There is no bad month for the Canary Islands. At the main airports, which sit near the coast, AEMET's long-term averages give daytime highs of about 21-23°C from January to March and 27-29°C from July to September, average winter lows of around 14-15°C, and almost no rain from May to August: most of the little rain the islands get falls between October and March. Go in winter for sun when the rest of Europe is grey, or between August and October if swimming in the warmest sea of the year matters most.
Winter sun: November to March
This is the high season for British and northern European visitors, and the reason the islands are full at Christmas and Easter. Expect warm afternoons, cooler evenings that call for a jumper, and the odd day of cloud or rain, which is more likely on the northern coasts and in the hills. Flights and hotels around the school holidays sell out early, so book well ahead.
Up high it is a different climate: Mount Teide on Tenerife, at about 3,715 m the highest peak in Spain, can have snow in winter, and the mountain roads of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma can be cold, foggy and occasionally closed. Pack a warm layer even for a beach holiday.
Spring, summer and autumn
April to June is quieter outside Easter, with long days and settled weather, though the sea is still cool in May. July and August are hot and dry, and busy with Spanish and European families. September and October are a sweet spot: the sea is at its warmest, the crowds thin out and the heat eases. AEMET publishes month-by-month averages for each island's weather stations, and the summary at Climates to Travel puts them in plain language.
North versus south, east versus west
The northeast trade winds shape the weather on every island. They push cloud against the northern slopes of the high islands, which is why the north of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is green and often overcast while the southern resorts (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Maspalomas) are the sunniest places in the archipelago. If you want guaranteed sun, stay in the south; if you prefer greenery and fresher air, the north.
- Tenerife and Gran Canaria: sunny south, greener and cloudier north, cold mountain tops.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: flat, dry and the windiest islands, which makes them a favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Fuerteventura airport averages under 100 mm of rain a year, according to AEMET.
- La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro: steep, green on their windward sides and with microclimates that change within a few kilometres; see our guide to La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
The wind also hides the strength of the sun. The UV index is high most of the year and peaks around midsummer, so use sun cream even on breezy, cool-feeling days.
Calima: the Saharan dust
Calima is the local name for the fine dust that blows in from the Sahara when easterly winds set in. The sky turns hazy and yellowish, visibility drops, temperatures can jump, and air quality worsens. Episodes usually last a few days and can happen in any season, including winter.
- Spain's weather service, AEMET, issues weather warnings for the islands, including for strong wind and dust.
- On heavy calima days, people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should limit outdoor exercise.
- Strong calima can delay or divert flights, so check your airline's app on travel days.
Sea temperature
The Canary Current keeps the Atlantic cooler than you might expect this far south. As an approximate average, the sea is around 18-20°C in winter and early spring and about 22-24°C at its warmest, from August to October, varying a little by island and year. Most hotels heat their pools in winter, and many beaches have strong currents, so swim where there are lifeguards and respect the flags.
Which island for which month
For winter warmth, the southern coasts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the most reliable. For a windsurf or kite trip, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in summer, when the trade winds are steadiest. For hiking, spring and autumn on La Gomera, La Palma or northern Tenerife. Still deciding? Our guide on which Canary Island to choose compares them.
Staying connected
Weather on the islands can change fast: a calima warning, a closed mountain road or a cancelled ferry is usually announced first on apps and official sites. A data eSIM for Spain gives you local data from the moment you land, without removing your own SIM, which can help British visitors avoid roaming charges from their home network (check your own tariff). See our tips on staying connected in Spain.