Lanzarote ranks fourth in Europe for water sports searches, study finds

Lanzarote has been named the fourth most popular European island for water sports among 500 islands analysed in a new study by TUI Musement.

Lanzarote has ranked fourth in Europe for interest in water sports, according to the latest global active tourism study presented by TUI Musement, the experiences and excursions division of tourism group TUI Group.

The study analysed Google searches linked to activities including surfing, diving, kayaking and snorkelling across 500 European islands.

It comes as sports tourism continues to grow, with the segment accounting for nearly 10% of global tourism spending and projected growth of more than 17% by the end of the decade.

For Lanzarote, the study highlights Famara Beach as a surfing destination, while the coastline of Los Ajaches and the cliffs around Papagayo are identified for kayaking routes.

The Maltese archipelago takes the top position in the European ranking, recording more than 157,000 searches driven by its seabed and locations including Ċirkewwa.

Tenerife ranks second, with the island highlighted for surfing and snorkelling. Dive sites such as Abades Bay and Montaña Amarilla are among the locations attracting visitors.

Third place goes to Madeira in Portugal, where its volcanic coastline and sites such as the Ponta de São Lourenço Nature Reserve draw surfers and divers.

Mallorca follows Lanzarote in fifth place, with kayaking and snorkelling contributing to its ranking. Areas including Cala de La Victoria, Sant Elm and the Dragonera area are highlighted.

Fuerteventura ranks sixth, reinforcing its position as a destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The study points to the island’s consistent trade winds and conditions around Sotavento and Flag Beach.

Greece’s Crete takes seventh place, with the island of Dia identified as a focal point for international scuba diving.

Sicily ranks eighth, followed by the Balearic island of Ibiza in ninth place. Ibiza attracts visitors for kayaking and scuba diving associated with its Posidonia seagrass beds.

The Italian island of Sardinia completes the top ten.