Destination comparison
Canary Islands vs Grenada & the Grenadines
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Canary Islands | Grenada & the Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Atlantic & Offshore | Caribbean |
| Peak season | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | Mar, Oct | Nov, May |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 16 kn | 20 / 15 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | EUR | XCD (pegged to USD) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $9,500 | $10,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $36,000 | $40,000 |
| 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
Stronger trade winds than Northern Caribbean; typically 18-25kt in winter. Tobago Cays is the must-do sail. One-way Grenada to St Lucia possible.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 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.
Grenada & the Grenadines averages 20 knots in winter and 15 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Canary Islands is generally rated moderate and Grenada & the Grenadines 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: $3,800
- Mid season: $9,500
- High season: $19,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
- Low season: $4,000
- Mid season: $10,500
- High season: $20,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $40,000+
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
- Tobago Cays — Five uninhabited islands; turtle snorkeling
- Petit St Vincent — Quiet luxury island
- Mayreau — Saltwhistle Bay
- Bequia - Friendship Bay — Local charm
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 Grenada & the Grenadines.
Choose Grenada & the Grenadines. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Canary Islands has 1 cultural anchorages vs Grenada & the Grenadines's 1. 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."
Timing and Budget: Canary Islands vs Grenada & the Grenadines
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Canary Islands & Grenada & the Grenadines
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