last edited Jul 28, 2020
Climate and Weather in the Canary Islands
Climate Overview
The climate of the Canary Islands is generally described as "subtropical to semi-desert." It is quite mild, moderated by the proximity of the sea and summer winds, though it can occasionally get very hot in July-August. Year-round coastal temperatures range from 20 to 30°C during the day and 15 to 20°C at night. That said, it’s important to note variations depending on the island and, especially, altitude, as the archipelago has diverse microclimates. Rainfall is low. Even on the western islands, which receive the most precipitation, both the amount and number of rainy days during the season—roughly from November to March—remain limited.
Best Time to Visit the Canary Islands
The climate isn’t a major constraint for visiting the Canary Islands, though winter can bring a few rainy days (along with slightly cooler sea temperatures), and July-August can sometimes be a bit hot. If anything, spring and early autumn are the best times.
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate | / |
: very favorable | : favorable | : moderately favorable | : unfavorable.
Sea Temperatures Throughout the Year
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 |