The beautiful Canary Island of Gran Canaria attracts tourism for numerous reasons, but one of the main attractions are the marinas in Gran Canaria.

Due to the seafaring nature of the people of the Canaries and the importance of the tourism sector, Gran Canaria has developed a very complete harbour infrastructure, which includes marinas and fishing havens.

Many of the latter also allow entry to leisure yachts, while all the harbours provide the basic services that make the prolonged mooring of vessels possible, in addition to the possibility of practicing the various water sports.

LAS PALMAS

Puerto de la Luz y Las Palmas, to give its official name, is a busy commercial port. The movement of all vessels is monitored from a control tower in the Port Authority building. If in any doubt one should contact Port Control on channel 16 or 10, who will then advise to switch to a working channel. Yachts entering or leaving should look out for commercial traffic, particularly the fast ferries.

The yacht harbour, Muelle Deportivo, lies at the southern end of the main harbour. It is administered by the Port Authority.

The yacht quay currently has 1.134 mooring places, which makes this the biggest yacht quay in the Canaries, and it is protected by two seawalls that give shelter to a surface area of 210.000 m2. The main seawall is 600 metres long and there are 70 stern-to-pier mooring places that can accommodate vessels with a maximum length of 45 metres. The enclosing seawall, which is also 600 metres long, has five floating quays with 150 mooring places that can each accommodate a maximum length of 16 metres. On the harbour side, which lies adjacent to the city, there are 12 floating quays, with a total of 864 mooring places for boats with a maximum length of 16 metres.

This quay, which is situated in the cosmopolitan and dynamic city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, within one of the most important commercial harbours in the Atlantic (although it is completely independent from the main harbour), is the ideal place for making preparations for Atlantic crossings, such as the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) Regatta, which sets out from this harbour every year with 200 participants from different countries.

Entrance: the entrance into the marina is hard to detect and the situation is made more confusing by the entrance being marked by two red flashing lights, the one to be left to starboard being located at the eastern end of the northern breakwater, the other (port side) at the northern end of the main (southern) breakwater. Vessels should favour the starboard side of the narrow entrance as the port side is fouled and shallow.

Until the new reception dock becomes operational, arriving yachts should tie up at the Texaco fuel station at the northern end of the main dock where a port official will meet them and assign a berth. If arriving outside of office hours one should take one of the spaces on the main quay. One should not go to a pontoon unless instructed to do so by a port official.

Formalities are completed in the port office (Tel. 928 244 101) at the southern end of the marina. In 2006 the office will move to a new building at the entrance to the marina, next to the Texaco fuel station. The captain should report during office hours (0700 -1400 daily) with the ship's papers and passports. No other formalities are normally necessary for EU boats having only EU nationals on board. Crew members who are leaving the Canaries by air must take their passports to the immigration office (Policia de Frontera, Tel 928 264 431) located at the eastern end of the main Port Authority building (Edificio Autoridad Portuaria) in the port compound. This can be reached by taxi or bus no.1.

Docking

A reception dock will start being used in 2006. This will be located on the port side immediately past the marina entrance. The marina office is located here. The marina was refurbished in 2005 and a floating pontoon has been installed along the main quay making docking much easier. Larger yachts normally come stern-to the main quay after picking up a mooring buoy or dropping their own anchor. Yachts under 12 metres tie up to one of visitors' pontoons along the northern breakwater. There is water and electricity to all berths. There is a shower block, keys for which can be obtained from the port office. For stays longer than a month there is a discount, if port fees are paid in advance. It is also possible to anchor in the area north of the marina. Dinghies can be left at one of the pontoons.

Yacht Clubs

Club Maritimo Varadero de Gran Canaria
Joaquín Blanco Torrent - Muelle Deportivo
35005 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Las Palmas
Tel. 928 24 99 19 / 928 24 99 20 - Fax. 928 23 12 65

Contact: Ms Maryluz Peñate. The club is situated in front of pontoon 12 which belongs to them. They ask 18€ per week to be a visiting member and use the club facilities.

Real Club Nautico de Gran Canaria
Avenida Maritima
Tel. 928 23 45 66 - Fax. 928 24 63 24

Visiting membership is given to members of reciprocal yacht clubs on production of their cards. The secretary or commodore should be contacted if wishing to use the club facilities.

ARGUINEGUÍN

The fishing harbour is used extensively by the cooperative Cofradia de Pescadores de Arguineguín and space for visiting boats is limited. The inner breakwater has been extended, but all spaces on the pontoons are taken up by local fishing boats. Visitors must anchor outside and take stern lines to the inner breakwater, or anchor in the well-protected area between the harbour and the beach.

Being located in one of the main tourist areas in the South of Gran Canaria, this harbour and the village in which it is situated have undergone considerable development, but without sacrificing the essential seafaring character of the village. The harbour is sheltered by a 429,33 metre-long seawall, which is used by the local fishing fleet as well as the boats that operate the regular sea routes. There are also 3 floating quays, which are used by the smaller fishing boats and pleasure boats.

The harbour provides 24-hour surveillance and all the mooring places have electricity and water supply. The dry dock has a 70-tonne travel lift, a crane with a capacity of 3 tonnes, workshops that do repairs and other businesses that supply ships.

Skippers are advised to enquire if there is space before they arrive, otherwise visiting yachts berth at the main wharf until a place is found for them. On arrival visitors must report to the port office, open 0800-1300, 1500-1700 Monday to Friday, Tel. 928 73 64 41, which is at the north end of the large shed on the dock, where the Cofradia also has its office. They will then be assigned a berth, yachts being usually accommodated at the main quay. There are a few moorings for yachts to come stern-to the outer breakwater which is fronted by large rocks.

PUERTO DEPORTIVO TALIARTE

This fishing harbour, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Island Council of Gran Canaria, is located on the east coast, approximately 10 miles to the south of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and close to one of the main recreational areas of Telde, which includes the cosy beaches of El Hombre, Melenara and Salinetas. The harbour is sheltered by a 400 metre-long seawall with a ramp, which is used by the fishing fleet, while there are also 3 floating quays for small pleasure boats. The harbour provides 24-hour surveillance and the dry dock, which has a 25-tonne travel lift and a crane with a capacity of 1.5 tonnes, is run by the Cooperativa de Pescadores (Fishermen's Cooperative).

PUERTO DE LAS NIEVES

Puerto de Las Nieves, which is located in the Northeast of the island, is the closest harbour to the island of Tenerife. It is for this reason that the harbour is currently being shared by the fishing fleet, pleasure boats and the high speed ferries that operate the regular routes between Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

The fishing village in which the harbour is situated is very popular among tourists and the local population alike, not only because of its charm, but also on account of the typical restaurants that line its streets and promenades.

The harbour provides 24-hour surveillance, while also having a ramp, a 70-tonne travel lift and a crane with a capacity of 1.5 tonnes.

The harbour is sheltered by a 616 metre-long seawall, which is shared by ferries and the bigger fishing boats, while the four 250 metre-long floating quays are for the smaller fishing boats and pleasure boats.

PUERTO DE MOGÁN

The harbour of Mogán is a modern yachting harbour that exists in perfect harmony with an apartment complex and a small hotel that are well known for their picturesque beauty.

The harbour’s seawall is 275 metres long and provides shelter to a surface area of 36,560 m2. The harbour provides moorage to both leisure yachts and the local fishing fleet, for which an area is reserved at the rear of the marina. 36 of the 216 mooring places for leisure yachts are stern-to-pier and can accommodate boats with a maximum length of 45 metres, while a further 180 are distributed along 4 floating quays, accommodating boats with a maximum length of 20 metres. The harbour also has a large area for anchoring.

The harbour provides a 24-hour private surveillance service, as well as a postal service, public telephones, a laundry service, a supermarket, a medical service and meteorological information. There are also toilets and showers distributed throughout the marina. All the mooring places have water and electricity points, while there are also television connections on three of the four floating quays. There is a service station in the harbour and the dry dock has a 70 tonne travel lift, two 2.5 tonne cranes and a ramp.

The port monitors VHF channel 12 at all times, and uses channel 6 as a working channel. On arrival, visiting yachts should come alongside the reception dock on the starboard side of the entrance opposite the Mobil station and report to the marina office. This is located on the first floor of the three-storey control tower overlooking the reception dock Outside of office hours, there is a watchman patrolling the marina with a VHF radio tuned to channel 6. If directed to the outer mole, visitors should pick up a dead mooring and come stern to the floating dock.

Docking

Arriving boats should come alongside the reception dock on the starboard side as one enters the marina. Many of the moorings on the pontoons are privately owned, but the 190 metre long outer wharf is reserved for visitors. The marina has a capacity of just over 200 berths, of which 50% are available to visitors in summer and 20% in winter, the busier season. As Mogan is a popular port among transatlantic voyagers, those who wish to leave their boats here should reserve a place well in advance, especially during the busy season from the end of October to February.

All pontoon berths have water and electricity, also telephone connections and even a television and video link. There are showers and toilets on the outer quay reserved for visitors, for which a key must be obtained from the marina office. There are also showers and toilets on the ground floor of the control tower. A weather synopsis is posted every day on the notice board outside the marina office. Mogan operates its own inshore rescue service, the only such service on Gran Canaria's south coast, and has two large inflatable boats.

There is an anchorage east of the marina entrance which is occasionally used by cruising boats for short periods.

Opening Hours: 0800-1500 Monday-Friday, 0900-1300 Saturday

One of the most attractive marinas in the Canaries, Puerto Mogan is often full to capacity.

PUERTO DEPORTIVO DE PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico is completely oriented towards the tourism sector. Everything has been designed with the aim of ensuring that a wide range of leisure and entertainment activities are within easy reach for the visitor, with a notable emphasis placed on water sports. This harbour consists of two piers that provide shelter to a surface area of 6 hectares. There are 531 mooring places that can accommodate boats with a maximum length of 60 metres.

The first pier has been designated as the Port-of-Call Pier and has a 100-metre long seawall that provides shelter to the beach and 212 mooring places. The first pier has three floating quays.

The new pier has been designated as the Base Harbour, having a 300-metre long seawall that provides shelter to 319 mooring places. The harbour has Blue Flag status and both piers have 24-hour surveillance. There is a service station and the harbour also provides a postal service, public telephones, a laundry service and meteorological information. All the mooring places have electricity, water and telephone connections (upon prior application), in addition to toilets and showers, which are distributed throughout the marina.

Leisure Activities. In this harbour, you can participate in a large variety of water sports. There are many motor and sailing boats that specialise in excursions to various parts of the coast. Puerto Rico is well known for its quiet sea and gentle winds, due to which this part of the coast is ideal for diving, parasailing and sailing. There are businesses where you can receive instruction in these sports or hire the equipment that is needed to practice them.

The waters of this area are also well known for its good deep-sea fishing conditions. In the harbour, you will find boats that are specially equipped for the enjoyment of this sport. In the bay, you can hire water skis for a jaunt around the bay, as well as jet skis, with which you can have some high-speed fun in a well-defined circuit.

MARINA ANFI DEL MAR

This marina, which is located in the Southwest of the island between Arguineguín and Puerto Rico, provides mooring for approximately 72 boats, and it is possible to rent a mooring place for the whole year.

The area in which the marina is located is one of the most enchanting parts of Gran Canaria, where looking at the yachts or renting a boat for a day or a weekend, or booking a place on an exclusive underwater fishing excursion can turn out to be an experience of a lifetime.
customerservice@anfi.es
Opening Hours: 08.30-20.00 daily

CLUB DE YATES PASITO BLANCO

Pasito Blanco marina lies to the south of the island’s tourist beaches par excellence, which are delimited by the Maspalomas lighthouse. The marina’s seawall is 415 metres long, providing shelter to an area of 43,045 m2. There are a total of 387 mooring places, of which 102 are stern-to-pier, while a further 285 mooring places Club de Yates Pasito Blancoted along 6 floating quays. The stern-to-pier mooring places can accommodate boats with a maximum length of 40 metres, while the maximum boat length against the floating quays is 20 metres. The marina has been awarded Blue Flag status on account of the quality of its facilities.

The services that are provided by the marina include 24-hour surveillance, toilets and showers, a postal service, public telephones, a laundry service, weather forecast, electricity and water supply at all the mooring places and a petrol station. The dry dock is very large and well-equipped, and it has a 30 tonne travel lift and a 1.5-tonne crane.

Leisure Activities Pasito Blanco lies only a few kilometres away from the main tourist area of Gran Canaria and it is also the closest marina to the tourist area. There are businesses located within the marina that specialise in diving and motorboat excursions.

Water and electricity are laid to all berths and are included in the charges. There are hot water showers and toilets on the outer wharf and showers are also available in the boatyard. Long term rates being considerable lower than the daily rate and there is a 30% discount for stays over 6 months. The marina can provide a caretaker service for yachts laid-up afloat.

The marina is fairly isolated, which for some people is its main attraction. The gate into the resort is guarded 24 hours a day, making it a good place to leave a boat unattended for long periods.

The approaches and entrance to the marina are straightforward and Pasito Blanco Marina (Club de Yates de Pasito Blanco) keeps a 24-hour listening watch on VHF channel 6. On arrival, the skipper should report to the port office during office hours: 09.00-13.00 & 15.00-17.00 Monday to Friday, 09.00-13.00 Saturday

Compas Amigos Bar in Ancora Center Arguineguín continues to arrange "Sailor Meetings" every year the first Sunday in November, where Kaj Folden as "contact to the sailors" will be present.