Advice: December in the Canary or Balearic Islands

[reggietao]

Hi, Cruisers!

My wife and I are planning to sail 3 to 5 days in December probably on a Sun Odyssey 32i. I would love to tap into your experience in terms of where we might most likely find conditions suitable for our third charter.

Thanks for your help!

[boatman61]

Hi..!! Welcome to CF..
Re your question about a December charter I would suggest the Canaries is your best bet for more assured and warmer weather.
The Balearic's are nice but though pleasant enough during the day in the sunshine the temps can drop to 4C and sometimes less at night.
Also the weather is set by influences in the Golfe de Lyons to the N and Tramontana's sweep down that last 2-5days at a time.. often hard to predict considering the mountainous nature of the region that breeds them.
Head for the Canaries.. gentle sailing in the lee and if experienced more exciting sailing out of the wind shadows of the islands..

[reggietao]

Thanks for the warm welcome, boatman61! I appreciate your super prompt response.
Put that way, it sounds like a no brainer.

[boatman61]

Us Virgo's live to serve...

[inchcailloch]

We had this dilema 12 years ago when living aboard. Opted for the Canaries and we were not disappointed. Just remember the North Easterlies will mean which ever way you sail you are likely to be motoring one way or the other.

[reggietao]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Inchcailloch!
I also appreciate the tip. It is definitely useful!

[Emouchet]

Med sea is hard to sail from November to May.

Not impossible, but if you talk to people cruising the Med, you will find that the cruising season usually ends by late October.

[sailu2]

Hi
We keep our yacht in the Canaries. December is generally good, earlier the better. January can be wet and sometimes it comes early, but wet in the Canaries is not very much as a rule. The North easterlies are your biggest problem, but reasonable warm.

[reggietao]

Thanks for the tip, Emouchet! A follow-up question, what makes the Mediterranean especially challenging from November to May?

[reggietao]

Sailu2,

Since you are a local... would you care to share some of your favorite spots? Although I do not know for certain where we are going to charter, based on probability, it seems Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be our home port. We are planning to sail for three or four days...

[ccannan]

Originally Posted by reggietao

Thanks for the tip, Emouchet! A follow-up question, what makes the Mediterranean especially challenging from November to May?

Strong winds, large seas, cold weather, etc...

[Emouchet]

You may want to listen to a few podcast from Franz about sailing the med. Frank has been sailing the med for 15+ years.

Sailing in the Mediterranean

[reggietao]

Nice resource, Emouchet! 👍🏻
I will definitely enjoy it.

[reggietao]

Emouchet,
I have just listened to one of the episodes of Franz's podcast. Pure gold!
Thanks again for the tip.

[SailingGypsea]

I live in Ibiza (balearics). I wouldnt recommend sailing these waters anytime from late october to early april. Super unpredictable storms, hail, winds, heavy rains, huge swells, and contrary to the belief of many yes we have winter in the balearics, it is COLD lol. Sailing season here in ibiza is basically kicking off right now. Mid april.

If youre sailing in december, go canaries all the way.