BAVARIA CRUISER 56 - TENERIFE - DYC 144

Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off Spain’s southwest and northwest African coast. It’s known for its sunny, warm weather, attractive islands with black and white sand beaches, exciting prevailing winds and a long sailing season. It’s also handy that English is widely spoken among the friendly islanders.

The seven main Canary Islands include Tenerife, where we have our base, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. There are many other smaller islets nearby that you can discover while sailing Canary Islands. 

The world’s third highest volcano can be found on Tenerife, Mount Teide, which is also Spain’s highest peak. Thankfully you don’t need to be super fit to see the great views, you can just catch a ride in the cable car to the summit.

Lanzarote is home to a national park with impressive geological formations resulting from volcanic eruptions. If you love beach life, Fuerteventura has a coastline with 150km of white sand to explore. For a sub tropical experience, La Gomera offers a hiking trail in a luxuriant forest with rare flora and fauna. In Gran Canaria, see the volcanic crater or take the challenging 12km walk to the Roque Nublo monolith. 

Sailing Tenerife is fun for those who love marine life as you can see dolphins, pilot finned whales and even manta rays, if you dive in the fall. It’s a hotspot for watersports, especially surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing – so head to the breaks! Or you can relax on the black, volcanic sands.

During your yacht charter in the Canaries, make sure you taste the local delicacies. The volcanic landscape has provided a fertile ecosystem and on Lanzarote, vines grow in black sand craters. Try Táganan, Malmsey, Malvasia, Listán Negro or Listán Blanco. For food, you’ll find Spanish, Americas and African influences in the Canaries. Dine on the local’s favourite dish of wrinkled potatoes (Papas Arrugadas) with a mojo sauce, rich stew (Puchero Canario) and plenty of fish. Beware of gofio, roasted milled grains that are used in sweet and savory dishes – an acquired taste for some.To sail in Tenerife you will need a sailing license that is recognized by the local port authorities, or you can hire a skipper.