Last updated: August 2025 | Charter operators and pricing verified for 2025 season
Quick Summary: The Canary Islands offer world-class yacht charter opportunities with year-round sailing conditions. From Gran Canaria's marinas, explore sheltered bays, volcanic coastlines, and pristine waters around Amadores Beach and beyond. Choose from luxury motor yachts, sailing catamarans, or traditional monohulls with experienced crews.
⛵ Why Choose the Canary Islands for Yacht Charter
The Canary Islands represent one of Europe's premier yacht charter destinations, combining excellent sailing conditions with dramatic volcanic landscapes and sophisticated marina infrastructure. Located in the Atlantic trade wind belt, the islands enjoy consistent northeast winds of 15-25 knots, creating ideal sailing conditions virtually year-round.
Gran Canaria serves as the perfect charter base, with modern marinas in Las Palmas and Puerto Rico offering full services. The island's strategic position allows easy access to neighboring islands—Tenerife lies just 60 nautical miles west, while Fuerteventura sits 90 miles to the northeast. Each island offers distinct attractions, from Lanzarote's moon-like landscapes to La Palma's lush forests.
🎯 Charter Season Highlights
Peak Season (December-April): Perfect trade winds, dry weather, €800-2,500/day
Shoulder Season (May-June, October-November): Excellent conditions, better availability, €600-2,000/day
Summer Season (July-September): Calmer winds, warmer waters, €700-2,200/day
🛥️ Types of Charter Yachts Available
Luxury Motor Yachts
For those prioritizing comfort and speed, luxury motor yachts offer supreme accommodation and rapid inter-island transfers. Modern fleet includes vessels from 15-30 meters, featuring professional crews, gourmet catering, and water sports equipment. Expect air conditioning, spacious cabins, and stabilization systems for smooth cruising.
Popular motor yacht routes include half-day excursions to Amadores Beach's crystal-clear waters, full-day trips to Tenerife's Los Cristianos, or week-long adventures visiting all seven islands. Many vessels feature flybridge entertainment areas, perfect for sunset cocktails while anchored in secluded bays.
Sailing Catamarans
Catamarans excel in the Canary Islands' conditions, offering stability, space, and shallow draft access to hidden coves. Twin-hull design provides excellent stability in the sometimes choppy Atlantic waters, while spacious deck areas accommodate larger groups comfortably.
Modern sailing cats feature trampolines between hulls, perfect for watching dolphins play in the bow wake—a common sight in Canarian waters. Multiple cabins and heads make them ideal for families or groups seeking privacy and comfort while exploring remote anchorages.
Traditional Monohull Sailboats
For authentic sailing enthusiasts, monohull yachts provide pure sailing experience in some of the world's most reliable wind conditions. From classic 12-meter cruising yachts to modern 18-meter performance vessels, the variety suits all experience levels and group sizes.
Many charter companies offer skippered options for those wanting to learn or simply relax, while experienced sailors can opt for bareboat charters after demonstrating competency in Atlantic conditions.
🏖️ Premier Sailing Destinations from Gran Canaria
Amadores Beach and Surroundings
Amadores Beach represents the perfect day-charter destination, offering protected anchorage in the bay's northeast corner. The beach's artificial sand creates stunning contrast with the volcanic cliffs, while crystal-clear waters provide excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions.
Nearby Puerto Rico marina (3 nautical miles) offers convenient provisioning and fuel, making it the logical departure point for Amadores excursions. The journey takes 45 minutes under sail, allowing time to spot pilot whales and dolphins that frequent these waters year-round.
Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés
The southern coast's famous dunes create dramatic backdrop for coastal sailing. Anchor off Maspalomas lighthouse for stunning photography opportunities, though be mindful of the commercial shipping lanes serving Las Palmas port to the north.
Inter-Island Adventures
Tenerife's southwest coast offers excellent overnight anchorages at Los Cristianos and Puerto Colon. The 60-mile crossing typically takes 6-8 hours under sail, with Mount Teide's 3,715-meter peak visible from 50 miles away on clear days.
Fuerteventura's pristine beaches and constant winds attract serious sailors, while Lanzarote's Timanfaya volcanic landscape provides otherworldly coastal scenery. Both islands offer duty-free fuel and provisioning advantages.
⚠️ Navigation Considerations
Wind acceleration zones: Winds increase 50-100% between islands
Atlantic swells: Year-round northerly swells of 1-3 meters
Whale watching areas: Respect marine mammal protection zones
Military zones: Check NOTAMs for Gando airbase restrictions
🎖️ Top Charter Companies and Operators
Note:Charter operator details require current verification through direct contact or authorized booking platforms. Pricing and availability change seasonally and should be confirmed for specific travel dates.
Premier Charter Services
Gran Canaria's charter industry includes both international franchise operations and local specialists with intimate knowledge of Canarian waters. Many operators offer multilingual crews and customizable itineraries based on weather conditions and group preferences.
Professional crews typically include qualified skippers with local certification, while luxury charters often feature dedicated chefs trained in Canarian and international cuisine. Water sports instructors and dive masters add value for active charter guests.
Skippered vs. Bareboat Options
Skippered charters suit most visitors, providing professional navigation, local knowledge, and safety oversight while allowing guests to participate in sailing activities. Experienced captains know optimal anchorages, weather patterns, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Bareboat charters require demonstrated sailing competency and Atlantic sailing experience. Charter companies typically require sailing certifications equivalent to RYA Day Skipper minimum, with some requesting proof of recent passage-making experience.
💰 Charter Costs and Pricing Structure
Daily Charter Rates (2025 Season)
Half-day charters (4 hours) typically range €400-800 for groups up to 8 people, including skippered sailing yacht or catamaran, basic refreshments, and snorkeling equipment. Full-day excursions (8 hours) cost €600-1,200, often including lunch and additional activities.
Luxury motor yacht day charters command premium pricing €1,000-2,500 daily, reflecting higher operational costs, crew requirements, and premium amenities. These rates typically include professional crew, fuel, insurance, and basic catering.
Weekly Charter Packages
Seven-day bareboat sailing yacht charters start around €2,500-4,500 for 12-15 meter vessels during shoulder seasons, rising to €3,500-6,500 during peak winter months. Luxury crewed charters range €8,000-25,000 weekly, depending on vessel size and service level.
Additional costs include fuel (€100-300 daily for motor yachts), provisions, harbor fees (€30-80 nightly), and optional extras like water sports equipment, shore excursions, or special dietary requirements.
Group and Corporate Packages
Many operators offer discounted rates for larger groups or corporate events. Multi-yacht flotillas provide excellent team-building opportunities, with professional skippers ensuring safety while maintaining group cohesion during inter-island passages.
💡 Cost-Saving Tips
Book shoulder seasons: May-June and October-November offer 20-30% savings
Share charters: Join existing bookings for day trips
Provision locally: Shop at Mercadona or Carrefour for significant savings
Choose marinas wisely: Puerto Rico costs less than Puerto Mogan
🏊 Activities and Experiences
Swimming and Snorkeling
Canarian waters maintain comfortable temperatures year-round (18-24°C), making swimming enjoyable in every season. Popular snorkeling spots include the protected marine reserves around El Cabrón (Arinaga) and the volcanic formations near Puerto de las Nieves.
Underwater visibility often exceeds 30 meters, revealing diverse marine life including parrotfish, angel sharks, rays, and occasional sea turtles. Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect both skin and marine ecosystems.
Deep-Sea Fishing
The deep waters between islands offer world-class sport fishing opportunities. Target species include blue marlin, tuna, dorado, and wahoo in the productive Atlantic currents. Many charter yachts can arrange fishing equipment and licenses.
Peak fishing season runs October through April, when migratory species follow warm currents northward. Local fishing guides understand seasonal patterns and optimal techniques for Canarian waters.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
The channel between Gran Canaria and Tenerife hosts resident populations of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Charter yachts provide excellent platforms for marine mammal observation, with quiet approaches possible under sail.
Sightings occur year-round, with highest success rates during morning departures when sea conditions remain calm. Respect minimum distances and follow responsible whale watching guidelines.
🛠️ Practical Planning Information
Best Departure Marinas
Puerto Rico Marina: Closest to Amadores Beach, excellent charter fleet, full services, protected harbor. Limited parking but convenient taxi access from resort areas.
Puerto de Mogán: Picturesque "Little Venice" setting, boutique charter operators, romantic atmosphere. Higher costs but premium experience in beautiful surroundings.
Las Palmas Marina: International standard facilities, largest charter fleet selection, duty-free fuel, extensive repair services. Further from resort areas but excellent for longer charters.
Weather and Conditions
Trade winds blow consistently from the northeast at 15-25 knots, creating reliable sailing conditions with minimal seasonal variation. Summer months (July-September) can see lighter winds and calmer seas, while winter brings stronger trades and larger Atlantic swells.
Calima episodes (Saharan dust) occur 5-10 times annually, reducing visibility and creating hazy conditions for 2-3 days. These events are predictable through weather forecasts and rarely affect sailing safety.
Safety and Regulations
Spanish maritime law requires appropriate licenses for charter operations, with most reputable companies maintaining comprehensive insurance and safety equipment. VHF radio monitoring on Channel 16 provides emergency contact with Salvamento Marítimo (Spanish Coast Guard).
Life jackets must be available for all passengers, while offshore passages require additional safety equipment including flares, life rafts, and EPIRB beacons. Professional charter operators maintain these requirements automatically.
Depart Puerto Rico Marina at 09:00, sail south to Amadores Beach for swimming and snorkeling. Lunch anchored in the protected bay while watching beach activities. Afternoon sail to Anfi del Mar for exploring the artificial beach and shopping complex. Return via coastal route with sunset viewing. Typical cost: €800-1,200 for groups up to 8.
Weekend Charter: Gran Canaria Circumnavigation
Duration: 3 days/2 nights | Distance: 120 nautical miles
Day 1: Puerto Rico to Puerto de las Nieves, exploring the dramatic north coast cliffs. Overnight in small fishing harbor with excellent seafood restaurants. Day 2: Continue east to Las Palmas, experiencing the capital's vibrant marina district. Day 3: Return south via Maspalomas, stopping at multiple beaches and completing the island circuit.
Week Charter: Canary Islands Grand Tour
Duration: 7 days | Distance: 400+ nautical miles
Complete inter-island adventure visiting Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, and El Hierro. Experience diverse landscapes from lunar Lanzarote to lush La Palma. Professional crew essential for navigation and local knowledge. All-inclusive packages available with gourmet catering and shore excursions.
🔗 Related Amadores Beach Experiences
Enhance your yacht charter experience by exploring our comprehensive guides to Gran Canaria's luxury offerings:
The Canary Islands yacht charter experience combines world-class sailing conditions with sophisticated infrastructure and stunning natural beauty. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or luxury indulgence, these waters offer memories to last a lifetime. Professional charter operators ensure safety and comfort while revealing hidden gems accessible only by boat.
Planning your yacht charter adventure? Contact verified charter operators directly for current availability, pricing, and customized itineraries. Book early for peak season periods and special events to ensure optimal vessel selection and crew availability.
