Why choose Tenerife as a starting point for a cruise?
Tenerife occupies a remarkable geographic position off the African coast, about 300 kilometers from Morocco.
This makes it one of the most popular bases for boarding towards the Canary Islands and beyond. The port of
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located less than 2 kilometers from the city center, welcomes thousands of travelers
each year in search of sun, discovery and a maritime escape.
The island's capital captivates upon arrival. The Plaza de España, the Auditorio de Tenerife with its white wave-shaped silhouette, or the colorful streets of the historic district invite you to extend the stay. But Tenerife is also a spectacular hinterland dominated by Mount Teide, a volcano reaching 3,718 meters and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another major advantage: the climate. Tenerife enjoys a nearly constant mildness, with temperatures ranging from 18 °C in winter to 28 °C in summer. Here is an overview of the best periods to embark from the island:
| Period |
Average temperatures |
Sunshine |
Ideal for |
| November to February |
18-22 °C |
6 to 7 h/day |
Escape European winter |
| March to May |
20-24 °C |
7 to 8 h/day |
Family cruises |
| June to September |
24-28 °C |
9 to 10 h/day |
Swimming and lounging |
| October |
22-26 °C |
7 to 8 h/day |
Mild weather and light crowds |
Thanks to this favorable climate, a cruise to Tenerife can be planned almost year-round, offering great flexibility in organizing your trip.
What cruise itineraries can be done from Tenerife?
Departing from Tenerife opens the door to a multitude of sea routes, depending on your wishes and the duration of your stay.
Cruises departing from Santa Cruz de Tenerife allow you to explore both the Canary Islands archipelago as well as the African coasts or the island of Madeira.
Explore the Canary Islands archipelago island by island
The Canary Islands form a group of seven islands with distinct characters, and cruises with family or friends suit them particularly well. A circuit of 7 to 8 days generally allows visiting several of them:
- Las Palmas, on Gran Canaria, with its fine-sand beaches and Vegueta historic district;
- Lanzarote and its lunar landscapes shaped by the volcanic eruptions of Timanfaya National Park;
- Fuerteventura, renowned for its vast dunes and turquoise waters;
- La Gomera, covered with laurisilva forests listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site;
- La Palma, nicknamed \"the green island\", with its rugged cliffs and exceptional starry sky.
Each port of call offers its own identity, and it is precisely this contrast that makes this type of itinerary so captivating.
Set course for Madeira and Morocco
For those who want to go further, cruises from Tenerife also allow reaching Funchal, the capital of Madeira, perched on the heights of a verdant island about 1 400 kilometers to the north. Another possible destination: Agadir or Casablanca, in Morocco, for an immersion into the flavors and colors of North Africa. These itineraries, often offered over 8 to 10 days, combine total novelty and cultural diversity.
What experiences to live on a Tenerife cruise?
A Tenerife cruise isn't just about crossing between two ports. It's also a chance to experience unique experiences, aboard and ashore.
From the port of Santa Cruz, many excursions allow you to discover the island in depth. The visit to Teide National Park remains essential: you reach it by a cable car that climbs up to 3,555 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of the archipelago. Down below, the town of Puerto de la Cruz and the Orotava Valley entice with their colonial architecture and lush botanical gardens.
Off the southern coast of the island, between Los Gigantes and Costa Adeje, the Canary waters host exceptional marine fauna. Catamaran or sailing trips allow you to observe dolphins and pilot whales in their natural habitat, an experience especially appreciated on family cruises. These outings usually last between 2 and 3 hours and depart from the ports of Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón.
On board, comfort and services vary by company, but most cruises include full board, with meals served in several dining spaces. Some packages also offer entertainment, thematic lectures about the visited islands, or gala evenings that pleasantly punctuate the crossing.
How to organize your Tenerife cruise with Vialala?
Organizing a Tenerife cruise requires juggling many parameters: choosing the itinerary, the duration of the stay, the priority ports of call, the activities to plan ashore and the type of accommodation aboard. This is where the guidance of an expert makes all the difference.
At Vialala, our Travel Planners know the Canaries down to the last detail. They help you build a trip that truly reflects you, taking into account your desires, your pace and your budget. Do you want to combine a few days in Tenerife before boarding to explore Santa Cruz or climb Teide? Would you prefer to extend your stay in Las Palmas after the cruise? Everything is possible, and this is precisely what we love to build with you.
Whether you are traveling as a couple, with friends or for family cruises, our advisors offer personalized solutions, far from standardized offers. Every detail is designed so you can enjoy each port of call to the fullest, without worrying about logistics.