Destinations | Canary Islands

Experience the Canary Islands in Windstar Style

These islands have earned a reputation as the Land of Eternal Spring, with temperatures averaging 64 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

The Canary Islands are home to 5 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as well as 2 UNESCO Global Geoparks, including Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park with its amazing volcanic landscapes.

There are also 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites — the ancient capital of La Laguna on Lanzarote, and the prehistoric cloud forests of Garajonay National Park on La Gomera.

The Canary Islands’ most unusual honor is that of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage for Silbo Gomero, the language of whistles used on La Gomera to communicate across the deep ravines and narrow valleys.

Sip a glass of La Gomera's local palm honey liqueur, known as Gomeron, in the shaded plazas of La Gomera's main town.

On Lanzarote, you’ll find terraced vineyards with tiny half-moon walls around each precious vine. These methods are too labor-intensive to produce much wine, but what they create is complex and delicious.

Visit volcanic El Hierro, nicknamed the "Meridian Island," and home to entirely endemic endangered species, such as the El Hierro giant lizard.

These islands have earned a reputation as the Land of Eternal Spring, with temperatures averaging 64 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

The Canary Islands are home to 5 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as well as 2 UNESCO Global Geoparks, including Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park with its amazing volcanic landscapes.

There are also 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites — the ancient capital of La Laguna on Lanzarote, and the prehistoric cloud forests of Garajonay National Park on La Gomera.

The Canary Islands’ most unusual honor is that of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage for Silbo Gomero, the language of whistles used on La Gomera to communicate across the deep ravines and narrow valleys.

Sip a glass of La Gomera's local palm honey liqueur, known as Gomeron, in the shaded plazas of La Gomera's main town.

On Lanzarote, you’ll find terraced vineyards with tiny half-moon walls around each precious vine. These methods are too labor-intensive to produce much wine, but what they create is complex and delicious.

Visit volcanic El Hierro, nicknamed the "Meridian Island," and home to entirely endemic endangered species, such as the El Hierro giant lizard.

Get Closer to the Canary Islands

This Spanish archipelago off the west coast of Africa has been a haven for mariners for centuries, and Windstar has been sailing these waters for more than a decade. We know where to find the best bodegas, UNESCO sites, troglodyte cave houses, and wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce. But it’s in finding less-visited places that we really shine. Places like La Gomera — where you can venture inland to a primeval cloud forest or easily walk to town and spend the day sipping wine and watching boats bob in the harbor.

Star Light, Star Bright

The Canary Islands host three certified Starlight Reserves: the island of La Palma, the island of Fuerteventura, and Mount Teide and the peaks of Tenerife. The certification, from the UNESCO and IAC-supported Starlight Foundation, is awarded to places that protect the clarity of the night sky by prioritizing natural light sources, making them ideal for stargazing. How ideal? From the top of Mount Teide you can view 83 of the 88 officially recognized constellations.