What happens when we anchor
Anchoring is stopping the sailing boat and holding it with the anchor. The anchor goes down to the seabed and grips, so that the boat stays still in one place even if there is current or a little wind.
At that moment we switch off the engine. The boat stops moving and everything falls calm. There is no longer any noise of machinery, only the water against the hull and the sound of the coast.
That silence is part of what we share. We do not anchor to make just one more stop. We anchor to give room for a calm spell out at sea.
The best moment of the outing
For many travellers, anchoring is the moment they remember most. When the sea allows, we look for a spot of calm water by the cliffs and drop the anchor.
Then the good part begins. You can bathe in clean, clear water. You can snorkel, since we lend the gear and no previous experience is needed. And there is a bite to eat to enjoy without haste, with the cliffs in the background.
It all happens on board our sailing boats, in small groups. Nobody is crowded. Each person has room to enjoy the swim and the rest at their own pace.
Why not always in the same place
The spot where we anchor is not fixed. It depends on the state of the sea on that particular day.
The skipper chooses the most sheltered and safe place according to the conditions. The south-west coast of Tenerife is usually calm because it is protected from the trade winds, but the sea changes and safety and respect for the surroundings come first. If on a given day anchoring cannot be done with confidence, another option is found. The comfort of those on board and the care of the seabed always come first.
