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 The
Canary Islands lie near the northern coast of Africa surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The
islands autonomous region is made up of seven large islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote,
La Palma, Gomera and Hierro. and other smaller ones, such as Graciosa, Alegranza and Lobos.
 The coasts are blessed with
vast sandy beaches full of outstanding reefs, capes and bays. Nevertheless in some areas along the western and
northern coasts of Gran Canaria, there are many cliffs and steep rock faces. The Canary Islands is characterised
by its volcanic scenery. This can be divided into three different regions: the central islands, the eastern islands
and the western islands. The volcanic activity of the past has created a most peculiar landscape on the islands,
with craters, volcanic cones, volcanic rocks, tubes etc. The island's most emblematic natural landscape has to
be mount Teide which, standing at 3,718 metres (12,198 ft) high, is the tallest mountain in Spain. In order of
importance are Blanca mountain (2,743 metres or 9,000 ft) and Viejo peak (3,100 metres or 10,170 ft). The island's
geography and low rainfall ensure that there are no major rivers of note.
The Islands
Eastern Islands:
Gran Canaria has great resorts with plenty of entertainment and nice beaches. The sand dunes of Maspolomas are
spectacular and a must see - you can take a camel ride over the dunes to enjoy the scenery.
Fuerteventura is a quieter island with sandy beaches and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
Lanzarote has many natural wonders with the volcanic activity having sculptured fantastic, lunar beauty. The most
amazing of these sites is the Timanfaya National Park.
Western Islands:
La Palma - the beautiful national park Caldera de Taburiente is at the center of the island with other attractions
being the Spanish Colonial architecture of the chief town, Santa Cruz de la Palma.
La Gomeras' Garajony National Park is the main attraction with a dense laurel forest.
El Hierro is a sparsely populated island with a rugged landscape.
Tenerife contains the highest peak in Spain, the volcano Teide, which is 3718 metres high. Surrounding the volcanic
crater is the Teide National Park containing varied plant life and landscape. In addition to the natural beauty
Tenerife has a number of lively resorts and popular nightlife spots. |
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Dive Services
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Cala Blanca Dive Centre
Centro Comercial Papagayo
Playa Blanca (Yaiza)
35570 Lanzarote
Canary Islands Spain
Tel.: +34 928 519040 +34 607301230
Fax.: +34 928 518400
E-Mail: dive@calablancasub.com
Web: http://www.calablancasub.com
Located in Playa Blanca, South of Lanzarote, we offer 2 dives in the morning either from boat or from coast, always
guided. We offer shallow reef dives in Playa Blanca, walls, caverns and holes in Puerto del Carmen or volcanic
dive sites in Mala. |
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Dive Academy Gran Canaria
Club Amigos Del Atlantico s.l
c./La Lajilla s/n
Centro Reacreativo Puesta Del Sol
D.P 35210, Arguineguin
Gran Canaria
Spain
Tel. 0034 928 736 196
Fax: 0034 928 736 196
Email: info@diveacademy-grancanaria.com
Web: http://www.diveacademy-grancanaria.com
Learn to dive with Dive Academy Gran Canaria, we have our own large private pool for training or just come scuba
diving with us by boat or shore. |
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Scubasur
Anfi Del Mar
Barranco de la Verga s/n
35120 Arguineguin
Gran Canaria
Tel. 0034-928 150105-0034606026171
Fax. 0034-928 562195
scubasur@terra.es
http://www.scubasur.net
Toghether with Top Diving we are the only divecenter with there boats in front of the door.
We also owns the only private recompressionchamber. |
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Topdiving
Puerto Escala s/n
35130 Puerto Rico
Gran Canaria
Tel. 0034-928 560609 0034-670954467
Fax. 0034-928 562195
topdiving@terra.es
http://www.topdiving.net
We have our boats in front of the door, no cartrips or falling over rocks. We own the only recompression chamber
on the island. |
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Quick Facts
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| General Information |
Area: 7242 sq km (2796 sq miles).
Population: 1,630,015 (1998).
Population Density: 225.0 per sq km.
Capital: Provincial capitals are Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Population: 352,641 (1998); and Santa Cruz de Tenerife:
Population: 211,930 (1998).
Geography: The Canary Islands are situated off the northwest coast of Africa and consist of seven islands which
are divided into two provinces. Las Palmas comprises the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is made up of Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and Hierro. All the islands are of volcanic origin
and the climate is subtropical. The landscape is varied, and includes mountain ranges, valleys, deserts, cliffs,
craters and forests.
Time: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). |
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| Travel |
AIR: Local flights run by Iberia (IB) link all the islands.
Approximate flight times: From London to Las Palmas is 6 hours 10 minutes (including stopover in Madrid) and to
Tenerife is 6 hours 10 minutes (including stopover in Madrid). Direct flights from London to either destination
take 4 hours 15 minutes.
International airports: Gran Canaria (LPA) is 22km (14 miles) south of Las Palmas. Hotel coaches to the city leave
every 30 minutes (0630-0200; journey time - 20 minutes). Return journey is from Iberia terminal (Hotel Iberia),
Avenida Maritima (0520-0130). Public bus service to the city leaves every 30 minutes, operating a 24-hour service.
Return is from the bus station, Parque de San Telmo. Taxis to the city are available. Airport facilities include
banks/bureaux de change (0800-1415), post office (0900-1400), chemists (0600-2300), 24-hour medical service and
car rental.
Tenerife-Norte Los Rodeos (TFN), in the north of the island, is 13km (8 miles) from Santa Cruz. Bus service runs
every 30 minutes from 0600-2300.
Tenerife-Sur Reina Sofia (TFS), in the south of the island, is used for resorts such as Playa de las Americas.
Bus service is scheduled according to flight arrivals. Taxis are available. There is also a recently opened airport
in Gomera which offers regular connections with Gran Canaria and North Tenerife. For further information please
contact La Gomera Airport (tel: (34) 922 873 000; website: www.aena.es).
SEA: The majority of cruises stop in the Canaries. Further details are available from the Spanish National Tourist
Office. Trasmediterránea operates a weekly (Saturday) car ferry departing at 1800 from Cadiz - Tenerife
- Las Palmas. Contact their UK agent, Southern Ferries, Fifth floor, 179 Piccadilly, London W1V 9DB (tel: (020)
7491 4968; fax: (020) 7491 3502); website: (www.trasmediterranea.es).
Local: All the islands are linked by regular car and passenger ferries. Day trips to the smaller islands are quickly
and easily arranged.
ROAD: There are bus services available. Cars may be rented. |
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| Entry |
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Passport |
Visa |
Return Ticket Required |
| Australian |
Yes |
No |
2 |
| British |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Canadian |
Yes |
No |
2 |
| Japanese |
Yes |
No |
2 |
| Other EU |
1 |
No |
No |
| USA |
Yes |
No |
2 |
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PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months including 90 days beyond the
planned stay required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of EU countries with valid national ID cards;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland holding valid
national ID cards.
Note: It is advisable to have a return ticket, but not obligatory. If a visitor is not in possession of a return
ticket, proof of sufficient means of support may be required.
VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:
(a) nationals referred to in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong
Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia,
Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid
onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (except nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh,
Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Togo who always require a transit visa). As the preceding list is
liable to change at short notice, visitors are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Embassy or
Consulate before travelling.
Additional Visa Information:
http://www.spainemb.org |
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