Gran Canaria weather: temperatures, sea and climate month by month

A quick look at the weather

Weather forecasting may not be an exact science, but we still have a pretty good idea of what to expect when heading off on holiday to the Canary Islands.

It’s pleasant all year round, so you can treat yourself to some of the activities I offer, like dolphin trips, buggy tours, diving, jet skiing and much more… Click here to see everything you can do.

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Even though the weather is always mild, each island in the archipelago has its own quirks.

On Gran Canaria, you can easily tell apart 4 different climates… The South breaks sunshine records, which is why my activities mostly take place there – but let’s go through it together.

- The South... the sunniest side of the island

There’s a reason most of the island’s resorts are in the south… It’s simply down to the incredible number of sunny days it gets each year.

The prevailing winds are the trade winds, which blow from the north and bring the clouds with them. But the volcanoes are high enough to hold all that back in the centre of the island, so the southern half is almost always spared – except on rare occasions, such as during episodes of calima.

Shorts, T-shirts and swimwear will be your best friends during the day, all year round. That said, this isn’t the Caribbean: in winter, if a few clouds roll in, you might need a light jumper until the sun comes back out. Either way, days are mild, and in the evening a light layer is a bit more comfortable.

- The North of Gran Canaria... lush and green!

This part of the island has an almost Amazonian feel. There’s lots of greenery, and for good reason: as mentioned above, the wind and clouds mainly come from the north and get held back by the volcanoes in the centre, which means more rain and temperatures that are sometimes slightly lower.

Pack a light jumper and a rain jacket, just in case – but don’t worry, it’s nothing like a rainy northern European climate, and showers never usually last long.

- The centre... for a breath of fresh air!

Up here it’s a mountain climate: green leaves give way to pine needles, and the temperature really drops. At the same time of year, you can grow chestnuts up here while banana plantations dominate further down… Makes sense, since on the same day it can be 28°C in the south and 13°C in the centre… And yes, you’re over 1,500 m above sea level!!

Because of that, you can sometimes find yourself inside a cloud, bringing light drizzle.

Crazy Canary tip: temperatures rise across the whole island during calima. Don’t count on finding cooler air up in the mountains: calima brings masses of hot air with it, and hot air rises, so the peaks won’t be spared.

- The east and west coasts: paradise for water sports

These coasts are much windier because of a wind-acceleration effect. Why? The Canary Islands sit right in the middle of the Atlantic, so huge masses of air come straight off the ocean and run into enormous volcanoes. The air has to escape somewhere, which speeds it up – great news for anyone who uses the wind for sports like kitesurfing.

- And what about the water temperature?

It ranges from about 19 °C in February and March to nearly 24 °C in September and October – you’re in the Atlantic, after all. Personally, I find it perfectly pleasant, as I swim all year round.

The best time is from June to October, when it’s at its warmest.

Gran Canaria weather month by month

Here are the averages for the Gran Canaria airport weather station (Gando, on the east coast), from the AEMET climate normals (1981-2010), Spain’s national weather agency. Sea temperatures are averages measured at Las Palmas by seatemperature.org. Keep in mind that the south of the island is usually warmer and sunnier, and the north cloudier.

Month	High	Low	Rainy days	Sunshine (h)	Sea
January	20.8 °C	15 °C	3.1	184	20 °C
February	21.2 °C	15 °C	3	191	19 °C
March	22.3 °C	15.7 °C	2.3	229	19 °C
April	22.6 °C	16.2 °C	1.3	228	19 °C
May	23.6 °C	17.3 °C	0.3	272	20 °C
June	25.3 °C	19.2 °C	0.1	284	21 °C
July	26.9 °C	20.8 °C	0	308	22 °C
August	27.5 °C	21.6 °C	0.1	300	23 °C
September	27.2 °C	21.4 °C	1.1	242	24 °C
October	26.2 °C	20.1 °C	2.3	220	24 °C
November	24.2 °C	18.1 °C	3.9	185	22 °C
December	22.2 °C	16.2 °C	4.5	179	21 °C

In short, Gran Canaria weather stays mild all year round, with about 151 mm of rain a year at the airport and more than 2,800 hours of sunshine. For the warmest sea, aim for July to October; for hiking in the mountains without the heat, winter and spring are perfect. Have a look at my activities in Gran Canaria, such as the catamaran trip.

Gran Canaria weather: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Gran Canaria in winter?

From December to February, expect about 21 to 22 °C in the afternoon and 15 to 16 °C at night at the airport. It is the wettest season, with 3 to 4.5 rainy days a month, mostly in the north.

What is the hottest month in Gran Canaria?

August, with average highs of 27.5 °C and lows of 21.6 °C at the airport, according to AEMET climate normals.

When is the sea warmest in Gran Canaria?

In September and October, at around 23 to 24 °C. It is coolest in February and March, at around 19 °C.

Where should I stay in Gran Canaria for the best weather?

In the south, around Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico or Mogán: the central mountains often hold back the clouds that the trade winds bring to the north.

What is the calima?

It is a wind carrying dust from the Sahara that makes the sky hazy and pushes temperatures up. A scientific study covering 1980-2022 counts about 24 calima days a year on average in the Canary Islands, mostly from January to March.

To wrap up:

Don’t expect the Caribbean, but in my opinion the Canary Islands have the best climate in the world: it’s rarely too hot, never really cold, and the nights are cooler, so you never feel stifled.

Whatever the time of year, you can enjoy all the activities I offer – so don’t wait, come and join me!