What the Canary Current is
The Canary Current is a cool ocean current. It flows down along the African coast and washes the archipelago from the north.
It brings waters that come from more northerly latitudes. That is why the sea around the Canaries is cooler than its position on the map would suggest. It is a peculiarity that makes this an almost unique sea on the planet.
That cool water does not arrive empty. It comes loaded with nutrients. The nutrients feed the plankton, the plankton feeds the fish and so the whole chain rises. That is why such a blue, clean sea is, at the same time, so full of life.
What it means when you sail with us
The current is a silent companion on every trip. You cannot see it, but it explains much of what you can see.
It explains why the water invites you to swim almost all year round without sharp changes in temperature. It also explains why this corner attracts so many marine animals that find food here.
For us, understanding the current is part of reading the sea well. It helps us interpret what is happening around the sailboat and to tell you about it as we sail, calmly and without rush.
It is further proof that the sea is not a backdrop. It is a living system, driven by enormous forces, in which we are only attentive visitors.
How its effect shows
The clearest effect is the climate. The Canary Islands enjoy mild temperatures throughout the year, without the extremes of the nearby African continent. That balance owes a great deal to the current.
It also shows in the richness of the water. A cool sea loaded with nutrients sustains far more life than a warm, empty one.
If you want to go deeper, we have an article devoted to this phenomenon on our website, where we tell it in more detail.
