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Where to travel

Canary Islands by sailboat or catamaran

Guide to the most beautiful Canary Islands

The Atlantic Ocean that bathes the immense beaches of black and white sand and the wilderness, in which the silence will make you lose yourself in its colors... a real magic to be experienced in the Canaries aboard a sailboat

Sailing in the ocean means coming into direct contact with nature in its purest state, a unique experience that in the waters of the Canary Islands, is enjoyed to the fullest. Thanks to its geographical location and good climate, the archipelago offers exceptional conditions for boating, known to sailors all over the world. 

The Canary Islands are of volcanic origin and number 7: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Over a thousand kilometers of coastline between cliffs, dunes and a variety of landscapes to please everyone's taste. Experiencing these islands by sailboat, will allow you to enjoy everything beautiful they have to offer: from relaxation to water sports, trekking to climbing and cultural visits among the most characteristic villages.

  • Lanzarote is famous for its lunar landscape and is recommended for those who like calm. It is a very windy island, characterized by rocky and black sand beaches. 
  • Fuerteventura, called the windy island, is ideal for those who enjoy surfingkiting and sailing. It is famous for its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. 
  • Gran Canaria is a perfect mix of nature and fun. It is the most cosmopolitan island, ideal for those who want to enjoy the nightlife. 
  • Tenerife is the most well-known island. On one side is all kinds of nightlife fun, while on the other is wild nature, including black beaches and the Teide volcano. 
  • La Palma is a pristine island with breathtaking views and its many volcanoes still active. 
  • La Gomera is unspoiled and undiscovered; it gives the magic of small black sand coves with natural pools inside. 
  • Finally, the smaller El Hierro, known for its crystal clear waters and seabed full of different species.

The best time of year

Due to the mild climate, the Canary Islands can be visited all year round. However, from mid-October to April you are likely to find a few cloudy days with wind and rain. From January to March, especially on the coasts, temperatures drop to around 22 degrees. For sailing vacations, the best time is from May to mid-October, keeping in mind that summer is the season when the wind is most intense.

Travel Ideas

Travel Ideas

A trip to the Canary Islands can be about relaxation in deserted and unspoiled places, but it can also be about adventure and discovering the wilder and less-traveled areas of the islands. 

The archipelago, particularly Tenerife, offers ideal sailing conditions for those who want to try their hand at maneuvering and take sailing courses.

Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism

The Canary Islands have one of the most valuable ecosystems in the world; in fact, 40 percent of the archipelago is classified as protected natural space. Part of this territory corresponds to four National Parks. The island of Tenerife is home to the most visited national park in Spain and one of the most visited in the world: Teide National Park. The third highest volcano on the planet, it is an ideal destination for nature and landscape lovers.

Perfect for

Perfect for

The islands have a lot to offer and have a little something for everyone. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are best suited for singles and groups of friends looking for adventure but without sacrificing fun and nightlife. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, on the other hand, are more suitable for those seeking calm and relaxation. They are very windy islands, not particularly suitable for families with children on their first experience.

First time on a boat

First time on a boat

The Canary Islands are a destination more suited to sailors with already experience. They are islands bathed by the ocean, where the wind blows constantly, at some times very strong. Sailing is not always smooth, and it is necessary to consider the possibility of dealing with unforeseen events. This area is particularly suitable for those who already have experience and want to improve themselves by trying their hand at sailing courses.

Islands not to be missed during Canary Islands sailing vacation

Tenerife

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands. It is home to the famous volcano El Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 meters (10,000 feet), which is an ideal opportunity for hikers. On this island, you will find a wide variety of landscapes: bright green vegetation, arid environments with desert dunes, white sand beaches, and volcanic terrain with lava-carved stones. If you like sunshine and dreamy beaches, we recommend visiting Los Cristianos beach, on which it feels like being in the Caribbean. 

Sailing conditions in Tenerife are perfect for those who want to take a sailing course in the Canary Islands: the weather and wind are ideal for trying your hand at maneuvering.

Using Tenerife as the base of one's sailing vacation, one can explore in a week Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the largest islands in the Canary Islands archipelago, and the smaller Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is the most unique island of all. Once you set foot on its volcanic land, you realize that the landscape is strikingly different because of the many volcanic remains. Past eruptions have marked the landscape, creating shapes and colors that are worth admiring; in fact, you will find black sand beaches. The Atlantic Museum, located in the sea at a depth of 12 meters, is worth a visit; it can only be visited by boat and diving. Timanfaya National Park, one of Spain's most impressive natural parks, is another must-see: an almost surreal landscape created by the lava of more than 300 volcanoes. And if you need relaxation and comfort after all this exploration, you can stop at Playa Blanca or Las Coloradas, where turquoise waters and a tropical feel await.

With embarkation and disembarkation in Lanzarote, in one week you can explore the three northernmost islands of the Canary Islands, sailing between beautiful Graciosa, the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and the sand dunes of Fuerteventura.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura

This island is known for its magnificent white sand beaches and year-round warm sunshine. It is a must-see destination for lovers of kitesurfing, wind surfing and scuba diving. Here you will find some of the most beautiful beaches: Corralejo, with its intense turquoise waters. The island's artistic and cultural heritage is all to be admired in the historic center of Betancuria, during one of the shore excursions. One of the most characteristic things about Fuerteventura are its windmills, which can be seen in different parts of the island. Be sure to try its fine dining, local cheeses and goat meat delicacies.

Also, sailing is very fascinating here, as from Corralejo you can reach Isla de los Lobos, an uninhabited island very close by.

La Palma

La Palma

Perhaps the most touristy island of all, but no less recommended. If you want to discover it while staying away from the crowds and do it in a different and special way, a sailboat or catamaran is the best idea. Don't miss San Andrés, the most beautiful town on the island, and the green forests of the archipelago. From the town you can visit Charco Azul and dive into its natural pools. For hiking enthusiasts, La Palma will seem like paradise: the Los Tilos forest, full of surprises and hidden caves, and the Los Tilos waterfall, which provides a spectacular natural landscape. Traveling by boat to La Palma will allow you to see the island from a different, much more magical angle!

La Graciosa

La Graciosa

Despite being the smallest of all the inhabited islands in the Canary Islands archipelago, La Graciosa offers fascinating beaches and coves that surprise visitors with their variety and natural richness. An idyllic setting in which to enjoy the most romantic sunsets.

Caleta de Sebo is the only place on the island where you can find some services, such as a supermarket, medical clinic, bicycle rental, and restaurants. A short distance from the small pier where boats dock is La Laja, a beach of golden sand and calm waters. La Graciosa is a paradise for those who love sun and sea. El Salado, La Francesa and La Cocina, form a trio of wonderful beaches of white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters. 

In the north of the island, the sea is rougher and you have to be more cautious, but you cannot fail to visit Las Conchas, an imposing white sand beach at the foot of Montaña Bermeja, from which you can contemplate the uninhabited islets of Montaña Clara and Alegranza: a unique spectacle where nature has used all the colors.

The triumph of nature: volcanoes, tropical forests and breathtaking beaches

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7 reasons to choose the Canary Islands for your sailing vacation

  1. 1

    Admire spectacular natural landscapes: volcanoes, beaches, cliffs, secret coves, and more.

  2. 2

    Appreciate the serenity and kindness of the locals who will make you feel comfortable, as if you were at home

  3. 3

    The skipper is a profound connoisseur of the place, and will be able to show you the best itinerary and lead you to discover hidden places little traveled by mass tourism

  4. 4

    Besides sailing you can try your hand at other activities such as surfing, kite surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, which will make your experience even more complete and special. 

  5. 5

    The Canary Islands are a fairly inexpensive and easily accessible destination. A good alternative to exotic destinations.

  6. 6

    Taste excellent local cuisine mainly based on fresh fish, perhaps caught right off the boat.

  7. 7

    Discover all the "islands of eternal spring," where temperatures are pleasantly warm 365 days a year.

Water sports and breathtaking landscapes

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Practical info  

Geography

The Canary Islands is a large archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off northwestern Africa. It consists of 7 major islands and other islets, all of volcanic origin. Due to its geographical location, the Canary Islands are the southernmost and westernmost region of Spain. The role of capital is shared between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

How to get there

The best way to reach the Canary Islands from Italy is by air. You can find low-cost flights from major european cities to the different islands such as Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. On the other hand, if you want to opt for the ship, you have to reach the Spanish ports of Cadiz and Huelta, where they embark ships bound for the archipelago. 

Getting around

Transportation on the islands is very efficient. One can get around by public bus, cheap cabs or renting a car. On the other hand, to move from one island to another there are ferries and internal flights; in fact, each island has an airport.  

Climate

The Canary Islands, being located just north of the Tropic of Cancer enjoy an exceptionally mild climate. A cold sea current and trade winds, constant northeast winds, blow here. The climate is generally arid, although some areas of the more mountainous islands are verdant. In summer, daytime temperatures average between 27 and 29 degrees

Winds

The Canary Islands are subject to trade winds that blow constantly from the northeast. Some islands are affected more than others, such as Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. July is undoubtedly the windiest month of the year. 

Ports and marinas

The archipelago has more than 30 ports and marinas, spread somewhat over all the islands, with capacity for boats of all types and lengths. Most of them are equipped with modern and innovative facilities offering a wide range of services. 

Costs

For a sailing vacation in this area, an average of 700 to 1,000 euros per person is spent, to which must be added the extra costs of galley, fuel, and port stops. Prices may vary depending on the type of boat, offer and period.

Beaches to visit at least once during your sailing vacation

  • Playa de Confital, Gran Canaria

    A beach of rare beauty, you won't find anything like it in the surrounding area. It is a raw beach in perfect harmony with its surroundings. 

  • Playa del Juncal, Gran Canaria

    Its special feature that differentiates it from the others is the fact that it is stony. Difficult to reach by land, but easily accessible by boat. 

  • La Cocina, Isla La Graciosa

    Also called Yellow Mountain beach, it can only be reached on foot or by boat. It is a pristine cove sheltered from sea currents, often solitary, at the foot of the Yellow Mountain volcano. The contrast of colors between the volcanic yellow of the mountain slopes and the turquoise blue and green of the ocean is striking. 

  • Playa de Sotavento, Fuerteventura

    A nine-kilometer stretch of golden sand that at low tide turns into a crystal-clear lagoon. Huge natural pools created by the wind make it a place for endless walks and is a favorite beach for windsurfers and kitesurfers. 

  • Charco Azul, El Hierro

    This is one of the most distinctive and spectacular places to dive. Located in El Golfo Bay, it is a natural pool of volcanic origin submerged by ocean waters.

  • La Concha, Fuerteventura

    A spectacle of white sand and crystal-clear waters that ends in a natural cliff in the shape of a horse. It is located in the northeastern part of the island. Best visited in the evening, when during twilight the sky is tinged from ochre to violet.

  • Playa de Nogales, La Palma

    This beach encapsulates the essence of the island. It is surrounded by wilderness and protected by a cliff overlooking the Atlantic. Its main characteristic is the black sand that changes color during the day, manifesting itself in blue and gray tones.

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