Is Haría a good destination for a family beach holiday?
Haría can be a good destination for a family beach holiday, offering a mix of calmer, family-friendly beaches and more rugged, natural coastlines. Beaches like La Garita in Arrieta are peaceful, family-oriented, and have amenities like showers and nearby restaurants. Caletón Blanco, with its white sand and tranquil, shallow coves, is also perfect for families with children. However, some beaches in the Haría municipality, like Playa de la Cantería, have strong currents and are not recommended for swimming, especially for children.
Can you swim at the beaches in Haría, and what is the water like?
Swimming is possible at several beaches in Haría, but conditions vary. La Garita in Arrieta and the natural pools at Caletón Blanco offer calm waters suitable for swimming and are good for children. Punta Mujeres also has natural pools ideal for a dip. However, beaches like Playa de la Cantería (Órzola) and Playa del Risco often have strong waves and currents, making swimming inadvisable or only for strong, experienced swimmers. The water temperature in Lanzarote is generally pleasant year-round, averaging around 19.5°C.
What are the best beaches in Haría for surfing?
Playa de la Cantería, near Órzola, is renowned as a surfing mecca in Haría and is a favorite spot for experienced surfers due to its strong tides and consistent waves. La Garita beach in Arrieta can also be popular with surfers when conditions are right. Some less crowded beaches might also offer surfing opportunities depending on the swell and wind.
Are there any nudist beaches in or near Haría?
Yes, the Haría municipality includes areas known for naturism. Charco del Palo is an entire nudist village with natural pools and coves. Playa el Risco and parts of Playa de la Cantería are also known as nudist-friendly or mixed-use beaches. It's always advisable to check local customs and signage.
Are there accommodations with direct beach access in Haría?
While Haría itself is a village set in a valley, the wider municipality includes coastal villages like Arrieta and Órzola. In these coastal areas, you might find some holiday rentals or smaller guesthouses close to the beaches, such as near La Garita in Arrieta. However, Haría is not known for large beachfront hotel complexes with direct, private beach access like some other Canary Island resorts. Accommodations are more typically traditional houses, villas, or apartments within the villages.
How do you get to the beaches in Haría, especially the more remote ones like Playa del Risco?
Most beaches in Haría are accessible by car. For example, you can drive to La Garita, Caletón Blanco, and near Playa de la Cantería. Some beaches, like Playa del Risco, require more effort; it's typically reached by a steep one-hour hike down a cliff path from the village of Yé, or by boat. Public transport (buses) can reach towns like Arrieta and Órzola, from which some beaches are walkable, but a car offers more flexibility for exploring the coastline.
What's the sand like at Haría's beaches? Is it mostly white or black sand?
Haría's beaches offer a variety of sand types. Caletón Blanco is famous for its spectacular white sand. La Garita has fine golden sand. Playa de la Cantería also features golden sands. Other beaches might have a mix of sand, pebbles, and volcanic rock. While Lanzarote is known for its volcanic black sand beaches, the Haría region boasts several with lighter-colored sand.
Are the beaches in Haría usually windy?
Yes, some beaches in Haría, particularly those on the northern and more exposed coastlines like Playa de la Cantería, can be quite windy, especially between March and June. This makes them good for sports like windsurfing and surfing. However, other beaches like La Garita in Arrieta are more sheltered. Caletón Blanco can sometimes be windy but its coves offer protection.
What facilities are available at Haría's beaches (e.g., lifeguards, showers, toilets, restaurants)?
Facilities vary by beach. La Garita in Arrieta is well-equipped with lifeguards, showers, toilets, a promenade, a playground, and nearby restaurants. Caletón Blanco has parking but no showers or lifeguards. Playa de la Cantería has parking but is more rugged with no lifeguards or showers. Remote beaches like Playa del Risco have no facilities at all. It's best to check specific beach amenities before visiting.
When is the best time of year to visit Haría for a beach holiday?
Haría, like the rest of Lanzarote, enjoys pleasant temperatures year-round, making it suitable for a beach holiday at any time. The warmest months are typically May to December, with average highs around 23°C in August. The northern part of the island, where Haría is located, can sometimes be cloudier and have slightly milder temperatures than the south. Winds can be more prominent between March and June.
Are there any natural swimming pools (charcones or piscinas naturales) in the Haría area?
Yes, the Haría coastline features natural swimming pools. Punta Mujeres is well-known for its series of natural pools that are wonderful for a refreshing dip. Caletón Blanco also has natural coves and pools with calm, clear waters. The nudist village of Charco del Palo is also based around natural pools and coves.
What are some hidden gem beaches or local favorites in Haría, away from the main tourist spots?
While Haría's beaches are generally less crowded than those in major Lanzarote resorts, Playa del Risco is a truly wild and secluded beach, accessible by a challenging hike or by boat, making it a hidden gem for adventurers. The smaller coves along the road from Órzola to Arrieta, part of the Caletón Blanco area, can also feel like personal discoveries. Locals often frequent La Garita for its family atmosphere and facilities, and the natural pools at Punta Mujeres.
Is it safe to swim at Playa de la Cantería (Órzola)?
Swimming at Playa de la Cantería is generally not advisable due to strong waves and currents. While it's a beautiful beach for enjoying nature, walking, and surfing (for the experienced), caution is urged for swimming. There are no lifeguards, and conditions can be hazardous.
Can I take my dog to the beaches in Haría?
Pet policies can vary. For example, pets are reportedly not allowed on Caletón Blanco, similar to many other beaches on the island, though some local dogs might be seen. Playa de La Cantería is listed as allowing pets. At Playa Garita, the wilder part of the beach usable at low tide is sometimes frequented by locals with dogs. It's always best to check for local signage or regulations at each specific beach.
How does Haría compare to other Lanzarote beach destinations like Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise?
Haría offers a different beach experience compared to major resorts like Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise. Haría's coastline is generally more rugged, natural, and less crowded, appealing to those seeking tranquility, natural beauty, and activities like surfing or hiking to secluded spots. While it has family-friendly options like La Garita, it doesn't have the extensive strips of highly developed tourist beaches with rows of sunbeds and a vast array of immediate tourist amenities found in the larger southern resorts. Haría is more about experiencing a wilder, more authentic side of Lanzarote's coast.
