Many cruise lines feature the Canary Islands as an escape to the sun from the invariably inclement UK weather, especially in the autumn, winter and spring.
The Fortunate Isles, as the Canaries are known, are often combined with the Garden Island of Madeira to give a sun-soaked cruise holiday even in the depths of a British winter.
Cruises to the Canaries
You will either fly out to join your ship in an island such as Tenerife or depart directly from a UK port like Southampton.
Fly-cruises tend to be of seven nights duration while those sailing from the UK will be ten days or more.
Either way, there will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy all the on board facilities and activities as your ship takes you into an oasis of sea, sand and superb scenery, completely away from it all.
The Islands of the Canaries
As the archipelago of 13 volcanic islands – six of which are uninhabited - lie just 71 miles from the nearest point on the African coast, they are blessed with a temperate climate year-round, so make an ideal winter cruising destination.
Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote feature on most itineraries, while the small isle of La Palma is included in some.
Funchal, the picturesque capital of Madeira, positioned to the north of the Canaries, is regularly included as part of a Canaries cruise, enabling you to trade Spanish culture for Portuguese for a day.
A cruise to these Atlantic islands may also include visit to mainland ports including Agadir in Morocco, Vigo in northern Spain; the Portuguese capital of Lisbon or Cadiz for the Andalucian capital of Seville.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and arguably most well-known of the Canary Islands due to its popularity as a mainstream holiday destination. From sandy beaches to the towering, snow-capped Mount Teide – at 12,195 ft the highest mountain in Spain – Tenerife has much to offer visitors of all ages. From family water parks to botanical gardens and volcanic landscapes, there’s no shortage of activities to indulge in.
Expect the unexpected in Lanzarote, where you can take a camel ride around an extinct volcano crater or investigate an underground lake and caves.
Renowned for its scenic beauty, Gran Canaria has a bustling capital in Las Palmas and fabulous beaches on the south of the island at Maspalomas, famous for its dunes which cover more than 600 acres.
La Palma is largely undiscovered so is well worth exploring. Reputedly the most beautiful of all the islands in the Canaries chain, it is known as the Green Island due to its flora and fauna and forest pines.
Our
Sorry, we could not find any cruises that match the options selected. Call us on 0845 460 6060 for expert advice on choosing the right cruise for you.