Key takeaways
- ✓Gibraltar to Lanzarote is roughly 570 nautical miles; Gibraltar to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is roughly 700 nm.
- ✓Plan four to seven days at sea depending on the boat and destination; some yachts stop in Madeira on the way.
- ✓Most yachts make the passage in September–November, ahead of the Atlantic crossing season from the Canaries.
- ✓Time the Strait for wind and tide — a westerly against the current builds steep seas.
- ✓Read the current orca safety guidance and check recent interaction reports before you leave.
Distances and passage times
| Route | Approx. distance | Typical time at sea |
|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar → Lanzarote | ~570 nm | 4–5 days |
| Gibraltar → Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) | ~700 nm | 5–7 days |
| Gibraltar → Madeira | ~600–650 nm | 4–6 days |
| Málaga → Lanzarote | ~650 nm | 5–6 days |
When to go
Most yachts leave the Mediterranean between September and November. The Canaries are the usual departure point for Atlantic crossings, and the ARC rally starts from Las Palmas in late November, so marinas there fill up in autumn — book a berth early.
The prevailing summer and autumn winds along the Moroccan coast are northerly (the Portuguese trades), which give a downwind run south once you are clear of the Strait.
Getting through the Strait of Gibraltar
- •Westbound, the Atlantic surface current flows into the Mediterranean — use the tidal streams near the coast and avoid fighting it mid-Strait
- •Avoid strong westerlies (Poniente) against the tide; a light easterly (Levante) gives a fast exit
- •Stay out of the traffic separation scheme except to cross it at right angles
- •Gibraltar is a common stop for fuel, provisions and a weather wait
Orca safety
- •Iberian orcas have interacted with yachts, often their rudders, along Spain, Portugal and the Strait since 2020
- •Read the Cruising Association orca safety guide and plan your own protocol before departure
- •Check recent reports for your route and time of year
- •Be ready to take hands off the wheel or tiller during an interaction — rudder blows can injure the helm
- •Never use illegal deterrents: the Iberian orca is a protected species
Spanish and Portuguese authorities and the scientific groups have not always given the same advice on what to do during an interaction. Check the latest official guidance for the area you are sailing.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Gibraltar from the Canary Islands by boat?+
About 570 nautical miles to Lanzarote and about 700 nm to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, depending on the route.
How long does it take to sail from Gibraltar to the Canaries?+
Most cruising yachts take four to seven days, depending on the destination island, the boat and the weather.
When is the best time to sail from Gibraltar to the Canaries?+
September to November is the usual window, before the Atlantic crossing season starts from the Canaries in late November.
Are orcas a risk between Gibraltar and the Canaries?+
Interactions have been reported in the Strait of Gibraltar and along the Iberian coast. Follow the current safety guidance and check recent reports before departure.
Sources
- Cruising Association — Orca safety information
- Cruising Association — Orca safety checklist and protocols
- GTOA (Orca Ibérica) — Recorded interactions
- World Cruising Club — ARC (Las Palmas to Saint Lucia)
- Crewing an Atlantic crossing (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Yacht delivery passage planning and weather (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Crossing the Bay of Biscay (Maritime Delivery guide)
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