Canary Islands Cruises

Canary Islands Travelling Tip

Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the four main islands that make up the Canary Islands and with a Canary Island cruise, you can choose what island-hopping you would like to do to tailor the holiday of your dreams.

The most common ‘weather problem’ in the Canary Islands is sunburn and sunstroke. Always wear plenty of sunscreen and keep well-hydrated to avoid these issues.

Top Canary Islands

Each island in the Canaries is quite distinct from its neighbour in what it has to offer, giving those enjoying a Canary Island cruise a chance to sample a little bit of everything. Below, we give you a flavour of each island and what you may expect.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the third largest island, but it is fondly referred to as the ‘Continent in Miniature’, with scenic diversity across this neatly rounded island making it one of the Canary Islands’ most popular.

Gran Canaria’s interior is rugged with mountains and lush green with subtropical forests. As a popular hiking destination, it has well-marked trails, enabling even the most novice explorer to enjoy its impressive views.

The colourful capital of Las Palmas is famed for its vibrant nightlife, but stroll a little further into its neighbourhoods and there is plenty of history to discover.

For the best beaches, head south to Maspalomas. With 17km of glorious coastline, consisting of wide sandy beaches and shallow waters, it is a beach-lovers paradise. --> Gran Canaria cruises

Interesting fact on Gran Canaria

The Canary Islands are not named after the yellow bird, but instead ‘Canaria’ is the Latin word for dog. It is thought that when the first Europeans arrived, they found large dogs on the island of Gran Canaria. However, alternative reports suggest the islands could be named after what the Romans called ‘sea dogs’, referring to the seals that inhabited the island.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest and most popular of the Canary Islands. It has plenty to offer visitors looking for sun-filled days at the beach, with an abundance of bars, restaurants and shops along its main resorts of Playa Las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Laguna offers a haven for those seeking culture. It is the oldest example of an unfortified colonial town with architecture dating back to between the 15-17th century. Here, you can spend the day exploring fine cathedrals, churches and historical monuments.

Step a little further inland and you will discover the wild side of Tenerife at the Teide National Park. This jaw-dropping landscape of craters, volcanoes and rivers of petrified lava encircle Tenerife’s highest peak, Mount Teide, also a volcano, which stands 3,718m above sea level. --> Tenerife cruises

Visiting tip for Tenerife

Tenerife is host to the world’s second largest carnival, after Rio de Janeiro. For two weeks in February, the spirit of the fiesta fills the island with spectacular, colourful parades and lively music and dancing.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is famous for its stunning landscape, featuring volcanic caves, lakes of lava and craters, making it quite a unique destination to visit. A trip to Timanfaya National Park is a must, when in Lanzarote, to get a full appreciation of this epic terrain.

The black sands are characteristic of the island, but for those yearning for golden beaches, Lanzarote has plenty of those too. One of the best can be found at Papagayo, where snorkelling in the clear waters is also a big attraction.

Lanzarote is a chic, stylish island and this is mainly due to its local, visionary architect, César Manrique. His artistic influence fought against the appearance of high-rise buildings and instead focused on bringing together art and nature, using a model based on sustainability. Take time to visit one of the Centres for Art, Culture and Tourism to gain an appreciation of Lanzarote’s creative spirit. --> Lanzarote cruises

Interesting fact on Lanzarote

The last volcanic eruption on the island was in 1824, but there is still a significant amount of heat just below the surface; in fact, enough to cook a meal! Visit El Diablo Restaurant at Timanfaya National Park and you can see how this in action.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is one of the least developed islands and quieter in its character, however it still has plenty to offer. The pristine coastline of the island has a colossal 150km of white, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. With a cooling sea-breeze, which is claimed to contain beneficial, relaxing negative ions, this the perfect place to escape from it all.

The Atlantic breeze across the island creates waves of up to 2m and has given Fuerteventura a long tradition of windsurfing and kite surfing that attracts water sports enthusiasts from around the world.

Draw yourself away from the beaches and you will find pretty, traditional white-washed villages and towns offering Spanish tapas and local wines. --> Fuerteventura cruises

Fuerteventura fascinating fact

One of the island’s most famous delicacies is its Majorero cheese. Made from goat’s milk, this delicious cheese is widely available, but also has its own dedicated cheese shop.

Best time to visit the Canary Islands

As a year-round sunshine destination, the Canary Islands will provide a glorious holiday at almost any time of year. In mid-summer, it can become particularly warm with average temperatures reaching the high 20 °C.

Temperatures are still warm and reach the low 20 °C between December and February, however many visitors choose to seek out winter sunshine here at this time of year, so it can become busy.

Spring and autumn still have temperatures that allow days at the beach, but without the influx of tourists, these are normally considered the ideal time to visit the island.

Top Packing Tip

If you are considering visiting Teide National Park or one of the other more mountainous areas, pack a few extra layers, as it can get chilly when higher up.

Canary Islands Sights

From active and adventurous, to cultural and chilled, there is a wide variety of great things to see and do when taking a cruise around the Canary Islands. Below are the things that have caught our imagination:

Whale watching in Tenerife

Off the south west coast of Tenerife up to 26 species of whales can be found, offering a potential once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these majestic marine mammals in their own natural habitat. Ethical guided tours are available with marine biologist guides. They will help you identify baleen whales, killer whales, dolphins, pilot whales and even the giant of the sea, the blue whale.

Jameos del Agua – Lanzarote

Jameos del Agua is an innovative and intriguing place, designed by Cesar Manrique from the naturally-occurring large openings in the lava tubes that have created two large caves. One of these caves hides a natural, clear lake that is home to thousands of albino crab species. The second is designed as a concert hall, delivering a magical evening out for its visitors

Las Palmas Cathedral – Gran Canaria

Las Palmas Cathedral is credited for being one of the most striking buildings in Gran Canaria, if not on the whole of the Canary Islands and with its beautiful bell tower and old, colourful stained-glass windows, it is clear to see why. It was the first church to be built on the Canary Islands, with work starting in 1500. However, it took one of the longest times to complete, finishing almost four centuries later. As a result, you can see a mixed influence in its architecture from Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical.

The remote island of El Hierro

If time allows and you are searching for true escapism, take a ferry from Tenerife to the remote island of El Hierro. This small, volcanic island only receives around 20,000 visitors per year. Here you can enjoy pure tranquillity, as you dive into its surrounding waters, discovering underwater cliffs that shelter colourful species of marine life, or hike through the enchanting, ancient forests where trees grow up to 8 metres tall.

Did you know…?

Several areas on the Canary Islands have been declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, including Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and El Hierro. These are internationally recognised as protected areas that demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and nature and that encourage sustainable development.

Regional Dishes

A Spanish archipelago with African and American influences and having access to some of the freshest seafood in the world, the cuisine found on the Canary Islands is unique, fresh and full of flavour. These are some of the local favourites:

Mojo Picón

More of an accompaniment than a dish, this spicy sauce is served with nearly every traditional dish on the islands. Made of garlic, olive oil, red or green pepper and cumin, this hot sauce can be made as hot as the weather!

Sancocho Canario

This traditional dish takes the freshest fish from the Canary Islands’ own local resource and serves it whole, with sweet potato, gofio (a Canarian roasted grain flour) and papas arrugadas (Spanish wrinkled potatoes). A simple, healthy dish that also enjoys a side of Mojo picón for that extra boost of flavour.

Rancho Canario

To satisfy your hunger after a day’s exploring, try Rancho Canario; a thick noodle soup made with chicken, pork, chickpeas and a selection of vegetables, including potatoes.

A foodie tip

One of Tenerife’s local delights is its honey, however, don’t get confused if asking for ‘Miel de Palma’, which translates literally as ‘honey of Palma’. This is actually a sauce made from the sap of palm tree and is used as a cooking ingredient.

To add to your pub quiz knowledge!

Tenerife has the largest waterpark in Europe: Siam Park. With 185 square kilometres of grounds, visitors can enjoy an impressively long network of slides and the highest artificial waves in the world!

The waters around the Canary Islands are home to one of the largest hard-shelled turtles in the world. The endangered Loggerhead Turtle can reach up to three feet in length and live for up to 67 years.

The Canary Island of La Gomera is where the whistling language originated. Called ‘Silbo Gomero’, it was developed to communicate across wide valleys.

The Canary Islands were one of Christopher Columbus’ stopovers on his way to the Americas. Lots of parallels can therefore identified between the Canaries and Latin America, both in terms of architecture and accent.

Top Travelling Tip

As a year-round destination, even in the winter, the waters at most beach resorts are warm enough for a swim, so bring your swimsuit! However, if you are a hiker, it is best not to plan your trip during the summer, as the heat can be a little too much!