I have just returned from Tenerife. Las Galletas is a small marina on the southwest tip of Tenerife.

Miss Eny, in the office, is amazingly helpful with a wide range of requests, from laundry to weather and nothing is too much trouble. Raoul, the Manager is on hand to help and listen to any problems you may have.

Over the past week, the entire island has been hit by strong swells from a hurricane further south off Africa and many towns have been flooded by the waves and the very high spring tides at this time. Las Galletas was okay, but there was damage to some of the pontoons. Within a few days, these were repaired. The “Marineros” (Marina maintenance, security, and all-around helpful guys), are there 24/7 and I heard no reports of theft or damage.

Our boat is there until November and all the staff know to keep an eye on her. The secret is to tighten the bow dock lines to bring your boat away from the pontoon and leave your stern lines with length and all at the same tightness. The boat is away from the pontoon, safe, and the Marineros will help you back on board when you return. Raoul has ensured me that the lines will be checked every day and we have made the extra precaution of putting them inside the pipe as they come out of the fairleads, so as not to chaff.

The rates are very competitive compared to most of the other marinas. Diesel is 88c/liter at the moment. The marina is 15 minutes (16 euros by taxi) from the Airport and there is an enormous, high-quality supermarket between the airport and the port for provisioning. Car hire is no problem and I am happy to recommend Oli Bee at TRC on info@trc-cars.com. Restaurants are plentiful and good, and most of all the dock bar has a Beer grande for 1.20 euros!!.

For those wanting a shakedown, sail to Puerto Mogan on the West of Gran Canaria, 59 miles away. An absolutely delightful port with restaurants, beach, swimming and lots more – very much like “Little Venice”.

Rodney Dodd

Editor’s Note

Noonsite has in the past received mixed reports about security in this marina. Rodney therefore very kindly sent us a comprehensive rundown of the security set-up here.

“The Harbor has established a 24-hour security seven days a week. From 06:00 to 22:00 this is done with port personnel (Marineros). They monitor each and every one of the boats, steadily, both the status of the mooring, as well as the vessel itself. From 22:00 there is a security company in charge of surveillance and continual patrols. With only one way in and one way out, this is a secure area.

The entrance has 2 entrance bars for vehicles, so only those people with remotes can gain entry.

Inside the harbor facilities, there is also a municipal police’s center which is being finished off at the moment and will become operational soon.

From the website, www.marinadelsur.es, a harbor webcam shows an updated view every 30 seconds.

Pontoons are well lit all along at night. A chain across the entrance to each pontoon with Crew only signs, so no locked gates on the actual pontoons themselves or the entrance.

It should be noted that the main wall all along the marina is a public walkway and therefore has many people enjoying the views and the restaurants. Yes, they can physically get onto the pontoons and if this is a worry for owners then they will have to make their own decision. Most owners lock their boats when the off ship, and if you leave a boat where you can take the vessel off the pontoon as I explained earlier.