Natural swimming pools of Punta Mujeres (Las Rosas, El Pichón)
Punta Mujeres is one of those places in the north of Lanzarote where you can find variety such as: volcanic rock, swimming pools and calm. If you read on you’ll find out exactly where they are (municipality of Haría), how to get there without messing up the car, and how to choose between the most popular pools (Las Rosas and El Pichón) depending on the tide and the state of the sea. If you’re coming for a quick dip, a snorkel or just a stroll along the Atlantic, here’s what you need to know before you head down to the rock.
What are the natural pools of Punta Mujeres and how are they distributed?
The pools of Punta Mujeres are not well understood if one thinks of a single “pool”. Here it is normal to speak of pools or natural pools in the plural, several inlets in the rock, with different accesses, different sizes and an experience that changes a lot depending on the day.
As someone from Lanzarote, for me Punta Mujeres is one of those places that reminds you why the north is so attractive, thanks to its calm, lava, Atlantic and a rhythm that doesn’t ask you to run. You don’t need to do anything unusual. If the sea is with you and you go with your head, you’ll have one of those swims that will stay with you for a long time.
Several puddles, several accesses: it’s not “a swimming pool” and that’s the fun of it.
The good thing about this stretch of coast is that you can choose from several pools where you can have a good time. There are areas that are more comfortable, others that are more rustic, and some that are less enjoyable at low tide because the entry becomes more uncomfortable. Therefore, when someone searches for “natural pools of Punta Mujeres”, they are actually looking for an area with several bathing spots, not an exact spot.
What makes Punta Mujeres in the north of Lanzarote different?
Volcanic rock, clear water when the sea is clear, and a calm seaside atmosphere. It is not a long sandy place to set up camp. It is more like a swim at your own pace, calmly, and with the respect that the sea always has here.
Where they are and how to get there
If you are looking for a natural swimming pool in Punta Mujeres Lanzarote, the most useful thing to do is to keep this idea in mind. They are close to the centre of the village and can be reached on foot in just a few minutes. The village of Punta Mujeres belongs to Haría, so it usually fits very well on a route through the north.
How to get there by car
Getting there is easy. The key is not to nail down the exact spot, but to go with a short walk mentality. You park without getting in the way and walk down to the coast to move between puddles as you see the sea.
Where to park and how to get around without blocking the town
Here what usually spoils the plan is not the toilet, it’s insisting on parking at the door. It’s better to park with common sense, even if you walk a little. Punta Mujeres is more enjoyable this way, without turning it into a car tetris.
I often use it as a short stop on a route through the north. You take a dip, clear your head, and carry on without any complications. It’s the typical plan that seems small until you get out of the water and think ok, this was just what I needed.
Natural swimming pool of Las Rosas in Punta Mujeres
Among the pools in Punta Mujeres, Las Rosas is usually the most convincing when someone wants to get it right the first time. Not because it is the only good one, but because it combines very well what most people look for in a bath here. A pleasant place, comfortable within what is volcanic rock, and with the feeling of a complete puddle to get in and enjoy yourself without having to go round and round in circles.
Access and comfort depending on tide and sea state
Here the tide and the sea of the day rule, as in the north. There are times when the entrance feels more pleasant and the bathing experience is rounded, and others when at low tide you feel more rocky and it is a bit more difficult to enter.
If you arrive and find it uncomfortable, don’t push it. Take a short walk and choose another puddle nearby. Punta Mujeres is enjoyable just for that, because you can adapt the plan without getting frustrated.
Where to lay out for a towel, sun and a swim without the stress.
Las Rosas is not a beach, so go with a practical mindset. Look for a stable area to leave your things, where you won’t be bothered by the spray if the tide comes in, and choose the entrance that you feel is the safest at the time. If it’s crowded, the solution is not to fight for the best centimetre. You move for two minutes and that’s it, because the luxury here is to have options.
Why many people consider it the best option
In my experience, Las Rosas works particularly well for these reasons:
- It’s a bath that’s easy to fit into any plan, even if you’re short on time.
- It is often more convenient to get in and out than other options on the same day.
- When the sea is clear, the water is very clear and the bathing is very enjoyable.
- It is one of those pools that can be used both for a quick dip and for a quiet time in the water.
Natural swimming pool of El Pichón in Punta Mujeres
El Pichón is one of the natural pools with its own name within the group of pools of Punta Mujeres, in the municipality of Haría. It tends to be very popular because it fits the essence of the place, a quiet bathing spot, at the foot of the village, with a volcanic coastline that can be enjoyed unhurriedly.
Directly opposite is the popular The Pool Bar “Pichon”, known for its fresh local food and excellent views, and Casa Carmelina, a nearby accommodation.
When to choose El Pichón in front of Las Rosas
When I’m looking for a quieter swim or just a change, I go to El Pichón or another nearby area. In Punta Mujeres not all the inlets are the same on the same day.
It depends on the tide and the sea. The smart thing to do is to adapt and choose the one that is best today
Access sensations and unhurried plan
El Pichón is usually enjoyed by those who want a bath without the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes just for that reason alone it is worth it. Less focus, more peace and quiet, more at your own pace.
For snorkelling, when is it best and what to bring?
If the day is fine, a pair of snorkelling goggles changes the whole plan. There’s no need to go to any trouble. When the sea is clear, the water can be very clear and you can see fish effortlessly.
Tides, swell and safety the essentials before bathing
This section is the most valuable and the one you should pay more attention to. Although they may look like protected puddles and not as dangerous as the Charcones in Yaiza where there have already been accidents, it is still the sea. And in the north, when the sea wants, it makes its presence felt.
Best tide to enjoy and when it gets uncomfortable
Here the tide rules. I have seen days when high tide totally changes the experience, and others when low tide makes some entries more uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean not going. It means going in with the right idea and choosing the pool that is the safest and most secure at the time.
Surf, slips, swells, swell, signals not to enter, simple signals
- If the sea comes in with force or splashes too much on the rocks, it does not pay off that day.
- If the entrance looks slippery or forces you to do strange balancing acts, it is better not to take the risk.
- If you see people hesitating or leaving quickly, it’s usually for a reason.
Quick look before you jump in
- Look at the sea two minutes before going down
- Choose the pool with the most comfortable entry today
- Water shoes if you are going to step on rocks
- Don’t leave things where the water can get to them if the tide rises.
Snorkelling and marine life fish visibility and simple tips and tricks
What I like about Punta Mujeres is that, when the sea is clear, the water is very clear and diving is enjoyable without a lot of paraphernalia. Goggles, snorkel, calm and that’s it.
What you can see and why sometimes the water is so clear
With calmer seas and without the mobility of the water produced by the waves, visibility tends to improve and swimming is more enjoyable. It’s not always the same, so it’s a good idea to go without rigid expectations and choose the moment that the day gives you.
Minimum recommended equipment
- Water shoes
- Snorkelling goggles
- Towel
- Water
- Some shade if you’re staying for a while
Natural pools of Arrieta, a nearby alternative if the plan suits you
Arrieta is not Punta Mujeres, but it is close enough that, in practice, many people join them on the same route through the north of Lanzarote. Both belong to the municipality of Haría and share that atmosphere of a quiet coast where the plan is not to “do a thousand things”, but to take it easy, look at the sea and fit in a stop that doesn’t complicate your day.
So, if you are moving between Órzola, Jameos or Mirador del Río, Arrieta is an easy alternative or complement: you can change the landscape a little, add another point on the map and follow the route without deviating too much. If you want a variety of puddles on the same stretch, Punta Mujeres is more suitable. If it fits your route or you want to change the area, Arrieta can be a good alternative plan.
What to wear and practical tips for those who actually wear them.
Here is what really works in Punta Mujeres. Simple things that prevent you from slips, silly scares and the typical “I came to relax and I came to fight with a flip-flop”.
Water shoes are the number one tip on volcanic rock.
I always recommend water shoes, booties or clogs with decent soles. Between the volcanic rock, the mossy areas and the steps, it saves you the little dance of “uy uy uy uy” and you are much safer.
With flip-flops you can, of course, but it’s the quickest way to get left behind or to go straining your toes as if you were climbing the Risco de Famara. If you go with children, this is even more noticeable. With water shoes they move better, they go up and down without fear and you can breathe.
What to bring for a quick bath
With little you already enjoy. Towel, water and the minimum to be comfortable. If you go light, so much the better, because these pools are enjoyable as a short walk, swim and continue.
A practical kit is usually a microfibre towel if you have one, a bottle of water, goggles if you feel like looking around for a while and a dry change of clothes for the car. Add a small bag to carry your rubbish in and you’re good to go – “it doesn’t cost anything” is very much appreciated.
If you’re going with little ones, add sun cream, a cap, something to snack on that isn’t a sand drama and patience in family size. And if anyone is cold, a lycra t-shirt or a thin sweatshirt for after the swim is gold.
Best time of day according to wind, light and plan
There is no universal magic hour. In Lanzarote the wind rules and the sea rules, and the plan changes depending on the day. If the sun rises calmly, the morning is usually the best for a quiet swim and to move around the area without rushing. If the sun is already high, the water is clearer and the photos come out with that blue that later looks like a filter, but it is not.
Be careful on days with strong trade winds or rough seas. Water can come in from above, splashing more than necessary and turning the swim from “relaxation” into an “obstacle course”. This is exactly when good footwear and common sense are most important.
My simple rule of thumb is this. If the sea is playful, the best plan may be to walk along the coast and swim another day. Punta Mujeres won’t move from its spot, but you’d better not let a wave move you either.
Frequently asked questions
About the author
Maike Famara
Director of Surf Famara. A free surfer from the 1970s, renowned in the Canary Islands, he has surfed on five continents (the entire South African coast, Western Australia, Indonesia, Peru, Chile, Puerto Rico, Panama, France, Portugal, Senegal, Morocco...) and has dedicated himself to teaching and developing new surfers since 1996! You can find him in San Juan or La Santa, where he remains connected to the ocean like the first day.
