W06-26: Sailing holidays western Canary islands.  

Sailing between Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro – a unique voyage full of nature, culture, and adventure

While winter in Northern Europe brings cold rain and grey skies, we start our sailing holiday Canary Islands in the sunny south of Tenerife. Sheltered by the island, we set sail along the coast, with a high chance of spotting pilot whales and dolphins right on day one. Thanks to the steady north-easterly trade winds, pleasant temperatures of 22–27°C (72–81°F), and clear blue skies, sailing conditions here are almost always perfect. Between the islands, the Venturi effect accelerates the wind, creating exhilarating Atlantic offshore sailing on deep-blue ocean swells.

Our first stop is San Sebastián de La Gomera, a charming port town steeped in history – Christopher Columbus set sail from here in 1492. La Gomera is lush and mountainous, far removed from the mass tourism of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. You can hike up for panoramic views, or enjoy authentic tapas in the village.

Depending on the wind, we continue to La Palma, known as La Isla Bonita – the beautiful island. This green paradise boasts deep ravines, volcanic landscapes, and forests among the most spectacular in Spain. We spend a full day in Santa Cruz de La Palma, famous for its colourful balconies and colonial architecture. A minibus tour reveals highlights such as the world-class astronomical observatory above the clouds, and the natural seawater pools of Charco Azul.

Next, we sail to Valle Gran Rey on the western coast of La Gomera, a harbour village tucked beneath towering red cliffs. Its narrow streets lead to cosy bars and viewpoints where sunsets over the Atlantic are simply unforgettable. The laid-back vibe is enhanced by the small community of artists and hippies who call it home.

If conditions allow, we make a longer crossing to El Hierro, the smallest and most untouched island of the Canary archipelago – and the skipper’s personal favourite. Here you’ll find almost no tourists, but plenty of breathtaking landscapes. With a minibus, we explore sites such as Mirador de La Peña, a viewpoint by artist César Manrique, mystical laurel forests, and dramatic cliffs rising straight from the ocean.

Via the southern coast of La Gomera, where we anchor in a quiet bay or visit a small harbour, we sail back to Tenerife – often accompanied by playful dolphins. Our voyage ends in a local Spanish restaurant, raising a glass to a week filled with wind, sun, and discovery.

Highlights of this Canary Islands sailing trip:

• Whale and dolphin watching in their natural habitat

• Island hopping Canary Islands: Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro

• Perfect sailing conditions with steady trade winds

• Spectacular sunsets and crystal-clear Atlantic waters

• Access to remote places only reachable by sailing yacht

• A blend of offshore sailing, nature, culture, and relaxation

This Canary Islands sailing tour is perfect for adventurous travellers who want to enjoy the freedom of sailing while discovering authentic islands full of natural beauty.

The daily sailing distances are between 18 and 54 miles. The above schedule is subject to weather, wind and tide.

Read more about our Sailing holidays to the Canary islands

Information about this sailing holiday

Participants of this sailing holiday

Sailing holiday Prices 

The price is the rental cost for the ship with crew, including food and drinks on board, hence full board. The price mentioned is per person.

Included in the price:

– Food and drinks on board.
– Fuel, water, shore power, harbour fees and tourist tax.
– 1 towel set and bedding incl. duvet and, of course, a life jacket.
– For after sailing there is also wine and beer on board, based on average use. Should we run out, then you can purchase more yourself.

Not included:

– Your transfer, meaning your journey to and from the ship
– Sailing clothes and boots, you can rent these from us if you would like.
– Possible shore excursions such as renting a van, or visiting a museum etc.
– Food and drinks ashore, the last evening we will go out for dinner and this will be at your own expense. ( Should you wish to treat the crew as a thank you for a lovely sailing holiday, it would of course be greatly appreciated!)

On some of our sailing holidays, it is possible to book an extra overnight stay on board based on Bed & Breakfast (B&B, so without dinner) for €75 per person. This automatically applies when booking multiple trips in a row.             

Duration & Time on Board

The listed trip duration refers to full calendar days. Since you embark on the first evening and disembark on the final morning, your actual time on board is on average about 1.5 days shorter. We use this format to keep our trips comparable with other providers – but we like to be transparent about the real time you’ll spend on board.

Sailing holidays discount

Customer Discount:
If you book a second sailing holiday with us within a year, you’ll get 2.5% off the ‘board price’.

Group discount:
If you book a sailing holiday as a group (more than 3 passengers), you will receive 2.5% discount per person on the ‘board price’.

Youth Discount:
If you are under 29 years old, you will get 5% discount on the ‘board price’.

Discounts can not be combined with each other.

Bonus Discount:
€25 extra discount when you choose a vegetarian menu on board.

Sailing holiday with your own private cabin

If you are a solo traveller and wish to enjoy the comfort of a private cabin (small room), then you can reserve it for 1.6 times the price (for crossings, category A, the rate is 1.9x).

Sailing holiday categories

Category A:
Offshore crossings, includes also sailing throughout the nights. Passengers will also be grouped in the watch system.

Category B:
Offshore sailing holidays, there will be no sailing throughout the nights, but occasionally a late arrival at the harbour (or an early departure), depending on the weather.

Category C:
Relaxed sailing holidays with shorter sailing distances, including more time for sightseeing and sometimes a nice land excursion.

Category D:
Sailing holiday specials, from ‘Sailing holidays with Yoga’ up to expedition sailing. Not every season available.

Category E:
Sailing holiday’s with extra sailtraining.

Category F:
Sailing holidays with also small children on board.