Nautical work in the Canaries: the winter season you didn't know about

When the Balearics close, the Canaries open. I've done two winters in Las Palmas and it's the best way to work 12 months a year without leaving Spain.

The other season: October to March

When the Balearic season ends in October, many yachts head to the Canary Islands. According to Yemplea's data, the subtropical climate (18-24°C in winter) allows year-round operations, and the geographical position makes them a mandatory stop for yachts crossing the Atlantic.

Main ports

• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Home port of the ARC regatta (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). November is the star month, with hundreds of yachts preparing to cross.
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Commercial port with a growing yacht area. Good maintenance offerings.
• Puerto Calero (Lanzarote): Luxury marina with premium services. Foreign-flagged yachts predominate.
• Mogan (Gran Canaria): Small marina but with active sport fishing charter.

Types of available employment

• Crossing crew: Crossing the Atlantic as deckhand or skipper. Excellent for accumulating nautical miles.
• Winter maintenance: Engineers, painters, yacht carpenters preparing vessels for the next season.
• Local charter: Whale and dolphin watching excursions, sport fishing, coastal tours.
• Day work: Cleaning, polishing, one-off jobs in marinas.

Salaries in the Canaries

Salaries are similar to the Balearics, though the cost of living is significantly lower. This means your savings capacity can be greater in the Canaries:

• Deckhand: €1,800 – €2,300/month
• Skipper: €2,500 – €4,000/month
• Engineer: €3,000 – €4,500/month

The perfect plan: Balearics + Canaries

The smartest professionals combine both seasons: May-October in the Balearics, November-March in the Canaries. This way they work 10-11 months a year without breaks, maximizing income and experience. On Yemplea you can set up alerts in both zones and check our training section to prepare.