Situated 60nm West of Morocco and more than 1,000nm from the Spanish mainland, the Canary Islands are a popular winter sun destination for nearly 12million holidaymakers every year. With great year-round weather, thousands of beaches, stunning geology natural and fascinating cultural history, it’s easy to see why these European islands are so popular.
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Why are the islands so popular with sailors?
Most importantly, it’s the climate. The majority of the islands have great weather with nighttime temperatures rarely dropping below 15°C throughout the whole winter, and daytime temperatures seldomly topping 30°C in the middle of the summer, it’s a comfortable place to sail both night and day. However, why most sailors head to the region is for the wind! Trade winds dominate the weather system throughout the year. In the trade wind belt, the prevailing wind direction is NE all year round, reaching its peak in power in July and August. Currents are around Force 3-4, getting stronger in the wind acceleration zones – so it’s wise to check the hyper-local forecasts before heading out. This archipelago has a lot to offer sailors in terms of landscapes and urban areas to visit on its seven main islands.Our favourite anchorages and marinas
Although there are fewer marinas and anchorages in the Canary Islands than what you’d expect of mainland Europe, they are also rarely fully booked, so you’re never in a mid-afternoon rush to grab a berth or secure a top anchorage. Also, most of the marinas are government-run, and reserving a berth is done through their efficient website.Please don’t rely on our images for navigation… Instead, click here to receive 20% off Savvy Navvy and navigate safely with the latest charts direct to your phone, tablet or laptop.