Climate Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate, meaning they are generally warm and sunny year-round. However, there can be significant variations depending on which island you visit. For example, the islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are generally warmer and drier than other islands, such as Gran Canaria or La Palma.
The average temperature on the Canary Islands ranges from 21-23 degrees Celsius. In the winter months, the average temperature drops to 18 degrees Celsius. However, it is still relatively warm compared to other countries in Europe.
There is also very little rain in the Canary Islands. The island of Fuerteventura is the driest of all the islands, with an average annual rainfall of only 150 mm. By comparison, the wettest island is La Gomera, which has an average annual rainfall of 1,200 mm.
Various factors influence the climate of the Canary Islands
The climate of the Canary Islands is influenced by a number of factors, including the Gulf Stream and trade winds. The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. This current helps keep the Canary Islands warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The trade winds are another important factor in the climate of the Canary Islands. These winds blow from east to west and help bring clouds and rain to the islands.
Another factor that affects an island's climate is its topography. An island with mountains will have a cooler climate than an island that is completely flat. This is because mountains block sunlight and prevent heat from reaching the surface of the island. Lanzarote, for example, has an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius because it is flat. La Gomera, on the other hand, has an average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius because it is mountainous.
What is the warmest island in the Canary Islands?
The warmest island in the Canary Islands is Fuerteventura, but it is not much different from the other islands in the top 3 warmest Canary Islands. Fuerteventura has an average annual temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius. The second warmest island is Lanzarote, with an average annual temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius. Rounding out the top three is Tenerife, with an average annual temperature of 21.8 degrees Celsius.
Climate Canary Islands by month
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Day temp. (°C) |
19 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
22 |
20 |
Night temp. (°C) |
16 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
19 |
18 |
Water temp. (°C) |
22 |
21 |
20 |
21 |
21 |
23 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
22 |
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Precipitation (mm) |
8 |
9 |
16 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
12 |
11 |
20 |
18 |
7 |
Days with rain |
6 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
7 |
Dry days |
25 |
21 |
24 |
25 |
28 |
28 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
23 |
20 |
24 |
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Sun hours per day |
8 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
Wind force (Bft) |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
UV-index |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
View the 14 day weather forecast for Canary Islands
Travel and stay the Canary Islands
If you are planning on visiting the Canary Islands, check out these well-known travel agencies. They have been rated as the best by travelers and offer great prices for any budget.
Airline tickets
Looking to book a flight to the Canary Islands? Hop on one of these airlines.
Best time to visit Canary Islands
The best time to travel differs per island from Canary Islands. View the best travel months for:
If you want to visit any of the Canary Islands, generally the best time to visit is January through December. In this period you have a pleasant temperature and almost no precipitation. The highest average temperature in the Canary Islands is 24°C in August and the lowest is 18°C in February. The highest water temperature is 25°C and at its coldest the water is 20°C.
The Canary Islands are a very popular vacation destination. Each of the seven major islands has its own character and unique attractions. Throughout the year it is a pleasant temperature in the Canary Islands, but between the islands there are differences in climate and weather. Do you want to go on vacation to the Canary Islands? We list some of the best sights for you.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and also the most popular island of the seven major Canary Islands. On this island you will find the Pico del Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. This is a real eye-catcher, which can also be seen well from the other islands. Tenerife is very popular among sun lovers, but also hikers can indulge themselves on the island.
Hike through the beautiful countryside or climb the Pico del Teide. A cable car will take you a long way, but you will have to make it to the top under your own steam. Afterwards you can relax on one of the lovely sandy beaches.
The weather in Tenerife is actually always nice. It is warm throughout the year and there is little rain. Especially the southern part of the island is therefore very popular.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is an island of contrasts. In the north you'll find a beautiful green landscape, while the south is more desert-like. In the south you will also find beautiful beaches. That part of the island is therefore the most popular among holidaymakers. The nature reserve Dunas de Maspalomas is a special place to visit. The high sand dunes completely surround you and make you feel in another world.
Charco de Maspalomas is also located in this nature reserve. This is an oasis where migratory birds regularly rest. Furthermore, a visit to the capital Las Palmas should not be missed. The old city center has a long and rich history that is still visible today.
The temperature is pleasant all year round on Gran Canaria. However, a little more rain falls here than on Tenerife and Lanzarote, for example. For the northern part of the island this has to do. Nevertheless, Gran Canaria is a fine vacation destination all year round.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the island to go to if you like windsurfing. Besides the fact that the island has a pleasant temperature and little rainfall, there is almost always wind here. The beaches are absolutely the most popular spot on the island. Not only among water sports enthusiasts, but also among sun lovers the beaches are popular.
Make time to watch a sunset on the beach. The sky takes on the most impressive colors. For hiking, Parque Nacional de Jandia is a good destination.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a versatile island. Of course the beautiful beaches are very popular, but also a visit to the capital Arrecife is worthwhile. The city is located on the coast and offers a lot of fun. Timanfaya National Park is also a special destination. Here you get to know the volcanic past of Lanzarote. And be sure to visit the museum Fundación Cesar Manrique. This artist has been very important for the formation of Lanzarote as it is today.
Lanzarote is very close to Africa and is therefore one of the warmest Canary Islands. The temperature is pleasant all year round and it almost never rains. However, the wind can sometimes make the evenings feel a little chilly.
La Palma
La Palma is a popular vacation destination among hikers. It is the greenest Canary Island. You can hike through special natural parks and picturesque villages. Parque Nacional Caldera de Taburiente is a beautiful hiking destination. Here you can see a huge crater with steep walls and an impressive waterfall.
The temperature on La Palma is pleasant throughout the year. In the months of October and November the most rain falls. The rest of the year is mostly dry with average temperatures between 19 and 24 degrees. This is a perfect temperature for walking and cycling.
La Gomera
La Gomera is a nice relaxing destination for nature lovers. The island is home to an enormous wealth of flora and fauna. From magnificent laurel forests to breathtakingly high rock faces. Untamed nature is still plentiful on this island.
The lively capital San Sebastián also provides plenty of entertainment. Stroll through the picturesque streets and enjoy the authentic buildings. Would you like to spend a day at the beach? Playa de Santiago is a black sand beach where you can relax.
La Gomera is a great vacation destination all year round. The temperature never drops very much and rises in summer to a pleasant 24 or 25 degrees. That is a fine temperature to discover the wild nature of the island. Precipitation is scarce throughout the year.
El Hierro
El Hierro is the smallest island of the Canary Islands. Here you will find therefore only a few small beaches. The rest of the coastline consists of high, steep rocks. This island is especially popular among divers. The marine reserve of Mar de las Calmas is considered one of the best diving spots in Europe. Many divers therefore want to discover the rich underwater world here.
El Hierro is a good choice if you do not feel like mass tourism. The small island is often overlooked by tourists, but that is exactly why it is so worthwhile.
On El Hierro the temperature is pleasant throughout the year. There is also very little precipitation. October and November are the wettest months. From August to October is with an average of 24 degrees the warmest.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Canary Islands?
Canary Islands is an archipelago belonging to Spain. It lies in a straight line 13,359 km from Manila.
The coordinates of Canary Islands are:
- Latitude: 28.2447668
- Longitude: -15.8287774
The GPS coordinates are 28° 14' N, 15° 49' W
Which islands belong to the Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands consists of these 7 islands:
How long is the flight to the Canary Islands?
The flight time from Manila International Airport to the Canary Islands is approximately 16 h. 50 min.
What are the airports on the Canary Islands?
These are the airports that are situated on the Canary Islands:
What is the currency of the Canary Islands?
On the Canary Islands, the Euro (EUR) is used for payment.
Exchange rates on 6 June 2023
- 1 Philippine piso = 0.017 Euro
- 1 Euro = 57.35 Philippine piso
- 100 Philippine piso = 1.74 Euro
- 100 Euro = 5,734.54 Philippine piso
What is the area code of the Canary Islands?
The area code to call the Canary Islands is +34.