Your August weather guide
HotWeather in Gran Canaria in August
August is a good time to visit Gran Canaria if you want hot, dry weather and a sea warm enough for swimming. Average daytime highs are around 28°C, nights stay near 22°C, and the sea reaches about 23°C. It is the island's warmest month, so the catch is limited relief from the heat after dark. For a UK traveller, it suits a summer holiday built around swimming and relaxed afternoons rather than energetic midday plans.
Long-term climate averages for Maspalomas (south coast), not a forecast · 1991-2020
Gran Canaria, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Maspalomas (south coast).
- Average daytime high
- 28.3°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 32°C
- Average night-time low
- 22.0°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 20°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +6.9°C
- London averages 21.4°C in August
- Sea temperature
- 22.8°C
- year to year: 22°C to 23°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 11.2h
- 86% of 13.0 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 0
- 0 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 67%
- Days over 25°C
- 97%
- 22% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 41.8°C
- 2020-08-27
- Record low 1991-2020
- 18.4°C
- 2002-08-01
- 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 August compares
August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Gran Canaria and ranks 76th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Within Spain it is 57th of 87 (Spain in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Gran Canaria is 6.9°C warmer by day and 8.5°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in August
The typical August day in Gran Canaria peaks at 28.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 32.2°C or more. About 97% of days top 25°C and 1 in 5 pass 30°C. Nights average 22.0°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 41.8°C (2020-08-27) and the coldest night 18.4°C (2002-08-01).
Rain in August
Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 0 days with 1 mm or more, 0 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2013 with 3 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 67%.
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 (23.2°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 11.2 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 14%.
Is August a good time to visit Gran Canaria?
Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, little rain and long sunny days. The best months for Gran Canaria on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Reliable warmth, but plan around the midday heat
Warm weather is the norm rather than a bonus: 97% of August days reach 25°C, while 22% reach 30°C. That makes light, breathable clothing a sensible starting point, with a hat and sun protection for time outdoors. Humidity averages 67%, so the warmth may feel less comfortable if you are walking around in the middle of the day. Put more active plans earlier or later, and leave room for shade and breaks at midday. With average night lows of 22°C, evenings are warm too. If you struggle to sleep in heat, prioritise accommodation with cooling rather than assuming an open window will be enough.
Dry days and comfortable swimming conditions
August offers about 11.2 hours of sunshine within 13 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of scope to spend time outside without making midday your main outing. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans, so waterproofs need not dominate your packing, although dry averages are not a guarantee for every stay. The sea averages 22.8°C, with a year-to-year range of 22°C to 23°C: warm enough for swimming, though personal comfort varies. This combination suits travellers who want regular swims and time by the water. The catch is sustained sun exposure, so keep shade, sunscreen and drinking water part of the routine even when a swim makes you feel cooler.
A little perspective
Gran Canaria through the year
August 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 | 20.2°C | 15.5°C | 19.5°C | 6.8 | 14 | 3 | 1% |
| February | 20.5°C | 15.6°C | 18.8°C | 7.5 | 20 | 3 | 4% |
| March | 21.6°C | 16.1°C | 18.8°C | 8.1 | 16 | 4 | 12% |
| April | 22.0°C | 16.6°C | 19.2°C | 8.5 | 13 | 4 | 8% |
| May | 23.4°C | 17.8°C | 20.0°C | 9.4 | 8 | 3 | 17% |
| Junebest | 25.1°C | 19.3°C | 21.2°C | 11.2 | 3 | 1 | 42% |
| Julybest | 27.6°C | 20.9°C | 21.9°C | 12.1 | 1 | 0 | 89% |
| AugustSelectedbest | 28.3°C | 22.0°C | 22.8°C | 11.2 | 0 | 0 | 97% |
| September | 27.0°C | 21.5°C | 23.2°C | 9.1 | 7 | 2 | 90% |
| October | 25.7°C | 20.7°C | 23.2°C | 7.3 | 21 | 5 | 56% |
| November | 23.4°C | 18.8°C | 22.1°C | 6.4 | 15 | 4 | 21% |
| December | 21.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.6°C | 6.4 | 28 | 5 | 2% |
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 August
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
Turkey · 28°C by day · sea 24°C
Istanbul
Croatia · 29°C by day · sea 25°C
Split
Portugal · 29°C by day · sea 21°C
Algarve
Croatia · 29°C by day · sea 26°C
Dubrovnik
Bulgaria · 27°C by day · sea 25°C
Sunny Beach
A little more detail
Gran Canaria in August FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Gran Canaria hot in August?
Gran Canaria is hot in August: the average daytime high is 28.3°C and nights average 22.0°C. About 97% of August days reach 25°C or more.
Can you swim in the sea in Gran Canaria in August?
The sea around Gran Canaria averages 22.8°C in August, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 22°C to 23°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Gran Canaria in August?
Gran Canaria sees about 0 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 0 mm of rain in a typical August. The wettest August between 1991 and 2020 was 2013 (3 mm) and the driest was 1991 (0 mm).
How sunny is Gran Canaria in August?
Gran Canaria gets around 11.2 hours of sunshine a day in August out of 13.0 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Gran Canaria compare with the UK in August?
Gran Canaria is on average 6.9°C warmer than London by day in August (28.3°C against 21.4°C).
What is the hottest August on record in Gran Canaria?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day in Gran Canaria reached 41.8°C on 2020-08-27, and the coldest night dropped to 18.4°C on 2002-08-01.
How much hotter is Gran Canaria than London in August?
Gran Canaria's average daytime high is 28.3°C, compared with 21.4°C in London, a difference of 6.9°C. That is a noticeable step up in warmth, so expect to adjust your pace outdoors rather than treat it like a typical London summer day.
Will I need warm clothes in the evening?
With average night lows of 22°C, heavy layers are unlikely to be useful for the usual August evening. Light clothing should be the starting point, with a light extra layer if you tend to feel cool. Do not expect nights to bring much relief from the warmth.
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 (south coast)). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 4.1 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