Destination comparison
Canary Islands vs Egypt
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Canary Islands | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Atlantic & Offshore | Red Sea & Middle East |
| Peak season | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | Mar, Oct | Feb, May, Dec |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 16 kn | 12 / 18 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | None |
| Currency | EUR | EGP (Egyptian Pound) - marinas quote USD |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $9,500 | $10,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $36,000 | $45,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
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
The Red Sea Riviera is a protected, reef-lined corridor with steady N winds and near-permanent sunshine. October-April is the sweet spot; summer is hot but the meltemi-style northerlies keep boats moving. Bareboat fleets are the largest in the region and checkout sails are routine.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 10 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Canary Islands averages 18 knots in winter and 16 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.
Egypt averages 12 knots in winter and 18 knots in summer. No hurricane season.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Canary Islands is generally rated moderate and Egypt is easy to moderate. The difference matters: Canary Islands asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $3,800
- Mid season: $9,500
- High season: $19,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
- Low season: $4,200
- Mid season: $10,500
- High season: $24,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $45,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- 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
- Giftun Islands National Park — Protected reefs and 20+ named snorkel sites off Hurghada
- Abu Dabbab — Dugongs and turtles in shallow seagrass; a protected mooring field
- Fury Shoals & Dolphin House — Signature Marsa Alam reef with schooling dolphins
- Luxor day trip — Valley of the Kings is a 4h transfer from the coast - worth the detour
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 Canary Islands or Egypt.
Choose Egypt. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Canary Islands has 1 cultural anchorages vs Egypt's 0. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"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."
"Red Sea seasons are counter-intuitive. Most first-timers assume summer; the real sweet spot is October-April when the air is 22-28°C and the N wind is a pleasant 12-18kt instead of a June hammer. El Gouna's Abu Tig marina is the easiest base for a first Red Sea bareboat - the lagoon exit is sheltered and the reef passages are well marked. Do the checkout sail seriously: the reefs demand attention even on a clear day."
Timing and Budget: Canary Islands vs Egypt
Frequently Asked Questions
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