Approximately 70 miles separate Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the port of Morro Jable on Fuerteventura, for boaters sailing from the north. For us, this short crossing was the occasion of a memorable meeting with the tropical pilots these whales can weigh more than 3 tons and measure up to 5 meters long.
Las Palmas, the largest city in the Canary Islands
A modern city, practical but not very charming, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria nevertheless conceals a historical district, called Vegueta, which is well worth a stroll.
Las Palmas is the traditional meeting place for boats preparing to cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Its marina can accommodate more than 1,200 boats at the quay. During certain periods, it is allowed to anchor in the outer harbor for a small fee.
On the docks of Puerto de la Luz, large yachts are also present. You can have the chance to admire exceptional units such as, for example, the majestic Maltese Falcon .
This port is a meeting place for travel boats. Some crews go down to Senegal or the Cape Verde Islands, while others go directly to the West Indies.
A last European stopover
Gran Canaria's workshops are full of manpower and parts for the nautical industry. The supply stores offer a wide range of food to fill the lazarette. The highway that leads to the airport also makes it a convenient place to receive crews and passengers.
A dense and modern bus service allows you to move around the island at low cost.
A wild nature to discover
A visit to the interior of Gran Canaria allows you to discover enchanting landscapes. An important part of the area is classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. The rural park of Nublo, the jungle of Doramas, the ornithological space Palmitos park, the dunes of Maspalomas, compete of attractions to delight their visitors. The more athletic ones will be able to go up, by bike, to the Pico de las Nieves at 1950 meters of altitude.
A little further on, Roque Nublo, one of the largest natural monoliths in the world with its 80 meters of basalt, is perched at an altitude of more than 1800 meters. It is accessible by bus or car. The numerous hiking trails allow you to stretch your legs before the crossing.
The amateurs of idleness will also have the embarrassment of the choice. The turquoise waters are around 22 degrees, at the time of the big departures on the trade winds... Just what you need to start experimenting the multiple snorkeling spots between two sunbathing sessions. And, of course, as in the other islands of the archipelago, water sports enthusiasts will not be outdone, especially in the comfortably equipped seaside resorts.
