16 fishing boats and 150 leisure vessels escort the Virgin of Carmen in Mogán

The maritime journey of the Fiestas del Carmen brought together 16 fishing boats and 150 leisure vessels. The image departed from Arguineguín and arrived at Playa de Mogán after 12:30 PM.

The Virgin of Carmen, patroness of the sea, once again sailed the waters of southern Gran Canaria this Sunday in one of the most emotional days of the Fiestas del Carmen in Mogán. The journey, which departed from Arguineguín, gathered 16 fishing boats and 150 leisure vessels, a procession that accompanied the image on a route filled with devotion and colour.

A morning of maritime fervour

The day began at 09:00 AM with the land procession from the Church of Carmen in Arguineguín to the dock. Parishioners, authorities, and the Banda La Pasión de La Aldea accompanied the image in a festive atmosphere. At the dock, a mass was held from the papal stage, and the Virgin was brought close to the statue of the Star of the Seas, to which a rosary, a gift from Pope Leo XIV, was placed.

Following this, the image was lifted onto shoulders and taken to the boat Mikel Merino, owned by the fisherman of the same name, tasked with transporting the patroness. The maritime procession made a stop in the bay of El Pajar to pay respects to the Virgin of Santa Águeda before continuing towards Playa de Mogán.

The meeting of the two Virgins

As the procession advanced by sea, in Playa de Mogán, the mayor Onalia Bueno placed the staff of command on the local statue, as she had done days earlier with the image from Arguineguín. After 12:30 PM, the procession entered the beach, where a crowd awaited the greeting between both images. The moment, filled with emotion, was the highlight of the celebration.

For the residents of Mogán and Arguineguín, this tradition is not just a religious act, but a hallmark that unites two coastal communities. The Virgin of Carmen is the protector of fishermen, and her maritime procession recalls the close relationship of the region with the sea. This year, the participation of leisure vessels exceeded expectations, demonstrating the deep-rooted nature of the festival.

A legacy that endures

The tradition of the maritime procession dates back decades, when fishermen from Arguineguín began to take the Virgin out on their boats. Today, the festival has grown to become an event that attracts hundreds of people, both locals and tourists. The Banda La Pasión de La Aldea provided the musical note, while attendees enjoyed a sunny day that accompanied the journey.

For those who could not attend, the recommendation is not to miss the next edition. The Fiestas del Carmen continue over the coming days with cultural and religious activities. Anyone wishing to experience it from the sea can rent a boat or join the excursions organized by the fishermen's guilds.