Arinaga Travel Guide

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Arinaga is situated right next to the 'El Cabrón' Marine Reserve, one of the best places to go scuba diving in the canaries. The underwater area has a large volcanic reef which has not been destroyed by the all-invading black spined sea urchins in the rest of the Canaries. You can therefore see a huge variety of the natural marine life of the canaries here. This includes the Angel Shark (listed as critically endangered on the ICUN Red List), seahorses, rays and barracudas. Many of the species unique to the canaries can also be found here including Atlantic Wrasse, Abade and Canarian Lobsterette.

There are about a dozen different dive routes in this area, and one of the most popular is the dive down to the 'roncadors' - a huge shoal of fish which you can swim through, then watch them reform behind you. This means that divers of different levels, from complete beginner, up to experienced can all explore different part of the reserve,

At the end of August every year Arinaga holds it's Fiesta, and this is a great time to be here. Every night the Avenida is buzzing as people promenade, and watch free open air shows on the stages which are erected specially for this event. The highlight is the 'parade of the fishermen' when they estimate that nearly 100,000 people flood into the town from all over the island to watch the traditional parade along the sea front. Everyone dresses in the traditional fishermans costume of blue jeans, white shirt and sombrero. Survive the throng for the fireworks at midnight and you never know where you may wake up in the morning!

One of Arinaga's hidden Gems is a small restaurant, called 'Bar el Tomate'. You can walk past and not know it is there, yet inside you know you are in Spain and not some tourist cafeteria. The food is great, the prices are very reasonable, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Lola knows a few words of English, but most people can sort out the pizza menu anyway, and the grills are all excellent value for money.

The Restaurant is on Calle Domingo Monteverde, close to where it crosses calle Juan de Austria, and close to the shop of 'Mariscos Estevez'. If you can't find it ask in the Dive Centre and they will give you directions.