Quad tour in Lanzarote: our experience and our opinion!

Here I am again with another must-do activity: a quad tour in Lanzarote. If you love adventure, you’re likely to enjoy this outing! I can tell you we took some pretty rocky and sandy trails, and it shook quite a bit. That’s part of the experience and it adds to the thrills! I’d say it allows for a real immersion in the island’s volcanic landscapes. You discover the island in a different way, leaving the paved roads behind. Between the lava fields, the rough ocean, and the mountain views, you feel like you’re lost in the middle of nowhere. That adds even more adrenaline to the outing.

Even though I did a little over an hour departing from Playa Blanca, I crossed different landscapes: between the lava fields, the ocean, and the coasts of Fuerteventura in the distance. In any case, I had a lot of fun, it was really a good time! Since Lanzarote has many wild landscapes, it’s a great way to get off the beaten path. To explore its scenery, note that we’ve written a guide to the best hikes in Lanzarote. If you like walking, you’ll find what you’re looking for there. And there’s little elevation gain on the island, so hikes are generally accessible. The only difficulty is the lack of shade… Before getting to the heart of the matter, I also invite you to take a look at our article: what to do in Lanzarote. You’ll find all our favorites and the island’s must-sees there!

After a full day at the Timanfaya National Park, we headed to Playa Blanca around 5 p.m., straight to the provider’s office: Rent a Quad Lanzarote. We couldn’t wait to start the outing and set off on an adventure. Just before getting started, a bit of patience: we filled out the paperwork with the driver’s license number, etc. (Make sure to bring it, as it’s mandatory). Don’t worry, it only takes five to ten minutes. We then put on our helmets with visors to head to our quads.

Our instructor quickly explains how it works and the route we’ll take. What’s great is that we formed a very small group: four people plus our guide. Our guide leaves in a 4×4 ahead of us to show us the way. And that’s pretty important, because at the start we’re on a main road where cars pass. So we cross Playa Blanca: it’s nice and it lets us start gently.

We then arrive at Montaña Roja (in fifteen minutes, I’d say). You can tell the quad has seen some action, but we’re comfortable and confident. From the red mountain, we take a trail with lots of rocks (and not small ones). There, you feel like you’re leveling up without warning, haha! You immediately get more sensations! And above all, you’re moving through black lava fields. Honestly, seeing them from the road and being inside is completely different. You enjoy it more. Since we’re at the very south of the island, we can see the island of Fuerteventura in the distance.

That’s where the guide suggests a stop. We leave the quads and walk a bit to reach the edge of the rocks and the Atlantic. I thought the ocean was pretty rough until the guide told us that usually there are eight- to nine-meter waves. Needless to say, it’s not an area where you should swim. Besides, a little further on, there weren’t any waves at all. But even in that case, swimming is prohibited: the currents are very dangerous. Below, there are natural pools protected by rocks. There, you can swim, even if you still have to be careful. We also saw the famous black and slightly red crabs. They easily fly under the radar, so look closely. And if you see one, look carefully around, because they’re rarely alone!

We then get back on the trail in the lava fields around Montaña Roja. The path gets more and more challenging. The rocks are sharp, which doesn’t give us much respite. But the sensations are still there! There’s even a mini-section tougher than the others, but it’s still perfectly doable. We then head back towards Playa Blanca and thus onto the paved road. You can tell the end is near… We’d love to keep going, it went by too fast! That’s a good sign too: we switched off and didn’t see the time pass. Note that the outing is also available for two or three hours; I recommend opting for that duration if you like thrills and riding quads. If you prefer a little ride, the 1h15 one will do just fine. It’s really up to you!

Honestly, it’s a tried-and-approved outing! I felt like setting off on an adventure to discover Lanzarote in a different way. What I really liked was the variety of landscapes we saw in such a short time. In just over an hour, we went from the resort town of Playa Blanca to the lava fields of Montaña Roja to get closer to the ocean and enjoy panoramic views of Fuerteventura. Between the intense blue of the ocean and the black lava, it’s just wow!

Riding through this scenery was awesome! Plus, our guide was very friendly: he explained everything clearly without overdoing it. Since we were a very small group, we went at our own pace and didn’t have to wait. It was almost like a private outing! As for sensations, since that’s kind of what you’re looking for on a quad, it was just right, neither too much nor too little. Sure, there were bumpy and more technical sections, but it was manageable. You get used to it very quickly: the more you ride, the more fun you have and the more confident you become, you’ll see.

You’ve got it, it’s clearly an activity I recommend doing in Lanzarote. The only thing is, I would’ve liked it to last longer, haha! So I suggest going for two or three hours, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it! Small clarification: my guide didn’t speak French, but Spanish or English. Since we were with Spaniards, it wasn’t a problem for me.

To give you more info about Rent a Quad Lanzarote, it’s the agency I did my quad outing with. They’re based in Playa Blanca and their team is welcoming and very professional. Before leaving, they take the time to explain the route and help you feel comfortable. Another asset: their excursions are well organized, with several duration options — one hour, two hours, or three hours. As a bonus, the groups are small: it’s immediately more pleasant, you almost feel like you’re on a private excursion and at a more than fair price. Of course, since they’re in Playa Blanca, if you choose them, it’s mainly to explore the south. But I can tell you you won’t be disappointed. Quite the opposite!

The advantage of Lanzarote is that you can ride quads pretty much all year round. But personally, I find that between October and May, it’s the best: it’s pleasant, not too hot and, above all, there’s less dust and wind. In summer, it works too, but head out early in the morning or late in the day, otherwise you’re going to roast! As for me, I went at the end of September and it was totally fine. It’s just that it’s hotter and there’s wind with the trade winds that kick up quite a bit of dust. If you go at that time, it’s better to do the outing in the morning or late in the day. I did it at 5 p.m. and it was perfect: it was pleasant, really nice.

Weather-wise, the only thing that could keep you from riding a quad in Lanzarote is strong winds or a calima (a sandstorm that comes from the Sahara and covers everything: everything turns gray). Plus, you don’t necessarily realize it, but Lanzarote is only 120 km from the Sahara. One more tip: gear up with a bandana, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved t-shirt; you’ll be more comfortable and protected from the sun. Believe me, between the wind and the sun, it really hits hard without you realizing it!

In short, you can do quad riding in Lanzarote all year round, even though between the months of October and May it’s better! To help you plan your trip, feel free to check our article on: When to go to Lanzarote.

As always, the question of price has to be asked. Prices vary a bit depending on the agencies and the duration, but honestly, it’s reasonable.
To give you an idea:

• A short excursion of one hour to an hour and a half generally costs between €50 and €80 per person. In my case, it was even cheaper, because it was €55 for two people on the same quad. Some agencies list their prices based on the number of quads.
• For a two- to three-hour outing, it goes up a bit more: between €90 and €130.
• And for a more complete excursion, a half-day or even more, prices are around €150 to €180.

Overall, all equipment is included in your quad outings, even if this may vary slightly depending on the agency you go through. Also, taking a quad for two generally costs much less than one quad per person, knowing that you’ll make stops and can alternate drivers. So that’s a little tip I’m sharing to save money on the outing!

I’ve already mentioned it a bit, and it all depends on the experience you want. In Lanzarote, it ranges from discovery rides to more complete adventures, all in volcanic landscapes. In any case, everything is a change of scenery!

To be more specific, in general, these slots are offered:

• Outings / rides (1h–1h30): it’s a good option if you’re a bit short on time but still want to ride a quad. For me, I saw it as a fun outing with a few thrills through lava fields and rocky trails.
• Rides of 2h to 3h: this is the duration most travelers prefer. It allows you to cross a range of varied landscapes in a short time: from roads along the coast to more volcanic areas. I think it’s the right balance between adventure and relaxation!
• Long quad excursions (4h and more): here, it’s another level, in the sense that you’re heading out on a big expedition. What’s cool is that you can discover a good part of southern Lanzarote: around Los Volcanes Park up to Los Ajaches Natural Park.

If you’ve never ridden a quad, I suggest going for an outing between one and three hours, no more. It will give you a good taste. But I can already tell you that it shakes quite a bit and some tracks require a certain amount of control (it can quickly get tiring if it’s your first time).

As you can imagine, the conditions for quad riding in Lanzarote are quite simple. It’s not an extreme activity; you just need to know that the trails are sometimes challenging: between rocks and sand (and I say this with a bit of experience, haha!).
Nothing complicated: you simply need to be 18 and have a category B license (car license). Make sure to bring it, agencies always check. Passengers can be quite young, often from 8 or 10 years old, depending on the agency.

If all these conditions are met, you can get started and book your quad outing well in advance, especially if you’re coming in high season. Availability goes fast at that time!

Honestly, quad riding is a great way to discover Lanzarote. There are plenty of places where a car can’t go, so it’s the perfect way to get off the usual roads (and I can tell you there are quite a few!).

However, you need to be careful, because some areas are off-limits to quads on the island. For example, it’s forbidden to go quad riding in Timanfaya National Park: it’s highly protected. Moreover, no agency offers outings in the park. That’s why renting a quad to go on your own can be a bit restrictive, since you won’t know exactly which areas you can’t access. At least, if you go through an agency, you’ll be accompanied by a guide who knows the island like the back of their hand, and that will help you avoid possible fines. Personally, I enjoyed being guided and simply enjoying the passing landscapes while driving.

Here are some well-known and reliable addresses on the island, in addition to the Rent a Quad Lanzarote agency, which I recommend 100%:

• Buggy Experience Lanzarote (in Puerto del Carmen): a very professional agency that offers several itineraries. Plus, you’ll get explanations from the guide; I think that’s always a plus.
• Lanzarote Quad Adventures (in Yaiza): an organization especially known for its quad outings in volcanic areas. Reviews are unanimous about the atmosphere, safety, and equipment. You can go with your eyes closed!
• Adventure Lanzarote (in Playa Blanca): given its location, the agency mainly organizes quad itineraries to explore the Los Ajaches Natural Park and its beaches, such as Papagayo. Having visited the park, I figure it must be quite an adventure on a quad. It lets you cut loose more, because by car, you can’t drive fast and you have to watch the tires, etc. It would be a shame to lose the deposit! By the way, if you’re thinking about renting a car, I recommend using the Discover Cars website. That’s what I did, and I was able to get good deals.
• Teguise Quads: what’s different with this organization is mainly its location, in the center of the island. It’s a small local operator that mainly offers small-group excursions around Teguise and Famara. Lovely spots that I really liked too, so why not!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of quad operators in Lanzarote. So I suggest choosing based on where you’re staying and especially the type of landscapes you want to discover. In any case, I’m sure you’re going to have fun!

1. Volcanoes and vines (Yaiza – La Geria)

This is an itinerary that’s meant to be simple in practice and wonderful to explore. Simply put, you’ll cross lunar landscapes and the famous vineyards of La Geria. Pretty incredible, right? You only see this kind of landscape in Lanzarote: each vine is planted in a small crater about three meters in diameter, surrounded by a stone wall.

2. Wild west coast (Yaiza – El Golfo – Janubio)

It’s not for nothing that I call it the wild coast. On this coast, you’re right between the rough ocean, black cliffs, and lava fields. Honestly, it’s become one of my favorite areas of Lanzarote. If, on top of that, you come at golden hour or sunset, it’s even more beautiful. It’s great for taking beautiful photos, even if you also have to enjoy the moment! 3. Authentic north (Teguise – Guatiza – Órzola)

Although the north of the island is also wild and isolated, it’s quite different from the south. In this case, you’ll pass through small villages with white houses, in the middle of volcanoes, with white or golden sand beaches. And to top it all off, you’ll have views of La Graciosa from Órzola. Just magical!

4. Papagayo by the tracks (Playa Blanca – Los Ajaches)

I had a soft spot for the Los Ajaches Natural Park. It’ll surprise more than one person, but it’s not just for its beaches and coves. I admit, they’re all very beautiful and worth a visit. I recommend not stopping only at Playa de Papagayo. I found there were fewer people at Playa de Mujeres and Playa del Pozo. They were therefore more pleasant for settling down or swimming. Personally, I enjoyed discovering the park both by car and on foot. But I think on a quad, it must be quite something too!

As you can see, even though Lanzarote is far from being the largest of the Canary Islands, there are still very different areas to discover by quad.

I hope you enjoyed the quad outing in Lanzarote. To discover the island differently, I suggest you try diving in Lanzarote. You’ll see, the marine life is much richer than what you find in volcanic deserts.

Speaking of volcanic deserts, I did a guided hike in Los Volcanes Park. I not only learned quite a bit of interesting info about the island’s history, but I also discovered varied landscapes in the space of three hours. I’d do it again without hesitation!

See you soon for more activities in Lanzarote!

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to discover the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife and Lanzarote, so that I could share these island paradises with you. Two real favorites of mine!

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