General Information about the Canary Islands

Nationality and Language

The archipelago is an autonomous region of Spain and is divided into two provinces of Gran Canaria, consisting of the islands Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; and Tenerife consisting of the islands of Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Mainland Spain is often referred to as "The Peninsula". Although Spain is a member of the EU the Canaries are not, but the currency is the same as Spain which is the Euro. The principle language is Spanish.

Time

The islands use UT (GMT) with daylight saving (+1 Hour) from late March until late September. The Spanish mainland is UT+1 with daylight saving (+1Hour) from late March until late September.

Personal Documentation

The same rules apply as in mainland Spain. EU nationals can travel freely with just a national identity card. British citizens require a full passport. Visitors from other parts of the world require full passports and unless an agreement between governments has been ratified a visa will also be required.

It is a legal requirement to carry identity of some kind whilst on Spanish territory.

Currency

As the Canaries are part of Spain, as of 1^st January 2002 the legal currency of the islands became the Euro (at an exchange rate of 1:166.286 pesetas).

 Electricity

Mains electricity is 220 volts at 50 Hz as with the rest of Spain. Plugs on most appliances are two pin. An adapter will be required in most marinas to enable UK yachts to connect to shore power. These can be purchased at most chandlers. A few marinas can supply 380 volts to some berths.

Medical

If your last port of call was certain South American or African countries yellow fever immunisation will be required. Typhoid and Hepatitis A & B would be prudent especially if you are keen swimmers or surfers.

Medical facilities are good on all the major islands and pharmacies are well stocked. There are dentists and opticians in most large towns. Wearers of glasses or contacts would be advised to carry a copy of their prescription with them. Medical insurance should be considered and a completed E111 should be carried. The Department of Health provide a free leaflet Health Advice for Travellers which can be obtained from UK post offices or downloaded from their web site www.dh.gov.uk . E111 entitles the holder to free emergency medical care by the Spanish health authority under a reciprocal agreement with the NHS.

Always check on vaccinations required for your next foreign port of call before departing the Canaries. Most marinas in the Canary Islands are close to a medical centre.

Transportation and Travel

International flights to Europe can be found from Arrecife (Lanzarote), Rosario (Fuerteventura), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Reina Sophia (Tenerife south), and Santa Cruz (La Palma). At the moment international travel to the rest of the world has to be via mainland Spain.

Interisland flights connect all seven islands from the above airports. On Tenerife these can be from either Tenerife North or South airports. If it is necessary to transfer between North and South airports allow at least an hour travelling by road.

All the Canary Islands have good, well sheltered marinas which are protected from the prevailing northerly winds. Some marinas can be exposed though when the wind shifts round to the south. 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.

Car ferry services connect all the islands and are operated by three main shipping companies:

Lineas Fred Olson SA, www.fredolsen.es run ferries between all seven islands.

Naviera Armas, www.navieraarmas.com run between all the islands except La Gomera & El Hierro.

Trasmediterranea, www.trasmediterranea.es operate ferries and cargo vessels throughout the islands and to mainland Spain.

Roads on all the islands are well maintained. Buses are cheap clean and efficient. Taxis are reasonably priced. Car hire is readily available; a national or international driver's license is required. Remember traffic drives on the right hand side of the road. Marinas are for the most part clean, modern and well run.

National Holidays

1^st January                           Ańo Nuevo (New Years Day)

6^th January                          Epifinia/Dia de los Reyes Magos (Twelfth Night/Three Kings)

19^th March                           Dia de san Juan (St Johns Day)

March/April                       Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)

March/April                       Viernes Santo (Good Friday)

1^st May                                  Fiesta del Trabajo (Labour Day)

30^th May                               Dia de las Canarias (Canary Islands Day)

June                                      Corpus Christi

25^th July                                Dia de Satiago Apostal (St James Day)

15^th August                         La Asuncion de la Virgen ( Feast of the assumption)

8^th September                   Dia de Pino (Pine Tree Day)

12^th October                       Dia de la Hispanidad (National Day)

1^st November                    Todos los Satos (All Saints Day)

8^th December                     Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day)

25^th December                  Navidad (Christmas Day)

In addition to the above each town is also allowed two Fiesta days of their own choosing.

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