Canary Islands

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Canary Islands Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing in the Canary Islands

Canary Islands
Canaryislandsmap.jpg
Map - click for larger view
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28°6.25′N, 15°52.58′E
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Chartlet
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Flag
Capitals: Santa Cruz
World icon.png 28°28′N, 16°15′W
Las Palmas
World icon.png 28°9′N, 15°25′W
Language: Spanish
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Timezone: UTC+0 (DST observed)
More notes about the country
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Content - news items, etc.
The Canary Islands, also known as the Canaries (Spanish: Islas Canarias), are a group of islands located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa. The cities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are joint capital cities.

The islands are an autonomous region of the kingdom of Spain. There are two theories on the derivation of the name: one is that it was the name of a north African tribe (the Canarii) and the other that it comes from the Latin term Insularia Canaria meaning Island of the Dogs. The islands were known to the Carthaginians and it is believed that they were found by he Carthaginian captain Hanno the Navigator in his voyage of exploration along the African coast. The Greeks knew about the island and called them the Hesperides. Archaeological excavations have found several Roman artifacts so it is established there was some trade with the Romans. In the late middle ages Europeans "discovered" the islands. The Spaniards conquered the island in the period between 1402 and 1496. They colonized the islands and cultivated them first with sugar cane and then with vineyards. In the 1500s the islands were an important stopping point in the trade routes with America, Africa, and India, and the port of Las Palmas became one of the most important ports of the Spanish Empire. They brought great prosperity to the island as evidenced by palaces and churches still remaining.

Today tourism is the main industry. This has led to overexploitation of the land and the destruction of many of the beautiful coastlines now covered by ugly concrete high-rise buildings.

The islands are outside European Union customs territory, though politically within the EU. That means that parts imported from Europe are subject to customs and considerable bureaucratic delays.

Many yachts congregate in the Canaries from November to January to prepare for crossing the Atlantic.

Canaries Climate & Weather

The climate of the Canaries can be mild and wet or very dry. It depends on the trade winds. The north-easterly is the prevailing wind over the Canaries.

Sources for weather forecasts:

  • Weather on Line gives detail 7 day forecast charts for the Canaries
  • Wind GURU is a surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts
  • Passage Weather Passage Weather, gives accurate info in the Canary Islands for the next 7 days.

Charts

BA
1869 Gran Canaria to Hierro
Imray
E2 Canary Islands
51260 Islas Canarias (Western Group)
National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA)
51022 Cap Juby to Baie du Levrier including the Canary Islands

Approach and Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.

Arrival/Departure procedures

The Canary Islands are part of Spain and as such are members of the European Union. The islands are however outside the VAT region. The normal EU regulations apply, though the authorities tend to treat all arriving vessels as if coming from a non-EU country.

On arrival, the skipper must report to the Port Authority or marina office who will advise on procedures. Marinas will contact the relevant authorities on your behalf. As the Canaries are duty-free, yachts are not required to clear customs.

You can cruise around the islands (after having checked in) with no restrictions - documents may however be checked at subsequent ports.

Note: If you intend leaving the Canaries by any other means (i.e. by air) you must ensure that Immigration stamps your passport on entry.

Customs and Immigration

Immigration

Visa exemptions and requirements are the same as for Spain.

Passports of crew are not normally stamped on arrival.

Visas are not required for nationals of West European countries, Canada and the United States, as well as Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Uruguay and Venezuela. Children under 14 of any nationality do not require visas if they have their own passports.

Most nationalities are given 90 days' stay on entering Spain. Visas are required for all other nationals, or for stays longer than 90 days, to be obtained in advance from a Spanish consulate abroad.

Customs

  • There is no restriction on firearms
  • You may lay up your yacht in the Canaries - the authorities must be informed and they will "seal" the boat so that duty is not liable.
  • PETS: The Canary Islands fall under the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) and animals are allowed in and out providing they have a "Pet Passport", microchip, current Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination Certificate issued by a recognised Veterinarian. They should also have been blood tested prior to travel as detailed under the scheme.

Fees and Charges

  • Harbour Tax

Restrictions

There is no restriction on firearms.

Health and Security

Health

Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply here.

Security

Details?

Islands in the Group

Key to symbols: |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data ||
Lanzarote Lanzarote/wiki/Lanzarote Needs data icon – needs data |
FuerteventuraFuerteventura/wiki/Fuerteventura Needs data icon – needs data |
Gran Canaria
Tenerife Tenerife/wiki/Tenerife Needs data icon – needs data |
Arrecife Arrecife /wiki/Arrecife Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |
Marina Rubicon Marina Rubicon /wiki/Marina_Rubicon Marina icon – marina |
Playa Blanca Playa Blanca /wiki/Playa_Blanca Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto Calero Puerto Calero /wiki/Puerto_Calero Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto Carmen Puerto Carmen /wiki/Puerto_Carmen Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Corralejo Corralejo /wiki/Corralejo Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Anchorage icon – anchorage |
Morro Jable Morro Jable /wiki/Morro_Jable Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto Castillo Puerto Castillo /wiki/Puerto_Castillo Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto Rosario Puerto Rosario /wiki/Puerto_Rosario Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Agaete Agaete /wiki/Agaete Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Amfi del Mar Amfi del Mar /wiki/Amfi_del_Mar Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Arguineguin Arguineguin /wiki/Arguineguin Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Las PalmasLas Palmas/wiki/Las_Palmas_de_Gran_Canaria Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |
Pasito Blanco Pasito Blanco /wiki/Pasito_Blanco Marina icon – marina |
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico/wiki/Puerto_Rico,_Canaria Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto de Mogan Puerto de Mogan /wiki/Puerto_de_Mogan Marina icon – marina |
Candelaria Candelaria /wiki/Candelaria Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Los Cristianos Los Cristianos /wiki/Los_Cristianos Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Los Gigantes Los Gigantes /wiki/Los_Gigantes Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto ColonPuerto Colon/wiki/Puerto_Colon,_Tenerife Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Radazul Radazul /wiki/Radazul Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
San MiguelSan Miguel/wiki/San_Miguel,_Tenerife Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data |
Santa CruzSanta Cruz/wiki/Santa_Cruz_de_Tenerife Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data |
La Gomera La Gomera /wiki/La_Gomera Needs data icon – needs data |
El Hierro El Hierro /wiki/El_Hierro Needs data icon – needs data |
La Graciosa La Graciosa /wiki/La_Graciosa Needs data icon – needs data |
La Palma La Palma /wiki/La_Palma Needs data icon – needs data |
Playa Santiago Playa Santiago /wiki/Playa_Santiago Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
San SabastionSan Sabastion/wiki/San_Sebastian,_Canaries Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Vueltas (Valle Gran Rey)Vueltas (Valle Gran Rey)/wiki/Vueltas Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
La Restinga La Restinga /wiki/La_Restinga Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Puerto de la Estaca Puerto de la Estaca /wiki/Puerto_de_la_Estaca Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
La GraciosaLa Graciosa/wiki/La_Graciosa,_Canaries Harbour icon – harbour |Needs data icon – needs data |
Santa Cruz de la Palma Santa Cruz de la Palma /wiki/Santa_Cruz_de_la_Palma Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data |
Tazacorte Tazacorte /wiki/Tazacorte Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data |

Cruiser's Friends

Hi, I am Agustín. If You are travelling to the Canary Islands, I live in Gran Canaria, in the south of the island, in Pasito Blanco. My CF name is Navegante and my email address is Email. Do not hesitate to contact Me for any help I can give You. Good sailing..!!

References & Publications

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:


This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos


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