Adventure Cruises in Spain
Adventure Cruises in Spain are an experience to remember. With the islands' rich nautical history spanning hundreds of years coupled with familiar trade winds, the Canary islands are best explored by sea.
Spain Cruises covers the fabulous region of Spain all year round that’s rich with its cultural festivals, dazzling nightlife, incredible beaches, sunny island boat cruises, and some of its 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With an opulent historical background comprising many small kingdoms, today, even the language changes regionally. To get the real feel of Spain, one must move around a little. Whether you ski down the Sierra Nevada mountains, indulge in the flavourful wine of Rioja or worship the sun God aboard small Spanish Cruises in the Canary Islands, Spain is certain to give you thrills anytime you go.
In Spain, cruises give you the chance to explore as much as possible of the country’s famous coastline. An inspiring mix of tiny coastal towns, glamourous ports and striking beaches has earned the Spanish coastline one of the top spots in the world for holidays. The relaxed and fun-loving attitude of the people rubs off on visitors and makes a small ship cruise a truly tranquil and fun-filled experience. Spain is also a land of contrast with something for everyone to enjoy. On one side, you will find water sports, beaches, and plentiful nightlife, and on the other fine dining, wine tasting and rich history and culture to explore.
Best Spain cruises and areas to visit
Sailing the open sea is something unique and needs to be experienced with the five senses. This can be enjoyed at its peak in the blue waters of the Canary Islands. With the islands' rich nautical history spanning hundreds of years coupled with familiar trade winds, the Canary islands are best explored by sea. After all, Christopher Columbus used these islands as his last stop before venturing into the new world!
Some of the best places to check out are:
Costa del Sol
Reaching from the enchanting port town of Malaga along the coast to Gibraltar, the Costa del Sol is one of the best-loved spots in the Mediterranean for holidaymakers. Beautiful topography, endless beaches, and some of the best weather in Europe are just some of the reasons this region is perfect for a small ship cruise around Spain. Cruises of Spain will stop off at historical ports such as Malaga as well as quaint coastal towns and huge sweeping beaches.
Seville
Although not on the coast, Seville is a cruising spot in Spain thanks to the river Guadalquivir. The city’s waterways can are great to travel around and enjoy the many historic churches, minarets, and Moorish palaces. Seville is a wonderful blend of modern architecture and historic buildings from all throughout Spain’s fascinating past. It is also the place to experience the Andalusian culture with traditional flamenco dancing and many local delicacies, including the famous Seville oranges.
Cadiz
One of Spain’s oldest cities, a small ship cruise to Cadiz gives you a chance to see the multicultural nature of Spanish history. Moorish eastern architecture sits alongside later Catholic cathedrals in great numbers. The city has so much to offer with the famous beach Playa de la Caleta right in the port of the town flanked by two historic castles. The region is also well known for its food, with seafood a particular delicacy thanks to the extensive fish market in the heart of the town.
Canary Islands
The land of the eternal Spring, a cruise around Spain’s Canary Islands, takes you on a journey across this varied and beautiful archipelago. The lively and well-known islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote have miles of beaches, charming towns, and year-round spring weather. The outlying islands of El Hierro, La Palma, and Gomera are an opportunity to see the untouched beauty of the Canaries and to encounter exciting marine life such as whales, dolphins, and turtles.
Best time to cruise in Spain
Spring (March to May) is the best time to visit Spain for those who’d like to avoid the peak summer crowds. There’s still plenty of sunshine, but emptier beaches and cities. The Canary Islands receive the winter sun between November and January, although the summer months bring in loads of tourists and adventure travellers.
The weather is warm all year round, dipping below 20°C in the winter months of December to February, which is usually only in elevated areas. Winter brings the wildflowers like corn poppies and Cirsium that bloom in March and April alongside the dancing whales and dolphins in the ocean! In July and August, temperatures hover around 30°C with a cooling coastal breeze in most places. It dips slightly lower in September and October, making it the best time to visit the Canary Islands when the sea is still lovely and warm for swimming too.
How to get to Spain
Spain’s two largest airports, Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat, are among Europe’s best-served, so finding flights into and out of the country is a cakewalk. Coming from elsewhere in Europe, it’s possible to fly into one of the many other smaller airports in Spain. Coming to Spain by land from elsewhere in Europe is also possible since Barcelona serves as the main hub for international trains and buses from places like Paris and London.
The Canary Islands are the southernmost point of Europe. There are many flights daily that connect the islands to most of the EU countries within a few hours. But the easiest way to reach the Canary Islands is usually via a two-hour flight from Madrid. However, for adventurous travellers with a bit more time on their hands, the Canary Islands are accessible from Spain via a ferry from either Huelva or Cádiz. The trip will take anywhere from 32 to 42 hours. Although all islands of the archipelago have airports, the busiest airport is Tenerife South Airport (TFS) which is an international airport. Most citizens from the Schengen area do not need to pass any kind of control, making travel very breezy.
Spain Cruise Tips
Here are some top tips for your next Spanish cruise sojourn.
Plan Ahead:
Spain is a country with curated itineraries for all seasons. Friendly and welcoming citizens and natural as well as man-made marvels make it a favourite destination for everyone. Cruises around the Canary islands get sold out very fast and most times are booked up to the next couple of months. It’s imperative to plan the trip well in advance and also to make great bargains on flight tickets as they sky-rocket during the on-season, which is winter and summer.
Arrive Early:
Although the cruise asks its passengers to arrive at 4 pm to board the boat, they advise guests to take flights that will arrive before 1 pm and book transport out of the port of arrival only after 1 pm that day. Since the island has so much to offer in terms of hikes and trails, historical monuments and scrumptious cuisines, a general suggestion is to arrive a couple of days before the sail around the Canary Islands embarks.
Choosing the right trip:
The trip is for 7 days and 6 nights, cruising from Tenerife to La Palma to La Gomera and back to Tenerife onboard a 56-feet sail yacht designed to take guests through the stunning islands of Spain’s famous Canary Island archipelago. Guests have a chance to go hiking, snorkelling and relax on the beach or the sundecks on board. Exploring historical sites as well as café-lined harbours and opportunities to spot dolphins and whales are just the cream on top of a delicious trip. It is curated for a maximum of 10 passengers, but while booking, guests also have the option of making it a private charter.
What to pack
Since the trip is a cruise on a sailboat and because the Canary Islands are sunny, it's important to have high SPF sunscreen as well as after-sun lotion at hand. Beach hats and cover-ups, flip flops or water shoes, sunglasses and swimwear, and a re-useable water bottle are some key items guests should remember while packing for this trip. A pair of sports shoes or trekking shoes for hikes and a pair of long trousers for men must be considered as there are hotels which impose dress codes for men in the evenings. A dry bag, binoculars, flashlight, camera, personal first aid kit, preferably biodegradable toiletries, and a windproof rain jacket are also essentials while packing. Personal documents and an external battery pack, and a plug point converter are also very important.
Snorkelling gear:
Although snorkelling gear is usually available on board, it is best to carry your own snorkelling masks and fins that are a proper fit and will keep you most comfortable in the water.
Spain Travel Advice:
Some important personal documents that should be carried for travel in and around Spain include flight information, insurance information, passport with relevant visas, vaccination certificates, vouchers and pre-departure information for cruises. Spending cash is always a plus, apart from having bank cards. It's great to consider your spending habits and account for drinks, shopping and tipping. A wise decision would be to keep an emergency fund with a couple of hundred euros in your pack.
