Canary Islands weather by month

When to go to Canary Islands

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: July, August, September. December is the wettest month (30 mm, about 5 rainy days) and July the driest (0 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 23.4°C and coolest in February at 18.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA, 27 km from Maspalomas) takes roughly 4 h 24 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Atlantic/Canary.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Canary Islands between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.3°C on 27 August 2020; the coldest fell to 8.7°C on 25 December 2017. In August one day in ten tops 28.4°C and about 8% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 13.4°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 2018 with 154 mm, against a February average of 20 mm.

Winter: mild afternoons, cooler evenings

December, January and February suit travellers who want mild weather rather than summer heat. December averages 20°C by day, slipping to 19°C in January and February, so light clothing can work during the afternoon but a jumper is useful after sunset. Nights average 16-17°C. There is enough warmth for sitting outside comfortably on suitable days, but do not plan every day around sunbathing. Sunshine averages 6 hours in December and January, rising to 7 in February. The sea cools from 21°C to 19°C across winter, making swimming more appealing to those comfortable with cooler water. Pack a light rain jacket as well as sunglasses.

Spring: May brings a clearer step towards summer

March and April are a good fit for travellers who prefer being active outdoors without much heat: both average 20°C by day, with 8 hours of sunshine. The catch is the sea, which stays at 19°C, so pleasant afternoons do not necessarily mean comfortable swimming. Evenings also call for a layer, with nights averaging 16°C in March and 17°C in April. May offers a more summery balance. Days reach 22°C, sunshine rises to 9 hours and rain drops to an average of 1 day. With the sea at 20°C, it suits a mixture of time outdoors and occasional dips rather than a holiday centred entirely on swimming.

Summer and autumn: choose dry days or warmer water

June eases into summer with 23°C days and 10 hours of sunshine. July and August offer the driest conditions, both averaging 0 rain days, though that is not a guarantee of an entirely dry stay. August is hottest at 26°C; keep shade breaks in mind around midday. September is a strong alternative, with 25°C days and the same 23°C sea as August. October keeps that sea temperature while daytime warmth eases to 24°C, making it appealing if swimming matters more than maximum sunshine. The catch is an increase to 4 rain days and fewer sunny hours. November remains mild at 22°C, with the sea also at 22°C, but shorter sunny spells make flexible outdoor plans more sensible than expecting summer conditions.