The Summer is here and many yachts head for the Canary Islands for either the season or as a starting point for a Trans Atlantis crossing. You may be heading to Grancanaria for the annual ARC croosing. Here we suggest a few routes to to help you arrive in the Canaries 

There are obviously many routes to the Canary Islands, but here we concentrate on the most popular. We have used a central arrival point of Las Palmas marina, Gran Canaria. The only danger on approaching the islands, which are well lit and for the most part steep too, are the Selvagen Islands. All distances are approximate and given only as a rough indication. All the islands have good modern marinas

English Channel to the Canaries.              Falmouth to Gran Canaria, 1400NM        May to August

There are many departure ports on both the UK and French coast, but basically the route is a rhumb-line course to clear Ushant and Finisterre. Unless because of exceptional weather conditions, keep close to the Iberian coast so as to make best use of the Portuguese trades and current and then the Canary current to take you all the way to the islands.

 Portugal to the Canaries.            Lisbon to Gran Canaria, 755NM                 May to October

A direct route making the most of the south going Canary current and the northerly trades. Some follow the coast south and depart from Lagos, but this has no advantage except to reduce the crossing distance from the peninsular to the islands.

Mediterranean to the Canaries.               Gibraltar to Gran Canaria, 750NM            All year

Most yachts departing from Mediterranean ports use Gibraltar as their departure port before heading out into the Atlantic. Depart Gibraltar to take advantage of the strong tides in the strait and then set a direct course for the islands. Strong winds carrying sand can occasionally blow off the African coast but they are well forecasted; otherwise it is usually a pleasant downwind run with the current.

Madeira to the Canaries.             Funcha to Gran Canaria, 300NM.             All year

Many yachts on a direct run from the UK use Madeira as stop over port. The run from there to the islands is then a direct route downwind with the current.

Azores to the Canaries.       Ponta Delgada to Gran Canaria, via Madeira, 500NM                  July to September

The first leg is best done with a departure time between the above dates but the second leg can be sailed at any time of the year. Perfect conditions usually with a current setting SW and winds likely to be from NW to NE. Then from Madeira an almost directly south course with wind and current behind you.

Routes from the Canaries

Canaries to the North

All the above routes could be described as distinctly "uphill" as for the best part of the reverse passage you would be against both wind and current. Many make for the Peninsular and then day sail along the coast, using favourable forecasts to pick the best conditions.

Canaries to Cape Verde                                Gran Canaria to Sao Vincente, 850NM    October to April

Can be sailed at any time of the year but the above dates are favoured when proceeding onwards across the Atlantic, remembering that the hurricane season is from June to October. A rhumb-line course with the current and the prevailing north to east wind.

Canaries to the Lesser Antilles  Gran Canaria to Antigua, 2,600NM          November to May

 The crossing times are to avoid the hurricane season. Most yachts make southwest from the canaries and use a dog leg course to take advantage of the trades, the amount of south necessary depends on the time of year and the position of the trades and to a lesser degree the north equatorial current. The "ARC" departs Las Palma Gran Canaria each year around the end of November.

Canaries to the Lesser Antilles  Gran Canaria to Antigua, Via Cape Verde, 3,000NM    November to May

As above but if necessary too make a lot of south to take advantage of the trades then a call into Cape Verde will break the crossing.

Call ahead to check on marina space and the need to book a marina berth.

If you've ever wanted to holiday like the movie stars for $130,000 per week you can cruise the Mediterranean this summer like a bona fide sreen celebrity on Johnny Depp’s classic yacht the Vajoliroja. Don’t try to pronounce the name – it’s an amalgam of those of his partner, singer/actress Vanessa Paradis, himself, and their children, Lily Rose and Jack. The stylish 156-ft. yacht, which Depp bought in 2007 and had completely refitted in 2008, boasts the attractive, vintage lines of a 1930s tycoon’s steam yacht but was in fact constructed by Turkey’s Turquoise Yachts in 2001.

The Vajoliroja, according to Vanity Fair, is Depp’s “floating salon, garret, and getaway.” With accommodations for 10 guests and a crew of 8, it features a formal dining room, outdoor seating areas, a master suite, four guest cabins, built in walnut cabinets housing the actor’s considerable floating library, and paneling of Honduran mahogany. The décor, which Depp himself had a strong hand in along with designer L.M. Pagano, is an emphatically vintage cross between an Art Deco-era Parisian bordello and the Orient Express. Of course it also features state-of-the-art entertainment and communications systems so you can keep in touch with your agent while at sea.

From the photo this yacht will turn heads in any marina. If you are a film star with a luxury yacht to charter contact Nick at www.worldmarineguide.com on nick@worldmarineguide.com

Source http://www.justluxe.com

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

More and more yachts are now relocating to the Canaries from Mediterranean ports so as to extend their cruising season to 12 months a year.

The seven major Canary Islands have become over the last few years an increasingly important cruising area as marinas and facilities have improved and the seas around the archipelago becoming better known through such events as the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). Medium haul cheap flights to all the islands now mean that travelling to the canaries has never been cheaper and compares with the cost of flights to the south of Spain.

Other advantages of keeping a yacht in one of the Canary Islands Marinas is the favourable berthing costs compared to mainland Europe and the low cost of fuel.

World Marine Guide has the best coverage of all the islands marinas and facilities and advice on routes and schedules for reaching the islands. Use some of the following links to see how easy it is.

Cruising the Canary Islands

Sailing and Navigating the Canary Islands

Routes to the Canary Islands

For more info on the Canaries contact Nick Hamer by email nickh@worldmarineguide.com

A new marina is planned for the Moroccan port of Tangier. The completion of the new deep sea commercial harbour is now complete and work will now begin on the marina in the old Harbour.

The moving of the deep sea port 20 km away from the city will alleviate traffic congestion and provide a more leisurely atmosphere in the old harbour. "This major project will make the port of Tangier and its bay one of the top marinas and cruise destinations in the Mediterranean," said President of Tangier Port Development, Abdelouafi Laftit, in a statement recently. Mr. Laftit also said that additional space will be available for hotels and other tourist activities in an effort to promote new services in the port area and the city of Tangier.

Karpaz Gate Marina on the northern coast of the Karpaz peninsular of northern Cyprus is on schedule for completion in the spring of 2011. This is despite the fact that the refit facilities in the marina are to be enlarged from the origional plan.

World Marine Giuide has discovered that the dry dock facility will now total 18,000 square metres and the travel lift has been upgraded to 300 Tonne rather than the 150 Tonne crane origionally ordered. These improvements will make Karpaz Gate Marina one of the best repair facilities on the Turkish Republic's northern coast.

The marina when finished will open up a part of the the eastern Mediterraneam as yet largely undiscovered.  The marina is designed for yachts ranging from seven meters to mega-yachts of 65 meters. The Marina House will be located on the SW corner of the Promenade and will include offices for the Yacht Club, a Health Club, Swimming Pool, Laundry, Restaurant, Ship Chandlery and Night Club.

Source Karpaz Gate Marina info@karpazbay.com