Ocean sailing: set course for the Canary Islands!

Known as the "Islands of Eternal Spring" due to their consistently pleasant weather, the Canary Islands occupy a small corner of Europe (an independent territory of Spain) and more importantly for us sailors — located in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands offer many a skipper the opportunity to make their dream come true of ocean sailing. Read on to find out everything you need to know about sailing there, including 2 fantastic sailing routes.  

The Canary Islands consist of seven main islands — Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. In addition to these, there are several other smaller islands of volcanic origin — La Graciosa, Alegranza, Isla de Lobos, Montaña Clara, Roque del Oeste and Roque del Este, which can be found in the Lanzarote area. Each of the islands is a little different and, as such, promises a different tourist and sailing experience.

Although the distances between the islands are short, the Canary Islands are definitely not the best choice for novice crews. It's important to remember that we're talking about the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and these are more challenging and treacherous than the Mediterranean.

On the other hand, for more seasoned skippers, the Canaries are an ideal opportunity to try out more challenging ocean sailing and anchoring in the safety of islands with a great yachting infrastructure. 

If you look at a map, you'll notice that the Canary Islands are divided into two groups of islands with different conditions on land and water. The ocean sailing around La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, where the Atlantic already makes its presence felt, is even a challenge for experienced crews. These islands are off the beaten track and will be enjoyed by those who love wildlife and endless ocean views.

In contrast, Lanzarote, which is closest to the European mainland and is a popular tourist destination, boasts a good yachting infrastructure and plenty of marinas. It is in the Lanzarote area that you will find the remaining smaller islands. They are often uninhabited and you won't see many tourists along their shores which makes them ideal if you are looking for privacy.

Of course, you can sail around all the islands in one go. But you should allow at least two weeks for that. Although the distances between the islands are relatively short, the Canaries offer way too many attractions to rush your visit.

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the closest islands to the mainland, and yet they're a little off the radar from the cluster of other islands. Along with the small surrounding islands, they provide the opportunity to get a feel for the waters around the Canary Islands thanks to relatively short crossings.

• Day 1: Arrecife, Lanzarote — La Graciosa Island
• Day 2: La Graciosa — Marina Rubicón, Lanzarote
• Day 3: Marina Rubicón, Lanzarote — Corralejo, Fuerteventura
• Day 4: Corralejo — Playa de la Concha de Lobos
• Day 5: Playa de la Concha de Lobos — Marina Calero, Lanzarote
• Day 6: Marina Calero — Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
• Day 7: Puerto del Carmen — Arrecife

Tenerife is the most common starting destination because of the two airports conveniently located in the north and south of the island, near which the main marinas are clustered. The route is suitable for more advanced crews who can handle anchoring in the open sea and longer crossings of between 40 and 75 NM. If you choose this itinerary, you'll be rewarded with dynamic sailing in gentler ocean waters and stunning views of the vibrant houses of Puerto Mogan harbour.

Popular anchorages well-protected against wind and swell (a series of waves at regular intervals that originate in the ocean and move offshore, where they rise and begin to break against a shallow bottom or other obstacle) are — Las Palmas, Vueltas and Punta de la Vega on Gran Canaria, La Puntilla on Tenerife, Playa Francesca on Lanzarote, Playa del Pozo on Fuerteventura, Paso de la Orchilla on Lobos and Playa de Chinguarime on La Gomera.

The Canary Islands are swept by from the north and northeast by winds called trade winds. They are known as such because they provided a good and stable propulsion for merchant ships sailing from Europe to South America. And as skippers, you can use them too when sailing from the northern parts of the islands towards the south and southwest. Trade winds are generally dry winds, but on the way across the ocean they pick up enough moisture to precipitate over the island mountains, bringing with them clouds but also optimum conditions for windsurfing and other water sports.

Winds from the Sahara: the Calima

The eastern islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are also influenced by the climate from Africa, especially the cold ocean current from the north that moves along the African coast. On the other hand, in July and August, heat waves can come from here, lasting only a few days, but bringing temperatures of around 40 °C, plus dust and sand that drifts through the air. Locals call this warm Saharan wind the Calima and it commonly reaches as far as Tenerife, where the fog of sand makes it impossible to see a thing.

Due to its location in the subtropical climate zone, the temperature on the islands ranges between 20 and 30 °C throughout the year. There are no big fluctuations between day and night temperatures. Nevertheless, especially when hiking in the mountains, you may be unpleasantly surprised by the significant differences between the weather at sea-level and at higher altitudes. Even if it's swimsuit-only at the beach, if you're going to the mountains, bring a waterproof jacket and a mid-layer. You'll really need it.

The Canary Islands are considered a bridge between four continents — Africa, North America, South America and Europe. In high season, you'll find visitors from all these continents, as each of the seven main islands has an airport, Tenerife even has two. After all, a plane is the best way to get to the islands. There are regular ferries from Portugal and Spain, but they take an unnecessarily long time to get there and the ticket price is comparable to flying from most European capitals.

For experienced crews, however, taking your own boat to the Canaries can be an interesting option. If you do this, you can stop off midway in Madeira, which we consider to be an advantage. And speaking of crossings, you can travel between the islands by plane, ferry, or on your own yacht — an option we're obviously interested in.

Boats on offer in the Canary Islands:

The Canary Islands will capture the heart of every scuba-diving sailor. Visibility here is normally over 30 metres and the water temperature doesn't drop below 20 °C even in winter. You'll enjoy breathtaking diving among the volcanic rocks and reefs . The Atlantic is much more varied than the Mediterranean, with schools of fish, giant porpoises, tuna, barracuda, moray eels, octopuses and turtles. You may also encounter dolphins, manta rays or whales.

The best diving spot is in the natural marine reserve off Lanzarote between its northwest coast and the islands of La Graciosa, Montaña Clara and Alegranza. The waters here are so protected that fishing has been banned, and even diving is only possible with a permit.

Despite its small size, the Canary Islands are home to an impressive number of famous sights. San Cristóbal de La Laguna is part of the metropolis of Santa Cruz de Tenerife — home to ancient temples and two monasteries, but best known for its vibrant colourful houses squeezed along its narrow streets. If you're tempted by even older dwellings, head to the island of Gran Canaria, where you'll find the archaeological site of the pre-Hispanic Risco Caído culture.

For nature lovers, head to Tenerife's Teide National Park. Its landmark is the Pico de Teide volcano, one of the largest volcanoes in the world and the highest peak in Spain. The area's beauty rivals that of Garajonay National Park on the island of La Gomera — a lush green jungle compared to rugged and rocky Teide.