Routes to the Canary Islands

There are obviously many routes to the Canary Islands, but here we concentrate on the most popular. We have used a central arrival point of Las Palmas marina, Gran Canaria. The only danger on approaching the islands, which are well lit and for the most part steep too, are the Selvagen Islands. All distances are approximate and given only as a rough indication. All the islands have good modern marinas.

English Channel to the Canaries.              Falmouth to Gran Canaria, 1400NM        May to August

There are many departure ports on both the UK and French coast, but basically the route is a rhumb-line course to clear Ushant and Finisterre. Unless because of exceptional weather conditions, keep close to the Iberian coast so as to make best use of the Portuguese trades and current and then the Canary current to take you all the way to the islands.

 Portugal to the Canaries.            Lisbon to Gran Canaria, 755NM                 May to October

A direct route making the most of the south going Canary current and the northerly trades. Some follow the coast south and depart from Lagos, but this has no advantage except to reduce the crossing distance from the peninsular to the islands.

Mediterranean to the Canaries.               Gibraltar to Gran Canaria, 750NM            All year

Most yachts departing from Mediterranean ports use Gibraltar as their departure port before heading out into the Atlantic. Depart Gibraltar to take advantage of the strong tides in the strait and then set a direct course for the islands. Strong winds carrying sand can occasionally blow off the African coast but they are well forecasted; otherwise it is usually a pleasant downwind run with the current.

Madeira to the Canaries.             Funcha to Gran Canaria, 300NM.             All year

Many yachts on a direct run from the UK use Madeira as stop over port. The run from there to the islands is then a direct route downwind with the current.

Azores to the Canaries.       Ponta Delgada to Gran Canaria, via Madeira, 500NM                  July to September

The first leg is best done with a departure time between the above dates but the second leg can be sailed at any time of the year. Perfect conditions usually with a current setting SW and winds likely to be from NW to NE. Then from Madeira an almost directly south course with wind and current behind you.

Routes from the Canaries

Canaries to the North

All the above routes could be described as distinctly "uphill" as for the best part of the reverse passage you would be against both wind and current. Many make for the Peninsular and then day sail along the coast, using favourable forecasts to pick the best conditions.

Canaries to Cape Verde                                Gran Canaria to Sao Vincente, 850NM    October to April

Can be sailed at any time of the year but the above dates are favoured when proceeding onwards across the Atlantic, remembering that the hurricane season is from June to October. A rhumb-line course with the current and the prevailing north to east wind.

Canaries to the Lesser Antilles  Gran Canaria to Antigua, 2,600NM          November to May

 The crossing times are to avoid the hurricane season. Most yachts make southwest from the canaries and use a dog leg course to take advantage of the trades, the amount of south necessary depends on the time of year and the position of the trades and to a lesser degree the north equatorial current. The "ARC" departs Las Palma Gran Canaria each year around the end of November.

Canaries to the Lesser Antilles  Gran Canaria to Antigua, Via Cape Verde, 3,000NM    November to May

As above but if necessary too make a lot of south to take advantage of the trades then a call into Cape Verde will break the crossing.

Call ahead to check on marina space and the need to book a marina berth. Of course if you dont own a yacht and cannot sail to the islands Yacht charter is also popular and more marinas and companies chartering yachts are relalising the benefits of the all round summer climate of the Canary Islands

Useful Links

http://www.bournemouthairport.com/bohweb.nsf/Content/RyanairCanaryIslands Flights.

http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/?gclid=CPvykIe_vaICFdGX2AodnjT15g

http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/?gclid=CPvykIe_vaICFdGX2AodnjT15g