Sailing the Canary Islands (Self-Launched)
7 days · Canary Islands, Spain
G Adventures charges £840
No-markup version: ~£640 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 7-day self-launched island-hopping version of G Adventures' sailing trip around Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma. Instead of chartering a skippered 17m yacht with a group, you mix cheap inter-island ferries and occasional shared day-sails or boat trips, staying in hostels and guesthouses and self-catering from local markets. You'll hike Garajonay National Park, wander Santa Cruz de la Palma's colonial streets, swim and snorkel off La Gomera's quiet anchorages, and finish on Los Cristianos' waterfront. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP; flexibility on dates and a bit of planning keep it well under the guided price.
Day-by-day
Arrive Tenerife — San Miguel Marina & Los Abrigos
Isla de Tenerife
Fly into Tenerife South (TFS) and take the local bus (TITSA 111/470, ~€3) to San Miguel de Abona or Los Abrigos, a fishing village near the marina. Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel and stock up on groceries for the next few days at a local supermarket or the Los Abrigos market. In the evening, walk the marina and eat fresh grilled fish or tapas in Los Abrigos for around €12-15. This replaces the boat welcome meeting — instead, treat tonight as a planning session for ferry timetables and hikes.
🚌Local TITSA bus from TFS airport to Los Abrigos (~€3)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Los Abrigos / San Miguel de Abona (~£22)
- →Explore San Miguel Marina
- →Seafood dinner in Los Abrigos
- →Plan La Gomera and La Palma ferry and hiking logistics
Tenerife to La Gomera — San Sebastián & Garajonay
San Sebastián de la Gomera
Take the morning Fred. Olsen or Naviera Armas ferry from Los Cristianos to San Sebastián de la Gomera (~1 hour, ~£25 each way, book online in advance). Check into a guesthouse near the harbour, then hike or take a local bus up to Garajonay National Park (€5-6 bus, or join a guided trail day trip via GetYourGuide ~£35). The laurel forest trails are marked and free to walk. In the evening, explore the historic town and Torre del Conde.
🚌Ferry Los Cristianos–San Sebastián de la Gomera (~£25); local bus to Garajonay (~£5)
🛏Guesthouse in San Sebastián de la Gomera (~£25)
- →Ferry crossing to La Gomera
- →Hike Garajonay National Park trails
- →Visit Torre del Conde and the old town
La Gomera to Santa Cruz de la Palma
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Travel back to Los Cristianos by ferry, then take the Fred. Olsen fast ferry on to Santa Cruz de la Palma (~2.5-3 hours, ~£40, or fly via Binter/Canaryfly if cheaper on the day). Arrive in the early evening and check into a hostel or budget hotel. Grab dinner at a harbour-side bar and get your bearings among the colourful balconies of Avenida Maritima. Note this is a long transit day — book ferries in advance, especially in peak season.
🚌Ferry La Gomera–Los Cristianos (~£25) plus Fred. Olsen fast ferry to La Palma (~£40)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Santa Cruz de la Palma (~£28)
- →Ferry-hopping between islands
- →Evening walk along Avenida Maritima
- →Harbour-side dinner
Full day in Santa Cruz de la Palma
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Spend the day on foot in La Palma's capital. Visit the Iglesia de El Salvador, the Naval Museum and the 15th-century cobbled streets of the old town, then walk or take a local bus to the black-sand Playa de Bajamar. Optional add-ons: a Caldera de Taburiente National Park day hike (bus/tour ~£30-40) or a stargazing experience in the Roque de los Muchachos observatory area (book via GetYourGuide ~£45). Finish with tapas and a glass of local wine.
🚌Walking plus occasional local bus (~£4)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Santa Cruz de la Palma (~£28)
- →Iglesia de El Salvador and old town
- →Playa de Bajamar swim
- →Optional Caldera de Taburiente hike or stargazing tour
La Palma back to La Gomera — anchorages, swim & snorkel
La Gomera
Take the morning ferry back to La Gomera (via Los Cristianos, ~£40 plus ~£25 if split across operators, or direct seasonal sailings if running). Base yourself in Valle Gran Rey or Playa de Santiago, where you can join a half-day shared boat or kayak/snorkel trip to isolated coves (~£40 via Klook or a local operator). Alternatively, hire snorkel gear (~£8/day) and swim right off the beach at Playa del Inglés or the Charco del Conde. Quiet, low-key evening in the village.
🚌Ferries La Palma–Los Cristianos–La Gomera (~£65 total)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Valle Gran Rey / Playa de Santiago (~£25)
- →Shared boat trip to secluded coves
- →Snorkelling and swimming off the beach
- →Beach walks on La Gomera
La Gomera to Los Cristianos — bay swim & waterfront
Los Cristianos, Tenerife
Return by ferry to Los Cristianos in time for lunch (~£25). Check into a budget hostel or hotel near the beach. Spend the afternoon swimming in the sheltered bay or paddling a rented kayak/SUP (~£15/hour), then wander the waterfront promenade and pick a spot for dinner. If you want a sailing fix, look for a shared sunset sail or dolphin/whale-watching trip out of Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón (~£35-45, book via GetYourGuide).
🚌Ferry La Gomera–Los Cristianos (~£25)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Los Cristianos (~£30)
- →Swim in Los Cristianos bay
- →Waterfront promenade walk
- →Optional shared sunset sail or whale-watching trip
Los Cristianos to San Miguel Marina — departure
San Miguel Marina / Tenerife South
Have a relaxed breakfast, then take a local bus or shared taxi back towards San Miguel Marina and Tenerife South airport (TITSA 111/470, ~€3-4, or a taxi ~€25). If your flight is later, squeeze in a morning swim or a last coffee on the seafront. Depart with the same itinerary highlights as the yacht trip — Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma — done your own way.
🚌Local bus to Tenerife South airport (~£4)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Morning swim or seafront coffee
- →Transit to San Miguel Marina / TFS airport
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£640 | £840 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £200 per person (24%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£640
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Sailing the Canary Islands (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £640 per person for 7 days in Canary Islands, Spain. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £840 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £640 — a saving of roughly £200 (24%) per person.
How long is the Canary Islands, Spain trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Canary Islands, Spain.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a beaches, hiking, budget trip through Canary Islands, Spain, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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