Your September weather guide
HotWeather in Canary Islands in September
September is a good time to visit the Canary Islands if you want warm swimming weather without relying on extreme heat. Average daytime highs are around 25°C, nights stay near 22°C, and the sea is about 23°C. Rain is unlikely to disrupt much of your holiday. The main catch is that warm nights and humidity can make it feel less fresh than the daytime temperature alone suggests, particularly if you prefer cool sleeping conditions.
Long-term climate averages for Maspalomas (Gran Canaria), not a forecast · 1991-2020
Canary Islands, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Maspalomas (Gran Canaria).
- Average daytime high
- 25.3°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 27°C
- Average night-time low
- 21.5°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 20°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +6.7°C
- London averages 18.6°C in September
- Sea temperature
- 23.4°C
- year to year: 23°C to 24°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 8.6h
- 70% of 12.2 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 1
- 6 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 75%
- Days over 25°C
- 53%
- 3% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 39.2°C
- 2020-09-08
- Record low 1991-2020
- 16.1°C
- 2019-09-18
- Flight from London
- ≈ 4 h 24 min
- 2904 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How September compares
September is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Canary Islands. Within Spain it is 63rd of 87 (Spain in September). Against London's average high of 18.6°C in September, Canary Islands is 6.7°C warmer by day and 10.3°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in September
The typical September day in Canary Islands peaks at 25.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.2°C or more. About 53% of days top 25°C and 1 in 36 pass 30°C. Nights average 21.5°C; one night in ten drops to 19.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest September day here reached 39.2°C (2020-09-08) and the coldest night 16.1°C (2019-09-18).
Rain in September
Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 1 days with 1 mm or more, 6 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest September was 2010 with 44 mm, the driest 2003 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 75%.
Sea temperature in September
The sea averages 23.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 22.7°C to 24.1°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 8.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:48 and sets about 20:08 local time in mid-September. Average cloud cover is 29%.
Is September 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 enough for summer clothes, with mild evenings
September sits close to the warmest part of the year here, so pack for summer rather than a British autumn. The average daytime high is 25.3°C, compared with London's 18.6°C, a noticeable step up for a UK traveller. Light, breathable clothes should be the basis of your packing, with a light layer for evenings that feel cooler to you. Average night lows of 21.5°C mean you should not expect much overnight freshness. Humidity of 75% can add to that warm feeling, so consider air conditioning if you struggle to sleep in warmth. Plan anything energetic away from midday if heat tends to tire you out.
Dry weather and a sea that suits swimming
The balance of sunshine, rain and sea warmth makes September well suited to a holiday built around swimming and time outdoors. The sea averages 23.4°C, warm enough for swimming rather than just a quick dip, though personal comfort varies. About 8.6 hours of sunshine within 12.2 hours of daylight gives you plenty of scope to enjoy the weather without spending every sunny hour outside. Keep sun protection handy and take shade breaks at midday. With about 1 rainy day, wet weather is a relatively small planning concern, not something to organise the whole trip around. Still, a dry monthly pattern is not a guarantee of clear skies throughout your stay.
A little perspective
Canary Islands through the year
September is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.1°C | 15.7°C | 19.5°C | 6.4 | 15 | 3 | 0% |
| February | 19.2°C | 15.6°C | 18.8°C | 7.1 | 20 | 3 | 2% |
| March | 19.9°C | 16.0°C | 18.8°C | 7.6 | 16 | 3 | 4% |
| April | 20.4°C | 16.6°C | 19.2°C | 8.0 | 10 | 3 | 3% |
| May | 21.6°C | 17.7°C | 20.0°C | 8.8 | 4 | 1 | 6% |
| June | 23.3°C | 19.4°C | 21.1°C | 10.1 | 2 | 1 | 17% |
| Julybest | 25.1°C | 20.9°C | 21.9°C | 11.1 | 0 | 0 | 45% |
| Augustbest | 25.9°C | 21.9°C | 22.8°C | 10.4 | 1 | 0 | 58% |
| SeptemberSelectedbest | 25.3°C | 21.5°C | 23.4°C | 8.6 | 6 | 1 | 53% |
| October | 24.2°C | 20.5°C | 23.2°C | 7.0 | 17 | 4 | 29% |
| November | 22.0°C | 18.7°C | 22.1°C | 6.0 | 17 | 4 | 10% |
| December | 20.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.6°C | 6.1 | 30 | 5 | 1% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in September
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
Mauritius · 26°C by day · sea 24°C
Flic en Flac
Italy · 26°C by day · sea 24°C
Sardinia
Italy · 25°C by day · sea 24°C
Puglia
Italy · 25°C by day · sea 24°C
Rome
Greece · 25°C by day · sea 25°C
Parga
A little more detail
Canary Islands in September FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Canary Islands hot in September?
Canary Islands is hot in September: the average daytime high is 25.3°C and nights average 21.5°C. About 53% of September days reach 25°C or more.
Can you swim in the sea in Canary Islands in September?
The sea around Canary Islands averages 23.4°C in September, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 23°C to 24°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Canary Islands in September?
Canary Islands sees about 1 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 6 mm of rain in a typical September. The wettest September between 1991 and 2020 was 2010 (44 mm) and the driest was 2003 (0 mm).
How sunny is Canary Islands in September?
Canary Islands gets around 8.6 hours of sunshine a day in September out of 12.2 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Canary Islands compare with the UK in September?
Canary Islands is on average 6.7°C warmer than London by day in September (25.3°C against 18.6°C).
What is the hottest September on record in Canary Islands?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest September day in Canary Islands reached 39.2°C on 2020-09-08, and the coldest night dropped to 16.1°C on 2019-09-18.
Does it often reach 30°C in September?
No. Only 3% of days reach 30°C, while 53% reach 25°C. Expect warm holiday weather rather than persistent intense heat, but leave room to slow down or seek shade if a hotter spell arrives.
Will I need a jacket in the evenings?
A light layer is a sensible option rather than heavy outerwear. Average night lows are 21.5°C, although the coldest 10% of nights reach 19.9°C or lower. Your tolerance for cooler air will matter more than a need for winter clothing.
How long is the flight from London?
The flight from London takes about 4 h 24 min, making this a short-haul option for September warmth. That suits travellers who want warm days and swimmable sea temperatures without committing to a long-haul flight.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Maspalomas (Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 3 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C