What to try on a Canary Islands cruise, from dune-trekking to stargazing
You'll find a huge variety of things to do on a Canary Islands cruise, from water sports and hiking trails to stargazing, kayaking, golf and cycling. Here is a small selection of pursuits you could enjoy.
Try a 4x4 adventure
A great way to fully appreciate the rugged beauty of the Canary Islands is to head off the beaten track in an open-top 4x4 vehicle. In Gran Canaria, after tackling the sand dunes of Maspalomas, you can weave your way through scented pine forests, tropical plantations, mountain villages and Fataga Valley – the “Valley of a Thousand Palms”. Your tour may also include a visit to La Fortaleza, the last stronghold of the Guanche people in a cave that burrows through an extinct volcano.
Enjoy a 4x4 adventure in Gran Canaria during Cunard’s 12-night Canary Islands and Madeira cruise on board Queen Victoria round-trip from Southampton. The cruise also calls at Lisbon, Lanzarote, La Palma, and Madeira. From £1,349pp, departing April 16 2020 (cunard.com).
Go constellation spotting
Recognised alongside Hawaii and Chile as one of the best places in the world to observe the sky, a trip to the summit of Mount Teide in Tenerife is a must for those interested in astronomy. On a tour offered by P&O Cruises, you’ll ascend by cable car to more than 12,000ft above sea level as the sun sets over the lunar-like landscape. Returning to the cable car’s base station you’ll dine on dishes prepared by two-Michelin-starred chef Erlantz Gorostiza as the sky darkens and the stars twinkle. The pure air allows observers to see 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations from the station’s terraces.
Go stargazing in Tenerife during P&O Cruises’ 12-night Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands cruise round-trip from Southampton on several dates in 2019/20. The cruise also calls at Madeira, La Palma, Lanzarote and Lisbon. From £899pp, departing September 21, 2020 (pocruises.com).
Dive to a museum
The Museo Atlantico at Playa Blanca is Europe’s first underwater museum featuring an artificial reef of more than 300 sculptures created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Since the first sculptures were installed in 2016, marine life has increased in diversity by more than 200 per cent. Divers may encounter barracuda, sardines, sea bream, angel sharks, rays, triggerfish, octopus and moray eels. Dive College Lanzarote is among the operators that take experienced divers by boat to explore the underwater museum. For those who do not have a diving licence, Dive College offers a pool session followed by a dive from the shore with an instructor. You can snorkel over the museum but will not be able to see the sculptures in great detail.
Visit Museo Atlantico during Royal Caribbean’s 10-night Sunshine in the Canaries cruise round-trip from Southampton on board Anthem of the Seas. The cruise also calls at Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Vigo. From £1,365pp, departing October 17, 2020 (royalcaribbean.co.uk).
Take a walk on the wild side
The deep gorges and thick forests of La Gomera’s Garajonay National Park have earned it a place on the Unesco World Heritage List and there are hundreds of walking trails for visitors to enjoy. Set off with a guide to Garajonay Rock, the island’s highest point where, on a clear day, the views stretch across to Tenerife and La Palma. Then trek through El Cedro Forest where ancient trees and cacti line the bumpy paths.
Take a hike in La Gomera during Tui’s seven-night Canarian Flavours cruise on board Marella Explorer departing Tenerife on several dates in 2019/20. The cruise also calls at Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Madeira. From £1,092pp, departing April 10, 2020, including flights from Gatwick or Bournemouth (tui.co.uk).
Explore in a kayak
Whether you're a novice or a pro, the calm water around Playa de Las Alcaravaneras is perfect for kayaking. Your guide will give you directions on how to handle your kayak and reach a good speed. The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has a kayak training centre here so you may see students practising their competitive skills. You may also spot dolphins playing in the sea.
Go kayaking in Gran Canaria during Princess Cruises’ 11-day Canary Islands cruise round trip from Southampton. The cruise also calls at Tenerife, Lanzarote, Madeira and Vigo. From £1,199pp, departing September 26, 2020 (princess.com).
Get on your bike
With its mild climate and minimal traffic, Lanzarote is a great choice for cycling. You’ll find plenty of bicycle hire places dotted around the island, where you can hire super-sleek carbon mountain bikes and explore the black volcanic terrain or enjoy a leisurely ride along the asphalt country roads. Tenerife is also great for cycling, so much so that Bradley Wiggins trained here for the Tour de France. For something gentle, perhaps plan a route that includes the dramatic black sands of Puerto de La Cruz and the lush green Botanic Gardens.
Go cycling in Lanzarote and Tenerife during Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s 14-night Islands of the Canaries cruise round-trip from Southampton on board Black Watch. The cruise also calls at Lisbon, Cadiz, Gran Canaria, La Palma and Madeira. From £1,649pp, departing January 17, 2020 (fredolsencruises.com).
Play at top golf courses
Golfers with a handicap of 36 or better can tee off at top Canaries courses with PGA professionals during a “cruise and play” voyage offered by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. These include Lanzarote Golf Resort, where fairways wind through volcanic landscape, Maspalomas Golf Club next to the spectacular sand dunes, Fuerteventura Golf Club where wide fairways provide a relaxing round, and Buenavista Golf Club in Tenerife, designed by Severiano Ballesteros. The cruise offers excellent choice of excursions and activities for non golfers, too.
Play golf with PGA professionals during Hapag-Lloyd Cruises eight-day cruise round-trip from Tenerife on board the 500-passenger MS Europa 2. The cruise also calls at Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and La Gomera. From £3,820pp, plus £1,190 for golf package (four courses), departing November 1, 2019 (hl-cruises.com).
