Fuerteventura

Just before leaving Lanzarote of the Canary Islands, we received a photo from Don, crewing on Danica, who we visited at Marina Rubicon (see posting entitled Lanzarote and posted November 16th). Don snapped the following photo of hometown sailors and associate members of Bluewater Cruising Association, meeting halfway around the world.

Don, Jordan, Judy, Glen, and Mary

With a change in weather for more favourable sailing, we headed south across the strait to Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) on November 19th. Watching huge waves crashing over shallow reefs that border the harbour entrance, we could see why this is a very popular surf destination and when we were there the surf was definitely up. The seas were busy with paddle boarders, windsurfers, and kite boarders too.

We anchored behind the breakwater, beside the busy ferry dock of Corralejo Port, same as our first visit here 5 days ago, where the rocking of Sea Turtle announced the incoming ferry.

Like Lanzarote, it too has a volcanic geography. Unlike Lanzarote though, it has miles of sand beaches and even sand dunes.

Volcanic area of coast

With wind protection looking favourable, we moved down the eastern coast of Fuerteventura expecting about a 3-hour sail. But it turned out to be a day with a wide variety of wind and conditions.

The start was a pleasant downwind sail, but after an hour, the winds died. Then the winds started to build, but this time, right on the nose and eventually we were doing a boisterous tack to make good the distance to our next port.

At Puerto del Rosario, the nasty south wind was funnelling right into the harbour and we could see other anchored boats bouncing and heaving. On the commercial side of the port was a small projection in the jetty that gave protection to the large resident tug boat. Jordan came up with the idea of tying up and using it as a barrier from the wind and waves.

So I steered as if to T-bone the tug, and at the last minute as I reversed, Jordan quickly jumped off Sea Turtle onto the tug with a rope, secured her to its center cleat, and jumped back onto Sea Turtle's bow. The wind casually pushed us away and alongside the tug, making for a comfortable stay till the winds died down.

Tied to tug

Security quickly showed up wanting us to move. When told we needed temporary protection until the winds abated, they agreed to let us stay for 2 hours. And sure enough the wind calmed down just at dusk, and we moved around the breakwater into the anchorage and finally dropped the hook with the other boats at 18:00.

Our anchorages of Fuerteventura:
N28°44.315' W013°51.755' Nov 19 Corralejo Port
N28°29.751' W013°51.481' Nov 21 Puerto del Rosario tied to tug
N28°29.588' W013°51.572' Nov 21 Puerto del Rosario