Islands destinationCanary islandsAtlantic ocean

Last updated on 05/06/2026 at 10:17 PM
Located off the coast of Africa, the Canary islands form a unique archipelago known for its year-round spring-like climate, spectacular volcanic landscapes, varied beaches, and cultural diversity. Whether you enjoy relaxing on the beach, hiking, surfing, gastronomy, or exploring nature, the Canaries offer an ideal destination in any season.
Tenerife – The island of a thousand faces
The largest island in the archipelago is home to Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. Tenerife stands out for the diversity of its landscapes: beaches, laurel forests, traditional villages, and lively seaside resorts. It is often an excellent gateway to discover the Canary islands before continuing on to other islands such as Gran Canaria or La Gomera.
View of Las Teresitas Beach on the island of Tenerife
View of Las Teresitas Beach on the island of Tenerife © | Dreamstime.com
Mount Teide and the Teide Observatory on the island of Tenerife
Mount Teide and the Teide Observatory on the island of Tenerife © | Dreamstime.com
Gran Canaria – The miniature continent
Gran Canaria concentrates an incredible variety of landscapes: desert dunes, green mountains, urban beaches, and charming villages. Thanks to this diversity, it is often compared to a miniature continent and pairs very well with nearby islands such as Tenerife or Fuerteventura.
Lanzarote – The volcanic island
Shaped by eruptions, Lanzarote impresses with its lava fields, harmonious architecture, and artistic atmosphere inspired by César Manrique. It is ideal to combine with Fuerteventura, located just a few miles away.
Aerial view of the lava fields and volcanoes of Timanfaya National Park on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary islands
Aerial view of the lava fields and volcanoes of Timanfaya National Park on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary islands © | Dreamstime.com
Between the red cliffs, the black sand contrasts with the blue ocean and the green lagoon, creating the unique scenery of El Golfo
Between the red cliffs, the black sand contrasts with the blue ocean and the green lagoon, creating the unique scenery of El Golfo © | Dreamstime.com
Fuerteventura – A beach paradise
With its long stretches of light sand beaches and constant winds, Fuerteventura is a dream destination for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and lovers of wide-open spaces. It combines perfectly with Lanzarote or Gran Canaria for a well-balanced trip.
La Palma – The green island
Nicknamed « La Isla Bonita » or the « Island of Eternal Spring », La Palma is one of the smallest Canary islands and is ideal for hikers and nature lovers. Lush forests, recent volcanoes, and exceptional starry skies make it a perfect alternative to La Gomera for travelers seeking peace and quiet.
La Gomera – Authentic and preserved
Small and peaceful, La Gomera charms visitors with Garajonay National Park, ancient trails, and a timeless atmosphere. It is easily accessible from Tenerife, making it a perfect extension to a stay in the islands.
The humid subtropical forest, or laurel forest (laurisilva), of Garajonay National Park on the island of La Gomera, crossed by a hiking trail for visitors
The humid subtropical forest, or laurel forest (laurisilva), of Garajonay National Park on the island of La Gomera, crossed by a hiking trail for visitors © | Dreamstime.com
Impressive view over the treetops of the humid subtropical forest, or laurel forest (laurisilva), of Garajonay National Park on the island of La Gomera
Impressive view over the treetops of the humid subtropical forest, or laurel forest (laurisilva), of Garajonay National Park on the island of La Gomera © | Dreamstime.com
El Hierro – Wild and off the beaten path
The smallest Canary Island, El Hierro, is a gem for divers and travelers seeking tranquility and authenticity. Still largely untouched by mass tourism, it is often combined with La Palma for a nature-focused journey.
The intense volcanic red sand of El Verodal Beach on the island of El Hierro in the Canary islands
The intense volcanic red sand of El Verodal Beach on the island of El Hierro in the Canary islands © | Dreamstime.com
The most beautiful beaches in the Canaries
For sand and sun lovers, discover the most beautiful beaches across all the Canary islands. Whether you want to relax, swim, surf, or simply enjoy dreamlike landscapes, you will surely find the perfect beach for you !
Morro Jable Beach with its lighthouse in sight, in the south of Fuerteventura
Morro Jable Beach with its lighthouse in sight, in the south of Fuerteventura © | Dreamstime.com
The best diving in the Canaries
The Canary islands offer spectacular diving all year round thanks to excellent visibility and warm waters, where volcanic topography creates unique underwater landscapes. One of the most famous sites is « La Restinga » on the island of El Hierro, located in a large marine reserve where divers experience the sensation of flying underwater and can see schools of tropical fish, rays, and sometimes even cetaceans depending on the season. In Gran Canaria, the El Cabrón marine reserve offers dramatic drop-offs and abundant marine life — moray eels, jacks, and barracudas — accessible from the coast, while reefs around Pasito Blanco or Arinaga offer calmer dives suitable for all levels.
Tenerife and Lanzarote are also must-visit diving destinations in the archipelago. In Tenerife, sites like Los Chuchos or the « Ray Village » near Las Galletas attract ray and large fish enthusiasts, while also revealing fascinating rock formations such as Atlantis or volcanic caves like those in Masca Bay. In Lanzarote, divers can explore underwater landscapes shaped by lava, including caves like the « Catedral », volcanic tunnels, and wrecks such as those at the Los Erizos site where marine life has flourished.
The entire Canary archipelago offers a wide diversity of diving sites — from deep drop-offs to biodiversity-rich reefs — appealing both to experienced divers and beginners eager to discover the Atlantic ocean's marine life.
A true sanctuary
The Canary islands are a true sanctuary for cetaceans, with more than twenty species observed throughout the year thanks to steep underwater drop-offs and abundant food supply. You can frequently encounter dolphinsspotted dolphins, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins — often playful and visible from both the surface and underwater — as well as pilot whales, iconic of the archipelago, especially between Tenerife and La Gomera.
The Canary waters are also home to several whale species, including sperm whales, while sea turtles, mainly the loggerhead turtle, are regularly spotted near the coast and diving sites. This exceptional biodiversity makes the Canaries a major destination for marine wildlife observation in the Atlantic ocean.
The marine species in the Canary islands
Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis)
Atlantic spotted dolphin
(Stenella frontalis)
Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos)
Crevalle jack
(Caranx hippos)
European conger eel (Conger conger)
European conger eel
(Conger conger)
European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
European seabass
(Dicentrarchus labrax)
Flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans)
Flying gurnard
(Dactylopterus volitans)
Gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus)
Gray triggerfish
(Balistes capriscus)
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse (Coris julis)
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse
(Coris julis)
Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Short-finned pilot whale
(Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Spanish Atlantic islands
Fuerteventura island
Fuerteventura island
Gran Canaria island
Gran Canaria island
Lanzarote island
Lanzarote island
Tenerife island
Tenerife island
The islands from atlantic ocean
Exumas islands
Exumas islands
Faroe islands
Faroe islands
Fogo island
Fogo island
Grand Bahama island
Grand Bahama island
Key West island
Key West island
Paradise island
Paradise island
Staffa island
Staffa island
The island of the Monks
The island of the Monks
Explore new islands
Cayman Brac island
Cayman Brac island
Cocos island
Cocos island
Cook islands
Cook islands
Easter island
Easter island
Marathonisi Island
Marathonisi Island
Motuarohia island
Motuarohia island
Thinakara island
Thinakara island
Viveros island
Viveros island

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