Mid May we were ready to leave Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, to sail to the Azores. However, there was a weather window for only 2 days to sail in a NWerly direction so we decided to sail to Tazacorte on the North West side of the island of La Palma and wait there for a longer weather window to continue our trip.
Our route from Las Palmas to Tazacorte - distance 175 nmiles
At 0730 hrs Monday 15th May we left our mooring and motored northwards around La Isletta against a NNE3 Bft wind
The laid-up oil rigs in Las Palmas harbour
La Isletta - the NE tip of Gran Canaria
By 0915 hrs we were able to alter course to the NW and start sailing in a NNE 3/4 Bft wind on wind vane autopilot set to 50 deg to apparent wind with 1 reef in Mainsail and full Genny
By 1400 hrs we were sailing across the shipping separation zone between Gran Canaria and Tenerife
Gran Canaria still visible astern
We managed to round the Northern Anaga Peninsular of Tenerife before nightfall and sailed through the night beam to broad reaching in an ENE 4 to 5 Bft wind
By 0800 hrs the wind had dropped to a NE 2 Bft and we started motor sailing
La Palma clearly visible
By 0900 hrs the wind returned and we were sailing on a broad reach in an ENE 4 Bft wind
Getting closer - sailing down the west coast of La Palma
Puerto Tazacorte just becoming visible behind the headland
Puerto Tazacorte
The large concrete outer mole of Tazacorte Marina
By 1400 hrs Tuesday 16th May we were safely berthed in Tazacorte Marina - there was hardly any swell in the marina - perfect
Total trip 175.6 nmiles in 30.5 hrs of which 24 hrs sailing and 6.5 hrs motoring.
Average speed 5.75 knots.
A very enjoyable trip.
