Self-Launched Sail & Hike the Canary Islands

Fly into Tenerife South Airport (TFS) — budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet operate direct routes from UK airports from ~£60–100 return. Make your way to San Miguel Marina by local bus (Line 470, ~£2) or taxi (~£10). Book a berth on a shared skippered sailing charter departing the next morning via Click&Boat or Sailogy — budget around £120–160pp for a 6-night shared cabin aboard a 15–18m yacht. Spend the evening picking up provisions from a local supermarket (Mercadona nearby) and grab dinner on the marina front.

🚌Fly to Tenerife South (TFS); local bus Line 470 or taxi to marina

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel near marina (e.g. Hostel Casa del Mar, ~£20–28pp)

• →Arrive at San Miguel Marina
• →Book shared sailing charter berth via Click&Boat or Sailogy (~£130pp for 6 nights shared cabin)
• →Supermarket run for onboard provisions
• →Explore marina waterfront and dinner ashore

Set sail from San Miguel Marina in the morning. The crossing to La Gomera takes around 3–4 hours — enjoy the open water, help with the sails, or simply relax on deck. Arrive into San Sebastián de la Gomera in the afternoon. Take a walk up to Torre del Conde (free entry) and into the historic centre. La Gomera is the gateway to Garajonay National Park — grab a free trail map from the tourist office on the harbour.

🚌Sailing yacht (shared charter)

🛏Shared yacht cabin (included in charter cost)

• →Morning sailing departure from San Miguel Marina
• →Sailing crossing to La Gomera (~3–4 hrs)
• →Visit Torre del Conde (free)
• →Explore San Sebastián old town and harbour
• →Pick up Garajonay trail maps from tourist office (free)

A longer day at sea sailing north from La Gomera to La Palma — roughly 5–7 hours depending on wind. Take the helm under skipper guidance, swim off the boat in calm anchorages, or read on deck. Arrive into Santa Cruz de la Palma in the early evening. La Palma's capital is compact and walkable — wander the seafront Avenida Marítima and grab tapas at one of the harbour bars.

🚌Sailing yacht (shared charter)

🛏Shared yacht cabin (included in charter cost)

• →Full day sailing La Gomera to La Palma
• →Hands-on sailing experience with skipper guidance
• →Swimming from the boat at anchor
• →Evening stroll along Avenida Marítima, Santa Cruz de la Palma

Spend the day ashore discovering one of the Canaries' most charming and underrated capitals. Stroll colourful Avenida Marítima with its iconic Canarian balconied townhouses, visit the striking Iglesia del Salvador (free), and wander cobblestone streets lined with 15th-century architecture. Don't miss Calle O'Daly — the pedestrianised old town street lined with independent shops and cafés. Lunch at a local guachinche (traditional Canarian wine tavern) for €10–12.

🚌On foot ashore

🛏Shared yacht cabin (included in charter cost)

• →Walk Avenida Marítima and its colourful Canarian balcony houses (free)
• →Visit Iglesia del Salvador (free)
• →Wander historic Calle O'Daly
• →Lunch at a local guachinche (traditional Canarian tavern, ~£10)
• →Evening tapas and local wine at harbour bars

Depart Santa Cruz de la Palma and sail back south towards La Gomera, this time seeking out isolated anchorages on the island's less-visited western and southern shores. Swim and snorkel directly from the boat — bring a basic snorkel set (buy in Tenerife for ~£8–12 or bring from home). Spend a relaxed afternoon at anchor, exploring quiet beaches by dinghy.

🚌Sailing yacht (shared charter)

🛏Shared yacht cabin (included in charter cost)

• →Morning sail from La Palma to La Gomera anchorages
• →Swimming and snorkelling from the yacht
• →Dinghy exploration of isolated beaches
• →Sunset at anchor

Morning sail from La Gomera back to Tenerife, arriving into Los Cristianos around lunchtime. Spend the afternoon swimming in the famous bay or strolling the vibrant waterfront promenade. Los Cristianos has a good range of affordable restaurants — try El Cine for generous local fish dishes. This is your last night aboard the yacht.

🚌Sailing yacht (shared charter)

🛏Shared yacht cabin (included in charter cost)

• →Morning sail La Gomera to Los Cristianos
• →Swim in Los Cristianos bay
• →Waterfront promenade stroll
• →Final evening dinner aboard or ashore (~£12–18)

Disembark at San Miguel Marina in the morning. Take the TITSA public bus (Line 111 or 343) across the island to Puerto de la Cruz — journey takes approximately 1h15m, costs ~£4. Check into your hostel or guesthouse. Puerto de la Cruz is Tenerife's characterful northern resort town — explore the historic Plaza del Charco, the rock pools of Lago Martiánez (designed by César Manrique, entry ~£4), and the old harbour district in the evening.

🚌TITSA public bus Line 111/343, ~£4

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel, Puerto de la Cruz (e.g. Hostal Residencia Cebrián or similar, ~£25–35pp)

• →Disembark yacht at San Miguel Marina
• →Public bus transfer to Puerto de la Cruz (TITSA Line 111/343, ~£4, ~1h15m)
• →Check in to guesthouse/hostel
• →Evening explore: Plaza del Charco, old harbour district
• →Optional: Lago Martiánez rock pools (~£4)

Head north to Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve blanketed in ancient Laurisilva laurel forest. Take the TITSA bus from Puerto de la Cruz towards Santa Cruz (Line 101/102) and change for the Anaga bus — or book a self-bookable guided hike via GetYourGuide (search 'Anaga Forest Guided Hike', ~£25–35pp including transport) which replicates the G Adventures experience closely. The trail to Chinamada passes through dramatic cloud-forest landscapes and ends at the famous pre-historic cave houses, some still inhabited today. Return to Puerto de la Cruz by bus or with your tour group. Optional afternoon visit to Jardín Botánico (Sitio Litre) botanical gardens (~£5) or a local guachinche vineyard.

🚌TITSA bus or included in GetYourGuide tour transport

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel, Puerto de la Cruz (~£25–35pp)

• →Guided hike through Anaga Laurisilva forest to Chinamada (book via GetYourGuide, ~£30pp inc. transport)
• →Visit pre-historic cave houses of Chinamada (free)
• →Optional: Sitio Litre Botanical Garden visit (~£5)
• →Optional: local vineyard/guachinche visit (~£8 with wine tasting)

A full-day hike through one of Tenerife's most dramatic landscapes. Take the TITSA bus towards Erjos (Line 355 from Icod de los Vinos, change in Santiago del Teide) or book a self-bookable guided trek via GetYourGuide (search 'Masca Valley Hike' or 'Teno Rural Park Trek', ~£25–40pp). The trail follows a mountain ridge from Erjos to Cruz de Gala and up to the Bolico summit, with jaw-dropping views across the Masca Valley and out to neighbouring La Gomera. Finish in the picture-perfect whitewashed village of Masca. Note: the Masca Gorge trail to the sea requires a permit (book via tenerifegobierno.es, ~£6) — check ahead. Return by bus to Puerto de la Cruz.

🚌TITSA bus to Erjos via Santiago del Teide (~£5 each way) or included in guided tour

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel, Puerto de la Cruz (~£25–35pp)

• →Hike Erjos to Masca via Cruz de Gala ridge and Bolico summit (guided tour via GetYourGuide ~£30pp, or self-guided with OS map)
• →Views over Masca Valley and La Gomera
• →Explore Masca village (free)
• →Optional: Masca Gorge descent permit (~£6, pre-book online)
• →Bus return to Puerto de la Cruz

Start the morning with an orientation stroll around the stunning colonial town of La Orotava — just 10 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz by bus (TITSA Line 345, ~£1.50). The Casa de los Balcones is a highlight (free exterior, small entry fee for interior ~£3). Then continue by TITSA bus or pre-booked tour to Teide National Park. Hike the Samara viewpoint trail (Sendero 3 — Roques de García loop is free and spectacular, ~2–3hrs). For Teide summit access, a free permit is required — book months ahead at reservas.parquesnacionales.es. Alternatively, book a self-bookable 'Teide National Park Guided Hike' via GetYourGuide (~£30–45pp with transport). After, head south to Costa Adeje — take the TITSA bus (TF-1 corridor buses, ~£5) or arrange a shared taxi with fellow travellers.

🚌TITSA bus La Orotava (~£1.50); bus/taxi to Teide and Costa Adeje (~£5–10)

🛏Budget hotel or apartment, Costa Adeje (e.g. Apartamentos Bouganvilla or similar, ~£28–40pp)

• →Morning visit to La Orotava colonial town (TITSA bus ~£1.50)
• →Casa de los Balcones visit (~£3)
• →Teide National Park hike — Roques de García loop (free, self-launched) or guided hike via GetYourGuide (~£35pp inc. transport)
• →Samara viewpoint (panoramic views of the park)
• →Afternoon transfer south to Costa Adeje (TITSA bus ~£5)

A fully free day to enjoy at your own pace — the original tour keeps this unstructured too. Playa del Duque and Playa de Fañabé are two of Tenerife's finest golden sand beaches, both easily walkable. Stroll the seafront promenade, browse the waterfront market, or treat yourself to a beach club day (~£10–15 sun lounger hire). Optional: catch the Fred Olsen ferry from Los Cristianos (20 min away by local bus) to La Gomera for a day trip (~£28 return) — book at fredolsen.es.

🚌On foot; local bus to Los Cristianos ~£1.50 if doing ferry day trip

🛏Budget hotel or apartment, Costa Adeje (~£28–40pp)

• →Relax on Playa del Duque or Playa de Fañabé (free)
• →Promenade stroll and waterfront market
• →Optional: day trip to La Gomera by ferry (~£28 return, book at fredolsen.es)
• →Optional: whale & dolphin watching boat trip (~£30–45, book via GetYourGuide)

Depart at any time. Tenerife South Airport (TFS) is approximately 15 minutes from Costa Adeje — take a taxi (~£10–12) or the TITSA bus Line 111/343 (~£2). Allow time for a final coffee on the promenade before heading to the airport.

🚌Taxi or TITSA bus to TFS (~£2–10)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Final breakfast in Costa Adeje
• →Transfer to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) by taxi (~£10) or bus (~£2)