Gran Canaria Gran Canaria travel guide has one of the world’s most stable climates, with average temperatures ranging from 18°C (64°F) in January to 25°C (77°F) in August. The island sits at 28°N latitude off the coast of West Africa, giving it subtropical conditions tempered by the Canary Current and northeast trade winds. The south coast around Maspalomas and Puerto Rico is typically 3 to 5°C warmer and significantly drier than the north around Las Palmas, which catches more cloud and occasional drizzle from the trade winds.
Gran Canaria Weather by Month
January
Average high 20°C (68°F), low 15°C (59°F). January is the coolest month but still feels like a mild European spring. You will get about 6 hours of sunshine per day and 25mm of rainfall spread across 3 to 4 days. Sea temperature sits at 19°C (66°F). The south coast is sunnier and 2 to 3°C warmer than Las Palmas in the north, which can see cloudy mornings that clear by midday. Pack a light jacket for evenings.
February
High 20°C (68°F), low 15°C (59°F). Very similar to January with perhaps one fewer rainy day. Rainfall averages 20mm over 3 days. Sea temperature drops to its annual minimum of 18°C (64°F). Sunshine increases slightly to 7 hours per day. The almond trees in the interior start blooming in early February, drawing hikers to the central highlands around Tejeda.
March
High 21°C (70°F), low 16°C (61°F). Spring arrives with 7 hours of daily sunshine and only 15mm of rain. Sea temperature 18°C (64°F). This is the start of the hiking season in the interior, with wildflowers appearing in the Caldera de Bandama and the pine forests around Pico de las Nieves. Hotel prices remain at winter lows before the Easter spike.
April
High 22°C (72°F), low 16°C (61°F). Sunshine jumps to 8 hours per day. Rainfall: 10mm over 2 days. Sea temperature begins warming to 19°C (66°F). Easter week brings a surge in Spanish domestic tourism, and hotel rates in Maspalomas and Puerto Rico can double. The water parks (Aqualand, Lago Taurito) open for the season.
May
High 23°C (73°F), low 17°C (63°F). Nearly zero rainfall at 5mm. Sunshine reaches 9 hours per day. Sea temperature 20°C (68°F). May is arguably the best value month: summer weather without summer crowds. The Maspalomas dunes are warm enough for sunbathing from mid-morning onward, and the hiking trails in the Caldera de Tejeda are in peak condition before the summer heat.
June
High 24°C (75°F), low 19°C (66°F). No measurable rainfall. 10 hours of daily sunshine. Sea temperature 21°C (70°F). Every day is a beach day. Hotel prices start climbing as European school holidays approach. Maspalomas Pride draws over 100,000 visitors in the second week of May.
July
High 26°C (79°F), low 20°C (68°F). Zero rainfall. 10 to 11 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature 22°C (72°F). This is peak summer, but the trade winds keep the south coast comfortable. The north coast (Las Palmas) can be noticeably cooler with morning cloud. Hotel occupancy hits 90% or more. Book 3 months ahead for the best rates.
August
High 27°C (81°F), low 21°C (70°F). The warmest month. Zero rainfall. 10 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature peaks at 23°C (73°F). Las Palmas celebrates its main fiesta in August. Calima events (hot dusty winds from the Sahara) can push temperatures above 35°C (95°F) for 2 to 3 day stretches. These happen 2 to 4 times per year, most often in July and August.
September
High 26°C (79°F), low 21°C (70°F). 10mm of rainfall returns, typically in one short downpour. 8 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature stays at 23°C (73°F), the warmest water of the year. September is the best swimming month. Hotel rates drop 20 to 30% after the first week as European families return home. The calima risk persists but decreases through the month.
October
High 24°C (75°F), low 20°C (68°F). 25mm of rainfall over 3 to 4 days. 7 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature 22°C (72°F). October still feels like summer by northern European standards. The Atlantic hurricane season occasionally sends swell to the north shore, bringing surfers to Las Canteras beach. Hotel prices remain 25 to 30% below August peaks.
November
High 22°C (72°F), low 18°C (64°F). 40mm of rainfall over 5 days, the wettest month. 6 to 7 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature 21°C (70°F). The south coast gets perhaps 2 to 3 rainy days; the north can see a full week of unsettled weather. This is the transition month when winter sun seekers start arriving from the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia.
travel tips and FAQ December
High 21°C (70°F), low 16°C (61°F). 35mm of rainfall over 4 to 5 days. 6 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature 20°C (68°F). Christmas and New Year are peak season, with hotel rates at their highest of the year. The Maspalomas Christmas sand nativity scene draws visitors from across the island. Daytime temperatures are pleasant for the beach; evenings require a jacket.
things to do in Gran Canaria Gran Canaria events and festivals Climate at a Glance
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Rain Days | Sun (hrs) | Sea (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20 | 15 | 25 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
| Feb | 20 | 15 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 18 |
| Mar | 21 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 18 |
| Apr | 22 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 19 |
| May | 23 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| Jun | 24 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 21 |
| Jul | 26 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 22 |
| Aug | 27 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 23 |
| Sep | 26 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 23 |
| Oct | 24 | 20 | 25 | 3 | 7 | 22 |
| Nov | 22 | 18 | 40 | 5 | 6 | 21 |
| Dec | 21 | 16 | 35 | 4 | 6 | 20 |
best time to visit where to stay by neighborhood Regional Climate Differences in Gran Canaria
The south coast (Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogan) is consistently 3 to 5°C warmer than the north and receives roughly one-third the rainfall. Las Palmas in the northeast sits under the direct path of the trade winds and gets morning cloud cover 200+ days per year, burning off by 11am. The interior highlands around Tejeda and Pico de las Nieves (1,949m) can be 10°C cooler than the coast and occasionally see frost in January and February. The west coast (La Aldea, Agaete) is the sunniest part of the island year-round.
