La Bocayna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Bocayna |
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 La Bocayna
Location in Province of Las Palmas
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| Location | Between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura |
| Coordinates | 28°48′00″N 13°48′00″W / 28.80000°N 13.80000°W |
| Type | Strait |
| Native name | Estrecho de la Bocayna (Spanish) |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | Spain |
| Min. width | 11 km (6.8 mi; 5.9 nmi) |
| Islands | Lobos Island |
| Settlements | Corralejo and Playa Blanca |
La Bocayna, also called La Bocaina, is a narrow stretch of ocean. It separates two of the Canary Islands: Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The small island of Lobos is found on the Fuerteventura side of this strait.
Long ago, in the 1800s, sailors knew La Bocayna as a good place to anchor their ships. The bottom of the sea here was sandy and safe. Even though there was often a steady wind, tall hills on Lanzarote could block it. This would make ships stop moving, so sailors had to zig-zag to catch the wind again.
Sailors also saw very large waves in the strait. These waves could be as tall as a six-story building, about 60 feet high! The sound of these huge waves crashing could be heard many miles away.
Lighthouses of the Strait
The La Bocayna strait is marked by several important lighthouses. These tall lights help ships navigate safely. You can find the Punta Martiño Lighthouse on Lobos Island. There is also the Pechiguera Lighthouse at the southwestern tip of Lanzarote. On the northwestern side of Fuerteventura, you will see the Tostón Lighthouse.
Ferry Services
Many people travel across La Bocayna using high-speed ferries. The catamaran Bocayna Express is one such ferry. It can cross the strait in just 20 minutes. The Fred. Olsen Express company has been running this service since 2003. It connects Playa Blanca in Lanzarote with Corralejo in Fuerteventura.
Another company, Naviera Armas, also offers a ferry service. Their ship, the Volcán de Tindaya, is larger but a bit slower. It takes about 35 minutes to travel the same route.
Open Water Swimming Challenge
The Travesia La Bocaina is an exciting annual event. It is an open water swimming race across the strait. Swimmers start in Playa Blanca and finish in Corralejo. The total distance for this swim is about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). Depending on how fast they swim, it can take participants anywhere from five to eight hours to complete the challenge.
See also
In Spanish: Estrecho de la Bocaina para niños
