Lanzarote: Puerto del Carmen & Puerto Calero Boat Transfer

Puerto Calero and Puerto del Carmen are close by road, but the 25-minute water bus makes the trip feel like part of your day out rather than a simple transfer. You get open sea views, a look at the marina, and a pleasant change from a taxi or bus.

I like the low price of $13 per person, especially for a return outing, and I like the choice of open-air or covered seats. The onboard bar and toilets add comfort. The main catch is that this is transport with a view, not a full sightseeing cruise, and sailings depend on favorable weather.

Key points to know before sailing

• The trip takes 25 minutes, making it an easy addition to a Lanzarote day out.
• Puerto Calero’s market runs on Tuesdays and Fridays, useful if you want to combine the boat ride with browsing stalls.
• You can book one way or return, with different departure times from each harbor.
• The boat has covered and open-air seating, so you can choose shelter or a better view.
• A bar and toilets are onboard, though drinks cost extra.
• A glass-bottom viewing area may be available, particularly toward the front of the boat.

A short sea crossing with a useful purpose

This service links Puerto del Carmen harbor with Puerto Calero marina. It is a practical boat transfer, but the setting gives it more charm than a standard land journey. You leave one resort behind, spend a short time on the water, then arrive ready to explore the other.

The crossing is short enough for children and casual day plans, yet long enough to give you a different view of Lanzarote’s coast. Sit outside for the clearest views, or use the covered seating if the sun is strong or the wind picks up.

The service is operated by Lineas Romero. The crew has received praise for being friendly and helpful, and the relaxed tone onboard is part of the appeal. You should expect a straightforward journey rather than a guided tour with a running commentary.

That distinction matters. If you want a large sightseeing boat, a narrated cruise, or several hours at sea, this is not the right product. If you want to get between two coastal resorts while enjoying the ride, it is a tidy and affordable option.

Choosing between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero

Your choice of starting point should match your plans. From Puerto del Carmen, you can sail to Puerto Calero for a marina visit, a meal, or the Tuesday or Friday market. From Puerto Calero, you can reach Puerto del Carmen for its shops, restaurants, and old town.

Puerto Calero has a more marina-focused feel. The harbor is known for its luxury yachts, bars, and restaurants, so the boat arrival gives you an easy starting point for a relaxed walk and a meal. The market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays, giving you a good reason to plan the crossing around those days.

Puerto del Carmen offers more choice for a longer wander. The old town is a useful destination if you want to browse shops and find somewhere to eat after arriving by boat. You can also make the crossing the return leg of a longer walk along the coast. One customer specifically enjoyed walking from Puerto del Carmen and returning by sea.

I like this flexibility because you do not have to make the boat ride the whole point of your day. It can be the scenic link between two separate plans.

The daily sailing times you need to match

The published times are arranged to give you several choices in each direction.

From 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
• 3:45 PM

From 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
• 4:30 PM

The return times are not perfectly matched to the outward sailing times, so look at both directions before booking. A morning trip from Puerto del Carmen can give you several hours in Puerto Calero before a later return. If you are visiting the market, check the selected direction carefully so you do not book the wrong harbor.

Times can change because of local traffic conditions. If you miss the selected departure, you may use another departure on the same day, according to the supplied information. Still, I would arrive with enough time to find the correct meeting point and avoid turning a flexible policy into a rushed start.

The meeting point can vary depending on the option you book. Read the booking details carefully, especially if you are buying a one-way ticket. The departure harbor matters.

What the 25-minute ride feels like

The crossing is short, simple, and scenic. Once onboard, you can settle into an open-air seat for broad views or choose the covered area for shade and protection from wind. Bring sunglasses and a sun hat, since even a brief boat trip can feel bright and exposed.

The coast looks different from the water. Instead of seeing Puerto del Carmen or Puerto Calero from a road, you get a clean view back toward the shore and a chance to watch the harbors open up as you approach. You may also see the seabed and fish through a glass-bottom section, particularly from the front of the boat. This feature is not the focus of every description, but it has been a memorable part of some sailings.

The onboard bar is useful for a drink during the crossing, though it is not included in the ticket price. Toilets are also available, which is a small but welcome detail when you are traveling with children or planning a longer outing around the boat ride.

Do not expect a full meal service or a long list of facilities. The value lies in the transport, the views, and the chance to avoid a land transfer.

Puerto Calero: marina time and market browsing

Puerto Calero works well as a half-day destination. After stepping off the boat, you can look around the marina, see the luxury yachts, and stop at the bars and restaurants. The setting is more about a calm harbor visit than a packed sightseeing schedule.

For the best reason to visit, aim for Tuesday or Friday, when the market takes place. You can browse for small purchases and bargains, then have something to eat before taking the boat back. Build in enough time for the return sailing you want, since the available departures are spaced out rather than continuous.

The market option also shows why a return ticket can be useful. You can leave your resort without arranging separate road transport and return after a few hours. At $13 per person, the price is reasonable if the alternative would be a taxi in both directions, though the exact saving depends on your group and other transport choices.

Puerto Calero is not a place you need to rush through. Give yourself time to walk around the marina, pause for a drink, and enjoy the change of pace. The boat ride makes the visit feel like an outing rather than simply a trip to another shopping area.

Puerto del Carmen: shops, restaurants, and the old town

Puerto del Carmen gives you a different kind of stop. After arriving at the harbor, you can explore the old town, browse shops, and choose from a wide range of places to eat. This side of the route may suit you better if you want more time on foot and more options for lunch or dinner.

You can also use the boat for only one leg of your day. Walk along the coast from Puerto del Carmen to Puerto Calero, then return by water. This combines exercise, coastal views, and a comfortable ride back. The reverse plan works too, depending on your chosen starting harbor and the amount of walking you want.

The service is especially useful for visitors staying in one resort who want a small change without committing to a major excursion. You can have a morning in one harbor and an afternoon in the other, while keeping the schedule fairly simple.

Price and value at $13 per person

At $13 per person, this is priced as local transport rather than a premium cruise. That is the right way to judge it. You are paying for a 25-minute boat trip between two destinations, with seating, toilets, and an onboard bar available.

The value improves if you use a return ticket and would otherwise pay for separate road transfers. It also improves when the crossing replaces a dull transfer at the start or end of a day out. You get practical transport plus sea views, without paying for a long cruise program.

The value is less clear if you only want a short boat ride and have no interest in either harbor. In that case, the 25-minute crossing may feel too brief for a dedicated excursion. This service works best when you already want to visit Puerto Calero or Puerto del Carmen.

A previous booking price comparison also showed a saving of 8 euros for two return trips when booked through the activity platform. Prices can change, so check the current fare before deciding, but the wider point remains: this is a budget-friendly way to add a boat journey to your plans.

Weather, seating, and what to bring

Boat trips depend on favorable weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered an alternative date. That is sensible, but it means you should avoid building a tightly timed airport day or major reservation around this crossing.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• A waterproof camera

The waterproof camera is a practical choice if you plan to photograph from the open-air seating or use the glass-bottom viewing area. Keep your belongings secure, especially if you sit outside.

The covered seats give you a backup if the sun becomes tiring. If you want the best chance of seeing the coast or seabed, arrive early enough to choose your preferred place. Exact seating arrangements and views can vary with the boat and conditions.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The short duration makes this a manageable family activity, but you still need to keep an eye on children around the boat and follow crew instructions.

Who will enjoy this water bus most

I would recommend the trip to you if you want:

• An affordable way to connect two Lanzarote resorts
• A short boat experience without committing to a full cruise
• A market visit in Puerto Calero on Tuesday or Friday
• A leisurely return after walking along the coast
• A scenic change from buses, cars, or taxis
• A simple outing with several departure choices

It is also a good choice for families who want a brief boat trip rather than a long day at sea. The toilets, covered seating, and short crossing help keep the outing manageable.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed departure at an exact minute, dislike weather-dependent plans, or expect a narrated sightseeing cruise. You should also check the departure harbor carefully, since one-way tickets require you to select the correct starting place.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 148 reviews, and that fits the service as described: the main strengths are the friendly crew, calm ride, good views, and useful price. The trip is not elaborate, but it does not need to be. Its success comes from doing one small job well.

Should you book the Puerto Calero water bus?

Book it if you are already planning to visit the other harbor. The boat turns a simple transfer into a pleasant part of the day, and the $13 fare is fair for a 25-minute crossing with seating, toilets, and the option to buy a drink onboard.

Choose a return ticket for the easiest market or marina outing. Choose one way if you want to walk one leg, eat in the other resort, or keep your plans open.

My best practical tip is to match the boat to your destination first, then select the time. Visit Puerto Calero on a Tuesday or Friday for the market, or use Puerto del Carmen for old-town browsing and restaurants. If the weather looks uncertain, keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The crossing takes 25 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $13 per person.

Can I book a one-way ticket?

Yes. One-way tickets are available from either Puerto del Carmen or Puerto Calero.

Are return tickets available?

Yes. You can choose a return ticket if you want to visit the other harbor and come back by boat.

What are the listed sailing times?

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. 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.

Is there seating under cover?

Yes. The boat has both open-air and covered seating areas.

Is food or drink included?

No. The boat has a bar, but drinks are at your own expense.

Can children travel on the boat?

Children can travel, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.