The Canary Islands are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean made up of seven main islands: El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. For this 300-mile itinerary in the Canary Islands, it is essential to choose the right boat, either a sailing boat or a catamaran with or without a skipper.
The Canary Islands are a paradise for sailing all year round. There are top-quality anchorages. The weather conditions are favourable for sailing thanks to the north-easterly trade winds associated with the altitude of the Azores.
Day 1: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Before setting sail, we suggest you take a stroll in this city. This city has resisted being conquered by pirates. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can experience the second most crucial carnival in the world.
While you are in Santa Cruz, you should walk to the Plaza de España, one of the most important parts of the city. Another favourite spot is the Mercado Municipal Tenerife, a market with neo-colonial architecture. A perfect place to feel the city’s atmosphere and see the people’s daily life. If you have time, you can walk to El Puerto Maritimo to discover the Castillo San Juan, also known as the Castillo Negro.
Time for boarding in the centrally located harbour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. For this first day of cruising, we are heading towards Puerto Mogán. During this leg, you will travel 49 nautical miles, seven hours sailing between the island of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Day 2: Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Puerto Mogán
48.9 nautical miles, 7 hours of sailing
Puerto Mogán is on the island of Gran Canaria, a small fishing port, nowadays converted into a marina with an authentic atmosphere. There, you will find its colourful Mediterranean-style houses lined with bougainvillaea. This atmosphere has a lot of charm. People often call the port “Little Venice” because of its network of water canals. Walking around is magical.
The second leg of this route is 73 miles (approximately 10 hours sailing) from the Canary Islands to San Sebastian.
Day 3: Puerto Mogán → San Sebastian de la Gomera
73 nautical miles, 10 hours of sailing
San Sebastian is the main town on the island of La Gomera, and its harbour was one of Christopher Columbus’ stops on his voyage to the United States. San Sebastian, protected by a natural bay, offers a safe mooring. This city has numerous places and monuments of interest such as the Church of the Assumption or the 15th-century Torre del Conde.
Day 4: La Gomera
Enjoy a day of sailing around the island of La Gomera. La Gomera is one of the smallest cities of the Canary archipelago. There are some places not to be missed: The national park of Garajonay, if you are a hiking enthusiast, you must visit this exceptional place. Far away from the hustle and bustle, you will find wild nature.
Day 5: La Gomera → Santa Cruz de la Palma
52.7 nautical miles, 7.5 hours of sailing
On the fifth day, we sail to Santa Cruz de la Palma. It is one of the most mountainous and humid islands of the Canary Islands. The old part of Santa Cruz de la Palma is classified as a historical and artistic site because of its numerous palaces and colonial-style buildings. It is about 7 hours of sailing.
Day 6: Santa Cruz de la Palma → Puerto Colón
65 nautical miles, 9 hours of sailing
We then head in the direction of Puerto Colón. Located on the island of Tenerife, Puerto Colón offers a harbour with many infrastructures and is protected by a curved dyke, where you can anchor. You can enjoy La Pinta beach and its golden sand. The distance between Santa Cruz de la Palma and Puerto Colon is 65 miles.
Day 7: Puerto Colón → Santa Cruz de Tenerife
47.2 nautical miles, 7 hours of sailing
We are about to finish this cruise in the Canary Islands. Then it is time to return to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It’s a 7-hour sail leaving you plenty of time to enjoy this modern city with lots of charm.
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