Destination comparison
Canary Islands vs Mexico
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Canary Islands | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Atlantic & Offshore | Mexico & Central America |
| Peak season | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | Mar, Oct | May, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 16 kn | 16 / 10 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | EUR | MXN (Mexican Peso) / USD widely accepted in tourist areas |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $9,500 | $8,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $36,000 | $32,000 |
| 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
Sea of Cortez peaks November-April with reliable northerly winds (El Norte) and dry desert air. Caribbean Mexico is best November-May but watch for sargassum seaweed in summer. Hurricane risk closes most Caribbean charter bases June-October.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 12 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.
Mexico averages 16 knots in winter and 10 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Canary Islands is generally rated moderate and Mexico 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: $3,200
- Mid season: $8,500
- High season: $17,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $32,000+
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
- Espiritu Santo Island (Sea of Cortez) — UNESCO biosphere; sea-lion colony; snorkelling
- Playa Balandra (La Paz) — Crystal-clear shallow lagoon; turquoise water
- Cabo Pulmo — Hard coral reef, world-class diving
- Isla Mujeres / Cozumel (Caribbean side) — Snorkelling, reefs, party town
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Mexico. Charter fleets are abundant, marina staff speak English, checkout sails are standard.
Choose Mexico. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Canary Islands has 1 cultural anchorages vs Mexico'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."
"Mexico gives you two completely different charters: the Sea of Cortez and the Riviera Maya. The Sea of Cortez (La Paz) is the sailor's one - whales, sea lions and empty anchorages from November to April. The Riviera Maya (Cancún-Cozumel) is the easy week: clear water, marinas every 20 miles, and the best provisioning in the region. Both are bareboat-friendly with a checkout sail; neither has the crowded feel of the Caribbean's busier islands."
Timing and Budget: Canary Islands vs Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
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