Canary Islands Secrets: Gran Canaria

Photo: Canary Islands Tourism website

Next on the route of the Canaries Odyssey after Fuerteventura, Gran  Canaria is an island of contrasts, from the busy modern city of Las  Palmas de Gran Canaria to the inland scenery of small villages and old  towns, from the mountain forests of the interior to the wide golden sand  of the southern beaches.

Visitors who take the time to drive over to the  west coast will find quaint villages which feel far removed from the  bustle of the city or the busy tourist spots in the south of the island  where the sun shines year round.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the main city of the Canary Islands,  although a healthy rivalry exists with rival Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Muelle Deportivo

The  yacht harbour Muelle Deportivo lies at the southern end of the harbour,  adjacent to one of Spain’s busiest ports. A wide range of repair and  specialist facilities can be found nearby, and the marina is well situated to visit the old town of Vegueta to the south, with its  excellent fresh produce market, or the Puerto area to the north with its  wide sandy beach and a plethora of duty-free shops, restaurants, bars  and hotels to choose from.

Sailing southwest along the Gran Canaria coast is generally a pleasant  experience as the winds tend to be steady from the northwest, and there  is a favourable current setting southwest.

The only phenomenon for  sailors to be aware of are the wind acceleration zones in certain areas,  as can be found in other parts of the Canary Islands such as Tenerife,  caused by the mountainous interior.

Click on photos to enlarge.
Find out more about Gran Canaria (from the Canary Islands Tourism website).

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