The mild climate of the Canaries makes the area an all-year Mecca for charter tourists. The heart of Santa Cruz is not a bad place to stay before the crew sets sail again.
Location & Approach Yet another famous island from the Canaries Archipelago off the western African coast, Tenerife is also a haven for and is known as a sailor-friendly place with many marinas that offer a complete range of services. Such a marina is Marina Santa Cruz, also known as the Marina del Atlantico.
This marina is very conveniently located in the center of the town Santa Cruz which would explain its popularity among the circles, near the town harbor, a fact which also counts since it places it right next to other boat amenities such as a boat yard or refueling station.
The exact position of the marina is at the north of the Muelle de Los Llanos, the southernmost basin of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the former fishing harbor called Darsena Pesquera by the locals, with a south facing entry point. The coordinates are 28° 28,6' N 16° 14,1' W and in order to make an approach, one must go through the entrance of the industrial harbor, pass all the way through it and then head for the small entrance to the marina on the starboard side once at the end of the harbor.
There is permanent radio assistance on approach, on VHF channel 9 where you get directions to a vacant berth. Careful though, during the high season (September to December) things tend to get crowded so if you’re planning a trip, you might want to book in advance. The only time when an approach is made difficult is in southerly winds which can cause a swell in the marina.
Infrastructure & Ambience The Marina del Atlantico was built with larger yachts in mind, as there are 400 berths for boats up to 40m in length (the depth in and around the marina is about 12m). However, expect to pay more for the privilege of berthing so close to town as the marina charges an extra port tax that you won’t find anywhere else in the Canaries.
For that money you get access to a berth with water and electricity, to toilets and showers, a refueling station, a 70t travel lift and a repair shop that can take care of most problems on a boat. Additional services found on this location are a Laundromat, 24-hours surveillance, weather information service and even sanitary facilities.
The proximity to town pays off for clients who search for additional services such as an ATM, a bank, a restaurant or a supermarket for provisioning. But you might want to consider carrying your supplies by taxi since even though the marina is close to town, it’s quite a distance to walk from the pier to the exit, like in most industrial harbors.
If you can afford the significantly higher prices and don’t mind the industrial setting (remember this used to be a fishing harbor), then the Marina del Atlantico is the place for you. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the perfect starting location for many trips and even for cruises across the Atlantic.