Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Docking

Las Palmas Docking

Anchoring

During "ARC Season", the Las Palmas Port Authority set up a temporary anchorage area exclusively for small craft for one month (October 25 to November 25 in 2024), to cater for an expected high number of boats heading across the Atlantic.  See this News item for more information.

Las Alcaravaneras Beach:

It is forbidden to anchor at the entrance of Las Palmas Marina, off Las Alcaravaneras Beach, from the 15th of March until the 15th of September, for more than 24 hours.

Many yachts anchor off the beach behind the north breakwater of the marina, often with stern lines to the northern marina breakwater. This anchorage can get very busy with over 60 yachts at anchor trying to avoid each other. However, it is well sheltered with good holding in 5 - 8 meters on a sandy bottom.

The port makes a small charge for this anchorage of 1 Euro per day. For this you get a magnetic card allowing access to the marina's washroom.  The fee is also applied if you just anchor outside the marina. See Fees for more details.

During the busy season (October/November/December), it is likely you will be asked to anchor north of the marina to wait until a berth is available in the marina. This will require regular trips to the port/marina office to check your status on the waiting list. See comments via the speech bubble icon, for more details.

See Restrictions for rules on anchoring in the Canaries.

Las Palmas Marina

The marina here is administered by the Port Authority and therefore does not have the same level of services as a private marina. See this map for the marina layout. Advance bookings are not possible. However, it is recommended to notify the marina of your expected arrival. This can be made by calling the marina or e-mail them at marina@palmasport.es .

The reception dock is located on the port side immediately past the marina entrance. The port/marina office is also located here. The office uses a ticket system during busy times and waiting times can be very long. Allow half a day to check-in, including waiting time.

The fuel dock is just beyond the reception dock further into the marina on the port side.

A floating pontoon along the main quay makes docking easier. Larger yachts normally come stern-to the main quay after picking up a mooring buoy or dropping their own anchor.

Yachts under 18 meters tie up to one of the visitors' pontoons along the northern breakwater. There are water and electricity to all berths.

There are shower blocks close to all pontoons; magnetic cards for these and the pontoon gates can be obtained from the port/marina office for a small charge.

It should be noted that this is a transient marina and as such, yachts cannot park and liveaboard here for an extended period of time. Using a berth as a permanent residence without any connection to nautical use is prohibited under national law.

Berthing in October/November and the ARC:

During October, yachts in transit are allowed to stay in the marina for 3-5 days (space permitting). Longer stays are not permitted as the marina can not risk yachts being left in the marina and the owners vacating their boats (which has happened in the past).

All available marina space is needed during November for the ARC. Prior to the start of the ARC rally in November, all yachts that do not have a long-term contract will be requested to leave the marina. Permanent berth holders (more than 6 months) do not have to leave the marina.

Note however that yachts requesting berthing in advance by e-mail have been refused, although turning up on spec may result in a few days being given.

Marina Security:

There is a magnetic card system for the pontoon gates/showers; yachts are only given access to their own pontoons. A comprehensive CCTV system is in operation, as well as regular patrols by the Port Police.

It is important to remember, however, that this is a public marina and non-sailors are frequently around the pontoons, although the magnetic card system does help to restrict access. There have been reports of burglaries at night while the crew is sleeping, in particular, deck gear and bicycles, etc. being stolen, so it is best to adopt the policy of locking your front door at night and not leaving anything of value visible on the deck or in the cockpit.

Rubbish/Garbage and Recycling:

Most items can be recycled in Gran Canaria and there are containers positioned around the marina:

• Yellow containers are for milk cartons, aluminum cans, tetrapak, etc.;
• Blue/grey containers are for cardboard & paper;
• Gas bottle and oil recycling containers are situated near the fuel dock and there is an oil recycling facility (for oils and used contaminated containers) next to the boatyard in the northern part of the marina.
• Some glass bottle containers are also in the marina.
• All other refuse should be securely tied in plastic bags and placed in the dark green containers near every pontoon.

Last updated:  September 2024