Atlantic Islands

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By Mark Stratton

JUNE 19, 2024

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Atlantic Islands overview

Across an expanse of 106.5 million square kilometres (41.1 million square miles), the Atlantic is the second largest ocean. Of its volcanic-hewn island chains, created over geological epochs by volcanic activity, the Macaronesia archipelagos along the Atlantic's eastern seaboard, close to Europe and West Africa, have become popular stomping grounds for sun-seekers, nature buffs and culture-seekers—especially The Azores, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde.

Our Destination Guides, written by those familiar with these Atlantic islands, offer practical advice on visiting them and reaffirm how to explore in a more sustainable way on small ship adventures. This latter point is essential. It won't have escaped readers' attention that there have been protests in the Canary Islands against over-tourism after 13.9 million visitors arrived in 2023. In their case, mass tourism has created an identity of cheap sun and boozed-up Brits on beaches. The dystopian scenario of huge cruise ships disgorging thousands of passengers and the subsequent pollution created by fleets of coaches waiting to ferry people around on formulaic tours is not a pretty sight.

Yet beyond the crowds, Atlantic islands are an exotic realm of striking volcanic landscapes with unique floral biogeography. Their culture, distilled through the lenses of Spanish and Portuguese colonisation, has evolved differently from mainland Europe and Africa. A rich overlay of heritage dates back to the 1500s. These Atlantic archipelagos are made for discerning, curious guests who want to explore in greater depth and sample fine seafood and wines rather than fish and chips and a pint of lager.

One hundred kilometres (62 miles) off Western Sahara, the Canary Islands are Spanish-speaking. Around 2.3 million people inhabit seven major islands, all volcanic, with several active cones. Tenerife possesses the largest volcano, the colossal Mount Teide, which is Spain's highest point at 3718m (12,198ft). Offshore whale-watching is fantastic, and some of Europe's most beautiful and rugged islands for colonial culture and hiking are within easy reach, particularly La Gomera and La Palma. The former's rare cloud forests are the most extensive in existence. Westernmost El Hierro has been listed as a UNESCO geopark since 2014.

Further offshore, The Azores are 1300 kilometres (800 miles) from their motherland, Portugal. This profoundly volcanic landscape of 9 major Islands began rising from the Atlantic 8 million years ago. Many voyages depart the main island of Sao Miguel from the port of Ponta Delgada, which is a charming heritage city. Faial offers sensational hiking and whale-watching and looks across a narrow strait to the immense 2351m (7,713ft) Pico volcano, with its mountainside grape terraces. Canyons and waterfalls picturesquely incise the outlier of Flores.

Considerably further south, 570 kilometres (350 miles) off mainland Africa, Cape Verde has emerged during the last 20 years as a package holiday destination focused on the two flattest and least interesting islands of Boa Vista and Sal. Yet Cape Verde offers much more. Praia on Santiago Island and São Vicente are familiar ports of call. The Portuguese history of slavery and the architecture marries with a heady blend of mixed ethnicity with African blood and Creole language. Mindelo on São Vicente is a wildly atmospheric hotspot to hear mournful fado and drink cane-spirit rum punch called grogue. Santo Antão's extraordinary cragginess is a hiker's dream, and adventurers should set their sights on hiking Fogo's fabulous 2829 metre (9,281ft) volcanic cone.