Weather in Canary Islands in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Canary Islands. Within Spain it is 77th of 87 (Spain in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Canary Islands is 4.5°C warmer by day and 8.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Canary Islands peaks at 25.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.4°C or more. About 58% of days top 25°C and 1 in 12 pass 30°C. Nights average 21.9°C; one night in ten drops to 20.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 42.3°C (2020-08-27) and the coldest night 16.1°C (2002-08-14).

Rain in August

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 0 days with 1 mm or more, 1 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2015 with 12 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 75%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 22.8°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 22.2°C to 23.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (23.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 10.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:33 and sets about 20:41 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 20%.

Is August a good time to visit Canary Islands?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, little rain and long sunny days. The best months for Canary Islands on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug, Sep.

Warm days, with little cooling after sunset

August is the warmest month here, but that does not mean relentless extreme heat. Around 58% of days reach 25°C, while 8% reach 30°C, so hotter spells are possible rather than the everyday expectation. Humidity averages 75%, which can make the warmth feel sticky, particularly when you are active. Plan longer walks for earlier in the day and leave room for shade breaks around midday. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, and accommodation with cooling is worth considering if warm bedrooms bother you. Evenings generally call for light clothing rather than a substantial extra layer, though a light cover gives you flexibility.

Dry weather and a sea suited to swimming

Rain is unlikely to shape your plans: August has about 0 rainy days on average, although that is not a guarantee of a completely dry stay. With around 10.4 hours of sunshine across 13 hours of daylight, sun protection matters more to your packing than wet-weather kit. There is plenty of daylight to move outdoor plans away from the hottest part of the day. The sea averages 22.8°C, with a year-to-year range of 22°C to 23°C, making swimming a reasonable expectation rather than a bracing challenge. That temperature says nothing about waves or currents, so check local conditions before getting in.