Sustainable self-catering holiday specialist Lanzarote Retreats is offering guests new ways to explore a wilder side to the easternmost Canary Island, from birdwatching jeep safaris to learning about the flora and fauna on a guided hike, spotting dolphins from aboard an emission-free catamaran to getting below the waves on an electric submarine safari.

Pioneering when it launched fifteen years ago, their eco-village Finca de Arrieta is home to twenty-one yurts, villas and cottages all powered by solar and wind energy. The Finca is ideally located for exploring a wilder, more authentic Canarian experience: Going off-grid, stargazing, dipping in sea pools and hiking. Now guests can further enrich their Lanzarote stay through a series of tours being offered with hand-picked local businesses, chosen for their values and respect for the island. All selected, tested, and bookable through Lanzarote Retreats.

Experiences include:

Canarian honey tasting with Selina Vogel, an organic beekeeper - the tour provides an introduction to the fascinating world of bees and the intricate workings of a hive, as well as the opportunity to taste different types of honey from Selina's bees and from other hives across the islands.

Guided hike with Jose Luis from Blackstone Treks & Tours - whose ethos is “small groups, small impact”. The tours offer the opportunity to walk some of the most beautiful paths of Lanzarote, learning about the flora and fauna along the way.

Sailing aboard the noise and emission-free WeWhale catamaran with Captain Gonzalo Apesteguia and Cetacean Guide Silvia Coniglio. Guests are invited to look out for and listen to Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso's Dolphin and Bryde's Whales. Profits contribute to whale protection.

Adventure 30m into the underwater world of the Atlantic Ocean in an electric submarine to marvel at mysterious shipwrecks and a variety of amazing marine life. 'Sub Fun Tres' has been designed and built specifically to cater for tourists, fully electrically operated, with no oil, exhausts or contaminations onboard. Leaders in eco-tour sustainability practices, Submarine Safaris is committed to sharing the underwater experience while educating on the importance of and protecting the ocean.

Go out on a birdwatching jeep safari with Eco Insider – guests join a bird specialist and a member of a local conservation group “Desert Watch” in search of the big three: the houbara bustard, cream coloured courser and stone curlew. Other common resident species are the southern shrike, hoopoe, trumpeter finch, barbary partridge, lesser short-toed lark, berthelot´s pipit, Canary raven and Canary kestrel.

Lanzarote Retreats is offering 20% off selected properties at Finca de Arrieta eco-village between 15th November and 15th December 2024. Prices from €84/ £70 per night based on staying in a yurt. Airport transfers and hire car can be arranged on request at an additional cost, as can all tours mentioned above. Flights are not included. www.lanzaroteretreats.com