We went from Lanzarote (Graciosa) to Santa Maria via Madeira. With NE winds you have a close/beam reach all the way and the longest leg is only 460nm. Of course, it's a fair old haul against the prevailing wind to Lanzarote from La Gomera, but we had loads of time. Going straight to Horta from the Western Canaries you can expect a lot of headwinds but friends of ours did it in May last year.

The Azores are fabulous, and if you are coming back to the Canaries you can stay a lot longer than if you are heading for Europe.

If you are thinking of going to Santa Maria try to find out first if the new marina is open, as the anchorage / harbour is rubbish in bad weather.

Have a great time, don't miss the big festival in Angra on Terceira.

- W