Canary Islands

Winter Sun at it's best

The Canary Islands sit in the Atlantic Ocean and are a volcanic region of Spain, located off the north-western coast of Africa, and south-east of the Spanish mainland. The archipelago comprises of seven Larger Islands: Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. There are six other smaller Islands: Alegranza, Graciosa, Montana Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste and Lobos.

Alegranza Island is uninhabited and located to the Coast of Africa, in the Province of Las Palmas - next to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The Island is part of Parque Natural de Archipelago Chinijo (Lanzarote), a reserve of Los Islotes.

Graciosa Island (La Graciosa) is located around 2 km north of Lanzarote and is part of Parque National Los Islotes and as the municipality of Haría. This tiny Island is just 6km long and 2km wide, the Town is situated in the south-eastern part of the Island, with houses surrounding the harbour which has two piers and a yacht area in the bay. The population of the Island is around 580 and Streets and roads on La Graciosa are unpaved sand.  Tourism and fishing are the main industries. There is a school, a lyceum, a post office, supermarkets, a port, beaches, banks, and a square where bikes can be hired (plaza). To get to the Island there’s a ferry crossing (around 20 minutes) from Orzola on Lanzarote to the harbour in the Village. As there is no source of natural water on the Island, a tanker ship has to transport water to the Island - sea permitting.

The mountains lie to the northern and the western parts of the Island, with the southern and the eastern parts are hilly. Aguja Grandes is the highest Mountain at 266m; Las Agujas Chicas at 257 m is the second highest. In the south-western part, is the Montana Amarilla (Yellow Mountain), the crater-peaked Monte Bermeja is to the northeast. It is partly eroding in the lower part; its elevation is around 178 m. There are many beaches on the Island, which include Playa Francesa to the south-west, Playa de la Cocina to the west, Playa Lambra to the east, and the magnificent Playa de las Conchas on the far side. Points include Punta Gorda.

Montana Clara is a small islet belonging to the Chinijo Archipelago and is located around 2km north-west of La Graciosa. The islet is a mere 1.33 km², with the highest point being 256 m above sea level. This Islet is part of a nature reserve that is a refuge for marine birds- Parque Natural del Archipelago Chinijo.

Roque del Este is an uninhabited Islet and is located around 12km north-east of Lanzarote. The opposite of the islet is Graciosa. It is part of the Chinijo Archipelago and the Los Islotes Integral Reserve, and is also in the Municipality of Teguise. The Island has two points, the larger and highest point is elevated at 84m, and the smaller and lower point has a height of 63m.

Roque del Oeste is an uninhabited islet located 2 km north-west of Montana Clara, and is part of the Chinijo Archipelago. Roque Del Oeste lies inside the marine bird refuge of Reserva Natural Integral de los Islotes.

Lobos Island is located around 2km from Fuerteventura and 8km from Lanzarote. The area is 6 km² and has been a nature reserve since 1982. The Island is a short boat ride away from Corralejo on the Island of Fuerteventura. There are more than  130 species of vegetation some of which are unique to the island and many different sea birds, some of which are very rare and endangered species.

The landscapes on the Canary Islands are quite diverse with volcanic landscapes, dense forest, high volcanoes, and barren desert. The Islands enjoy a brilliant climate, which is warm and dry year-round with plenty of sunshine, coupled with some of the most glorious beaches – makes it an ideal all year through destination for visitors. The monthly typical temperatures are from 18˚ to 24˚C. Because of the Islands geological position, around 4º from the Tropic of Cancer and very near the African Coast, the Islands enjoy a subtropical climate.

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Gran Canaria

Fuerteventura

Lanzarote

Tenerife

La Palma

La Gomera

El Hierro

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