Sailing Paradise - Destination: THE CANARY ISLANDS

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Did you know that many people consider the
Canaries to have the best climate in the world?

Well, if you come from Northern Europe that's very understandable. Its climate and spectacular scenery make it the perfect location for a winter and spring sailing ground, with day time temperatures in the twenties throughout the months of November to April, rising to the high twenties/early thirties in the height of summer.

The Canaries consist of 7 Islands, Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma and of course Lanzarote. Each with its own personality, culture and variation on Canarian Cuisine. A Fascinating array of places to visit onboard your own Bareboat Yacht.

The Islands are an archipelago and were known to the ancient Greeks and other early civilisations. They are made from entirely volcanic origins, this is perhaps why the sights are so spectacular, even more so whilst cruising along the coastlines of any of the Islands. Offshore you will be amazed at the many variations in landscape, Tiede on Tenerife, is simply outstanding in the winter months, with its pretty, snowcapped peak. A photographer's dream and the backdrop to the start of your charter, holiday, or training course.

With so many Islands to visit you're assured of a very interesting trip... La Gomera, a world stood still, lush forest areas and where cattle still pull carts in the street... Fuertaventura, stunning sandy beaches and clear blue waters... the list goes on.

Food

When it comes to food, traditional Canary Islands cuisine has a very recent history. There is a great variety to choose from: patajas (a type of stew), mojos (a fabulous presentation of sources in vivid colours of red or green, rich and spicy), papas arrugadas (potatoes with thin skins cooked in salt), not to mention the gastronomic delicacies of viejos sancochadas (a cooked mild tasting parrotfish).

Little jewels can be found in the cheeses and wines of the Islands, many of which are to be found in only the best books and guides around the world. Eating out and having fun in the Canary Islands is simply unavoidable, from world-famous restaurants to small local bars, the choice is entirely yours.

Entertainment

Open air concerts and dances, theatres and casinos, pubs and discos — something for everyone. Yet, if you prefer the sanctuary of your Yacht then you'll delight in watching the sun gently set. Warm rich colours in the sky slowly disappear to make way for a dazzling sea of stars in the clear night sky. All this while you can sit back, relax and enjoy good company and perhaps a glass of wine or two on the aft deck.

Cruising the Islands will give you moments to remember forever. Marine life is abundant. Dolphins, whales and flying fish can often be seen, tails of huge marlin make colourful stories, add clear blue waters, clear blue skies and you'll want to return again and again.

Weather

At Canary Islands there is eternal springtime. Temperatures between the seasons vary only some 6° C, the monthly average temperatures are from 18° to 24° C (64,4° and 75,2°F). Ideal bathing conditions all throughout the year.

Language:

Spanish

Currency:

Peseta

Base Location:

Gran Canaria

THE ISLANDS...

Gran Canaria

The Small Continent... that is how this island is called because of its extremely varied landscapes with European, African and even American vegetation. The mountain range in the island's center, of a height of about 2000 meters, is cut by some bizarre canyons.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura, the island with the oldest history, has the longest beaches of all the archipelago, of wonderful fine sand. Only a narrow channel separates Fuerteventura from the African continent. It is a paradise equally for spending holidays at the beach as for fishing. There are great beaches even very close to the islands capital, Puerto Rosario.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is different, not only compared to the other islands, but to everything else on this planet. This extraordinary landscape seems to be of another world, and the inhabitants of the islands used to say that God forgot of Lanzarote on the Seventh Day of the Creation.

Lanzarote is of volcanic origin, as the other islands of the archipelago as well, but here volcanos have been active still in 18th and 19th century. Great parts of its surface are covered with ashes and lava, making you feel that you were on the moon.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest island of the archipelago. There are most varied landscapes: a mountain range with the mighty volcanic crater Cañadas del Teide, with a diameter of 20 kilometers, and the 3.718 meters high Teide in its center; extremely fertile valleys with important cultures of bananas and tomatoes; and a seaside offering as well beautiful steep coasts as wide beaches of fine sand.

La Palma

La Palma, the green island, has to show two world records: La Caldera del Taburiente is the world's largest volcanic crater, with a diameter of 9 kilometers and a depth of 770 meters. From the view-point Mirador de la Cumbrecita this terrific natural monument can be overlooked best. On the other hand you will find at La Palma the greatest elevation compared to the diameter. The island's highest mountain, Roque de los Muchachos, with an astronomical observatory at its peak, measures 2423 meters.

Gomera

This island is characterised by its central massif of a height of 1487 meters, dropping steeply to the sea. The region of Alto de Garajonay was declared a National Park. Particularly interesting are the population's very old and original popular customs. The inhabitants of the different valleys use to communicate with each other in a whistlinglanguage, comparable to the "yodling" in Central European Alps.

Hierro

The smallest island of the archipelago is an ideal place to make relaxing holidays in direct contact with nature. Its steep rocky coast is very different from the wide beaches which are dominating on the islands, though we find here as well a beach of 14 kilometers length, at Golfo.

From the central tableland, with volcanic craters and nice woods, and its highest peak, Malpaso (1.501 m), you will have a great panorama.