LANZAROTE’S EXTRAORDINARY TIDES REVEAL A DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE ISLAND
If you’ve been near the coast in Lanzarote over the last couple of days, you may have noticed something rather unusual.
The island has been experiencing some of the highest and lowest tides of the year, dramatically changing the appearance of beaches, coastal areas and natural rock formations.
From stretches of beach appearing much wider than usual to normally submerged sections of coastline being exposed, the Lanzarote tides have been putting on quite a show.
WHY ARE THE TIDES SO EXTREME THIS WEEK?
This particular period of unusually large tides is associated with what are known locally across the Canary Islands as the Mareas del Pino, or Pine Tides.
The timing is linked to the lunar cycle. A new moon occurred on 11 September, and when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned around the new and full moons, the gravitational forces acting on the oceans produce stronger tidal ranges.
That means higher high tides and lower low tides than we see during more moderate tidal periods.
The official tide tables for Arrecife, Lanzarote, show just how noticeable the difference has been. Around the peak of this week’s tidal cycle, high water reached approximately 3 metres, while low water fell to only a few tens of centimetres.
In other words, the coastline can look remarkably different depending on when you visit.
BEACHES CAN LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AT LOW TIDE
One of the most fascinating things about experiencing low tide in Lanzarote is seeing areas that are usually hidden beneath the Atlantic.
Rocky platforms, pools, channels and sections of shoreline can suddenly become accessible, while beaches can appear dramatically larger.
It’s also a great reminder that the coastline you see during a normal beach day isn’t necessarily the whole story.
For photographers and anyone who enjoys exploring Lanzarote’s coastline, these exceptionally low tides can provide some fantastic opportunities to see the island from a different perspective.
AND THEN THE SEA COMES BACK IN…
The same tidal cycle that exposes huge areas of coastline can also cause the sea to push much further inland during high tide.
That has resulted in water reaching parts of some low-lying beaches and coastal areas this week.
Weather conditions can make the effect even more noticeable. Current forecasts have also highlighted periods of stronger wind and increasing wave conditions around Lanzarote, particularly on more exposed stretches of coast.
For residents and visitors, it’s a good reason to take a little extra care around the shoreline during high tide in Lanzarote, particularly on rocky ground, natural pools and exposed coastal paths.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE CHANGING COASTLINE?
If you’re interested in seeing the effects for yourself, checking the Lanzarote tide times before heading to the beach is worthwhile.
The biggest changes can happen within just a few hours.
Tide predictions for Arrecife show another particularly high afternoon tide on 12 September, followed by a very low tide later in the evening. The tidal range then gradually begins to reduce over the following days.
Remember that tide times and heights vary around the island, so a tide time for Arrecife shouldn’t automatically be treated as exact for Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise or other parts of Lanzarote.
A WORD OF CAUTION FOR VISITORS
While exploring the coastline during a very low tide can be fascinating, it’s important to remember how quickly conditions can change.
Don’t walk too far across exposed rocks or coastal platforms without checking when the tide is coming back in. Wet volcanic rock can also be extremely slippery.
And during high tide, keep away from areas where waves are breaking over promenades, rocks or sea walls.
The Canary Islands weather service has also advised caution around low-lying coastal areas during the period of strong tides, particularly where high water combines with wind and swell.
So if you’re out exploring the island this weekend, take a look at the shoreline.
You might just discover a part of Lanzarote that is normally hidden beneath the Atlantic.
