Papagayo Beaches Crossing
B15 Active's open water swim at the Papagayo beaches, Yaiza, inside a protected natural area. Swum on Saturday 7 November 2026.
Event information
About the event
The Papagayo Beaches Crossing is swum along the Los Ajaches coastline, in the municipality of Yaiza, and B15 Active organises it. It is the only swim on the island held inside a protected natural area, and that shapes the logistics far more than the swimming itself.
One swim, two names
Worth saying plainly, because it is what brings most people here. The island council and the organiser call this race by two different names: the island Cup regulations list it as Travesía a Nado Bahía de Playa Blanca, while B15 Active registers it as Travesía Playas de Papagayo.
It is the same race. The registration platform, checked on 3 September 2026, opens a single event carrying both names, dated Saturday 7 November 2026. The Travesía a Nado Bahía de Playa Blanca page covers that same date.
The 18 October date that circulated in earlier calendars is not supported by the 2026 paperwork. If you are travelling for this race, confirm it with B15 Active before booking anything.
Distances used in previous editions
In previous years B15 Active has offered a wide range, unusual on the island:
- 7,000 m
- 5,000 m
- 1,200 m
- 800 m
- 400 m
- Inclusive and children’s races
These are distances from past editions, not the 2026 rules. They tell you whether the event fits your level; cut-offs, start times and the exact categories will come with the organiser’s race circular.
Getting to Papagayo
This is the part that really needs planning. Papagayo is not a town beach with a promenade and a tarmac car park: access from Playa Blanca is along an unsurfaced dirt track, driven slowly, and it punishes anyone in a hurry or in a very low car.
Parking beside the coves is limited and fills early, so arriving with time to spare is not generic advice here: it is the difference between a calm warm-up and a long walk from wherever you ended up. There is no public transport down to the coves.
And there is no shade. Not at the start, not at the finish. In October the sun in southern Lanzarote is still strong by mid-morning, so a parasol, water, sunscreen and something to eat go into the bag before anything else. Anyone coming to watch should plan on several hours in the open.
Two swims in one weekend
7 November all but closes the open water season in Lanzarote: the Travesía a Nado Alejandro Candela is swum three weeks earlier, on 17 October in Costa Teguise, and after this one there is nothing left on the year’s calendar.
Event gallery
Images from the race, route and event atmosphere.
Official event poster
Official reference image for identifying the event and its communications.
Practical information
Distances, route, price, services and organiser information for the event.
Distances
- 4.5 km
- 1,200 m
- 800 m
- 400 m (juniors)
- 50/150 m
- 3x200 m relay
- Inclusive event, 25 to 100 m
Route
The detailed route will be added once it is confirmed.
Price
5 - 50 EUR
Until 11 October: 4.5 km 45 EUR, 1,200 m 20 EUR, 800 m 12 EUR, the 400 m junior race 8 EUR, 50/150 m 5 EUR and the 3x200 m relay 5 EUR per swimmer. From 12 October to 4 November the 4.5 km goes up to 50 EUR and the 400 m to 10 EUR. The inclusive event is free. The charity lunch is 10 EUR on top.
Athlete services
Race services will be published when the event profile is complete.
Organiser
B15 Active
