Destination comparison
Canary Islands vs Vietnam
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Canary Islands | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Atlantic & Offshore | South East Asia |
| Peak season | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Feb, Mar, Apr, May |
| Shoulder | Mar, Oct | Jan, Jun |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 16 kn | 14 / 12 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | EUR | VND (Vietnamese Dong) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $9,500 | $10,000 |
| Luxury tier price | $36,000 | $38,000 |
| 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
Vietnam's cruising season runs February-May with light winds and dry weather. Monsoon (June-September) brings typhoons in the South China Sea — most operators suspend charters. Phu Quoc has year-round activity but conditions tighten July-November.
- • 1 base marinas
- • 3 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.
Vietnam averages 14 knots in winter and 12 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Canary Islands is generally rated moderate and Vietnam 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: $4,200
- Mid season: $10,000
- High season: $20,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $38,000+
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
- Phu Quoc archipelago — Cable car, beaches, diving; rising yacht hub
- Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay — Karst seascape — charter bases mostly crewed junk-style
- Nha Trang & Cam Ranh — Resort anchorages, snorkelling, bays
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 Vietnam.
Choose Vietnam. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Canary Islands has 1 cultural anchorages vs Vietnam'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."
"Vietnam's charter sailing is Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay - limestone karsts that look like a Chinese painting and anchorages that feel prehistoric. It is mostly crewed or cabin charter because the bays are tight and the charts still have gaps. The magic window is October-April; summer is hot and typhoon season brushes the north coast. Combine with a Ha Long junk day - different pace, same water."
Timing and Budget: Canary Islands vs Vietnam
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Canary Islands & Vietnam
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