Water Taxi: Puerto del Carmen – Puerto Calero

The best thing about this water taxi is that it turns a simple transfer into a small Lanzarote outing. You cross between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero in about 25 minutes, with open sea views and, on some crossings, a pause to look for fish through the glass-bottom section.

I like two things in particular: the friendly crew and the choice of sailing times. I also like using the boat one way and walking the coastal route the other way, then returning by sea. The main caution is timing. Delays and timetable changes have occurred, so I would not use this service when you have a flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed appointment.

Key points to know before you go

• Glass-bottom viewing: The boat may pause so you can look at fish and marine life below the surface.
• Short crossing: Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero are connected by a pleasant 20 to 25 minute boat ride.
• Useful return option: A return ticket lets you spend time at the marina before sailing back.
• Friendly, practical crew: Staff help passengers board and have assisted wheelchair users when needed.
• Timetable caution: Sailing times can change because of local traffic, weather, harbor events, or unusually large crowds.
• Good value for a change of scene: At about $13.31 per person, the ride can be worth it if you also plan to eat, browse, or walk around Puerto Calero.

A short sea crossing with more character than a bus

The water taxi links two of Lanzarote’s best-known resort harbors. Puerto del Carmen has the livelier feel, while Puerto Calero is smaller and more polished, with restaurants, shops, and a pleasant marina setting.

By road, you could simply take a bus or taxi. The boat costs more than the cheapest land transport, but it gives you views and a change of pace. You are not just sitting in traffic. You are watching the shoreline pass, feeling the movement of the sea, and arriving at the harbor from a different angle.

The journey is usually described as roughly 20 to 25 minutes. The advertised duration is about 25 minutes, though the exact crossing can vary. The boat has toilets, which is useful on a family outing, and there is enough room to sit comfortably on a normal sailing.

The trip is not a full sightseeing cruise. Keep your expectations sensible. The main point is transportation between the two ports, with a few enjoyable extras along the way. If you want a long guided boat tour, this is too brief. If you want to get from one marina to the other and make the journey part of your day, it works well.

Leaving from Puerto del Carmen

The Puerto del Carmen departure point is at Lineas Romero Watertaxi and excursions, Av. del Varadero, 30, 35510 Tías. The boat operates from the old harbor area, and the exact walk to the boarding point can be longer than you might expect.

Allow time to find the correct gate. One useful reference is Gate 1 at the old town harbor. The boarding area is near the quay, but it may be some distance from the market end of the harbor. That matters if you are carrying bags, traveling with young children, or arriving close to departure.

The port itself is part of the experience. You get a look at the boats, harbor walls, and working edges of Puerto del Carmen before heading out. Once aboard, the crew generally handles boarding efficiently, and several departures have been described as smooth and well organized.

If you are joining the boat in Puerto del Carmen, do not assume every time shown beside the route means a Puerto del Carmen departure. The two ports have different schedules. This is the source of some avoidable confusion, especially around the morning boats.

Arriving at Puerto Calero

Puerto Calero is the quieter stop and the main reason many people book the crossing. The marina has shops for browsing, places to eat, and a more relaxed setting than Puerto del Carmen. You can use the boat as a simple transfer, or turn it into a half-day outing.

A return ticket is useful here. You can arrive, walk around the harbor, stop for coffee or lunch, and take a later boat back. The published times give you several options, but you should check the return schedule before setting off. You do not want to discover that the next boat is much later than expected after arriving at the marina.

Puerto Calero also works well as part of a walking day. You can walk between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero along the coastal route, then use the water taxi for the return. This gives you exercise and sea views without forcing you to walk both directions.

The marina is not a huge attraction that requires an entire day. For most people, one or two hours is enough for a stroll, lunch, and a look around. That short visit fits the water taxi nicely.

The glass-bottom stop adds a welcome extra

The most distinctive feature is the glass-bottom viewing area. On some crossings, the boat slows or stops for a few minutes so you can look down at fish and marine life.

This will depend on sea conditions and the crew’s operating plans, so you should not treat it as a guaranteed wildlife cruise. Still, it gives the crossing a little more interest, especially for children. Several accounts describe seeing fish near the harbor, and one boat ride included dolphins.

The viewing area is best understood as a bonus, not the main reason to book. Visibility can change with weather, water movement, and the position of the boat. If you see something, enjoy it, but do not expect a long stop or a full underwater tour.

The boat’s crew has also been praised for keeping the mood light. One captain was remembered for singing during the journey, and other crew members have been described as friendly, helpful, and entertaining. That informal touch suits a short holiday crossing.

Timetable details and the risk of delays

The published schedule lists these departures from Puerto del Carmen to Puerto Calero:

• 10:30 AM
• 11:30 AM
• 12:30 PM
• 1:30 PM
• 3:00 PM
• 4:30 PM

The return direction, from Puerto Calero to Puerto del Carmen, is listed as:

• 10:00 AM
• 11:00 AM
• 12:00 PM
• 1:00 PM
• 2:30 PM
• 3:45 PM

The information also refers to 10 sailings daily, but the timetable supplied here shows six listed departures in each direction. Since times can change, check the current schedule at booking and confirm at the harbor if your plans depend on a particular crossing.

The most important practical point is that a ticket for one time may not guarantee a boat leaving at that exact minute. Local harbor traffic, market days, maritime processions, and other events have caused changes. A boat has also been delayed by a large crowd connected with a market.

There have been cases of passengers arriving for a listed departure and waiting 40 minutes or more. In another case, a morning sailing was confused with a departure from the opposite port. The lesson is simple: check both the time and the departure harbor. If you miss your selected sailing, the booking terms say you can use another departure on the same day, subject to the available schedule.

I would arrive early, but I would also build in patience. This is a holiday boat service, not a train with a strict timetable. It is a poor choice for a tight connection.

What the price gives you

The listed price is about $13.31 per person. That amount is reasonable if you use the boat as both transport and a small excursion. You receive the crossing, access to the onboard toilets, and the chance to enjoy the harbor and coastal views without arranging a taxi.

The value is strongest when you make use of Puerto Calero. Add lunch, coffee, shopping, or a coastal walk, and the fare becomes part of a worthwhile outing. If you only want to get from one port to the other as cheaply as possible, a bus may cost less.

The choice between one-way and return tickets matters. A one-way fare is useful if you are combining the boat with a walk or another form of transport. A return ticket is easier if you want a simple round trip and do not want to arrange your way back separately.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water if you need it, or plan to eat at Puerto Calero. Do not expect snacks or a meal onboard.

Boarding, comfort, and accessibility

Most people can take part, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed. The boat has toilets, and the crossing is short enough that you are unlikely to feel confined.

Crew members have helped a wheelchair user board safely. That is encouraging, but boarding conditions can depend on the harbor, the boat, and the sea. If you need assistance, contact the operator before travel and explain your requirements clearly.

The boat has generally been described as clean and comfortable, with enough space for passengers. Still, a busy departure can feel different from a quiet one. If you want the easiest boarding experience, arrive before the rush rather than walking up at the last minute.

Weather also matters. The service requires favorable conditions. In poor weather, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. Even when the boat sails, choppy water can make the return less comfortable, so anyone prone to seasickness should plan accordingly.

How to build a better day around the boat

You have several good ways to use this service.

For a relaxed marina visit: Take a morning boat to Puerto Calero, walk around the harbor, have lunch, and return in the afternoon.

For a walking day: Walk along the coast from one port to the other, then use the water taxi back. This is one of the most appealing combinations because you avoid retracing your steps.

For families: The short journey, toilets, open views, and glass-bottom section give children something to watch. Keep them close during boarding and make sure an adult accompanies each child.

For a simple change of scene: If you are staying in Puerto del Carmen and want to see another part of the resort area without arranging a car, the boat offers an easy outing.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike uncertainty in schedules or need guaranteed punctuality. It is also not the best value if you have no interest in Puerto Calero and only want the fastest possible transfer.

Booking, cancellation, and useful practical advice

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket can be shown on a mobile device. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted under the stated terms.

The experience may be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Before leaving your accommodation, check the latest timetable and identify the correct port. At Puerto del Carmen, allow extra walking time along the quay. At Puerto Calero, confirm the return time before settling into lunch.

I would also avoid booking the last possible boat if you have an evening plan. A delayed departure, a harbor event, or a change in sea conditions can affect the day.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen water taxi?

I would book it if you want a pleasant way to reach Puerto Calero and have at least a little flexibility in your schedule. The friendly crew, clean boat, short crossing, and possible glass-bottom viewing make it more enjoyable than a routine bus ride.

I would choose a return ticket for a simple half-day outing, or a one-way ticket if you plan to walk between the ports. The fare is fair when you treat the boat as part of the day, not just a ride.

Skip it if strict timing matters, if you are looking only for the cheapest transport, or if poor weather is forecast. For everyone else, this is a compact, easygoing Lanzarote experience that gives you a reason to visit Puerto Calero.

FAQ

How long is the water taxi journey?

The crossing takes approximately 25 minutes, although some descriptions refer to a journey of about 20 minutes. Actual times can vary with harbor and sea conditions.

How much does the water taxi cost?

The listed price is $13.31 per person. You can choose between a one-way and a return transfer ticket.

What are the departure times?

Puerto del Carmen to Puerto Calero departures are listed at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM. Puerto Calero to Puerto del Carmen departures are listed at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:45 PM. Times can change because of local traffic and other conditions.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available onboard.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund. You can also receive a different date, experience, or full refund if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.