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The Canary Islands - Lush Atlantic Outposts
Sailing in the Canaries
Lush Atlantic Outposts
Forget any preconceptions you may have about the Canary Islands. The voyages start and finish in Santa Cruz, Tenerife which is simple to get to from the airport. Santa Cruz is a vibrant city with a large harbour and many attractions. We leave this city behind and headfor the Western Isles. La Palma, Gomera and El Heirro. You will see the real beauty of the Canaries archipelago and the people that live there. Unlike the Eastern Isles these are fascinating Islands with green verdant vegetation and brilliant walking.
Winter sunshine, a variety of wind strengths & bright stars
As a winter sailing destination there are many attractions:- the sunshine with typical average temperatures of 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) in January; good prevailing winds; and located on the migration trail for dolphins and whales. There are wind accelerations zones where the wind blasts between the mountainous islands, and quieter areas closer inshore.
Exploration ashore with your shipmates
There is nothing to beat being the main event as you come into a new harbour. Sailing is not only about arriving but also the chance to have a look around ashore. You will have this opportunity and sometimes a group tour can be organised in a minibus. There would need to be an additional charge for this. The permanent crew have ideas on the best things to see ashore, a beach BBQ or meal ashore might be proposed.
Mountainous Tenerife
Tenerife’s Mount Teide is actually the highest mountain in Europe and forms part of a large National Park with walks and nature trails. It is easy to organise a day trip from Santa Cruz to Mount Teide if you are so inclined. There are other walks in the north west of the islands where you can walk on sign posted paths from one village to another.
Vibrant TenerifeSanta Cruz in Tenerife is a vibrant city with museums and many cultural activities. The new Concert Hall is located on the waterfront in the Los Llanos are of Santa Cruz, in Tenerife. Situated between the Marine Park and the edge of the port, the auditorium connects the city to the ocean and creates a major urban landmark that vies with Sydney Opera House for flamboyancy.
Mardi Gras
No mention of Santa Cruz is complete without mention of the two week Mardi Gras or Carnaval Celebrations at the beginning of lent each year. Under the dictatorship of Franco Spain was not allowed to hold Mardi Gras Carnivals but little old Tenerife out beyond the mainland somehow got away with it.
As a result a lot of Spanish managed to holiday in Tenerife at the right time of year causing the Festival to grow and grow. The Santa Cruz Carnival has genuinely become 2nd only Rio de Janeiro.
La Gomera
This round little island hides many of its assets from the casual observer and to appreciate its full value you need to venture inland. Gomera has many splendid walks and the north west of the islands is a lot greener than the rest with terracing and banana plantations. The port of Gomera San Sebastian has a small marina and an intriguing Yacht Club situated through a tunnel in a large cave adjoining a beach.
Also on the island of La Gomera is the Parque Nacional de Garajonay. A park, listed on the World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with one of the oldest natural forests in the world.
La Palma—nature lovers and walkers island
La Palma, La Isla Bonita, is indeed “the beautiful island”, also known as flower island. The port of Santa Cruz, La Palma, has much old world charm and sitting outside a bar is a delight.
We do recommend that you take a tour of this island to visit its verdant forest, huge Caldera now full of pine forest and trails, sherry making and volcanic sites.
Win a Sailing Holiday for two!
Classic Sailing
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
Tel 0044 (0) 1872 580022
skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk