Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are an archipelago of seven volcanic islands lying in the Atlantic roughly 100NM off the northwest coast of Africa. Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro each have distinct landscapes and character, from the black lava fields of Lanzarote to the dense forests of La Palma and the towering summit of Mount Teide on Tenerife. Inter-island passages are typically a day's sail, with the northeast trade winds providing reliable downwind conditions for much of the year.

The islands are one of the principal staging areas for Atlantic crossings, with Las Palmas on Gran Canaria serving as the main yachting hub and the traditional departure point for the ARC and other transatlantic rallies. Marina infrastructure is well developed on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, with smaller but serviceable facilities on the remaining islands.

Off the north tip of Lanzarote, the islet of La Graciosa is home to Muséo Atlántico, an underwater sculpture park by artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Montaña Amarilla is a volcanic cone with views over the anchorage and back to Lanzarote. On Lanzarote itself, Parque Nacional de Timanfaya covers the lava fields produced by eruptions between 1730 and 1736, a landscape of coloured craters and geothermally active ground.

On Gran Canaria, Maspalomas Dunes is a protected nature reserve of around 400 hectares at the southern tip of the island, where sand dunes meet a coastal lagoon. Roque Nublo is a 67-metre volcanic rock at the centre of the island with views across the interior.

Parque Nacional del Teide on Tenerife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site centred on Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 metres, with an extensive volcanic landscape of lava flows and rock formations.

On La Gomera, Parque Nacional de Garajonay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting an ancient laurel forest covering much of the island's interior highlands, frequently mist-covered and home to endemic species. Roque Iguala is a volcanic dive site with sponge-covered underwater structures and varied marine life.

On El Hierro, Natural swimming pool La Caleta and Playa de Tacorón are natural coastal swim and snorkel sites with clear water and reef structure. The La Llanía Route is a circular walk through cliff-top terrain and humid forest.

On La Palma, Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente is a wide volcanic caldera at the centre of the island with steep ridges and pine forest. Los Llanos de Aridane has a well-preserved historic centre with balconied streets.

Wind acceleration zones form between islands producing significantly stronger conditions than the surrounding open water.

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on reviews from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Las Palmas ★ 4.7 Gran Canaria A mix of anchoring experiences exists. Reviewers mention good holding with a mud and fine sand bottom, but caution about potential chain issues from rocks. The marina facilities are accessible for a fee, though cleanliness is a concern.
	Playa Francesa, La Graciosa ★ 4.5 Lanzarote The anchorage at Playa Francesa provides good holding in sand and is well protected from northwest to northeast winds. While official permitting is required, many visitors report no checks occurring. Clear water allows easy visibility of anchors, enhancing the anchoring experience.
	Montana Roja ★ 4.3 Tenerife The anchorage offers solid holding and ample space, providing good protection from northeast winds. Many visitors appreciated the easy access for dinghy landings and the scenic hiking opportunities nearby. Some noted occasional swell, particularly in specific wind conditions.
	Playa Venequera ★ 4.3 Gran Canaria Anchoring conditions are generally favorable with good holding noted in multiple Reviews. The area can experience some rolling swells, particularly in the afternoons. Accessibility to the beach varies, with one end of the beach being less affected by waves.
	Playa de la Gancha ★ 4.3 La Gomera Conditions can be wet and challenging when landing dinghies, especially near the beach. Visitors experienced gusty winds reaching 30 knots and appreciated the beautiful hikes to town. The anchorage is generally calm without unpleasant odors.
	Playa Cementos ★ 4.3 Gran Canaria A shingle beach near the factory allows for easy access to shore. While some visitors experience aggressive swell, others describe the anchorage as a safe spot away from crowds. The factory operates around the clock, creating some light and noise at night.
	Valle del Gran Rey ★ 4.1 La Gomera The anchorage features good holding on sand at depths of 8 to 14 meters. Strong gusts can occur, especially with winds rolling down cliffs. Limited water availability and nearby amenities are mentioned, along with concerns about swells affecting comfort.
	Anfi del Mar ★ 4.1 Gran Canaria The anchorage enjoys good protection from swell with sandy bottoms providing reliable holding. Visitors noted occasional noise during weekends and busy conditions from ferries and water activities. Accessibility to nearby amenities is eased by local restaurants and markets.
	Ensenada de Zapata ou de Antequera ★ 4.1 Tenerife Anchoring in the bay provides good shelter from winds, particularly from west to north. Gusts can be intense and should not be underestimated, requiring extra anchor chain for security. The area lacks mobile network connectivity.
	Playa de Las Vistas ★ 4.1 Tenerife This anchorage allows good holding in sand and has easy dinghy access to beaches. Frequent visits from police indicating a strict 48-hour anchoring limit may disrupt longer stays. Nighttime music and rolling conditions could affect comfort for some visitors.

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Marinas

	Puerto de Tazacorte ★ 4.7 La Palma The marina provides a quiet and well-protected environment, particularly compared to Santa Cruz. Friendly staff enhance the experience, and facilities are reported to be clean and warm. The location is somewhat remote but exceptionally tranquil.
	Puerto de Mogan ★ 4.6 Gran Canaria Berth availability requires advance booking, especially in peak season. The marina staff is helpful, and amenities are accessible, yet onboarding can be challenging due to tight fairways. Visitors recommend being prepared for low tide when docked at the wall.
	Marina Santa Cruz TENERIFE - Canaries ★ 4.6 Tenerife Visitors find the marina conveniently located near the city center, offering friendly staff and facilities. However, booking can be challenging, with pricing excluding taxes. Noise from nearby ferry operations can affect the experience, particularly close to the terminal.
	San Sebastian de La Gomera ★ 4.4 La Gomera The marina features friendly staff and clean facilities. Visitors appreciated the adequate laundry services and included utilities. The surrounding area boasts easy access to local shops and bus transportation, enhancing the overall experience.
	Marina de Las Palmas - Puerto de La Luz ★ 4.3 Gran Canaria Very affordable pricing for marina stays is noted, with some reviews highlighting helpful marineros and available facilities. Staff interactions can vary significantly, leading to mixed experiences. Visitors mention convenient access to restaurants and shops nearby.

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Boat services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on reviews from the noforeignland community:

Chandlers

	Nautica El Chopo ★ 5.0 La Palma The shop offers a wide range of items, with a focus on fishing gear. Visitors have reported it as well-stocked and appreciated the friendly, helpful staff. Access to diverse products is noted as a key advantage.
No image	Nautica El Gallego - Chandlery ★ 5.0 Gran Canaria The chandlery is well equipped, featuring a friendly staff. Reviews highlight the organized arrangement and overall positive experience of visitors. It operates regularly and seems to be a reliable resource for supplies.
	Nordest ★ 5.0 Tenerife Rigging services are offered at Nordest with the owner demonstrating dedication to sourcing materials promptly. The owner is multilingual and often working off-site, encouraging contact via WhatsApp to confirm shop hours. Availability has been noted consistently across Reviews.
	SH Duarte ★ 5.0 Lanzarote An impressive selection of marine supplies is available, with good prices compared to mail order. Visitors have noted helpful staff and an extensive stock, even behind the shelves. Overall efficiency and pricing appear favorable based on multiple Reviews.
	Inox Navale ★ 5.0 Lanzarote A large chandlery supplies various hardware and tools, including stainless stock. Visitors may need to inquire about additional items as not all stock is displayed. A notable selection is available, although some specific sizes may be out of stock.

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Useful yacht clearance links:

Yacht clearance reviews

The following lists summarize noforeignland user reviews for clearing in at ports of entry and when using clearance agents in Spain: