When to go to the Canary Islands?

With its subtropical climate, the Canary Islands offer a mild climate all year round. With abundant sunshine, light precipitations and temperatures ranging from 68°F in January to 78°F in August, the islands can be explored all year round. In the Canary Islands, you can wear only a T-shirt all year round! Winters are mild with temperatures around 68°F and hot summers but not too hot with temperatures around 78°F. Rain is rare: almost non-existent in summer and winter, it rains about 3 days a month. November is the wettest month of the year. This is therefore the month to avoid for a stay in the Canary Islands. The sun is present all year round with the trade winds blowing continuously. With mild temperatures all year round, omnipresent sunshine and little rain, the Canary Islands' climate is considered to be one of the best in the world! The mountainous islands have relatively heavy rainfall (250 mm per year), unlike the flatter ones where the sirocco, locally known as calima, which is none other than a warm wind from the Sahara, starts to blow during the summer bringing overwhelming heat.

The proximity of the Tropic of Cancer only partially influences the local temperature. The trade winds and cold Atlantic ocean currents are the main causes of the typical Canary Islands spring climate. Some differences in climate can be observed from one island to another depending on the altitude and exposure to trade winds. In Lanzarote, the volcanic island, located the northernmost part of the archipelago, the climate is very mild and almost desert. Thanks to its long days of sunshine, the island is a popular destination for athletes who can practice their favourite sports such as cycling, running or swimming all year round. The inlands are not at a very high altitude, there is little precipitation.

Due to its exposure to the trade winds, the island has some surf spots that are renowned for their waves that attract surfers from all over the world! With an average temperature of 73°F, Tenerife is an island that can be visited all year round like all the Canary Islands. The trade winds allow the climate to remain mild all year round. On the island's peaks, the humidity is fairly constant; the clouds collidee with the tops of the mountains. This phenomenon called the "sea of clouds" is very impressive. In winter, the contrast between mountains and coasts is striking. On the same day, you can hike on the snow-covered peaks of the Teide and swim in the sea! La Palma, the greenest island in the Canary Islands, is considered to b the best place to observe the stars. An astronomical observatory has been built there, the Gran Telescopio Canarias. Inland, the altitude can go up to 2,400 m, and the climate is rather cool and humid. Winters are very cold with temperatures around 46°F and it is not uncommon to see snow. While on the coasts, temperatures are pleasant all year round.

Fuerteventura is composed of over 150 km of beaches and volcanic landscapes. Its intense winds that blow regularly make it a good destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Its climate is more similar to that of its neighbour Lanzarote because the inland is not very high. It is very mild and rainfalls are infrequent. The average temperature is about 71°F and it can be much warmer when the burning wind of the Sahara blows. The water temperature in the Canary Islands vary between 60°F in January and around 75°F in summer. The sea is rather cool in the due to cold Atlantic sea currents. When asked what is the best time for a holiday in the Canary Islands, we answer June and September to avoid the many tourists during the summer period. But due to its very mild climate and excellent level of sunshine, the Canaries can be visited all year round! However, avoid the months of November to January, as these are the months with the highest rainfall.