Isla Graciosa is a beautiful island that contains, we have been told, one of the best anchorages in the Canaries… Perhaps it is..

You need to apply for a permit to anchor here (at least ten days in advance) but in the week that we were there there was no control … ( To apply for a permit here’s the link: http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2011-08-26-1)

There are several lovely beaches to relax on and several spots around the island to explore. You can hire bicycles or take a jeep safari. We simply walked.
There is a lovely walk of around 40 minutes from the beach at Playa Francesa to the top of the impressive volcano that overlooks the anchorage and the views at the top are breathtaking. We joined our good friends on the yacht Rode Orm for the walk up; it was great to see them again.

There are a couple of supermarkets, several restaurants and cafes ( and an internet cafe which was unfortunately closed during our visit – though if you have a laptop, that does have a battery that works, you can use the free wifi here; if you sit outside ). There is also a small marina and a few shops and other imenities, all of which are around an hour’s walk away ( a beautiful walk along the beach) from the anchorage.

We loved it here. The anchorage is safe and in front of a lovely beach. You can get supplies from the “town”, but you are still far enough away to really feel that sense of deserted island mentality; and the tranquility that comes with it.
But, the real highlight was the people and in this case our fellow yachties. There is an unspoken tradition here – for all yachties to meet on the beach for a short but fabulous drink before and during the time of sunset.

We loved this!

You meet such a wide range of interesting people from all places and all walks of life with such fascinating stories! You feel no judgements, this is simply a bunch of different people all getting together for a short time, in the middle of nowhere with a sense of adventure in common.