The Canary islands, the 8 wonders.
- 07 September 2021
- SURF
- Surf & Yoga Fuerteventura
The canary islands
The canary islands are eight Spanish islands in the Atlantic Ocean where you can disconnect, step back from your daily routine and go home with new-found energy. Discover their volcanic nature, relax on heavenly beaches and immerse yourself in crystal-clear waters.
Canary fact: The Canary Islands are the place with the most hours of sunlight in Europe, 3000h per year.
Tenerife
The largest of the Canary Islands and home to the impressive volcano that is the Teide, the highest peak in Spain.
The Teide national park: These are some of the most spectacular volcanic manifestations on the planet. Imagination doesn’t even come close to the imposing panorama that appears before our eyes at the peak, at a height of 3,715 metres, with extraordinary views of the caldera, the hundreds of lava cones, flows, dykes, rocks… Not to mention the flora and fauna that lives there, some of which are exclusive to the park itself.
The island has so much to offer to you..Take a stroll around well-preserved historic quarters, rest and disconnect from stress. To do so you have multiple choices of scenery depending on your daily mood or need. Or maybe you feel like doing some sports. No problem, you can do just about any sport here, especially ones related to the sea.
You will also find here what is possibly the most beautiful scenery you have ever seen. Volcanic rock, dreamy beaches and mystical forests are some of the landscapes that are awaiting you. And the cherry on top is the wildlife on and around the island.
In addition to the dolphins that live here all year round, this exceptional area is also visited by blue whales and orcas. The fragility of this precious ecosystem makes it essential that we take care to preserve it. That’s why this activity is regulated and the boats must be authorised and comply strictly with regulations.
You can observe the different types of cetaceans that swim in the wild waters of the southwest of Tenerife, one of the few places in the world where they can be seen so close to the coast, it is an unforgettable experience.
Gran canaria
Without a doubt, the beaches are first on the list of attractions Gran Canaria has to offer. From large and lively to quiet, coves, with golden or volcanic sand everyone will find their piece of paradise here. For the amateurs of surfing, Gran Canaria has some of the best established surf spots in Europe.
The island can be broken down into two large surfing areas:
North: The coast of Las Palmas has some legendary spots if you are looking for a thrill, perfect for more experienced surfers.
South: The south, on the other hand, has Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, with spots that are perfect for starting out.
Surrounded by dunes and peaks covered in Canary Island pine forests, their greenery stands out starkly against the dark volcanic earth. The island’s beauty is a never ending surprise, it is said the light that shines down is some of the clearest and brightest of the canary islands. If you enjoy being outdoors whether that be hiking, sports or a delicious meal, this is the place for you. With its eternal springtime you can enjoy the outdoors most of the year.
Rich in history and archaeological sites, you can get to know the island and it’s first settlers much better. It’s almost impossible to find a town on the island that doesn’t have at least one museum or archaeological site.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is synonymous with volcanoes, lava fields, black and red earth that contrasts with the typical whitewashed houses, the deep blue sea and the light blue sky.
The scenery in the easternmost of the Canary Islands also contains stark, rolling mountains, beautiful beaches of white sand and silence, which is also an enigmatic part of the Lanzarote landscape. Timanfaya National Park is the island’s maximum expression of volcanism and one of the most representative in the Canary Islands Archipelago. A jagged, harsh, wild landscape where silence reigns. The Montañas del Fuego (Mountains of Fire) can be visited on a guided bus tour, during which you are awestruck by a colourful horizon awaiting you.
Canary fact: At the El Diablo Restaurant, in Timafaya, food is cooked with heat that comes from within the earth. Just a few metres below the surface, the temperature is extreme, with heat that rises to the surface in the form of small geysers that never fail to surprise visitors.
One of Lanzarote’s biggest surprises is a large area covered by little fragments of black volcanic rock flung out during eruptions of Timanfaya has been used by Lanzarote farmers for growing vines. This material is able to retain the humidity of the night air, essential on an island where there is barely any rain. A traditional technique that combines with the characteristic stone walls for protecting the vines from the wind, creating a spectacular landscape that is one of a kind in the world.
Running, cycling, golf, all kinds of water sports… There is no sport that can’t be enjoyed in Lanzarote thanks to its extraordinary year-round climate. And if Lanzarote is the chosen destination, success is guaranteed.
Fuerteventura
For those who have always dreamt of the excitement of getting on a board and heading out to sea, this is the perfect opportunity. The island has specialist companies and schools that provide everything necessary for practising or getting started in these sports. Windsurfing and kitesurfing are the kings of water sports on this island. Amateurs and top-class professionals alike can find perfect conditions for riding the waves and taking on the wind any day in Fuerteventura.
If there is one delicacy that stands out in Fuerteventura, it’s the cheese. ‘Majorero cheese’ is one of three cheeses from the Canary Islands
If there is one delicacy that stands out in Fuerteventura, it’s the cheese. ‘Majorero cheese’ is one of three cheeses from the Canary Islands with a protected designation of origin to distinguish this product of longstanding tradition in the archipelago and on this island in particular. Acknowledged year after year as some of the best in the world, the extraordinary quality of these cheeses, homemade using traditional techniques, is becoming more and more renowned among prestigious chefs and gourmets. If the experts stand by it, why not treat yourself and your taste buds as you take in the unique scenery of Fuerteventura.
Fuerteventura’s beauty goes beyond land and water, with its amazing beaches and sober landscapes. The island is perfect for contemplating the night sky. In fact, the conditions are so fantastic that the entire island is one of the three Starlight Reserves in the Canary Islands. So get your camera’s ready, the night awaits you.
Canary fact: Fuerteventura is the oldest of the Canary Islands. It began to rise up out of the Atlantic ocean about 22 million years ago.
La palma
La Palma, which is certified as a Starlight Reserve, is one of the best places in the world to observe the heavens. And if we dive into the water? Breathtaking. The island has one of the three marine reserves in the Canary Islands: an underwater volcanic landscape that is astoundingly beautiful and full of caves, arches and walls. Home to many species, some of which are unique to this area.
La Caldera de Taburiente is one of the most spectacular natural spaces in the Canary Islands and, without a doubt, La Palma’s greatest treasure. Looking out over this immense area from one of its scenic viewpoints is just breathtaking.
If La Palma were a colour, it would be green, in all its shades. It’s the green of the Canary Island pine trees, and the green of the distinctive laurisilva species that have taken refuge on the ‘Isla Bonita’.
The waters that bathe the island’s coastline are exceptional for diving. Along the coast, we find beautiful beaches with volcanic sand where we can enjoy a relaxing day of sea and sunshine at any time of year. Another magnificent option are the fantastic natural pools and ponds, protected from the waves thanks to the volcanic rocks formed by lava flowing down to the sea after eruptions. The best-known are the Charco Azul and La Fajana pools.
La gomera
La Gomera, which is a Biosphere Reserve, houses one of the most important natural ecosystems in the world, which has been declared World Heritage and a National Park: the primitive laurisilva.
More than 600 kilometres of trails invite us to discover the island on foot, the best way to find unforgettable spots such as the Riachuelo de El Cedro, in Garajonay National Park, where enormous trees and ferns in a lush, humid forest, La Gomera become magnificent vantage points from which to see spectacular views.Palmarejo. From here, one of the best specimens of Gomera rural scenery stretches out before us: the Valle Gran Rey, a beautiful image comprising terraces that look like they are climbing up the slopes, blending with hamlets and splendid clusters of Canary Island pines.
You also have to visit the hamlets of Chejelipes, where the main focal point are the three dams surrounded by fertile fields of crops. Spending a few days at any of the rural accommodation we find in many of these hamlets will recharge our batteries so that we can return home with new energy and a new state of mind.
One of them is ‘palm honey’, which is made from the sap of the Canary Island palm tree and is an excellent accompaniment for cheeses and desserts.
Listen to ‘silbo gomero. Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage, this ancestral form of communication that still survives today is one of the most peculiar traditions of the Canary Islands. Using this whistled language, the inhabitants of this island with its abrupt geography used to exchange messages that were transmitted from ravine to ravine, until they reached the recipient.
El Hierro
El Hierro: The smallest island in the archipelago, in one hour you can find yourself in totally different landscapes. The magic of this little, volcanic, Atlantic island, a place of peace and tranquillity where you can forget about stress and hurry.
Well-known to diving enthusiasts, who come from all over the world to find excellent conditions and incredible underwater landscapes here, it is also the island of sustainability. El Hierro is en route to being fully energy self-sufficient through clean, renewable energies.
Volcanoes, lava flows, lush forests of Canary Island, pine trees and laurisilva, trees that bow down to the wind, abrupt cliffs, relaxing natural pools, dizzying views… That’s El Hierro.
You can also visit the Sabinar, one of the most mysterious places on the island. A spectacular sight and reminder how strong nature is, old tree trunks twisted and knotted by the winds that blow upon the Northern part of the island.
La Graciosa: Just a half an hour from Lanzarote, connected via modern boats that make several daily trips to and from the island, this little treasure of the Canary Islands is a dream come true for travellers seeking solitude and relaxation. Solitary, virgin beaches with white sands and turquoise waters are La Graciosa’s main attraction. Being such a small island, it’s surprising that it’s possible to enjoy a different beach each day of our stay.
One of the best ways to get around La Graciosa is by bike. As well as being environmentally friendly—we mustn’t forget that this territory is protected in its entirety—the island allows us to discover all the beauty it has to offer with little to no difficulty. The trails are well signposted and you can discover this island’s beauty on a bike or walking along one of its trails.
From the neighbouring island of Lanzarote or from Caleta de Sebo, you can arrange a boat excursion that will let us enjoy La Graciosa from a different angle, sailing along the coast on calm
Don’t leave without trying the fresh fish. It’s the speciality on this small Atlantic island, accompanied by other products from Canary Islands cuisine, such as wrinkly potatoes and ‘mojo’, a slightly spicy sauce that is traditional in the Canary Islands.
A delicious discovery awaits you!
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