Charco de los Clicos (also known as Charco Verde or Green Lagoon) is one of the most unusual natural attractions in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain. This stunning lagoon is located inside a volcanic crater adjacent to a black sand beach, close to the coastal village of El Golfo. Its bright green water is a striking contrast against the dark volcanic rocks, red cliffs and deep blue Atlantic Ocean.
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| The emerald-green waters of Charco de los Clicos contrast with Lanzarote's black volcanic coastline. |
Charco de los Clicos: Lanzarote's Mysterious Green Lagoon
The Charco de los Clicos is one of the island’s most recognisable sights and a favourite spot for photographers visiting Lanzarote, thanks to its unusual mix of colours.
Where Is Charco de los Clicos?
The Green Lagoon is located near El Golfo on Lanzarote’s southwestern coast. Visitors can reach the area by road and view the lagoon from a designated viewpoint overlooking the crater. Spain's official tourism website identifies Charco de los Clicos as a volcanic crater containing a green lagoon separated from the sea by a black beach. The surrounding landscape forms part of Lanzarote's extraordinary volcanic scenery, which was shaped by ancient eruptions and later coastal erosion.
Photo Credit: Flickr
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| Charco Verde sits within a dramatic volcanic landscape near El Golfo. |
Photo Credit: Flickr
Why Is the Green Lagoon Green?
The most interesting thing about Charco Verde is its deep green colour. The lagoon water is very salty. There are microorganisms and marine vegetation with chlorophyll. Charco Verde is described in the scientific literature as a hypersaline lagoon with high concentrations of chlorophyll. The green water becomes especially striking when contrasted with the surrounding black volcanic sand and red-brown volcanic rocks. Depending on sunlight, weather, and water conditions, the exact shade can vary from green to darker olive tones.
Charco de los Clicos: The Green Lake Inside a Volcanic Crater
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| Charco de los Clicos occupies part of a volcanic crater on Lanzarote's western coast. |
Photo Credit: Flickr
How Was Charco de los Clicos Formed?
Charco de los Clicos occupies part of a volcanic crater that became connected to the ocean through underground channels. A black-sand barrier separates the lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean, creating the unusual coastal landscape seen today. This combination of volcanic geology and marine influence is what makes the Green Lagoon so different from an ordinary lake or pond.
Charco de los Clicos: Lanzarote's Emerald Volcanic Lagoon
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| The bright green lagoon creates a striking contrast with the dark volcanic beach. |
Photo Credit: Flickr
Can You Swim in the Green Lagoon?
You can’t swim in Charco de los Clicos. The lagoon is situated in a protected natural environment, and visitors are requested to remain on the designated paths and viewing areas. The best way to experience the site is from the nearby viewpoint, where you can see the entire lagoon, volcanic crater, black beach, and Atlantic coastline from above.
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| Rugged volcanic cliffs surround the famous Green Lagoon near El Golfo. |
Photo Credit: Flickr
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| A volcanic crater, an emerald lagoon, and an Atlantic coastline create this extraordinary Lanzarote scene. |
Photo Credit: © commons.wikimedia
Why Is Charco Verde Famous?
The Green Lagoon in Lanzarote is famous for its unique geological environment and stunning natural colours. There aren’t many places with emerald-green water, black volcanic sand, red volcanic cliffs, and a blue ocean all in one place. The landscape has also attracted filmmakers and photographers, adding to its reputation as one of Lanzarote's most photogenic locations.
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| The green lagoon and blue Atlantic form one of Lanzarote's most unusual coastal landscapes. |
Photo Credit: Flickr
Conclusion
The Charco de los Clicos, or the Charco Verde, the Green Lagoon of Lanzarote, is a remarkable example of how volcanic geology and marine life can combine to create an extraordinary landscape. One of the most memorable natural sights near El Golfo, Lanzarote, thanks to its green hypersaline water, dark volcanic beach, rugged crater, and Atlantic setting, is the Charco de los Clicos. For anyone exploring Lanzarote's volcanic scenery, this unusual lagoon is well worth seeing—not only for its beautiful colours but also for the fascinating natural processes that create them.
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References & sources
Spain Official Tourism — location and general facts University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — scientific explanation Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition — conservation Lanzarote Tourism — local tourism information
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