The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Africa. They lie off the coasts of southern Morocco and Western Sahara, about 100 kilometers from the African continent at their closest point. The islands are about 1,000 kilometers southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 70 – September 2024
The Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife manages the ports of four islands: Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, located on four islands of volcanic origin that are very different from each other and have a natural beauty that is hard to find.
This allows for the creation of routes with very few sailing miles that offer a completely different destination to passengers each day.
The high season is from September to June, and it is paradoxical that, in the middle of summer, the Canary Islands have practically no cruise ships, which are entirely dedicated to exploring the Mediterranean.
Blessed with a subtropical climate and mild temperatures year-round, they are the ideal destination for autumn/winter cruises to escape the cold European weather. Suffice it to say that the average maximum temperature in January is 20 degrees Celsius, with only 4 rainy days.
Added to this is good air connectivity from various points in Europe and direct flights from some international destinations (including the USA), with a wide variety of accommodations, from luxury resorts to more economical options and rural houses, which allows shipping companies to establish Tenerife as a port of embarkation.
Located about 730 nautical miles from Lisbon, 760 from Cadiz, or only 255 if coming from Madeira, a route can be established between the four islands with only 50 nautical miles of sailing between them.
The Caldera de Taburiente National Park is a spectacular and unique place in the world
This is a destination that is committed to responsible tourism and respect for the environment on all the islands, and its rich landscape and environment can be experienced on hiking trails through its mountains and forests, or at sea, practicing diving, surfing, or whale watching.
The island of La Palma is one of the best places in the world for stargazing and astrophotography.
Each island offers its own version of Canarian cuisine, with dishes such as wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce, gofio (a type of flour) and a wide variety of fresh fish, in addition to the unique wines of Tenerife and La Palma, produced from vineyards located in volcanic landscapes.
The people of the Canary Islands enjoy a rich mix of cultures, serving as a bridge between America, Europe and Africa, and are known for their kindness and hospitality towards visitors.
Tenerife
is the largest and best-known of the four Canary Islands, and the easternmost. Mount Teide, the third largest volcano in the world measured from its base, offers breathtaking volcanic landscapes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island also boasts golden and black sand beaches, and natural parks such as Anaga and Teno.
Its capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, boasts several architectural and historical treasures, such as the enigmatic Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by Santiago Calatrava, which stands in contrast to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, one of the city's oldest, blending Gothic and Mudéjar elements. Plaza de España, Parque de García Sanabria, the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África (Our Lady of Africa Market), and Castillo de San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal Castle) are other points of interest in the city.
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the biggest in the world and is celebrated for two weeks between the end of February and the beginning of March, filling the streets with color and joy.
Outside the capital, the focus is obviously on the Teide volcano and the aforementioned natural landscapes, but La Laguna and La Orotava are cities with a well-preserved historic center and colonial architecture, which also deserve a visit.
Infrastructure
• South Quay, 8.5 to 12 m draft, 2600 m berth line, 3 gangways.
• East Breakwater Basin, 14 to 19 m draft, 2700 m berth line.
• Riverside Quay, 12 m draft, 395 m berth line, 2 gangways
The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has three terminals exclusively for cruise ships:
• Terminal I – Terminal 1 (public), with 600 m² of check-in area and 400 m² of baggage storage.
• Terminal H – Terminal 2 (public), with 1,000 m² of check-in area and 336 m² of baggage storage.
• Tenerife Cruise Terminal (Carnival Group) – Terminal 3, with 2,538 m² of check-in area and 3,300 m² of baggage storage.
One of Tenerife's main advantages is the ease of visiting other islands. Thanks to its central location and well-developed transport infrastructure, traveling to the nearby islands is simple and comfortable.
La
Gomera, one of the smallest of the Canary Islands, is a true hidden gem in the Atlantic. Known for its stunning biodiversity, volcanic landscapes, and ancient traditions, this island is a tourist destination that begs to be explored in depth.
Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a highlight, home to one of the last remaining laurel forests in the world. It's ideal for hiking and enjoying breathtaking natural landscapes. Walking along its trails through the mist and ancient trees is a magical experience, where nature reveals its purest and most pristine form.
A route can be established between the four islands with only 50 miles of sailing between them
La Gomera is full of viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramic views, such as the stunning Abrante Viewpoint, where you can enjoy an incredible view of the Hermigua Valley and the majestic Mount Teide on the neighboring island of Tenerife while walking on a glass floor. Or the Palmarejo Viewpoint, designed by César Manrique, where the architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape, offering stunning views of the cliffs and the ocean.
The island's capital, San Sebastián de La Gomera, is steeped in history. Here, Christopher Columbus made his last stop before setting sail for the New World. You can visit the Torre del Conde, a 15th-century fortress, and the Church of the Assumption, where Columbus prayed before his voyage. The city streets are charming, with colorful houses and peaceful squares.
Furthermore, villages like Vallermoso and Agulo are ideal for enjoying rural tranquility and discovering local crafts. Agulo, known as the "darling of La Gomera" for its charm, is one of the most beautiful villages on the island, with its traditional houses and spectacular sea views.
Infrastructure
• Dock with 630 m of berthing line with 8 to 12 m of draft.
La Palma
, the "beautiful island" as Madonna called it in the song of the same name, is famous for its starry sky and its certification as a Starlight Reserve.
Without a doubt, the Caldera de Taburiente National Park is a spectacular and unique place in the world that is well worth a visit. It is an enormous volcanic crater approximately 8 kilometers in diameter and 1,500 meters deep, surrounded by peaks that reach up to 2,426 meters above sea level, such as the Roque de los Muchachos.
The park boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, as well as streams and small waterfalls, most notably the Cascada de Colores (Waterfall of Colors), famous for its orange and green hues caused by mineral deposits in the rocks. It's a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with well-marked trails for all levels that promise unparalleled scenery.
The capital, Santa Cruz, founded on May 3, 1493, by Alonso Fernández de Lugo, was an important port on the route between Europe and the American colonies. Its golden age was in the 16th century, when it became the third largest port in Europe after Antwerp and Seville. It boasts churches with abundant Flemish religious art and a unique series of carved wooden balconies overlooking the sea, transporting visitors centuries back in time.
Infrastructure
• Dock with 740 m of berthing line with 8 to 12 m of draft.
El Hierro
is the smallest of the islands, known for its tranquility and volcanic character. It remains largely unexplored and authentic. The crystal-clear waters are perfect for diving, and the island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with much of its territory forming a Global Geopark.
Its rugged terrain, with lava flows, enormous cliffs, and laurel forest valleys, makes El Hierro a fascinating place for nature and geology enthusiasts. It's no wonder, then, that the Canarian artist César Manrique designed the Mirador de La Peña viewpoint, which offers unique views over the El Golfo Valley, with its steep cliffs and verdant fields dotted with small villages.
The Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife manages the ports of four islands: Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro
Another unique place is El Sabinar, at the western end of the island, where a forest of juniper trees twisted by the trade winds look like sculptures molded by the elements over the centuries.
El Hierro is also known for its hot springs, and the Pozo de la Salud (Well of Health) is one of its best-kept secrets. Located on the northwest coast, near Sabinosa, this natural spring has been known since the 19th century for its healing properties.
El Hierro has hardly any beaches, but that doesn't stop you from enjoying the sun and sea in one of the island's idyllic natural pools, such as the famous Charco Azul, named for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. Carved beneath a volcanic cliff, it's the perfect place to relax, enjoy a dip in its dreamy waters, and forget about the world.
Also on the coast of the El Golfo valley, and sheltered from the sea currents, is the La Maceta natural pool complex, with a solarium and picnic area.
Valverde, the only capital in the Canary Islands not located on the coast, is a picturesque town that has retained its authenticity. Its cobbled streets and Canarian-style houses invite you to stroll and discover the island's peaceful way of life.
El Hierro is a pioneer in renewable energy and aims to use 100% clean energy. To achieve this, they have combined a wind farm with a hydroelectric plant, which currently covers 50% of the island's energy needs. Plans are underway to install a photovoltaic plant that will allow them to reach 80%, and with subsequent upgrades and expansions, they hope to reach 100%.
Infrastructure
• Puerto de la Estaca, Dock with 375 m of berthing line with 10 to 14 m of draft.
Digitalization and sustainability
In line with the Strategic Framework of the port system of general interest and the Strategic Plan of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in recent times a series of initiatives have been carried out aimed at improving digitalization and promoting innovation in a traffic as important as that of cruise ships.
A website has been created where you can check cruise ship schedules in real time. This platform provides information on cruises visiting the Ports of Tenerife with a forecast of up to two years. The data accessible on the website includes arrival date, departure date, crew capacity, theoretical passenger capacity, and ports of call.
This tool allows shipping agents and cruise lines to effectively plan their itineraries and operations, while also making it possible to transfer all available cruise information to the Port Community and interested entities (businesses, accommodation, other government entities, etc.).
The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was a pioneer in supplying LNG STS bunkering to a cruise ship (AIDAnova in December 2018).
Another important project is “Tenerife Port Zero,” which includes various initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint and promote the use of renewable energy in its ports. This project was awarded at the IAPH Sustainability Awards in Abu Dhabi in 2023. More details can be found here.
Dock Electrification (OPS):
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port Authority has several ongoing projects at its ports related to the availability of OPS, some of which are already operational, primarily for inter-island traffic and offshore units. Implementation dates are scheduled between 2025 and 2028, depending on the location and, in some cases, the availability of funding. The estimated completion time for the works is approximately 9 months once they begin.
AP Tenerife
The Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife expects to end 2024 with nearly 600 port calls across its four ports and 1.2 million passengers.
In 2019, the figures were 509 port calls and 1,064,663 passengers, and after the pandemic, in 2022 the record for port calls was broken with 608, among which the 96 calls to La Gomera stand out, practically doubling the 2019 figure. The truth is that many of those calls were from small ships, and the number of passengers remained at only 759,912.
In 2023 the number moderated to 531 stops, but the number of passengers grew again, reaching 1,099,591 passengers.
Cruise Atlantic Islands:
The Canary Islands, along with Portos da Madeira, Portos de Cabo Verde, and Portos dos Açores, form the promotional brand Cruise Atlantic Islands, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. This brand promotes the Macaronesia region at industry trade shows and fosters relationships among all stakeholders in the port and maritime cruise industry. In September, an event will be held in Madeira to commemorate this milestone, featuring networking opportunities, talks, and recognition of those who have contributed to the project's success since its inception.
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