Marina Lanzarote Entry Form and Border Police Form both need to be completed either beforehand or in the marina office and given to the marina staff, who will also request copies of the boat registration document, boat insurance and passport of the owner/skipper. Forms are available for download from the Marina Lanzarote website.
If staying on anchor in Arrecife, the only crew that really need to be concerned about checking in with Immigration and have passports stamped are likely to be non-EU citizens having previously checked out of the EU and now expecting to fly home via the UK. In these circumstances, the crew should visit the “Policia de Fronteras” office in Puerto de Los Mármoles, open Mon-Fri from 08:00– 14:00 (approx. 10€ in a taxi or about an hour on foot).
Last updated: October 2018
Docking
Entrance:
Puerto Naos, 1.6 kms (one mile) north of the town, is the old fishing harbor and shares its entrance with the commercial harbor – Puerto de los Marmoles.
When approaching the port attention must be paid to the outlying reefs. Maintain a quarter mile distance off Punta de la Lagarta and round the south wall keeping the buoy to the south.
Full details of the approach to Puerto Naos can be found on the Marina Lanzarote website.
Marina Information:
Marina Lanzarote is accessed via a clearly marked channel dredged now to a minimum depth of 4.3m. Prices are reasonable and the range of maintenance services is good.
See above for access advice to the marina. (VHF Ch 09). English is widely understood here.
Other options:
Visiting yachts may use the old quay in Arrecife for short stays, normally stern-to the southern pontoon. There are also a few moorings here.
Some pontoons have been installed close to the yacht club (just north of the tall hotel tower), but these should only be used at high water or by shallow-draft boats.
Anchoring:
Whilst previous anchorages included the Puerto Naos harbor and below the Castillo San José, these are no longer valid options. Many boats still enjoy the anchorage next to the Castillo San Gabriel (now a History Museum) in the original “Puerto de Arrecife”, (rocky) in the southeast corner of the harbor. Take care with the depth (max. 3m). Anchoring here is not recommended when the wind is between S and W but is very secure in the prevailing NE winds. Dinghy access via the steps on the breakwater, which via the bridge leads straight into the town center.
Last updated: October 2018
Security:
Thefts of dinghies and outboards (not secured) from yachts at anchor continue to be reported here. Be sure to lift it and lock it to the boat as a precaution.
Last updated: August 2019
Yacht Clubs
Club Nautico de Arrecife – Primarily a social club; visiting sailors should call first at the office for permission to use the club facilities. There is no mooring available here.
