ARRIETA, LANZAROTE - BEACH GUIDE
Consult our Arrieta, Lanzarote Beach Guide for in-depth information about our beautiful local beach – which is located just a few minutes drive away from Finca Botanico.
Playa Garita, Arrieta
Arrieta is a small fishing village located in the north of the island within the municipality of Haria. And the village is adjoined by one of the most beautiful, unspoilt beaches on Lanzarote – Playa Garita – which is set within a large bay.
Arrieta Tide Times
Playa Garita’s size changes enormously throughout the day depending on the tide. When the tide is low the scale of the beach is fully revealed – measuring about 1.5km from end to end and often further subdivided into two stretches of sand by rocks and large pebbles dragged in by the undercurrents. When the tide is high only one of these two stretches of sand is usable – the other is underwater!
So to enjoy the beach at its best you can consult the Arrieta tide timetables here. It’s still well worth a visit when the tide is in – but obviously beach lovers are then compressed into a smaller space. You can keep an eye on conditions at Playa Garita via live webcam.
A Beach Of Two Halves
The main part of the beach, which remains usable regardless of the tides, is adjacent to the village and offers lots of amenities – such as showers, toilets and places to eat and drink.
The other part of the beach which is only usable during low tide is a bit wilder and more exposed to the elements – most notably the wind – and doesn’t have immediate access to the amenities of the ‘main beach’. It is also widely accepted as more of a neutral zone – so expect to see locals brining their dogs onto the sand here or the odd nudist straying in from the nearby colony at Charco del Palo.
Ever Changing Appearance
Image copyright turismoharia.com
As an all-natural entity the tide and wind can transform the appearance of the beach here across the course of the year. So for example during the winter months it’s not uncommon to find the sand studded with more rocks and pebbles by stronger winter weather conditions. Whilst in the autumn these often disappear to leave one single long stretch of golden sand.
Can You Sunbathe and Swim Here All Year Round?
In keeping with Lazarote’s weather Playa Garita is usually usable right through into Xmas and the New Year. But then the weather can take a downturn during the first few months of the year – making beaches further to the south a better choice.
Safe Swimming
The ‘main beach’ closer to the village tends to be the best place to take a dip as it is more protected – so usually calmer with less waves. And there is also a lifeguard on duty here from 11am daily, whilst there are also showers on hand where you can rinse off the sea salt. So this is certainly the best place to take young children for a bathe.
Where Best To Park?
Beachgoers have two main options – either parking in the large space next to the Casa En La Playa Restaurant (about more of which later). Or in the village itself – where it is usually easy to find a space in the street close by with the exception of peak periods such as the summer school holidays. Both options are free of charge. More often than not our choice depends on which bit of the beach we are planning to visit.
The Pier And Walkway
What a saga. The older wooden pier was badly damaged during a tropical storm in 2010. And was left in a state of disrepair for years. When the local council finally got their act together and created a whole new pier at considerable expense is stayed open for a couple of months. Before it too got damaged during a spell of bad weather.
At the time of writing it is still sealed off with incident tape – but that still doesn’t seem to stop many visitors from taking a stroll or swimming out to the pier and climbing on it – much to the annoyance of the lifeguards who appear to have the thankless task of keeping people away.
Places To Eat and Drink
There are two excellent eating options right by the beach – and given their location both are very popular and rank amongst our favourite places to eat.
Casa De La Playa is the slightly more formal restaurant option. Tables can be reserved (tel 0034 928 173339) and the menu is typical Canarian, so expect waiters keen to foist the fresh fish of the day on all and sundry (the cherne in particular is very good) and gambas al ajillo for starters. Along with a good range of other options, including kids meals, salads etc.
Note – it can get very busy here, so best to book if you fancy enjoying lunch at the weekends, especially on Sunday when local families comes out to play.
El Chiringuito is more your funky beach bar option, with no reservations, an eclectic music mix and more of an emphasis on tapas. Although they can still rival Casa De La Playa for a plate of fresh fish.
Samrise/VW Bar Playa Garita is also home to the even funkier Samrise Bar – a cool little pop up created out of an old VW camper van, with seating located in the shade under some pine trees. The bar here is open daily from 15.00 to 23.00 during the summer and 22.00 during winter.
Alternatively, stroll into the village where there are four or five other restaurants to explore along with a couple of coffee shops.
Amenities – Toilets and Showers
Unlike a lot of other beaches on the island Playa Garita boasts really good amenities. There are showers by each entrance/exit to the beach. A kid’s playground and skate ramp. And just behind the Samrise VW Bar a full-on suite of toilets and showers – which are usually open from around 11am onwards.
Shops Nearby
Nestor’s Pcan Garage and the village supermarket are both a short walk away from the beach if you need to purchase provisions, a pair of cheap sunglasses or beach ball.
Other Beaches Nearby
There’s another tiny beach at the other end of the village right next to the Blue House, where a man-made pool is fed by the tide, creating a popular swimming spot for the locals.
Key Fiestas
Nuestro Senora del Carmen is the biggie – which takes place annually during the last week of July. Expect plenty of late night music and dancing and an impressive maritime parade to mark the main Sunday of the event.
