Canaries ports - advice on sun

[Ingram33]

Hi everyone, thought this might be some useful advice:-
On our recent New Year Canaries cruise we were docking at both Tenerife and Gran Canaria, both islands we have been to in the past but on land based package holidays. The port for Tenerife is Santa Cruz and Gran Canaria is La Palma.

What we didn't realise was that both of these ports are on the north of each island - for which the weather can be somewhat different to that of the south (even though the islands are relatively small). We were a little disappointed at this as hadn't realised and if we had we would have booked excursions at those stops to take in the south of the islands, there was nothing more annoying than people returning to the ship after a day out on excursion and saying they had really good sunshine and warmer temperatures than we had experienced either on the ship or walking around the port! Although it was warm on both islands, and considering it was January, it was extremely cloudy and spitting with rain at times, yet the south of Island was pure sunshine!

Please be aware of this when booking a Canaries cruise and make sure that you venture to the south of the islands. The best island with best weather we experienced was New Years Eve at Madeira, and this more than made up for it - but I would not want anyone else to be disappointed.

[JohnTheDog]

What a helpful & thoughtful post thanks!

[Ingram33]

Thanks, John. If it helps someone else I'll be happy - what a great forum we have here don't we!

[makina]

Thanks for the heads up Ingram33, will bear this in mind when we go round the Canaries in 32 days time.

[Emrobo]

Yes thanks for the info

wow 32 days is that all? eek

[makina]

Yes thanks for the info

wow 32 days is that all? eek

Yeah 32 days, ive got an app on my phone and its actually 775 hours until we go. Cant wait!!

[Manoverboard]

An explanation perhaps ...

" One of the main aspects that contribute to such a peculiar weather system is the cold-stream of Canarias and also the refreshing trade winds. This special wind causes a really strange, but very interesting phenomenon called Sea of Clouds; the wind push the clouds against the top of the mountains and this will condense in areas of median north and northeast of the island. "

[kaymar]

In Tenerife, from Santa Cruz dock a shuttle bus will take you to the promenade, where, as the OP says, it may well be cloudy and cool. From the shuttle drop-off it is a 15 min walk to the bus terminal (or two mins in a taxi). An express bus, every 30 mins, will take you South to Las Americas and the sunshine in about 1 hr. Can't remember the fare but probably about 10 euros, certainly much less expensive than a P&O tour and just as quick.

[Romig1]

An explanation perhaps ...

" One of the main aspects that contribute to such a peculiar weather system is the cold-stream of Canarias and also the refreshing trade winds. This special wind causes a really strange, but very interesting phenomenon called Sea of Clouds; the wind push the clouds against the top of the mountains and this will condense in areas of median north and northeast of the island. "

When we were there in October, the guide on our Teide tour told us that recently the weather patterns have changed, with cloud forming to the South of the mountains. It proved to be true; when we ascended into the National Park we had wonderful views to the northern coast (which was bathed in sunshine) but we were above the cloud levels when viewing to the south.

[Emrobo]

An explanation perhaps ...

" One of the main aspects that contribute to such a peculiar weather system is the cold-stream of Canarias and also the refreshing trade winds. This special wind causes a really strange, but very interesting phenomenon called Sea of Clouds; the wind push the clouds against the top of the mountains and this will condense in areas of median north and northeast of the island. "

When we were there in October, the guide on our Teide tour told us that recently the weather patterns have changed, with cloud forming to the South of the mountains. It proved to be true; when we ascended into the National Park we had wonderful views to the northern coast (which was bathed in sunshine) but we were above the cloud levels when viewing to the south.

Just pot luck then what weather you get?

Tenerife we plan to go to loro Parque and Gran Canaria we were just going to go to the beach close to the port :/

[Romig1]

Emrobo.

P&O have today announced a new "Behind the Scenes" tour at Loro Parque..

http://www.discoverpocruises.co.uk/2013 ... -2013.html

[Emrobo]

Emrobo.

P&O have today announced a new "Behind the Scenes" tour at Loro Parque..

http://www.discoverpocruises.co.uk/2013 ... -2013.html

OoooOo off to look at CP now, we were just going to hire a car and DIY there

[Emrobo]

booo - it isn't on our CP

[Romig1]

Blimey...give them time. They've only just announced them today (for 2013).

Given the IT history, I would expect these trips to be bookable by at least October.

[Emrobo]

Blimey...give them time. They've only just announced them today (for 2013).

Given the IT history, I would expect these trips to be bookable by at least October.

That was my thought process but the ebikes in GC are up

[Manoverboard]

... When we were there in October, the guide on our Teide tour told us that recently the weather patterns have changed, with cloud forming to the South of the mountains. It proved to be true; when we ascended into the National Park we had wonderful views to the northern coast (which was bathed in sunshine) but we were above the cloud levels when viewing to the south.

Never heard that one before, the dreaded cloud has been a feature for more years than I dare to remember so was it down to climate change or was it due to the Jet Stream issues that we had .... only time will tell.

[kaymar]

It's all relative, isn't it? I'd probably settle for a bit of nice, warm cloud right now!

We tend to have a week in Tenerife in late winter - we are going mid March this year - and always go to Costa Fanabe in the South. We do notice that, as Romig says, Mount Teide is often shrouded in cloud, which may just be on the south side of the peak, when the coastal area is bathed in sunshine. That was certainly the case when we call for a day in November.

[Ingram33]

An explanation perhaps ...

" One of the main aspects that contribute to such a peculiar weather system is the cold-stream of Canarias and also the refreshing trade winds. This special wind causes a really strange, but very interesting phenomenon called Sea of Clouds; the wind push the clouds against the top of the mountains and this will condense in areas of median north and northeast of the island. "

Very interesting - thanks

[gilly88]

my mum an dad live in tenerife and their advice has always been head south on all the islands for the sun. a good place on gran canaria is porta mogan in the south, lovely sandy beach and interesting habour/marina. wonderful panaramic scenery to get there too.

[jacksparrow]

We had some weird weather in the Canaries.... it wasnt as good as I thought it would be...