Nearby Islands

There are three ferry companies on Tenerife that travel to the other Canary islands. Tenerife’s central location makes it a great starting point to discover the other islands, all of which are fascinating and unique. Information for these can be found below. If you are looking for arranged group excursions please see the section Tourist Activities in Spain.

La Palma
La Palma is the north-westernmost of the Canary Island group, known as the 'Pretty Isle' because of its exuberant natural beauty. The green of the countryside, the abundant water and the floral wealth make a sharp contrast with the many volcanic cones, lava flows and dykes that are testimony to the Island's origins. Along with the natural beauty of the Island, is a culture full of traditions, cuisine, crafts and folklore that has survived from the time of the aboriginal inhabitants, who left a wide variety of natural archaeological riches.

La Gomera
After El Hierro, La Gomera is the smallest of the Canary Islands, with a surface area of 378 square kilometres, approximately 10 percent of which is covered by the Garajonay National Park which has been declared a Mankind Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Island, in the centre of the westernmost part of the Canary Islands, between La Palma, El Hierro and Tenerife, is the ideal setting for outdoor activities throughout the year. A walk though charming little villages will take you through the rugged terrain, with surprises in store around every bend in the road. The natural wealth of the whole Island is so impressive that it has, in fact, won the highest possible distinction as a protected natural space.

Gran Canaria
The Islanders have made the most of the potential of Gran Canaria. In the tourist resorts of the south, the extensive Maspalomas coast has many leisure facilities: water parks, woodlands with exotic birds flying free, underwater spectacles, yacht marinas, golf courses, etc. A few kilometres away, is the other face of Gran Canaria - small towns and villages that have conserved their history. Some of the most beautiful of these towns are Arucas with its popular cathedral that lifts its Gothic spires to the sky; Telde with its labyrinth of steep alley ways; Mogan with its white buildings amidst the bright coloured flowers; and Teror, a pilgrimage town with its beautiful cathedral.

Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura has 285 kilometres of coastline. Unlike the rest of the Islands, the shores are generally low-lying empty beaches. Perfect for any kind of water sports, or just strolling in the warm temperatures thanks to the fresh trade winds. Scarcely one hundred kilometres separate Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands, from the coast of Africa. Those who know its history say that it is the oldest of them all

Lanzarote
About 100 km off the African coast, Lanzarote is in the temperate zone of the Tropic of Cancer, warmed by the Saharan temperatures meeting the Gulf Stream. The wonderful climate and varied scenery have made this island of volcanoes into a zone that attracts tourists from all over the European Union. Very little seasonal fluctuations and good occupancy rates place it in a unique situation compared to other tourist areas. More than one and a half million tourists, from home and abroad, fill the Island's accommodations of over 53,000 beds, situated mainly in the Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca areas.

Boat Trips
There are a huge number of companies offering boat trips to tourists and these vary from a 'booze cruise' on a cruiser offering lunch, drinks and watersports to a trip around the island on a sailing boat or catamaran. One of the main attractions is the chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild. Visitors on most trips spot whales; dolphins are not so much of a certainty but are generally seen - often very close to the boat. Trips go from either Puerto Colon in Playa de las Americas, or from the port at Los Cristianos and most operators offer a free bus service from the larger hotels in the main resorts.

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