1. Amarilla Marina
Our base Amarilla Marina in San Miguel de Abona, is an ideal starting point for your Canary Islands sailing tour due to its proximity to the airport (about 8km). The marina is located next to Amarilla Golf, a 18-hole golf course with view to the Atlantic Ocean. Above the marina there are several restaurants on the waterfront which surely offer the right dish for every taste. There are several small rocky coves nearby the port where a refreshing swim is possible. An endless promenade (partly an unpaved path) invites you for a relaxed walk along the sea.
2. Tenerife (Los Gigantes): 25 nm
After spending your first night on board, you feel ready for the first day on the Atlantic. However, you need to stay in the lee of the Teide, with 3.718 m Tenerife’s and even Spain’s highest elevation, to get used to the conditions of bluewater sailing. The day’s tack leads around the southern tip of Tenerife, past the tourist hotspots “Los Cristianos” and “Costa Adeje,” along the coast to the north. With the west coast on starboard, you will reach today’s destination “Los Gigantes” after several hours. The town is well-known for the cliffs that rise vertically from the sea up to 450 m. The view is spectacular, both on land and on water. The port entrance lies in the north/northwest direction. The shallow waters make it challenging to enter the port due to swell and undertow.
Suppose you have the time to spare, why not visit the „Playa de Masca“ with its pirate caves about 3 nm north of the port entrance of Los Gigantes. You can spend the rest of the day in the marina relaxing at the beach or go hiking on the famous cliffs. About 1 km from the marina, there is a Lidl supermarket and another 500 m further a Mercadona. Replenish your supplies here in case you forgot something.
3. La Palma (Santa Cruz de La Palma): 70 nm
You better get up early today because you are going on a long tack to Santa Cruz de La Palma. La Palma is also known as the “Isla Verde,” which means “Green Island.” It earned this name not least because forests make up 40 % of the island. The island has escaped mass tourism and has thus retained its original character.
If you keep heading northwest, you leave the cliffs behind and leave Tenerife’s lee after about 13 nm. From this point on, the sea can get a little rougher. Perhaps you are lucky enough to see or even be accompanied by the numerous whales and dolphins here during this day-long leg. It is a unique experience to see these majestic creatures of the sea up close. After a long day at sea, La Palma is getting closer. The port offers you two marinas: a smaller one at the west coast, in Tazacorte, and a new one at the east side in the island’s capital Santa Cruz de La Palma with large boxes and room to maneuver. If you are not too tired from sailing, why not take a stroll through Santa Cruz?
4. La Palma: Day at the port
After a filling breakfast, organize a car at the next car rental for the day to thoroughly explore the island. The numerous mountain passes lead you to the highest peak of La Palma, the “Roque de Los Muchachos.” Several observatories are situated on its ridge, making for an impressive sight.
On a clear day, you can spot the neighboring islands “La Gomera,” “El Hierro,” and “Tenerife” on the horizon. Even if the weather’s not playing ball, you still have a magnificent view of La Palma. Don’t miss out on the restaurants in the numerous small villages that offer their local specialties. With renewed strength, you could go on a hike through nature, past the vast banana plantations, or visit the “Molino El Regente“, a water-powered mill from 1873. The mill has been restored and converted into a museum. Next, you make your way back to Santa Cruz. Once there, you can bring the day to a close in one of the many tapas bars.
5. La Gomera (Valle Gran Rey): 52 nm
Be an early bird, because today you’re going on a long tack to La Gomera. With the north-east trade winds coming from the port side, you leave Santa Cruz heading south-east. Today’s destination, “Valle Gran Rey,” is the most famous tourist destination in La Gomera and is located on the southwest coast. The marina “Puerto Vueltas” is only used for local fishing and is thus designed for small fishing boats. Accordingly, your yacht can only be moored along the quay and the south pier. Therefore, you should give notice well in advance. You can anchor in a bay near the port entrance. It is located half a nautical mile south-east of the port. After mooring, why not put on your hiking shoes and explore the districts of “La Playa” and “Calera” Doing so also allows you to purchase food if you don’t want to stop at one of the restaurants. While Valle Gran Rey is considered the most important place for tourism, it is not mainstream and cannot be compared to Tenerife.
6. La Gomera (San Sebastián de La Gomera): 18 nm
Start the day with a generous breakfast because today’s leg of 18 nm is quite short. Your destination is the capital of the island, “San Sebastián de La Gomera“. The tranquil town with a population of around 9.000 is considered the starting point for Christopher Columbus’ trip to India, which led to the discovery of America. The marina “San Sebastián” is protected by the ports in the northern part. It is worth mentioning that the marina is equipped with electricity and water, as well as very tidy sanitary facilities.
You have several options for the afternoon program: The shortest takes you to „Playa de San Sebastián“. It allows you to relax. Those interested in culture could explore the tower “Torre del Conde”, the Columbus fountain, and the church “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.” Let it take you on a trip through time from the Renaissance to the present day. Rent a car to reach the Garajonay National Park. The national park offers the most extensive contiguous laurel forest on earth and countless hiking trails through unspoiled nature. With a bit of luck, you will be able to hear the unique whistle of the goatherds. You can round off the evening in one of the tapas bars.
7. Tenerife (San Miguel): 32 nm
A week of sailing is coming to an end, and finally, it’s time to sail miles again. After sailing around the pier, you’re heading in an easterly direction. With a bit of luck, you will have another chance to sail with whales and dolphins. If you have the time to spare, sail to Playa de las Américas and stop for a swim in the sheltered bay “Playa del Camisón” before heading back to Amarilla Marina. In the evening, you should take a taxi to return to Las Américas and complete the trip appropriately in the countless bars and pubs.
8. The farewell
After the last night on the ship, the trip ends after breakfast. Have a proper breakfast. You will leave the ship at around 9 a. m. We wish you a safe journey back home and look forward to welcoming you again soon!
1. Amarilla Marina
Our base Amarilla Marina in San Miguel de Abona, is an ideal starting point for your Canary Islands sailing tour due to its proximity to the airport (about 8km). The marina is located next to Amarilla Golf, a 18-hole golf course with view to the Atlantic Ocean. Above the marina there are several restaurants on the waterfront which surely offer the right dish for every taste. There are several small rocky coves nearby the port where a refreshing swim is possible. An endless promenade (partly an unpaved path) invites you for a relaxed walk along the sea.
2. Gran Canaria (Puerto Rico): 60 nm
The first day’s tack of 60 nm is a milestone rally. Therefore, we recommend that you get up early to sail against the wind eastwards to Puerto Rico, the water sports center of Gran Canaria. The two marinas, “Puerto Escala” and “Puerto Base,” are located in the Playa de Puerto Rico protected by two jetties and offer a safe harbor for the night. Between the two marinas lies the artificially created beach “Puerto Rico Beach“, the ideal place to enjoy the last hours of sunshine after a long day on the water. Countless restaurants along the harbor promenade offer a suitable dinner.
3. Gran Canaria (Pasito Blanco): 8 nm
Today begins a relaxed day of sailing with an extensive breakfast on the deck. Then it’s time to cast off to head for the Marina Pasito Blanco. After a short tack of about 2 hours, you will reach the marina. The port entrance is located along the jetty running eastward.
You should book a rental car for the day’s program to visit the archaeological open-air museum “Mundo Aborigen” in Fataga. The 11-hectare park showcases the everyday life of the Canarians – from before the Spaniards conquered the Canary Islands. Just about 40 km away from the open-air museum is the highest mountain on the island, the “Pico de las Nieves”. From here, you get to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the island.
Returning the car in Maspalomas allows you to experience an entertaining evening program here. The tourist hotspot on the island offers the right program for everyone. We recommend that you only have a few pints because tomorrow’s leg of the trip will be one of the longest.
4. Fuerteventura (Puerto de Morro Jable): 82 nm
The motto for today is: “Get up early and then sail, sail, sail!” Perhaps a school of dolphins will accompany your ship, inspiring you as they surf the bow waves.
Once you arrive in the port of Morro Jable, you should relax. Don’t forget to moor the boat thoroughly, as it can get rough in the marina due to gusts of wind and swell. If you arrive at night, entering the port can be a little more complicated, since visibility is down due to the background lights.
5. Fuerteventura (Gran Tarajal): 25 nm
After a tiring last day of sailing, today is comparatively relaxed with about 4 hours of sailing. From Morro Jable, you sail along the coast to Gran Tarajal, the third-largest town in Fuerteventura. The marina offers 250 berths on floating docks and along the inside of the jetty for the night and is relatively easy to access.
If you don’t want to relax on the black sand beach of Gran Tarajal after yesterday, you can rent a bike from the local bike rental for a tour of the Gran Tarajal region.
Although the town is not one of Fuerteventura’s tourist resorts, the many restaurants along the beach promenade offer several options for dinner.
6. Fuerteventura (Puerto de Corralejo): 45 nm
The last leg along the coast of Fuerteventura takes you north along the east coast past Puerto del Rosario until you see the strait between the famous hiking dunes and the island “Isla de Lobos”. Your destination is the port of the small town of Corralejo. The marina is located on the northern tip of Corralejo. Please keep in mind that the marina is tiny and offers no protection against the rough swell in unfavourable wind conditions.
A varied afternoon program is within walking distance of the marina. Those who love water will get their money’s worth at the „Acua Water Park“, which offers a wide range of water slides. Whoever loses the water slide competition gets to do the dishes. The „Dunas de Corralejo“ south of the city with the long sandy beaches are also a beautiful destination for the afternoon excursion. You get to watch the kitesurfers ride the waves. Hiking enthusiasts wouldn’t want to miss out on a trip to the „Volcanes de Bayuyo”. Corralejo, therefore, offers the perfect activity for every visitor.
7. Lanzarote (Puerto Calero): 19 nm
Today, a small highlight awaits you after getting up: For breakfast, you sail over to the island „Isla de Lobos” about 2.5 nm away, to combine your breakfast with a swim. The island is a nature reserve home to around 130 different plant species. However, you need a one-day visa to enter the island, which you must apply for beforehand.
After a filling breakfast, you set sail again to the marina “Puerto Calero” on Lanzarote around 16 nm away. During the journey between the islands, you may experience funnel effects caused by the north-east trade winds. Therefore, careful sailing is essential. The Marina Puerto Calero has evolved into a modern and exclusive yacht harbor over the past few years. Equipped with all the comforts and 420 berths, it is of sufficient capacity. You can depart on a buggy tour directly from the marina, leading you straight into the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote.
8. Lanzarote (Marina Lanzarote): 13 nm
Set the alarm, because today you should get an early start to sail to “Marina Lanzarote“. The day’s program is characterized by island culture, which is why you should allocate plenty of time. As you sail along the south coast of Lanzarote, you pass the tourist hotspot “Puerto del Carmen.” After about 2 hours, you reach the “Marina Lanzarote“. Please note the lateral buoys when you enter the port. Some parts of the harbor are dangerously shallow, which are difficult to detect even during the day. The modern marina is equipped with all the comforts and has an ample number of berths. In the marina, you rent a car for the day to reach the cultural attractions. The island’s culture is shaped by the artist “César Manrique,” whose works of art can be found all over the island. The tour, therefore, begins with a visit to Manrique’s former residence in Tahiche. The house was built into a lava flow and now serves as a museum. Your route from Tahiche leads to the northern tip of the island, where you can visit the best-known landmark in Lanzarote: The “Mirador del Rio”, a viewpoint created by Manrique, gives you a unique view of tomorrow’s destination “La Graciosa”. On the way back, you can pay a visit to the “valley of the thousand palm trees” in Haría or the cactus garden in Guatiza. For dinner, we suggest the restaurant “Los Aljibes” in Tahiche, which serves home-brewed beer.
9. La Graciosa (Caleta del Sebo): 28 nm
Before you return the car, you should do a bit of grocery shopping to have enough provisions on board for the next few days, since supplies on La Graciosa are spread thinly. The bow always points north as you follow the east coast of the island until you enter the narrowest point of the marina at the northern tip of the strait between Lanzarote and La Graciosa on the port side heading west. In 2018, the island officially became the eighth, and with its 650 inhabitants also the smallest Canary Island. The roads on the island are unpaved sand, and there are only a few cars of the locals, the majority of whom live from tourism and fishing.
Enjoy the afternoon, and let yourself go. Tomorrow’s day in La Graciosa has ample opportunities in store for you.
10. La Graciosa (Caleta del Sebo): Day at the port
A day to relax. What are your plans? How about a bike tour across the island or an extended hike, a snorkeling trip in the bays, or a lazy day at the beach? Use the day to relax again because the upcoming legs of the trip will be long.
11. Lanzarote (Marina Rubicón): 42 nm
This is it: You are leaving the most eastern and northern point of the trip behind you to sail with the north-east trade winds behind you along the west coast of Lanzarote. You pass the “Timanfaya National Park“ until you reach the lighthouse “Faro de Punta Pechiguera” to sail eastward again for the night. The “Marina Rubicón” will be the night’s lodging for tomorrow’s long tack to Gran Canaria.
12. Gran Canaria (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria): 110 nm
Your best bet is to leave the Marina Rubicón at the crack of dawn to tackle the highlight of all the legs to Gran Canaria. With the steady north-east trade winds behind you, you should manage this tack. With a bit of luck, you will also come across the native whales and dolphins. In the afternoon, Las Palmas finally appears, and the long leg of the trip is coming to an end. The marina “Puerto de la Luz” is equipped with all the comforts you will appreciate after such a day. However, you have another strenuous leg ahead of you the next day. So, conserve your strength and do not overindulge on wine for dinner.
13. Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife): 66 nm
Your body still sore from yesterday, you begin your final big tack back to Tenerife. Your destination is the island capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife with the “Marina Santa Cruz”. With around 300 berths, the marina always offers a place to stay for the night. Still, the other facilities are rather simple. However, the marina makes up for it with a convenient location near the city center. Even if you are tired and worn out from the long trip, the concert hall “Auditorio de Tenerife” is still worth visiting. Its impressive architecture is awe-inspiring. The auditorium is less than 1 mile from the marina and is easily accessible on foot.
14. Tenerife (San Miguel): 46 nm
The last day on the water begins, which leads you along the east coast of Tenerife with the trade winds behind as you make your way down the coast. You keep heading south until you finally reach the Amarilla Marina. Now you only have to get off the boat and find a suitable location for the evening. Whether you stay in the surroundings oft he port or take a taxi to Los Cristianos is entirely up to you, depending on how much energy you have left.
15. The farewell
After the last night on the ship, the trip ends after breakfast. Have a proper breakfast. You will leave the ship at around 9 a. m. We wish you a safe journey back home and look forward to welcoming you again soon!