Destination comparison
Brazil vs Canary Islands
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Brazil | Canary Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Region | South America & Galápagos | Atlantic & Offshore |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep |
| Shoulder | Apr, Nov | Mar, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 15 / 10 kn | 18 / 16 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | None |
| Currency | BRL (Brazilian Real) | EUR |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $16,000 | $9,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $75,000 | $36,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Brazil's charter belt runs from Angra dos Reis south of Rio up to Bahia. December-March is the sunny, settled season; June-November trade winds freshen on the north-east coast - the window for Noronha and Abrolhos. Crewed catamarans dominate, with a growing bareboat scene out of Paraty.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 3 must-visit anchorages
- • 8 boats in our fleet database for this region
Year-round trade winds (NE 15-25kt) with reliable breeze April-October. November-March has cooler weather and occasional calima (Saharan dust events). Ideal training ground for Atlantic crossing — most ARC rally boats depart from Las Palmas in November.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 7 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Brazil averages 15 knots in winter and 10 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.
Canary Islands averages 18 knots in winter and 16 knots in summer. No hurricane season.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Brazil is generally rated moderate and Canary Islands is moderate. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $6,000
- Mid season: $16,000
- High season: $38,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $75,000+
- Low season: $3,800
- Mid season: $9,500
- High season: $19,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Fernando de Noronha — UNESCO marine park with Brazil's clearest water and strict daily visitor caps
- Ilha Grande & Paraty — Colonial town, rainforest-clad islands and 300+ beaches inside a sheltered bay
- Abrolhos Marine National Park — Whale nursery June-November and the South Atlantic's richest reef system
- Lanzarote - Papagayo beaches — White sand coves, turquoise water, steady wind
- Fuerteventura - Corralejo dunes — Sandy beaches, volcanic island hopping
- La Graciosa — Untouched, no cars; ferry or sail from Lanzarote
- Tenerife - Mount Teide — Spain's highest peak; dramatic backdrop
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Brazil or Canary Islands.
Choose Brazil. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Brazil has 0 cultural anchorages vs Canary Islands's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"Think of Brazil's charter coast in two halves. December-March is Paraty and Angra: warm, sheltered, party-lite island hopping between green mountains. June-November is the north-east trade-wind season and the window for Fernando de Noronha - clearer water but you earn it with a 300nm offshore leg from Recife. For most first-timers to Brazil, Paraty is the right introduction."
"The Canaries are the Atlantic's wind machine - 15-25kt trades most of the year, which is glorious if you plan for it and exhausting if you don't. The classic week is Gran Canaria to Lanzarote via the channel, or a loop out of Tenerife. November-April is the charter season; summer is quieter and windier. Reef to weather early and you will have the anchorages mostly to yourself."
Timing and Budget: Brazil vs Canary Islands
Frequently Asked Questions
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