Atlantic islands

Arguineguín, Gran Canaria

Harbour wall · Salt water

A working fishing settlement on the south-west coast with a harbour, a fishermen's association at the quay, a sand beach and rocky coves along the coast either side of it.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Caleta de Sebo, La Graciosa

Harbour wall · Salt water

The island's only settlement and harbour, a small mole on sand facing the channel between La Graciosa and the cliffs of northern Lanzarote.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: THE ISLAND LIES INSIDE SPAIN'S LARGEST MARINE RESERVE, and the bodies that run it publish what that means. FISHING WITH A ROD FROM THE SHORE REQUIRES NO AUTHORISATION, in the ministry's own words. From a boat it does, with distances: rod or handline no less than two miles from the integral reserve and 500 m off Roque Oeste and Montaña Clara; trolling two miles out, migratory pelagics only. A ONE-MILE CIRCLE CENTRED ON ROQUE DEL ESTE IS THE INTEGRAL RESERVE, closed to all fishing. A Canary licence is needed throughout, and the reserve keeps an information office at Caleta de Sebo.

Castillo del Romeral, Gran Canaria

Rock platform · Salt water

Low broken lava and shingle on the flat southern coast west of Arinaga, beside the old salt pans, with mixed rock and sand running out from the shore.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing.

Gran Tarajal, Fuerteventura

Harbour wall · Salt water

A working harbour and dark sand bay on Fuerteventura's sheltered south-east coast, with a long mole enclosing it and one of the island's fishing cooperatives based there.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing. This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Pasito Blanco, Gran Canaria

Harbour wall · Salt water

A marina cut into the low arid southern coast of Gran Canaria west of Maspalomas, with an armoured arm and broken volcanic ledge along the shore either side of it.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Playa de Arinaga, Gran Canaria

Beach · Salt water

The dark sand and shingle beach in front of Arinaga village, with the mole at its northern end and the low rock of the platform beyond that.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing.

Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

Harbour wall · Salt water

A resort harbour built into a steep-sided barranco mouth on the south-western coast, with two armoured arms, engineered sand beaches either side and the cliffs of the barranco rising immediately behind.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

The Agaete coast, Gran Canaria

Cliff coast · Salt water

Steep cliff and boulder coast on the island's north-west corner, with the ferry harbour at Puerto de las Nieves and shore access limited to the harbour structure and a short stretch of shingle beside it.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing. This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

The Avenida Marítima, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Promenade · Salt water

The engineered city seafront running along the eastern side of Las Palmas below the Avenida, with rock armour and low sea wall along its length and the commercial port at its northern end.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

The El Burrero breakwater, Gran Canaria

Breakwater · Salt water

A breakwater at a small settlement on Gran Canaria's exposed eastern coast, with dark sand and shingle inside the arm and boulder armour along its face.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

The Morro Jable coast, Fuerteventura

Rock platform · Salt water

The southern tip of the Jandía peninsula, alternating long sand beaches with low rock platform, and a working harbour at the town.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing.

Playa de Famara, Lanzarote

Surf beach · Salt water

A long open sand beach on Lanzarote's exposed north-west coast, running below the Risco de Famara cliffs, with clean sand along most of its length and rock at either end.

Particular to this ground: drowning and immersion.

Punta Pechiguera, Lanzarote

Headland · Salt water

The south-western corner of Lanzarote: a low, flat, black lava point carrying two lighthouses, with broken volcanic ledge and boulder at the water's edge and the strait towards Fuerteventura opening to the south.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.

The Playa Dorada breakwater, Playa Blanca

Breakwater · Salt water

A rock breakwater sheltering a small sandy resort beach on Lanzarote's southern coast, with sand inside the arm, boulder armour along its face, and broken volcanic ground beyond the head.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

El Médano, Tenerife

Surf beach · Salt water

A long light sand beach on Tenerife's flat southern corner, with low rock at each end and the volcanic cone of Montaña Roja above it.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing.

La Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Harbour wall · Salt water

The fishing dock at the northern end of the port of Santa Cruz, with a long armoured breakwater enclosing it and boulder armour along the outer face of that arm.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Los Abrigos, Tenerife

Harbour wall · Salt water

A small fishing settlement and harbour on the arid southern coast of Tenerife, with a short mole, low volcanic ledge along the shore either side of it and broken ground running out from the point.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Los Cristianos, Tenerife

Charter departure port · Salt water

The main southern port of Tenerife: ferry berths, a fishing quay and the charter fleet that works the deep water off the island's south-west corner.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing. This is a working commercial and ferry port. Fishing from port structures is restricted and the port authority decides where anybody may stand.

Los Gigantes, Tenerife

Harbour wall · Salt water

A small marina cut into the foot of a wall of basalt cliffs rising several hundred metres straight from the sea on Tenerife's west coast, with very deep water within a short distance of the harbour mouth.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Playa de Las Teresitas, Tenerife

Beach · Salt water

An imported golden-sand beach behind a breakwater at San Andrés, north-east of Santa Cruz, with the working mole of San Andrés at one end and the natural dark rock of the Anaga coast beyond.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A Canary recreational fishing licence is required, separately for shore, boat and underwater fishing. FishingHQ does not hold the current requirements — check with the Canary regional fisheries authority before fishing. This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

Playa de los Patos and El Bollullo, Tenerife

Beach · Salt water

Two adjacent black-sand beaches on Tenerife's north coast below the Orotava valley, cut into a cliffed coast, with volcanic rock at either end of each and reef running out from the points between them.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Playa San Juan and Alcalá, Tenerife

Harbour wall · Salt water

Two small harbours a short distance apart on Tenerife's western coast, each with a mole and a pocket of dark sand beside it, on a coast of low volcanic ledge below the arid western slopes.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice.

The Anaga north coast, Tenerife

Rock platform · Salt water

The north-facing coast of the Anaga massif at the north-eastern tip of Tenerife: steep laurel-forested ridges falling to a coast of black boulder beach, lava platform and rock stacks, with a breakwater at one of the settlements along it.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: Underwater fishing is licensed and regulated separately from rod fishing throughout this jurisdiction, with its own age, equipment and distance requirements, and holding a rod licence is not permission to spearfish.

Lagoa de São Brás, São Miguel

Lake · Fresh water

A small freshwater lake in the volcanic interior of São Miguel, with vegetated margins and pasture around it.

Maia, São Miguel

Rock mark · Salt water

A stretch of rocky shore on São Miguel's north-east coast below a clifftop settlement, with fenced paths and steps built down to the water and lava ledge and boulder at the bottom of them.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: The Azores carry a dense network of marine protected areas whose boundaries reach inshore as well as offshore. They are lines on a chart: not visible from a boat and not visible from the rocks either, so what is permitted at any given point here is a regulatory question rather than a visible one. Establish the current position with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

Mosteiros, São Miguel

Rock platform · Salt water

A village on the western tip of São Miguel with a small pier, natural bathing pools cut into the lava shelf, black sand between the rock, and offshore islets a short distance out.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: The Azores carry a dense network of marine protected areas whose boundaries reach inshore as well as offshore. They are lines on a chart: not visible from a boat and not visible from the rocks either, so what is permitted at any given point here is a regulatory question rather than a visible one. Establish the current position with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

Porto de Pescas da Caloura, São Miguel

Harbour wall · Salt water

A small fishing harbour on a low rocky point on São Miguel's south coast, with a short arm, a slipway and broken volcanic ledge along the shore either side of it.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice. The Azores carry a dense network of marine protected areas whose boundaries reach inshore as well as offshore. They are lines on a chart: not visible from a boat and not visible from the rocks either, so what is permitted at any given point here is a regulatory question rather than a visible one. Establish the current position with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

Porto Formoso, São Miguel

Harbour wall · Salt water

A small harbour on São Miguel's north coast below steep green slopes, with a short arm, a slipway and rock along the shore either side.

Particular to this ground: cliffs and rock platforms, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice. The Azores carry a dense network of marine protected areas whose boundaries reach inshore as well as offshore. They are lines on a chart: not visible from a boat and not visible from the rocks either, so what is permitted at any given point here is a regulatory question rather than a visible one. Establish the current position with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

Praia das Milícias, São Miguel

Beach · Salt water

A dark-sand beach on São Miguel's south coast a short distance east of Ponta Delgada, backed by low ground and with rock at either end.

Particular to this water: The Azores carry a dense network of marine protected areas whose boundaries reach inshore as well as offshore. They are lines on a chart: not visible from a boat and not visible from the rocks either, so what is permitted at any given point here is a regulatory question rather than a visible one. Establish the current position with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel

Harbour wall · Salt water

The principal fishing port of São Miguel's north coast, in a working fishing town, with an armoured arm, quays and a slipway, and rock along the shore beyond.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen, drowning and immersion.

Particular to this water: This is an owned and operated structure. Whether angling is allowed on it, when, from where and on what terms is the operator's decision, is frequently seasonal, and changes without notice. The Azores carry a dense network of marine protected areas whose boundaries reach inshore as well as offshore. They are lines on a chart: not visible from a boat and not visible from the rocks either, so what is permitted at any given point here is a regulatory question rather than a visible one. Establish the current position with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

Santa Cruz das Flores

Harbour wall · Salt water

The second of the two ports the regional authority operates on Flores, on the island's eastern coast at the main town. It is the island's other harbour rather than its principal one, and the authority publishes no quay dimensions for it — which is recorded here as an absence rather than filled in.

Particular to this ground: boat traffic and being seen.

Particular to this water: A harbour record. Nothing here establishes that fishing is permitted from any part of it, and what may be done on a working quay is the port authority's decision. The water beyond it sits inside an archipelago carrying a dense network of marine protected areas and seamount closures whose boundaries are lines on a chart and are not visible from a boat; establish the current boundaries with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

The Formigas and the Dollabarat bank

Offshore bank · Salt water

A cluster of low rocks and a submerged bank standing alone in deep ocean between São Miguel and Santa Maria, forty kilometres from either, rising abruptly from abyssal depth to a shallow plateau.

Particular to this ground: boat safety.

Particular to this water: This is open-ocean ground inside an archipelago carrying a dense network of marine protected areas and seamount closures. Their boundaries are lines on a chart and are not visible from a boat, so knowing where you are here is a regulatory question as well as a navigational one. Establish the current boundaries with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing. The Formigas and Dollabarat carry a long-standing nature reserve designation of their own, which is one of the closures a boat cannot see.

The Graciosa north-west coast

Cliff coast · Salt water

The steep north-western shore of the smallest of the central Azorean islands, with deep reef ground falling away from a low cliff coast.

Particular to this water: This is open-ocean ground inside an archipelago carrying a dense network of marine protected areas and seamount closures. Their boundaries are lines on a chart and are not visible from a boat, so knowing where you are here is a regulatory question as well as a navigational one. Establish the current boundaries with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

The Santa Maria coast

Cliff coast · Salt water

The shore of the south-easternmost and oldest Azorean island, drier and more weathered than the rest, with limestone as well as lava and the archipelago's warmest inshore water.

Particular to this water: This is open-ocean ground inside an archipelago carrying a dense network of marine protected areas and seamount closures. Their boundaries are lines on a chart and are not visible from a boat, so knowing where you are here is a regulatory question as well as a navigational one. Establish the current boundaries with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

The Terceira coastal reefs

Reef · Salt water

The broken rock ground around Terceira, where a shelf of submerged reef and pinnacle stands off the island's coast in water deep enough to jig and shallow enough to hold structure.

Particular to this water: This is open-ocean ground inside an archipelago carrying a dense network of marine protected areas and seamount closures. Their boundaries are lines on a chart and are not visible from a boat, so knowing where you are here is a regulatory question as well as a navigational one. Establish the current boundaries with the regional fisheries directorate before fishing.

The Desertas

Island · Salt water

Three uninhabited cliff-bound islands running north to south twenty-five kilometres south-east of Madeira, a strict nature reserve with deep water and strong streams between them and the main island.

Particular to this ground: boat safety.

Particular to this water: The Desertas are a strict nature reserve and the last stronghold of the Mediterranean monk seal in the archipelago. Landing, approach and any activity in the surrounding waters are controlled by the reserve authority, and no part of this record should be read as suggesting the ground is open.