Lanzarote - El Golfo green lagoon & Los Hervideros

These natural attractions are on the southwest coast of Lanzarote.

Charco de los Clicos at El Golfo is a semi-circular volcanic crater half eroded by the sea. The green lagoon is filled with seawater that has filtered through the black sand that separates the lagoon from the sea. The green colour comes from (Ruppia-Maritima) algae living in the water and this contrasts with the black, brown and red surroundings. It is a beautiful place.

This image from Google Earth shows the old crater

Los Hervideros

South of El Golfo is Los Hervideros. The name Los Hervideros translates to the “boiling pots”. It is a large lava field that extends to the sea, and the waves crash into the cliffs. Lots of white surf is produced hence the names boiling pots or boilding water. There are caves carved out of the rocks and blowholes.
It is possible to walk around the cliffs and watch the breakers crash into the caves from one of the natural 'balconies'.

 This is taken looking down into one of the holes -

 

 

Google Earth image

 The volcano and lava field -

These salt fields are just down the coast -

Lanzarote - Timanfaya National Park

Lanzarote has a volcanic origin. It was born from volcanic eruptions 25 million years ago. There are more than 100 inactive volcanoes all over the island, with lava fields, rock formations and fields covered in black volcanic soil.

The greatest recorded eruptions occurred between 1730 and 1736 in the area now designated Timanfaya National Park. The last eruption was 1824. It is a stunning landscape that has hardly changed due to the lack of rainfall.

Taking a tour, the first stop is at the park HQ. This area is known as the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains). Firstly we were given a demonstration of how hot it is below ground. A clump of dry vegetation was lowered into the hole and it immediately combusted.

 

Next we were shown how stream erupts from a hole when water is poured down.

  

 Inside we saw how the restaurant cooks baked potatoes from natural heat below ground.

Park symbol 'El Diablo' designed by Cesar Manrique and view from HQ -

 

We then had a drive around the volcanic route. The scenery was fascinating. We weren't allowed to get off the coach so all photos had to be taken through the window.

After the drive, there is a chance for a camel ride. Having spent 4 days on a camel safari in the Indian desert (story), I remember those camels having disagreeable temperaments, showing their displeasure by frequent hissing and spitting. Their breath was definitely not sweet and they burped a lot. So it was a pleasant surprise to find the Timanfaya camels to be good natured and showing no signs of being badly looked after. The cost is €12 per camel, two people sitting on either side. It's about a 20 minute ride.

View of the fields with walls made from lava rocks to protect crops from the wind

 

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See previous blog on Lanzarote's Cueva de los Verdes & Jameos del Agua , and next blog on the Green Lagoon and Los Hervideros .