Canary Islands Yacht Charter

The Canary Islands' name is probably came from theOn your yacht charter in the Canary Islands you
Latin term Insula Canaria, meaning Island of the Dogs.have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, turtles,
It is thought that a dense population of fierce dogs,and flying fish.
like the Presa Canario, inhabited the island of GranThe Canary Island's geographical position means that
Canaria during Roman times.there are generally good winds for sailing. The North
Prior to European colonisation peoples similar to theEasterly trades that once took Columbus to America
Berbers of North Africa populated the islands. Theyfunnel through the islands creating what are known
came to be known collectively as the Guanches,as wind acceleration zones and this means that even
although Guanches was originally the name for thewith fairly light prevailing winds there is still enough
indigenous inhabitants of Tenerife.wind for a great.
In 1402, the Spanish conquest of the islands beganDespite its position close to the tropics, the Canaries
with an expedition to the island of Lanzarote. Fromare not too hot in summer, 21-29°C, pleasantly
there, they conquered Fuerteventura and Hierro andwarm in winter, 15-20°C, and can be regarded
established a base on the island of La Gomera, but itas an year round yacht charter area. Gales are
would be many years before the island was trulyinfrequent and the islands are not affected by
conquered. The natives of La Gomera, and of Granhurricanes.
Canaria, Tenerife, and La Palma, resisted the SpanishThe seven main islands of the Canary Islands are well
invaders for almost a century.spaced out so that it is only a day's sail between
The Canary Islands were then a source of disputemost of them.
between Spain and other European powers. TheThe greatest range of facilities for yachts is to be
most severe attack took place in 1599 when a Dutchfound in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which has a
fleet of 74 ships and 12,000 men, attacked theyacht harbour administered by the port authority.
capital, Las Palmas. The Dutch then laid siege to theGran Canaria's south coast has several good marinas
city, but eventually gave up the siege of Las Palmasat Pasito Blanco, Puerto Rico and Puerto Mogan.
and withdrew.There are haul-out facilities at all of them as well as
Another notable attack occurred on the 25th Julyat the fishing harbour Arguineguin. Other harbours
1797, when a British fleet under the future Admiralinclude Agaete and Amfi del Mar.
Lord Nelson attacked Santa Cruz de Tenerife. TheBerthing facilities in the capital of Tenerife have
British were repulsed losing almost 400 men. It was inimproved dramatically with the opening of Marina
this battle that Nelson lost his right arm.Santa Cruz in the very centre of the capital Santa
The rivalry between the elites of the cities of LasCruz. A smaller Marina Tenerife operates in the fishing
Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerifeharbour. Outside of Santa Cruz there are good
for the capital of the islands led to the division of thefacilities at the marinas at Radazul, Los Gigantes and
archipelago into two provinces in 1927. This has notPuerto Colon. The boatyard at Los Cristianos also has
lain to rest the rivalry between the two cities, whichhaul-out and repair facilities. There are also harbours
continues to this day.at Candelaria and San Miguel.
The distinct features of the Canary Islands are theirLanzarote now has two marinas: Puerto Calero and
great height in relation to their area. Indeed the TeideMarina Rubicon. Both have boatyards and a range of
volcano on Tenerife is the highest mountain in Spain,services. There are also harbours at Arrecife and
and the third largest volcano on Earth. When thePuerto Carmen
prevailing wind, the NE trades, meet the highOn Fuerteventura there is a small marina with
mountains, moisture is condensed and the windwardhaul-out and some repair facilities as well as fuel at El
side of the islands see a good deal of rain. ThisCastillo and limited repair facilities in the capital Puerto
accounts for the diversity found in the CanaryRosario. Other harbours include Corralejo and Morro.
Islands, from pine forests to sand dunes, lush greenLa Gomera lies 28° North of the equator in the
valleys in the North, to dry and hot desert in thesub tropics, which give the island very agreeable
south. According to the position of the islands withaverage temperatures of 21 degrees in winter, and
respect to the trade winds, the climate can be mild28 degrees in summer. The island still retains it's
and wet or very dry.Canarian character and unlike it's larger neighbours
The economy of the Canary Islands is based primarilydoes not suffer from mass tourism, even though it is
on tourism; about 10 million visit every year, whichonly a short transfer from Tenerife's main (south)
makes up 32% of the GDP. Construction accountsairport.
for nearly 20% of the GDP and tropical agriculture,The centre of San Sebastian, the capital of La
primarily bananas and tobacco, are grown for exportGomera, has changed little since Columbus's fleet was
markets. Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cochineal,anchored in the bay. The Count's tower, the Church
sugarcane, grapes, vines, dates, oranges, lemons,Of The Assumption, where the members of the
figs, wheat, barley, corn, apricots, peaches andexpedition were blessed, along with the Well Of
almonds are also grown.Aguada - where the water that baptised America
There are several airports throughout the Canarywas drawn, have survived to this day. San Sebastian
Islands easily reached most major cities of Europe ornow has its own marina, located in the northern part
America. The Canary Islands are an all year roundof the commercial harbour. There is also a harbour at
sailing and yacht charter.Vueltas or Valle Gran Rey.