Just about a four-hour flight from continental Europe, and you’ll find yourself in a completely different world—a world of volcanic islands, dramatic cliffs, the depths of the ocean, and year-round sunshine.

The Canary Islands are among the most beautiful destinations in Europe for sailing and diving. Unlike most tourists, however, you won’t be exploring the islands from a hotel room or a crowded bus. Your home will be the Copernic catamaran—a comfortable floating base that allows you to wake up in a different cove every day and discover places accessible only by sea.

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The Atlantic, volcanoes, and the freedom of the sea​

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Our cruises begin in Tenerife and, depending on the weather and current conditions, head toward the islands of La Gomera and La Palma. Each has its own character, its own atmosphere, and its own story.

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• Tenerife: Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and also one of the most diverse places in Europe. The majestic Teide volcano, Spain’s highest mountain, towers over the island, while the coastline is lined with black volcanic beaches, high cliffs, and small fishing villages. Tenerife looks completely different from the sea than it does from land. The massive cliffs of Los Gigantes rise hundreds of meters straight out of the ocean, creating one of the most impressive landscapes in the entire Canary Islands. This is where we often anchor, swim in the crystal-clear water, and set out to explore marine life. It’s not uncommon to encounter stingrays, sea turtles, schools of barracuda, or the rare angel shark.

• La Gomera: Just a few hours’ sail from Tenerife lies La Gomera, an island that has retained its tranquility and authentic atmosphere to this day. The steep mountain slopes, deep valleys, and ancient laurel forests of Garajonay National Park create a landscape that resembles a tropical world more than Europe. Sailing here on your own boat has a special charm. In the morning, you’ll be awakened by the sound of the ocean, with seabirds circling overhead, and during the day you can set out to explore mountain villages that seem to have remained virtually unchanged over the past hundred years.

• El Hierro: An island of fascinating contrasts. From arid lava fields to the fertile El Golfo Valley with its vineyards and pineapple plantations. The local coastline is formed by monumental cliffs up to 1,000 meters high, which hide tranquil coves with natural pools perfect for a refreshing dip.

• La Palma: It is often described as the most beautiful of the Canary Islands. It’s no wonder it’s nicknamed “La Isla Bonita.” The island is known for its deep green gorges, volcanic ridges, dramatic coastline, and one of the clearest skies in the world. In the evening, you can gaze at a starry sky unlike anything found in Central Europe. A cruise along the coast of La Palma offers breathtaking views of steep volcanic cliffs plunging directly into the Atlantic. Many places are accessible only by boat, and it is here that you’ll best understand why the island has captured the hearts of travelers from around the world.

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Whales and Dolphins Within Reach

The Canary Islands are among the best places in Europe for cetacean watching.

Between Tenerife and La Gomera, year-round populations of black-beaked dolphins and several other dolphin species live. During our cruises, we regularly spot them right from the deck. Sometimes they accompany the catamaran for tens of minutes, performing fascinating acrobatic leaps. Every encounter is different, and it is precisely this unpredictability that makes for one of the most beautiful experiences of ocean sailing.

 

Diving like in a dream

The Canary Islands offer some of the best diving conditions in Europe.Visibility often exceeds 25–30 meters, the water remains pleasantly warm year-round, and the islands’ volcanic origin has created a unique underwater landscape full of rock walls, caves, lava tunnels, and reefs.

During dives, we may encounter:​

• sea turtles,

• rays,

• barracudas,

• grouper,

• moray eels,

• octopuses,

• schools of Atlantic fish,

• and, with a little luck, even an angel shark.

We organize our dives based on the crew’s experience, current weather, and ocean conditions. Thanks to our own catamaran, we aren’t tied to the fixed schedules of dive centers and can choose dive sites based on current conditions

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• The Cathedral – Fascinating underwater architecture. You’ll discover lava tunnels, caves, and rock arches that form unusual structures.

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• The Arona – A world-class destination for wreck diving enthusiasts. This ship lies on its side at a depth of 40 meters, still intact, with its entrance tirelessly guarded by schools of barracuda.

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• La Restinga – A nature reserve with immense biodiversity. Here you can encounter turtles, tuna, dolphins, and, on rare occasions, a whale shark. The area has quickly recovered from the 2011 undersea eruption.

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• Cuevo Del Palm Mar – A site for more experienced and technical divers. The crystal-clear water offers views of majestic rocks and caves where lobsters, moray eels, and barracudas hide.

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• Radazul – Tenerife – At first glance, an unremarkable sandy bottom, but at depths of 12 meters and beyond, you’ll be surprised by large stingrays, turtles, and moray eels that camouflage themselves by mimicking sea grass.

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• Las Galettas – Tenerife – A magnificent spot where the fauna of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea intermingle. Among the white sand and rocky walls, you’ll see two-meter-long rays, large groupers, moray eels, and toadfish.

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• Los Gigantes – Tenerife – One of the “best” spots in the Canary Islands. In this lagoon beneath towering cliffs, you’ll experience a veritable stingray spectacle. During feeding time, you’ll be surrounded by stingrays up to two meters long, accompanied by sea turtles and wary barracudas.

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• Turtle Cove near Los Cristianos – The spot with the best chance of a close encounter with sea turtles. They’re used to people, can be fed by hand, and you can even watch them while simply snorkeling.

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• Dolphins near Los Cristianos – Tenerife – Dolphins love to play near the fish pens right in front of the marina. Although diving isn’t allowed here, it’s an unforgettable sight from the boat’s deck.

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A Vacation That’s More Than Just a Vacation

 

A cruise on the Copernic is neither a package tour nor a traditional charter cruise.

It’s a combination of yachting, exploration, diving, swimming, whale watching, and life at sea. Every day brings a new destination, new experiences, and a fresh perspective on the Atlantic.

If you’re looking for an active vacation in a small group of people who share a love for the sea, nature, and adventure, the Canary Islands from the deck of the Copernic will likely thrill you just as much as they do us.