Canary Islands and Sports – The CanAm Project

Destination Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are composed of seven geologically unique larger islands. This truly awesome archipelago features a year-round temperature range of spring to summer; -in short: -an all around the year season!-

This distinction makes the Canary Islands a prime destination, especially for nature-loving tourists, hikers, paragliders, surfers, bikers and other serious athletes as well as hobby Botanists or Vulcanologists, -just to name a few.

recommended time-lapse video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=prTiDkzA3Sw

Lanzarote
The most colorful island with mostly surreal landscapes in yellow, bright red, but also black and blue mark this arid island which could come closest to Mars. Tourist attractions are the Manrique caves and houses -named after the iconic Salvador Dali of the Canary Islands, César Manrique- and the contrast from tourist destinations and the stunningly picturesque Hinterland -Photographers beware!

see for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwF0_1jnxlA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5fGtJvTnCg

Tenerife
Spain’s highest Mountain with an elevation scratching 3800m, sometimes even snow-covered overlooks the island. Hiking and beachlife in the south and many touristic attractions such as Loro Parque in the west make this island a great all-year-round tourist destination. Here you find traditional towns, wild hidden valleys, a spectacular coastline and impressive volcanic landscapes. A rugged and spectacular island, it has an incredible variety of landscapes to explore. UNESCO recognized Teide National Park, with its lava fields, beautiful volcanic chaos and iconic Mount Teide scratching the sky at over 3700m above sea level.

Tenerife, with its forever springtime and the sunny climate, beautiful flower carpets balmy temperatures and majestic scenery make it a perfect antidote to a cold winter.

recommended videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi-V3xD7oII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaeekBKhecE

Gran Canaria
Nomen est Omen: “Grand Canyon Country” with light sand beaches, partially sand dunes like in the Sahara desert and a beautifully set sailyacht-ports.

But also the major city of Las Palmas with a flair reminding one of Chicago in summer with beach volleyball and great seafood with seaview in close vicinity of the city are interesting twists to a vacation. In the Maspalomas Area, partygoers find their spot and the immense sand dunes there make the stay unforgettable.

Fuerteventura
Once again: -Nomen est Omen-: The island’s name litterally translates into “Strong-Wind-Land-ia”; -which rings a bell with Wind- and Kitesurfers. Windsurfer’s paradise with shallow bays for easy starts, flat cobbly waters for high speed surfing, but also grand waves with safe on-shore winds in the north east. Last, but not least, wave surfers find their Eldorado in the west of the island, where the atlantic swell builds huge, long waves, -ideal for surfing. Endless white and clean sand beaches, ideal for lengthy strolls for lovebirds complete the romantic setting here.

La Palma
La Isla Bonita – By total contrast this island still sees little tourism compared to the other islands. La Palma boasts black beaches, rugged terrain, extensive alpine forests and one of the last jungle from before the last ice age! -actually earning her the designation as “Europe’s Galapagos”.

La Palma features the last eruption collada, extremely harsh cliffs, clear waters from the depth of the Atlantic, whale watching, pine forests, attractive hiking trails and the Caldera, one of the world’s largest craters with a diameter of 7 km and ridges of 2400m elevation; -which are sometimes even snow covered (!) while beach life going on at sea level -in short: breathtakingly beautiful!

Gomera and Hierro
The smaller, less developed islands boast a wide range of attractions ranging from a golf course to remote hiking and quietness for those looking to find a remote get-away.

Outdoor Sports on the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands offer a diverse range of outdoor sports and activities due to their varied landscapes and favorable climate. Some of the outdoor sports celebrated in the Canary Islands include:

1. Hiking: With an extensive network of trails crisscrossing volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and coastal cliffs, hiking is a popular activity on all of the islands. Trails like the GR131, which traverses La Palma, and the trails around Teide National Park in Tenerife are particularly renowned.

2. Surfing: The Canary Islands are known for their consistent surf breaks, attracting surfers from around the world. uerteventura, in particular, is famous for its excellent waves, but other islands like Tenerife and Lanzarote also offer great surfing spots.

3. Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: With strong and steady winds, especially in the summer months, the Canary Islands are a paradise for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Pozo Izquierdo in Gran Canaria and El Médano in Tenerife are popular spots for these sports.

4. Rock Climbing: The volcanic cliffs and rugged terrain of the Canary Islands provide ample opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and La Palma are among the islands with established climbing areas.

5. Mountain Biking: The islands’ varied landscapes, including volcanic trails, mountainous terrain, and coastal paths, make mountain biking a thrilling activity. Several companies offer guided tours and bike rental services.

6. Paragliding: With its towering volcanic peaks and reliable thermals, paragliding is a popular adventure sport in the Canary Islands. Tenerife and La Palma are particularly well-known for their paragliding sites.

7. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: The crystal-clear waters surrounding the Canary Islands are teeming with marine life and offer excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. El Hierro, La Palma, and Lanzarote are especially popular for underwater exploration.

8. Sailing and Yachting: The Canary Islands’ strategic location between Europe, Africa, and the Americas makes them a hub for sailing and yachting enthusiasts. The islands host several regattas and sailing events throughout the year.

These are just a few examples of the outdoor sports celebrated in the Canary Islands, showcasing the archipelago’s natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities.