Canary Islands Sailing Odyssey

 

The Canary Islands offer stunning landscapes, consistent winds, and well-equipped marinas, making them a fantastic destination for sailing.

Day 1: Gran Canaria (Las Palmas Marina)

Arrival and Preparation: Arrive at Las Palmas Marina, stock up on provisions, and familiarize yourself with your vessel.

Explore: Visit the old town, Vegueta, and enjoy local Canarian cuisine.

Overnight: Dock at Las Palmas Marina.

Day 2: Gran Canaria → Tenerife (Santa Cruz Marina)

Distance: ~60 nautical miles (~10-12 hours)

Highlights: A long but rewarding sail to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Look out for dolphins and pilot whales en route.

Overnight: Dock at Santa Cruz Marina. Explore the city center and enjoy local tapas.

Day 3: Tenerife (Santa Cruz) → La Gomera (San Sebastián Marina)

Distance: ~30 nautical miles (~5-6 hours)

Highlights: Sail to La Gomera, known for its lush greenery and dramatic cliffs.

Explore: Discover San Sebastián, the island's charming capital, and learn about Christopher Columbus’s connection to the island.

Overnight: Dock at San Sebastián Marina.

Day 4: La Gomera Exploration

Activities: Rent a car or take a tour to explore Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a hike or simply relax in the tranquil surroundings.

Overnight: Return to San Sebastián Marina.

Day 5: La Gomera → El Hierro (Puerto de La Restinga)

Distance: ~40 nautical miles (~6-8 hours)

Highlights: Sail to the smallest and westernmost Canary Island, El Hierro, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Explore: Visit La Restinga, known for its vibrant underwater world, ideal for divers.

Overnight: Dock at Puerto de La Restinga.

Day 6: El Hierro → La Palma (Santa Cruz Marina)

Distance: ~60 nautical miles (~10-12 hours)

Highlights: A longer sail to La Palma, also called "La Isla Bonita" for its stunning landscapes.

Explore: Relax in Santa Cruz, a colonial-style town with cobbled streets and colorful balconies.

Overnight: Dock at Santa Cruz Marina.

Day 7: La Palma Exploration

Activities: Visit Caldera de Taburiente National Park for hiking or explore the volcanic Ruta de los Volcanes.

Overnight: Dock at Santa Cruz Marina.

Day 8: La Palma → Tenerife (Los Gigantes Marina)

Distance: ~50 nautical miles (~8-10 hours)

Highlights: Sail to Los Gigantes on the west coast of Tenerife, famous for its dramatic cliffs.

Explore: Enjoy a relaxing evening with views of the cliffs.

Overnight: Dock at Los Gigantes Marina.

Day 9: Tenerife → Gran Canaria (Pasito Blanco Marina)

Distance: ~60 nautical miles (~10-12 hours)

Highlights: Head back to Gran Canaria, docking at the charming Pasito Blanco Marina on the south coast.

Explore: Relax on nearby beaches or visit the lively town of Maspalomas.

Overnight: Dock at Pasito Blanco Marina.

Day 10: Gran Canaria (Pasito Blanco → Las Palmas)

Distance: ~40 nautical miles (~6-8 hours)

Highlights: Sail back to Las Palmas Marina, completing your loop around the Canary Islands.

Farewell: Return your vessel, explore Las Palmas if time allows, and prepare for departure.

Key Tips:

Weather and Winds: Be prepared for the northeast trade winds, which can be strong but consistent.

Navigation: Ensure you have up-to-date charts and GPS equipment.

Marinas: Most marinas require advance bookings, especially in high season.

Safety: Keep an eye on forecasts and always have a backup plan for unexpected weather.

Would you like help planning your next trip?

Please let us know about your sailing experience and where you're planning to go by using our Contact Form on this Blog, with your requirements to receive immediate help and assistance and using our Vast Knowledge and Experience to Help and Guide You.

WITH 12,000 RENTAL YACHTS ACROSS 60 COUNTRIES WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE ?

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Helpful Yacht Rental Holiday Tips

 

Most yacht rental holidays are happily completed with few issues and little or no damage done. Lost items and boat repairs are deducted from your security deposit, as well as potentially interfering with your holiday enjoyment. Boating requires a certain level of practical ability, and it is best when you can deal with minor issues yourself rather than putting your holiday on hold waiting for a technician. Ideally, you will have no problems at all. Here are some tips to be aware of:-  

Running batteries too low.

Keep an eye on the amp meter and maintain the battery charge above 60% at all times. If batteries run too flat there is a good chance they will not accept the charge from the alternator. 

Overusing the air conditioning.

Boat A/C units are recreational-vehicle standard and the technology is much lighter than your heat pump at home, If you run the aircon for an extended period with hatches and doors open, expect it to eventually fail,

Not securing the dinghy.  

The classic case of “I thought you were tying it up” when the dinghy is nowhere to be seen in the morning. A good rule to follow is for the first person out of the dinghy to take the painter, handing it to the skipper after he or she has unloaded.

Running the outboard up on the beach.

Such treatment is sure to shear the propeller pin. An easy fix for an engineer, but meanwhile you are without a powered dinghy. 

Power winches.  

These have the power to tear sails, rip fittings off the deck and damage whatever is hindering their progress. Make sure everything is clear to run, observing the winch in operation as well as the job it is doing. The winch motor’s sound changes as it loads up or slows down. When you hear a change in tone, take your finger off the power button and find out what is causing it. 

Lazy jacks and furling mains.  

Raising and lowering the mainsail should not be done in haste. Make sure all the reefing lines run free. There may be retrieval lines holding the head of the main and halyard away from the mast that need to be released. Make sure the stack pack sail bag is not still zipped or clipped. Battens inevitably get caught on lazy jacks on the sail’s way up. Have one person on the main halyard to release it as it catches the lazy jacks. Holding the boat dead into a shifty wind is not always possible. Sometimes it helps to come down 10°, allowing the main to flop over and the battens to clear at the critical moment, then doing the reverse. If you continue the hoist with jammed battens, the stack bag will tear from the boom as it goes up with the sail. If your rental boat has a furling mainsail, make sure the retrieval line is released and everything is clear to run. If you break this mechanism with overzealous use of the winch, you will be without a main for the trip. Or worse, you may be stuck with one you cannot get down.

Fouling the propeller.  

When under motor keep watch on the dinghy painter and an eye out for any fishing nets or flotsam that may be near. If your prop picks something up, ideally the engine will stall and you can clear it manually. At worst, there is a mechanism in the prop drive designed to break before excess loads transfer to the gearbox.

Loose items on deck.

 Every sailor understands that the elements occasionally claim hats and other personal items. But you don’t want to lose gear to light-fingered passers-by. Generally, security is not a big issue aboard, but precautions are still advised. Loose items like fishing rods left on deck are known to disappear overnight, just too big a temptation for some locals to ignore. 

Would you like help planning your next trip?

Please let us know about your sailing experience and where you're planning to go by using our Contact Form on this Blog, with your requirements to receive immediate help and assistance and using our Vast Knowledge and Experience to Help and Guide You.

WITH 12,000 RENTAL YACHTS ACROSS 60 COUNTRIES WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE ?

#yachts2rentnow