Las Coloradas

Las Coloradas — the Coloured Ones — takes its name from the distinctive red and ochre volcanic formations that characterise this section of Lanzarote's southern coast, where the iron-rich basalt of relatively recent lava flows creates a vivid colour contrast between the dark rock and the turquoise Atlantic water that makes this one of the most visually distinctive sections of the island's coastline. The dive site shares this visual character, the coloured volcanic rock providing an unusual underwater aesthetic. The site sits on Lanzarote's southwest coast between the Pechiguera lighthouse and the Papagayo beaches, a section of coastline that alternates between red and black volcanic formations and the white sand beaches that make the Papagayo area so celebrated. The underwater terrain reflects this surface variety: the basalt descends from the shoreline in formations that vary from the dark, dense rock typical of older lava flows to the more irregular, reddish formations of more recent volcanic activity. For beginner divers, Las Coloradas provides accessible conditions in the generally calm south coast environment, with the additional interest of the coloured rock formations that give the site its name. The encrusting community on the basalt is well-developed, the anemone and sponge colonies providing both colour and habitat on the rock surfaces. The endemic Canary Islands wrasse species are conspicuous throughout, and large schools of bogues and bream orbit above the reef in the open water. Sea turtles are reliable in this section of the south coast, using the rocky shoreline areas as foraging habitat. The sandy sections between the coloured basalt formations provide habitat for resting stingrays and, on fortunate dives, the angel sharks that are a feature of south Lanzarote diving. The distinctive geology of Las Coloradas gives the dive a visual character quite distinct from the darker basalt of most Lanzarote reef sites.