The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands is an archipelago of seven main islands and six islets, all of which are actually the tips of a vast volcanic range that lies beneath the Atlantic Ocean. All the islands are of volcanic origin and offers strikingly diverse landscapes including remarkable sub-tropical flora, luxuriant pine woods, giant sand dunes and mountain peaks.

The island of Tenerife is home to the world's third largest volcano, Teide, and all the volcanic activity of the Canaries has produced a rich, fertile soil. The climate of the Canary Islands is pleasant all year round with mean temperatures rarely dropping below 18 degrees C, even in winter. The northern side of the island group is sub-tropical, while the southern side is drier, and the islands with flatter terrain receive virtually no rain at all. The guaranteed sunshine and stunning array of landscapes provide a unique destination choice with diverse local culture and fascinating natural heritage.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary archipelago. A mountain chain running through its heart gives rise to a wide range of dramatic scenery, climaxing at the peak of Teide, which cuts an impressive silhouette especially with its snowy winter cap. The vibrant natural landscape of Tenerife is full of luxuriant greens, the deepest blues and a technicolour palette of exotic foliage. The coast is a delightful mix of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. Explore the numerous small fishing villages and stop for the night in perfect anchorages amongst the rocky coastline of impressive cliffs and clear blue waters teaming with life.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria offers so much natural diversity. Its magnificent central peaks, rising over 2000m, plunge to the shore leaving dramatic ravines in their wake, and the mountains and steep cliffs are shrouded in tropical vegetation, including palm forests and banana trees. Coffee plantations and vineyards nudge desert areas and sandy beaches and Las Palmas, the thriving, bustling capital, offers a contrast for those who enjoy scouring shops and exploring the richness of local architectural heritage.

La Gomera

La Gomera is a mountainous, densely wooded island. The coastline is spectacularly rugged and punctuated by cliffs that plummet into the transparent waters where Columbus once prepared his ships. La Gomera has a tangible sense of history and its breathtaking variety of landscapes make a fascinating stop off during your charter.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote, the fourth largest and eastern most of the Canary Islands lies 200km north-east of Gran Canaria, and just seventy miles off the west coast of Africa. Lanzarote is particularly arid and has a stunning and totally unique volcanic landscape that has been deemed a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and well worthy of thorough investigation. A popular holiday destination, Lanzarote is enjoyed by visitors from all over the world soaking up the guaranteed sunshine virtually all year round, and taking advantage of the abundance of facilities and excellent choice of attractions and things to do. The sailing conditions are excellent due to the year-round climate, the warming influence of the Gulf-Stream and the favourable trade winds. Travelling from Isla Alegranza in the north to Isla de Lobos in the south you will find secluded anchorages, rocky coves and beautiful sandy beaches. Old fashioned fishing villages and modern marinas with an array of restaurants and bars will provide you plenty of variety and you may even see bottle nosed dolphins and short fin pilot whales that frequent this area.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura, with its huge beautiful beaches is the island with the longest coastline. Its rolling plains and fertile valleys offer a tranquil haven to the many visitors that come to this wonderful Island year round. It is known as the Old Canary Country, and the pace of life and local traditions have stayed virtually unchanged by progress, adding to the atmosphere of calm and quaintness. Fishing is excellent in this area with swordfish, sardines and tuna abundant in these crystal clear waters.

Weather Conditions

Climate

General weather for the Canary Islands

Sailing in the Canary Islands can be quite challenging with some long passages between some of the islands and considerable winds funnelling as they pass between them. The Canary Islands are recommended only for experienced sailors. The prevailing wind is from the north east.

The Canary Islands have a mild climate which occurs largely because of the islands’ location in the path of the Canary current. The archipelago generally experiences mild winters and warm summers. Year round the Canary Islands receive warm, sunny weather with an average temperature that ranges from 18°C in the winter to 25°C in the summer. It is not unusual for temperatures to rise above 30°C in the peak of summer, especially in eastern areas. The islands closer to Africa are hotter and drier than those to the west.

The northwest coasts of the islands are often significantly cooler and wetter than the south coasts as the northeast is exposed to the predominant northeast trade winds but the west is exposed to hot, dry winds from the African continent. The flora and fauna can also vary from north to south. The north coasts are luscious while the southern slopes are usually sunny deserts.

Average Conditions - Tenerife:

Current Forecast:

Santa Cruz De Tenerife Forecast

Day	Temp	Wind	Wave	Vis	Weather
Thu 21st	24°C	14 kts	4.3 ft	4 miles
Fri 22nd	24°C	18 kts	6.5 ft	6+  miles
Sat 23rd	23°C	17 kts	7.1 ft	5 miles
Sun 24th	24°C	12 kts	5.4 ft	3 miles
Mon 25th	25°C	8 kts	5.6 ft	2 miles

Weather Forecast by Weather2

General Information

Flights to Canary Islands
There are regular international flights to Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria from all over Europe. La Palma airport receives a limited number of international flights. Local flights run by Binter Canarias (www.binternet.com) link all the island and also go to Madeira, Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania. Iberia (www.iberia.com), Air Europa (www.air-europa.com) and Spanair also fly between the islands and mainland Spain.

Flight Times:
From London to Las Palmas or Tenerife takes 4 hours 15 minutes.

Money in Tenerife

ATM:
ATMs are available in most towns.

Banking hours:
Mon-Fri, generally 0830-1330.

Credit cards:
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available in most towns.

Currency information:
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Traveller’s cheques:
International traveller's cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling. Traveller's cheques should be changed at banks or exchange bureaux.

Language:
The principal language is Spanish.

Internet:
There is a variety of Internet cafés in most urban areas.

Media:
Broadcasting in Tenerife has witnessed a spectacular expansion in recent years with the emergence of new commercial operators and the launch of digital services.

Mobile telephone:
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good throughout most of the country.

Telephone:
Emergency calls: 112. Area codes are incorporated within a nine digit number.