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I invite you to a yacht trip to the Canary Islands in November!
Why should I go to the Canary Islands?
Because this is one of the most amazing places on our planet. Here you can feel the powerful breath of the Atlantic Ocean, visit the most ancient relic forests, climb to the mouth of an extinct volcano, see sand dunes, explore the architecture of the XV century and, finally, meet whales!
This trip will be interesting both for those who will be on a yacht for the first time, and for those who have been on yacht cruises in the Mediterranean more than once and want to get a new yachting experience. In the ocean, the wave feels different, and the wind can be quite strong – there will be enough opportunities for practice. Hiking enthusiasts will be happy with walks on the islands, where we will see a variety of nature – from tropical forests to lifeless Martian landscapes. Every day we will have a different picture in front of our eyes: mountain cliffs, black sand beaches, charming Spanish villages and, of course, the majestic Atlantic Ocean. In general, there are enough impressions for a year ahead!
Why in November?
You can come to the Canaries in any season – spring is here all year round, the climate is mild and even without strong temperature fluctuations. And November is considered one of the most pleasant months in terms of weather: sunny, the average air temperature is 23 degrees, the water temperature is 20 degrees.
At this time of the year, there are not so many vacation options in warm countries, especially quite budget ones. The Canaries are also good because the prices on the islands are quite democratic – both for products in supermarkets and for parking in marinas. There is nothing better than to go at this time into the world of bright sea adventures, white sails, strong winds and a friendly team!
By the way, about friendship, these are not just words: the yacht's crew gathers the same cool adventurers as you. This is often how people find future friends, with whom they then make more than one trip together.
How does everyday life work?
We are traveling on a comfortable cruise yacht, where there are three cabins, two bathrooms with shower and hot water, a comfortable mess room with a kitchen. For a week, the yacht becomes a house in which a maximum of 6 people + the captain live. Here we spend the night, cook, sail or use the engine if there is no wind. The cabins have small lockers for storing clothes and closed niches for bags (it is better not to take solid suitcases). Comfortable showers are also available in all marinas, where we will stay overnight. As for the food, the approximate menu is discussed with the team in advance, and at the beginning of the trip, the purchase of products is made according to the compiled list. As a rule, we prepare simple breakfasts and lunches on the yacht, and have dinner in restaurants in marinas.
You need a Schengen visa to visit the islands.
If you do not have it, there is still a chance to do it by the end of September: the deadline for issuing visas by the Spanish consulate is one of the fastest (from 10 days after submitting documents), but you need to make an appointment to submit documents.
What will be our route?
We will explore two islands: Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Here is a detailed program by day:
1 day. Marina Santa Cruz
We meet at the Santa Cruz marina, place things on the boat, buy groceries. After lunch, we get into a rented minibus and go for a walk to a wonderful place – the Rural de Anaga Park, a nature reserve on the territory of a mountain range about 40 minutes from the city. We are waiting for a walk in a fabulous forest between relict trees and stunning mountain landscapes reminiscent of the views of Pandora from the movie "Avatar". We have dinner at the restaurant there and return to the boat.
Day 2. Santa Cruz – Guimar (13 miles)
We go through safety procedures, get used to the boat and go out to sea. On this day, we have planned a short walk along the coast to the marina of Guimar, which will take about two hours. After lunch, we set off to explore one of the mysteries of Tenerife – the stepped pyramids of Guimar, reminiscent of the ziggurats of Mexico and Peru. At one time, they amazed Thor Heyerdahl, who established that all these structures are oriented according to the heavenly bodies. This supported his hypothesis that in ancient times the Canary Islands were part of a route connecting America and the Mediterranean. Now an ethnographic park has been organized in Guimar, where, in addition to exploring the pyramids, you can walk through the botanical garden.
Day 3. Guimar – Las Galletas (25 miles)
We will spend about four hours at sea and dock in the cozy fishing town of Las Galletas on the southern tip of Tenerife Island. Here we can see beaches with black volcanic sand, but the main thing is that it is convenient to get from here to the Teide National Park, in the center of which stands the volcano of the same name. Teide is the highest point not only of the Canary Islands, but also the third largest volcano in the world: its height is 3718 meters. The aborigines called him the devil, because any volcanic eruption destroyed the villages at the foot. But he hadn't woken up in over a hundred years, and on A funicular was built on its slope, which rises to a height of 3555 meters. It is most convenient to rent a car and, stopping along the way, admire the views from the observation decks: first deciduous and coniferous forests, and then, once above the clouds, lifeless lunar landscapes formed by frozen lava.
Day 4. Las Galletas – Puerto de Mogan (50 miles)
On this day, we will need to leave early to go through one of the most difficult sections of the sea route (the crossing will take about 9 hours) and get to the second island of our trip – Gran Canaria. In the evening we will walk through one of the most picturesque towns of Gran Canaria, which is called "Venice of the Canary Islands". Puerto de Mogan, with its numerous canals, white houses and colored shutters, was built by the Spanish artist Rafael Neville and has become one of the main attractions of the island.
Day 5. Puerto de Mogan – Pasito Blanco (10 miles)
We take a break from a long sea crossing and move very close to the small village of Pasito Blanco in the south of Gran Canaria. Here you can wander through the cozy streets with pleasure, as well as try a game of golf – a golf course is adjacent to the village. But still, the most interesting experience will certainly be a visit to a real desert: the dunes of Maspalomos are located 10 minutes away by car. We will walk along the sandy trails, feeling like we are on Arrakis, look into the operating 60-meter lighthouse on the beach and, if it is warm, swim in the ocean.
Day 6. Pasito Blanco – Las Palmas (35 miles)
On this day, we will walk about 6 hours by sea and find ourselves in Las Palmas, the largest city in the Canary Islands with a five-century history. Here we take a look at the Columbus House Museum, where the legendary navigator stayed in 1492 at the very beginning of his journey to America. In the evening, we will walk through the quarters of the historical city center, admiring the cathedrals of the late XV century.
Another interesting feature of Las Palmas is that it is from here that the annual Transatlantic regatta Atlantic Rally for Cruisers starts at the end of November, which attracts yachtsmen from all over the world. So we can be right in the thick of the action and watch as its participants prepare for the ocean crossing.
Day 7. Las Palmas – Santa Cruz (50 miles)
On the seventh day of our trip, we will have the longest crossing of the ocean, which will take about 10 hours. It is quite possible that we will be greeted by strong winds and waves, but by this time the team will have got used to the yacht and will feel like real sailors. It's time to practice yacht management, hone your skills at the helm, setting and cleaning sails. We will arrive at the Santa Cruz home marina in the evening, so we are not planning any excursions for this day. But a delicious dinner at a restaurant on the shore, and then watching a movie on sails – of course, about seafarers! – they will be a great end to this sea day.
Day 8. Marina Santa Cruz
Packing up, having breakfast, check-out from the boat before 10.00.
This concludes our trip, but if you haven't left the Canary Islands yet, there are two recommendations for an independent visit:
1) if you want to relax after a busy program. The Palmetum Botanical Garden in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a great place to retire to nature, wander along the most beautiful paths among all kinds of palm trees and lianas, relax on observation decks with ocean views.
2) if you are ready to make another trip around the island. Rent a car and head to Benijo Beach in the north of Tenerife, driving through the picturesque mountain village of Taganana. Benijo is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island – but swimming there is quite unsafe. Its beauty lies in its pristine wildness: black volcanic sand, rocks, waves crashing against huge rocks. It is often cloudy in those parts, but this kind of weather allows you to feel the spirit of the Atlantic Ocean as well as possible.
The route may be changed due to the deterioration of the weather or any other unforeseen situations that may pose a threat to the health and life of the participants of the trip.
Event ships
Event prices
50
Prepayment is made without additional charges
final cleaning
snorkeling
sup board
skipper
Ship's ticket office: food, parking in marinas, fuel
250 €
One place in a double cabin on the yacht
6
890 €
How to get there
