Cruise the Canary Islands & the Azores

Join us on our expedition to this beautiful part of the world. This island voyage takes us to three island clusters for an opportunity to explore their unique and traditional lifestyles. Their natural environments are a delight with beautiful expanses of flowers, small farm landscapes, rural settlements and an island wilderness that encompasses both land and seascapes. Islands are always a gathering place for many bird species as well as marine wildlife as they search for food, shelter and breeding grounds and these islands are located along the migratory trail.

We embark at the bustling port of Las Palmas in the Gran Canaria to begin our voyage of island hopping.

Fogo is a dramatic presentation of volcanic activity with a defiant race of people tilling the fertile soils despite orders of evacuation. If the winds allow, in the afternoon visit isolated Brava (wild island) with charming scenery, quaint villages and volcanic features.

On the rugged, windswept island Saõ Antao, the dramatic peaks and canyons are best experienced along the ribeira from Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande

After a morning exploring the cobbled streets and 19th Century architecture of Mindelo, we leave Saõ Vincente and set out to sea.

Relax at sea and enjoy onboard lectures and social time as we transit to the remote islands of the Canaries.

Once cleared in at Tenerife the afternoon is spent learning about the formation of Tiede and its flora and fauna at El Portillo.

On Isla Gomera the day is spent at Parque Nacionel de Garajonay a UNESCO site and home to a thriving laurel forest often shrouded in a sea of clouds due to its altitude.

Often called la isla verde (green island), La Palma is home to Parque Nacionel Caldera de Taburiente of huge interest to geologists, volcanologists and nature lovers.

(Salvagens) The first stop of the Madeiras archipelago is Salvagen Islands a protected natural reserve and nesting sanctuary for many species of seabirds.

(Desertas) In the mini archipelago of the Desertas Islands, is a bird and marine sanctuary especially noted for the endangered Zino’s petrel and Monk Seal; after time for everyone to go ashore the ship repositions to Funchal for the evening to enjoy the old world atmosphere.

(Madeiras) Funchal is the ideal starting point to explore the island of Madeira with its jagged mountains, waterfalls and ancient forests; Tuesday afternoon the ship heads back to sea for the short trip to the next archipelago, the Azores.

There is time at sea to catch up on journal entries, attend lectures, relax and socialize.

Once cleared in to Terceira, the afternoon is spent exploring Angra do Heroismo a UNESCO heritage site with a walking tour and fascinating cultural stops.

On the island of Faial, known by many transatlantic sailors, Ponta dos Capelinhos a recent volcanic site and Capelinhos Museum and a Scrimshaw Museum give further insight into Azorean life.

Pico is home to the Azores highest volcanic mountain. Visit the UNESCO site Lajidos Acros, a winery and whaling life museum.

Disembark the ship in Ponta Delgada, Saõ Miguel in the morning and participate in a full day island program before saying goodbye to fellow explorers.

Notes