Sailing the Canary Islands

While the Mediterranean fleets are hauled out for winter, the Canary Islands sail on. This volcanic archipelago off the coast of north-west Africa is Spain's — and Europe's — reliable winter-sun charter ground: 20°C in January, steady trade winds, deep Atlantic-blue water and some of the best whale and dolphin watching on the planet. It's a different kind of sailing from the Med — longer, more open passages between bigger islands, real ocean swell, black-sand beaches and lunar volcanic landscapes. Here's what to know before you charter.

The short answer

The Canaries sail year-round, and that's the point: they're at their best from November to April, when the Mediterranean is closed and the islands offer 20–24°C days and warm-enough water. The trade winds (the alisios) blow steadily from the north-east, strongest in summer. Expect longer hops than the Med — often 20–40 nautical miles between islands, across open Atlantic — so this is a charter ground for confident crews, not first-timers. Base at Tenerife, Lanzarote or Gran Canaria.

Why sail the Canaries?

• Winter sun — the standout reason. December-to-February days sit around 20–21°C with sea temperatures near 19–20°C; there's simply nowhere else in Europe to charter in comfort mid-winter.
• Steady trade winds — the north-easterly alisios give reliable, honest sailing, force 4–5 much of the year and stronger in the acceleration zones between islands.
• Wildlife — the deep channel between Tenerife and La Gomera holds resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins year-round; it's one of the world's premier cetacean-watching areas.

The islands and how they differ

• Tenerife — the biggest, dominated by the volcano Teide (Spain's highest peak). Bases at Los Cristianos and Radazul; great launch point for the western islands and the whale channel.
• Lanzarote — otherworldly volcanic landscapes, the marina at Rubicón, and the gateway to La Graciosa. A favourite for its scenery and its easy hop north.
• La Graciosa — tiny, car-free and gloriously wild, just north of Lanzarote across a short strait; sandy anchorages and the closest thing here to a Caribbean cay.
• Gran Canaria — big marinas (Las Palmas is a transatlantic hub) and a good central base.
• La Gomera & El Hierro — the quiet western islands, forested and dramatic, reached across the whale channel.

The trade winds and the passages

The Canaries are open Atlantic, not a sheltered sea, so respect the conditions:

• The alisios blow from the north-east, funnelling and accelerating between the high islands — the channel off the north of Tenerife and Gran Canaria can pipe up well beyond the general forecast.
• Swell — Atlantic swell rolls in from the north and west, so anchorages on the northern coasts are often uncomfortable; the sheltered south and east coasts are where you'll lie.
• Passages are longer — Lanzarote to Fuerteventura, or Tenerife to La Gomera, are proper 20-plus-mile open-water legs. Plan them for daylight and a settled forecast.

The upshot: this is rewarding, big-water sailing best suited to experienced crews, or those chartering with a skipper.

Sample routes

• Eastern loop (Lanzarote base): Rubicón → Fuerteventura's northern anchorages → back up to La Graciosa and the northern islets. Great scenery, moderate hops.
• Western loop (Tenerife base): Los Cristianos → across the whale channel to La Gomera → onward to El Hierro or La Palma for the bold. Big Atlantic sailing and the best wildlife.

A standard week comfortably links two or three islands at a relaxed pace. Because the passages are longer, resist the urge to over-plan — pick a loop and enjoy it.

When to go

• November–April — the marquee season: winter sun, warm days, cooler-but-swimmable water (~19°C), and the calmest trade winds.
• May–October — hotter and busier, but the alisios blow hardest in summer, making some channels genuinely lively.

Browse the fleet on the Spain charters map, or filter for a catamaran — the extra stability and deck space earn their keep in Atlantic swell.

Frequently asked questions

Can you sail the Canary Islands in winter? Yes — that's the whole appeal. November to April brings 20°C days and the most settled trade winds, when the Mediterranean charter season is closed.

Are the Canaries good for beginners? Less so than the Med. The passages are longer and more open, with real swell and accelerated trade winds, so they suit experienced crews or a chartered skipper.

What wildlife will I see? The channel between Tenerife and La Gomera holds resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins year-round — one of the best cetacean areas in the world.

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Ready to escape the winter? Explore live Spain charters with real per-person pricing, or start a group trip and split the cost with your crew.