Water Taxi: Puerto del Carmen – Puerto Calero

The best part of this trip is that it turns a simple transfer into a short boat excursion. You cross between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero in about 25 minutes, with harbor views, fresh air, and sometimes a pause to look through the glass-bottom section at fish below.

I like the easy link between two very different ports, and I like that a return ticket lets you build a simple half-day outing around lunch or a walk. The friendly crew, clean boat, onboard toilets, and occasional lighthearted touches, including one singing captain, add to the appeal.

The main thing to watch is the timetable. Departures can run late, and the two ports do not share identical sailing times. Check the direction and departure time carefully, and allow extra time if you have a booking, meal, or bus connection afterward.

Key points before you book

• A 25-minute coastal crossing: Use the boat as transport, but expect a pleasant mini-excursion rather than a bare taxi ride.
• Glass-bottom viewing: The boat may pause so you can look at fish and marine life beneath the harbor.
• Two useful starting points: Depart from Lineas Romero at Puerto del Carmen or from Calero Marinas in Puerto Calero.
• One-way or return flexibility: A return ticket works well for lunch, coffee, shopping, or a walk between the ports.
• Timings need care: Published departures run through the day, but local traffic, events, and loading can affect the schedule.
• Good for most ages: Children must travel with an adult, service animals are allowed, and staff have helped a wheelchair user board safely.

This water taxi is one of Lanzarote’s simplest small outings. It links Puerto del Carmen, with its old harbor and long promenade, to Puerto Calero, a quieter marina with restaurants and shops. You can use it as practical transport, but the short crossing also gives you a change of pace from taxis and buses.

The service is operated by Lineas Romero. The listed price is about $13.31 per person, with the exact amount subject to the booking currency and date. That is more than a local bus, so the value depends on how you use it. If you only need the cheapest way across, take the bus. If you want the scenic route, a pleasant boat ride, and easy access to a marina visit, the fare is reasonable.

The crossing between Lanzarote’s two ports

The route takes about 25 minutes, although some people describe the actual ride as closer to 20 minutes. The difference is not important for a relaxed afternoon, but it matters if you are planning a tight connection. I would treat the advertised duration as approximate and leave a little spare time.

The boat leaves from the Puerto del Carmen harbor area at Lineas Romero Water Taxi and Excursions, Av. del Varadero, 30, 35510 Tías. At the other end, it uses Calero Marinas in Puerto Calero. In Puerto del Carmen, the boarding area is at Gate 1 by the old town harbor, though you should still allow time for the walk along the quay. The boarding point is not necessarily right beside the market or the most obvious harbor entrance.

Once underway, you get a different view of Lanzarote. The port edges recede, the water opens out, and you can see the coast from a low position that a road transfer cannot offer. It is not a sightseeing cruise with a long commentary, so set your expectations correctly. The attraction is the simple pleasure of being on the water.

A glass-bottom pause adds more than transport

One detail makes this water taxi more interesting than an ordinary harbor shuttle. The boat has a glass-bottom viewing area, and it may stop briefly during the crossing so you can see fish and marine life below. Several trips have included a short pause for this, with people describing good views of fish as the boat leaves the harbor.

The stop is not guaranteed as a formal wildlife tour, and marine life is never predictable. Still, it gives children and curious adults something to watch during the crossing. A dolphin sighting has also been reported, but treat that as luck, not part of the promised service.

The glass-bottom feature is best understood as a bonus. You are paying for the transfer first. If you want a dedicated marine-life trip, this is too short and too dependent on conditions. If you want a little extra interest on the way to lunch in Puerto Calero, it is a welcome touch.

Puerto del Carmen departure: what to expect

Puerto del Carmen is the more familiar and often busier end of the route. The meeting point is at the Lineas Romero office and harbor area on Av. del Varadero. Give yourself time to find the correct gate and walk along the quay. One useful practical detail is that the boat may be at the far end from the market, so do not assume the nearest pier is the right one.

The port is a good place to begin if you want to visit Puerto Calero without arranging a taxi. You can take a morning sailing, spend time at the marina, and return later in the day. The service also works in reverse if you start with a meal or walk at Puerto Calero and want to finish in Puerto del Carmen.

Boarding is generally described as straightforward, with a friendly and helpful crew. The boat has toilets, which is useful on a short trip and reassuring if you are traveling with children. Most people can take part, but children need an adult with them.

Puerto Calero arrival: a pleasant change of scene

Puerto Calero is the quieter destination and the main reason many people make the crossing. Its marina setting gives you a compact place to walk, browse a few shops, and choose from restaurants. It works particularly well for a coffee stop, lunch, or a short change of scenery from Puerto del Carmen.

Do not expect a large town or a full day of major sights. Puerto Calero is best enjoyed at an easy pace. Walk around the marina, look at the boats, eat, and return when you are ready. The water taxi makes the visit more appealing because the journey itself becomes part of the outing.

A return crossing can also pair well with a coastal walk. You might walk from Puerto Calero toward Puerto del Carmen and take the boat back, or make the journey in the opposite direction. The route gives your legs a break after the walk and saves you from retracing the full distance on foot.

Published sailing times and the important catch

The stated timetable includes these departures:

Puerto del Carmen to Puerto Calero

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

Puerto Calero to Puerto del Carmen

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

The times can change because of local traffic conditions. The listed schedule also creates uneven gaps, especially in the afternoon, so do not assume a boat will return shortly after you arrive. For example, a morning arrival in Puerto Calero may leave you waiting several hours for the next suitable return.

There have also been delays linked to busy days, a flea market, and a local maritime procession that temporarily affected the harbor. One sailing reportedly left around 40 minutes late, while another departure was delayed by roughly 45 minutes. These appear to be occasional problems rather than the normal experience, but they are important if you are working to a fixed plan.

If you miss the departure time selected during booking, the stated policy allows you to choose another departure on the same day. That flexibility helps, but it does not create extra boats. Check the departure board or confirm locally before settling into a long lunch.

Is the water taxi good value at about $13.31?

The fare sits in the middle ground between basic transport and a short excursion. A bus costs less, and a taxi may make more sense for several people carrying luggage or traveling at a time outside the boat schedule. The water taxi earns its price by giving you the crossing, harbor views, onboard toilets, and the glass-bottom feature.

A return ticket offers the best value if you plan to spend time at both ports. The trip can cover your transport for a marina lunch, a few shops, and a coastal walk without needing two separate taxi rides. It also feels like an outing in its own right, which is why the fare makes more sense for a holiday afternoon than for a rushed point-to-point transfer.

Food and drinks are not included. That is no problem because Puerto Calero provides places to eat, but budget separately for lunch or coffee. The boat is not a package tour with meals or a guided visit at the destination.

Boat comfort, crew, and boarding

The boat is generally described as clean and comfortable, with enough space for people to sit and enjoy the trip. The crew is one of the strongest parts of the service. Staff have been described as friendly, efficient, helpful, and good-humored. One captain even entertained the boat with singing, although that is clearly not a scheduled feature.

The crew has also assisted a wheelchair user onto the boat. That is encouraging, but the information provided does not specify the full accessibility setup, ramp details, or whether every sailing can handle every mobility device. If you need assistance, contact the operator before traveling and explain your requirements.

Service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transport, and confirmation is issued at booking. Mobile tickets make the process simple, though you should have your phone charged and ready at the harbor.

The boat can carry up to 100 people. That gives the service a reasonable amount of capacity, but a popular day, market, festival, or favorable-weather period may still bring more pressure at the boarding area. Arrive early rather than walking up at the last minute.

Weather and sea conditions

The crossing depends on favorable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is sensible for a boat route, but it also means you should avoid planning your only airport transfer or time-sensitive appointment around it.

Most crossings appear to be gentle and smooth. Conditions can change, though. One delayed sailing returned through choppy water, and the late departure made the journey feel rushed. You might find the ride perfectly calm, but anyone prone to motion sickness should consider a seat with a clear view of the horizon and bring any usual medication.

The open water is part of the appeal, but it is also the reason the service cannot promise road-like punctuality. Wind, harbor traffic, loading, local events, and sea conditions all matter.

How I would plan the outing

For the easiest day, I would choose a morning departure from Puerto del Carmen, spend at least an hour or two in Puerto Calero, then return on a clearly confirmed afternoon sailing. Do not select the first available return without checking the gap between boats.

If you want lunch, allow more time than the crossing itself. A 25-minute boat ride followed by a short marina walk may get you there, but restaurant timing and an occasional delay can quickly change the plan. I would avoid booking a meal that requires you to arrive at an exact minute.

A good alternative is to combine the boat with a coastal walk. Walk one direction and use the water taxi for the return. This gives you the best mix of Lanzarote’s coast and the boat ride, without forcing you to repeat the same route.

Remember that departure times are listed by port, not simply as a universal timetable. A 10:00 AM boat from Puerto Calero is not the same service as a 10:00 AM boat from Puerto del Carmen, because the latter has a different first published departure.

Who will enjoy this water taxi most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-effort way to visit Puerto Calero, enjoy a short boat ride, or break up a day of walking. Families may appreciate the glass-bottom viewing and onboard toilet. Couples and solo visitors can use it for an easy lunch outing without arranging a car.

It is also a good choice for anyone who finds a normal taxi too ordinary. The crossing gives you a small holiday moment for the money, especially on a calm day with a friendly crew.

I would be more cautious if punctuality matters above everything else, if you are comparing only the cheapest transport, or if you have a tight onward connection. The timetable is useful but not foolproof, and delays have happened. The boat is also not a full sightseeing cruise, so do not book it expecting a long commentary or a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

Cancellation and practical booking details

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The experience can also be canceled if weather is poor or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. The activity is capped at 100 people.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen water taxi?

Book it if you see the ride as both transport and a small excursion. The clean boat, helpful crew, harbor views, toilets, and possible glass-bottom stop make the crossing more enjoyable than taking a bus. A return ticket is especially useful for a relaxed visit to Puerto Calero, including lunch, shopping, or a coastal walk.

Skip it if your only goal is the lowest fare or guaranteed timing. Before paying, check the departure port, confirm the return gap, and leave room for delays. With that small amount of planning, the Puerto del Carmen to Puerto Calero water taxi is a simple, good-value way to see more of Lanzarote without turning the day into a major production.

FAQ

How long does the water taxi take?

The crossing is approximately 25 minutes. Some passengers describe the ride as closer to 20 minutes, so allow extra time when planning your day.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $13.31 per person. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I buy a one-way or return ticket?

Yes. You can choose either a one-way transfer or a return transfer between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero.

Where does the boat leave from in Puerto del Carmen?

The meeting point is Lineas Romero Water Taxi and Excursions at Av. del Varadero, 30, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain. The boarding area is also described as Gate 1 at the old town harbor.

Where does the boat arrive in Puerto Calero?

The Puerto Calero stop is at Calero Marinas in Puerto Calero harbor.

Are there toilets on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are included onboard.

What are the sailing times?

Published departures from Puerto del Carmen are 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM. From Puerto Calero, departures are 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 conditions.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip is subject to favorable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.