Every September, the coastlines of Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands experience a phenomenon that combines tradition and science: the renowned Pine Tides. The name derives from its coincidence with the feast of the Virgin of the Pine, the patron saint of Gran Canaria, celebrated every 8th of September. Beyond the religious devotion, this time of year brings with it particularly strong tides, influenced by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
The tides are caused by the gravitational pull exerted by the Moon and the Sun on the Earth. In September, around the Marian feast, a special alignment occurs that results in a significant increase in tide amplitudes. This is what has popularly been termed the “Pine Tides.”
This phenomenon is not exclusive to the Canaries; however, it has become so closely associated with the date in the Islands that it is part of the local calendar. Indeed, fishermen and sailors of old would use these tides to plan their activities, while many locals would take advantage of them to gather limpets, barnacles, or octopuses, which became more accessible during the extreme low tides.
In Lanzarote, the Pine Tides have left anecdotes that are retold every year. In some beaches, such as those in Arrecife or Playa Blanca, it was not uncommon for the water to recede enough to expose coastal areas rarely seen dry. Conversely, the high tide could even flood puddles and promenades, catching off-guard those who were unaware of the phenomenon.
Coastal Precautions
Elder locals still recall how, in the 1950s and 60s, families would use these tides to spend a day at the coast collecting seafood. The community wisdom passed down included warnings: “with the Pine Tides, never leave your car at the pier and don’t get distracted at the shore,” grandparents would repeat to the younger ones.
Today, Civil Protection and Maritime Rescue often remind residents during this time of the need for extra precautions, especially in areas where the sea breaks with force. The high tides can cause stronger currents and surges that can reach areas that remain dry at other times of the year.
