Which is the hottest month in the Canary Islands?

The hottest time of year in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands is normally August. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 27°C with moderate heat and humidity.

Best time to visit the Canary Islands

Q: When is the best time to visit the Canary Islands?

The best time to visit the Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) is June, July and August based on the following average weather conditions. Maximum daytime temperature = 22 - 30°C. Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more.

Q: Which month has the most rain in the Canary Islands?

In terms of rainfall, December is usually the wettest month in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands with 74mm on average. There are normally 7 days in December with some rain.

Q: When is it sunniest in the Canary Islands?

The sunniest time of year in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands is normally July with bright sunshine on average for 74% of daylight hours; that's 10 hours of sunshine per day.

Q: When is the sea warmest in the Canary Islands?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands in September when the water temperature reaches 24°C.

The volcanic archipelago of the Canary Islands, an autonomous community that's a part of Spain, lies in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. It is a much-loved holiday destination thanks to its year-round sunshine and reliable temperatures.

Canary Islands by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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Destination

There are eight islands, the largest being Tenerife followed by Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.

Top Canary Islands destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in the Canary Islands. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

All Canary Islands regions

All Canary Islands destinations

Adeje, Tenerife
Agaete, Gran Canaria
Aguimes, Gran Canaria
Arguineguin, Gran Canaria
Arona, Tenerife
Arrecife, Lanzarote
Arucas, Gran Canaria
Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria
Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura
Callao Salvaje, Tenerife
Corralejo, Fuerteventura
Costa Adeje, Tenerife
Costa Antigua, Fuerteventura
Costa Calma, Fuerteventura
Costa del Silencio, Tenerife
Costa Teguise, Lanzarote
Cruz de Tejeda, Gran Canaria
El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
El Medano, Tenerife
El Paso, La Palma
El Sauzal, Tenerife
Frontera, El Hierro
Fuencaliente, La Palma
Garachico, Tenerife
Golf del Sur, Tenerife
Guia de Isora, Tenerife
La Asomada, Lanzarote
La Caleta, Tenerife
La Vagueta, Lanzarote
Las Caletillas, Tenerife
Las Canteras, Gran Canaria
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Las Playitas, Fuerteventura
Los Cancajos, La Palma
Los Cristianos, Tenerife
Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Los Llanos, La Palma
Los Valles, Lanzarote
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Matagorda, Lanzarote
Meloneras, Gran Canaria
Morro Jable, Fuerteventura
Mount Teide, Tenerife
Nuevo Horizonte, Fuerteventura
Orotava, Tenerife
Pajara, Fuerteventura
Patalavaca, Gran Canaria
Playa Amadores, Gran Canaria
Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
Playa de Esquinzo, Fuerteventura
Playa de Fanabe, Tenerife
Playa de Jandia, Fuerteventura
Playa de la Arena, Tenerife
Playa de las Americas, Tenerife
Playa de los Pocillos, Lanzarote
Playa de Santiago, La Gomera
Playa del Cura, Gran Canaria
Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria
Playa Honda, Lanzarote
Playa Mogan, Gran Canaria
Playa Paraiso, Tenerife
Playa Taurito, Gran Canaria
Puerto Calero, Lanzarote
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
Puerto de Santiago, Tenerife
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura
Puerto Naos, La Palma
Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria
Salobre Golf, Gran Canaria
San Agustin, Gran Canaria
San Bartolome, Lanzarote
San Bartolome de Tirajana, Gran Canaria
San Isidro, Tenerife
San Mateo, Gran Canaria
San Miguel, Tenerife
San Sebastian de la Gomera, La Gomera
Santa Brigida, Gran Canaria
Santa Cruz de la Palma, La Palma
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife
Santa Ursula, Tenerife
Tazacorte, La Palma
Tias, Lanzarote
Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera
Valverde, El Hierro
Vilaflor, Tenerife
Yaiza, Lanzarote

When is the best time to visit Canary Islands?

The best time to visit Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) is June, July and August based on the following average weather conditions.

Maximum daytime temperature = 72 - 86°F [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more [remove]

Change the criteria to reflect your weather preferences.

2
Jan
3
Feb
3.5
Mar
4
Apr
4
May
5
Jun
5
Jul
5
Aug
4
Sep
4
Oct
3.5
Nov
2.5
Dec

Change criteria

Max Day Temperature (°F)

64
Jan
66
Feb
68
Mar
68
Apr
70
May
73
Jun
79
Jul
81
Aug
79
Sep
75
Oct
70
Nov
66
Dec

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

6
Jan
7
Feb
7
Mar
8
Apr
9
May
10
Jun
10
Jul
10
Aug
8
Sep
7
Oct
6
Nov
6
Dec

Best time to visit

Destination

Daytime temperature

Sunshine hours

Sea temperature

Monthly rainfall

Days with some rain

Heat & humidity

The weather guide for Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C) | Imperial (°F)

Weather in the Canary Islands

The weather in the Canary Islands plays a starring role in its appeal as a major holiday destination. With truly great conditions all year round, it's no wonder that they continue to be among the most popular places to go for sunshine from January to December; it really does have one of the best climates in the world.

The wild west coast of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands © Eyewave - Fotolia.com

This Spanish archipelago has a Mediterranean climate all of its own. The islands, of which there are seven main destinations, are rocky and volcanic with snow on their highest peaks and black and white sandy beaches at sea level.

While each island's weather is marginally different typically, the Canaries enjoy warm summers and pleasant winters. We have broken the seasons in two, showing just summer and winter. There simply isn't enough differentiation to include spring and autumn, as the weather changes only gradually throughout the year.

However, there are some local differences depending on altitude and which side of the mountains you are on. For example, on mountainous islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the higher you go, the colder it gets.

Anfi del Mar beach, Gran Canaria © Cristian M Balate - Dreamstime.com

Typically, north-facing spots in the north of each of the islands are cloudier with more rain than south-facing places in the south of islands.

Whatever type of trip you're planning, be it a family summer holiday, winter sun escape or group getaway, you can find out everything you need to know about the weather in the Canary Islands right here.

Read on to find out more about the islands, take a look at today's temperature, the five-day outlook, and what the weather is usually like at this time of year with our collection of climate averages.

Canary Islands in summer - May to October
Canary Islands in winter - November to April
Individual Canary Islands

Canary Islands in summer - May to October

Summer in the Canary Islands sees virtually no rainfall, up to 10 hours of sunshine each day and temperatures that easily hit the high twenties, staying warm into the evenings.

Beach club pool by the sea, Tenerife © Nikolai Sorokin - Fotolia.com

The hottest days occur when hot, dry, dust-laden air is drawn out of the Sahara desert and reaches the islands brought via calima winds.

While it often rolls through quite quickly, it can, on occasion, linger for a few days or even weeks, creating haze and visibility problems but don't let this put you off.

The cold Atlantic current, which surrounds the Canaries, prevents temperatures in summer from climbing uncomfortably high. So unlike some other destinations in the eastern Med and North Africa, the Canary Islands don't succumb to any intense heat and humidity, with only moderate levels at the height of summer from July to September, which guarantees a sweat-free holiday.

Open spaces on a sunny day in Lanzarote, Canary Islands © Image'in - Adobe Stock Image

The cold current does, however, mean that sea temperatures never rise to the same highs you would find in parts of the Mediterranean, rarely surpassing 23°C at their peak in August compared with around 27°C at the same time in Cyprus, for example.

Which Canary Islands should you visit? If you're wondering where to visit first, don't miss our guide to choosing the right Canary Island for your holiday.

Canary Islands in winter - November to April

The Canaries are just as popular in winter when people flock to the islands between November and April for the mild, sunny conditions.

There's more rain about during this time, especially on the northern sides of the islands and perhaps a touch of fog, although not enough to ruin any holiday.

Winter is a great time for walking in Gran Canaria © Oleg Znamenskiy - Fotolia.com

Daytimes enjoy up to six hours of sunshine from November to April which, compared with one to two hours in the UK, is a welcome change. Temperatures hover between 21°C and 18°C, although evenings are cooler dropping as low as 12°C by February.

But one big difference that is often overlooked is the number of daylight hours. In December, Tenerife enjoys two more hours of daylight every day when compared with Manchester in the UK.

Exploring the Canary islands © Javier Sanchez Portero - Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

The weather in the Canary Islands in winter is thoroughly enjoyable but not necessarily right for those after some serious sunbathing, especially as the sea temperature is less than appealing at around 19°C from January to April.

Overall, the Canary Islands in winter are ideal for those keen to experience and explore; go for the fine food, hiking, walks and scenery of these diverse Atlantic islands.

Individual Canary Islands

Take your pick from huge holiday favourites such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria to the lesser-known islands of La Gomera and El Hierro.

Tenerife - with the snowcapped Mount Teide at the centre of the island separating the drier, sunnier south from the more populated and greener farming areas of the north, Tenerife offers something for everyone from hikes and trails to lively towns, beaches, water sports and pretty villages
Fuerteventura - this is one of the driest islands with arguably the best selection of golden beaches, and countless opportunities for watersports such as sailing and windsurfing thanks to the trademark winds, much loved by families, adventure seekers and couples
Lanzarote - another dry island, Lanzarote is home to stunning volcanic cones and black lava landscape as well as plenty of places to rest, party, visit and explore for all types of holidaymakers
Gran Canaria - from the dunes of Maspalomas in the drier south to the more green and fertile north, this island has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery of them all as well as great beaches, nightlife and facilities
La Palma - also known as the Isla Bonita or beautiful island, La Palma is the greenest of the Canary Islands with more rain than the others as it's located further out into the Atlantic
La Gomera - no more than 20 miles from Tenerife, La Gomera is a mountainous island popular with daytrippers, with terraces, walks and a handful of black sand beaches
El Hierro - step back in time on the rocky, rugged island of El Hierro - forget high rise developments, here it's all about local guesthouses, hiking and exploring.

Ready to book your holiday to the Canaries? Search flights and holidays to the Canary Islands in our travel deals and discounts section.

More about the Canary Islands

Explore our complete guide to the Canary Islands with the latest travel advice for travellers and holidaymakers including official updates and local travel tips for the Canary Islands.

Essential travel guide
Travel guidance
Travel health
Travel features
Top travel deals
FAQs

Canary Islands travel guide - essential info

Below is a beginner's guide to the Canary Islands with essential travel facts such as dominant language spoken, typical flight time from the UK and the local currency. You can also check whether visas are required and what plug adapter you need to pack.

Canary Islands - quick facts
Flight time^✝	4 to 5 hours
Time difference	UK +0 hours
Language(s)	Spanish
Currency	Euro
Electricity	C plug (230V)
Driving side	Right

Why visit the Canary Islands?

Considering a holiday to the the Canary Islands? Here are some of the very good reasons it makes such a wonderful holiday destination be it for beaches or nature to ensure you get the most out of your 2025/2026 escape.

Beaches
Nature

Canary Islands tourist information

Canary Islands Tourism

✝ = Typical flight time from the UK.

Travelling to the Canary Islands?
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Canary Islands travel guidance

Check the latest travel guidance and advice on visiting the Canary Islands from official government sources (in english) from around the world including entry requirements and travel restrictions.

UK traveller advice for the Canary Islands - UK FCDO
Irish traveller advice for the Canary Islands - Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
Canadian travel advice for the Canary Islands - Government of Canada
US travel advisories for the Canary Islands - US Department of State
Safe travel advisories for the Canary Islands - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New Zealand
Smarter traveller advice for the Canary Islands - Department of Foreign Affairs, Australia

Learn more about the current safety and security risks from terrorism, natural disasters and more. Read about the local laws and customs to consider when travelling around the Canary Islands.

Note: UK FCDO - UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Canary Islands travel health

Find out more about staying safe when travelling to the Canary Islands with the latest guidance on required vaccinations and recommended medication to take with you.

Vaccines & medicines for the Canary Islands - CDC
Health & vaccinations for the Canary Islands - TravelHealthPro, NaTHNac
How to stay safe & healthy in the Canary Islands - Fit for Travel, Public Health Scotland

Check out the general travel tips for staying safe and healthy in the Canary Islands, risks of preventable diseases and what to pack.

Note: CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Canary Islands travel features

Do you want to learn more about the Canary Islands? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in the Canary Islands.

Canary Islands FAQs

Read our frequently asked questions about travelling to the Canary Islands including the current entry restrictions, driving side, electrical plugs used and much more.

Which month has the most rain in the Canary Islands?

In terms of rainfall, January is usually the wettest month in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands with 0.0 inches on average. There are normally no days in January with some rain.

When is it sunniest in the Canary Islands?

The sunniest time of year in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands is normally January with bright sunshine on average for 0% of daylight hours; that's 0 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in the Canary Islands?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands in January when the water temperature reaches 32°F.

What is the flight time to the Canary Islands from the UK?

The flight time to the Canary Islands from the UK is typically 4 to 5 hours.

What is the time difference between the Canary Islands and the UK?

The time difference between the Canary Islands and the UK is UK time+0 to UK time+1 hours.

What is the main language spoken in the Canary Islands?

The main language spoken in the Canary Islands is Spanish.

Learn a language for the Canary Islands with Rosetta Stone^*, Busuu^* and Babbel^*.

What is the currency in the Canary Islands?

The currency in the Canary Islands is the Euro (EUR).

Send money to the Canary Islands with TransferGo^* and XE Money Transfers^*.

Which plugs are used in the Canary Islands?

Canary Islands uses electrical plug type C (230 Volts).

Which side of the road do they drive on in the Canary Islands?

They drive on the right side of the road in the Canary Islands.

Find out more about driving in Spain with RAC^*, International Drivers Association^* and Halfords^*.

Canary Islands travel deals

Holidays to the Canary Islands

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