The unknown islands of the Canary Islands: the natural paradise of the Chinijo archipelago

Seeking minimalism on a trip is not a trend, it is an option. For certain travelers there is as much life on 42nd Street as in a small cove in the Chinijo archipelago. The biggest surprises arise in the least known places. For example, in these 5 tiny islands located north of Lanzarote that do not show at first glance the greatness they hide.

To discover it, you will have to come and meet it.

The only way to get there is to take a ferry from the port of Órzola, a small town in the north of Lanzarote. The boat will leave you in La Graciosa in 15 minutes. This is the only inhabited island in the complex. Even so, it retains more than 90% of its virgin territory. If you decide, you can walk barefoot through its streets covered in sand, as it does not have paved roads.

La Graciosa Island (Chinijo)

From there it will be easy for you to get to know the rest of the archipelago, a perfect destination for a ecotourism getaway, around which the largest Marine Reserve in Europe is established. More than 70,000 hectares of crystal clear waters where you can delight yourself with its fauna.

Nattule recommends three diving spots that you should not miss in Chinijo, as well as two out-of-water alternatives. Here are the five:

1. Yellow Mountain

The Montaña Amarilla volcano rises next to La Cocina beach, a tiny cove with turquoise waters located in the southwest of La Graciosa.

From Caleta de Sebo, one of the two towns on the island (the only one where you can stay), several trails start that will take you closer to this area and that you can explore both on foot and by bicycle.

Although the easiest way to get there is by boat, especially if you go with your diving equipment. Keep in mind that to dive anywhere in the Reserve you will need to get a permission from the Government of the Canary Islands.

Kitchen Beach © César García

Next to the beach there is a cape, Punta del Pobre, which juts out into the sea. Nearby, inland, there is a fence that is placed perpendicular to the coast. At its maximum height it reaches 20 meters deep.

Among the gorse flakes that form this vertical wall you will see an enormous variety of fish. Among others, you can find red mullet, silverside and Canary lobsters. If you are an expert diver and you reach the base, you will observe the way in which the water seepage affects the sand at the bottom. Another gift of nature in La Graciosa.

Seabed of La Graciosa © Jairo Díaz

2. Joy

Alegranza is the second largest island in the archipelago and the northernmost point of the group. It is not inhabited, which makes it a true paradise for birds.

When you approach with the boat, the first thing that will catch your attention will be the magnitude of the Caldera volcano, whose 1.3 kilometer crater occupies a good part of the surface of the island.

When you go diving, try to dock the boat at a safe distance and remember that if you also want to go around Alegranza you will need authorization from the current owner of the island and don't leave the paths.

Alegranza Island from Lanzarote (Chinijo)

If you dive in these waters feel privileged. Since commercial fishing has been banned, fish reproduce easily in this area. You will therefore find a large quantity, both in number and variety. The shallow areas are a hive of life, as there are algae formations that shelter many species of fish, urchins and starfish.

Wrasses such as the greenside or the dogfish, fish that are difficult to see in other areas, and a species of strikingly colored parrotfish known as the oldfish, are abundant here. Near the sandy bottoms you will also find mullets searching for food with their tactile barbels.

Alegranza is a unique refuge for many seabirds, such as the Bulwer's petrel and several species of storm petrels. Together with the Cory's Shearwaters they form numerous colonies, taking advantage of the hollows and rock formations to nest during the summer months.

The shearwater, one of the largest seabirds, is a threatened species that is also found on some Mediterranean islands and on the Atlantic coast, where it constitutes a true treasure of the nature of Portugal.

Seabirds in the Chinijo archipelago © Ulises Viera

On the island of Alegranza it is also possible to spot some lesser-known birds of prey, such as the owl and the kestrel, which have subspecies endemic to the Canary Islands.

3. The Channel

At 25 meters deep, between the island of Alegranza and the islet of Roque del Oeste, is this continental shelf that sinks up to 40 meters. Among the cavities that exist in it, a large amount of fauna is sheltered.

If you dive there you can see groupers, abades and amberjacks. In the depths surrounding the Roque, the presence of the captain or maragota rosemary also stands out, difficult to find in other parts of the archipelago.

The red, white and yellow gorgonians add beauty to this spectacular seascape.

Montaña Clara, Roque del Oeste and Alegranza © Jesús Salcines

4. Clear Mountain

The Canarian waters are also characterized by sheltering a large number of cetaceans that, with a little luck, you will be able to spot during a pleasant boat ride. Departures are made daily and from all islands. If you want to try, you can start with this activity to see cetaceans in La Palma.

Boat excursions also leave from the port of Órzola that take a fairly complete tour of the entire archipelago. The boats head first to the island of Alegranza and then go to the small island of Montaña Clara. This islet of volcanic origin stands out for its yellowish crater, given by the tuffs that compose it.

Montaña Clara from La Graciosa © Alessandro Bovo

As with Alegranza, it is private property and visits are prohibited without authorization.

During the crossing, you may have the opportunity to sail alongside pilot whales and several species of dolphins, such as the bottlenose dolphin, the common dolphin or the striped dolphin. Pygmy sperm whales are also common, although they are harder to find at the surface. Even killer whales have sometimes been seen in its waters.

5. Would

In addition to the trails that you will find on the island of La Graciosa, there are many other routes to do on foot or by bicycle in the north of Lanzarote, especially through the municipalities of Haría and Famara, one of the areas with the most vegetation on the island. .

You can walk around the charming towns of Guinate and Máguez or visit the Río viewpoint, which offers magnificent panoramic views. From there you can spot a multitude of birds, many of them protected because they are in danger of extinction. As happens in Alegranza, some species find here one of the few spaces in the world where they can nest.

Paragliding in the Famara massif

Thus, you can observe the Cory's shearwater or the spectacular osprey, known locally as guincho. Another bird of interest is the Canary guirre or Egyptian vulture, a subspecies endemic to Lanzarote. This area, as well as Alegranza, is also one of the last places where the Tagarote falcon, the Eleonora falcon and the rare Canary crow can be found.

In addition to these winged inhabitants, some reptiles typical of this land may cross your path, such as the Haría lizard and the majorero perenquén.

Eleonora's Falcon © Ignacio Luque

If you liked walking around Lanzarote, keep in mind that you have 6 other islands to visit and each one has its charm. Don't miss this one activity to explore the forest of Los Tilos de La Palma.

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No loner opts for Tokyo. For the traveler who does not fit in with the crowd, the Chinijo archipelago is best suited, whose 5 tiny islands are also the ideal option for those who are familiar with nature while still respecting it. If you think big, come small.

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