Tenerife weather

Tenerife is a magnet for British tourists all year round. It's one of the classic winter-sun destinations, and although it does experience subtle seasons, its winter climate provides welcome relief from the UK weather.

Before you take your trip, or even book it, you may want to do a little research to find out the most suitable month for your holidaying needs. So, let’s dive into the climate in Tenerife during each month of the year.

Weather during January

Considered one of the wettest and coldest months, surprisingly January still has a lot to offer tourists. Thanks to the climate being fairly consistent all year round, the wintry conditions of Tenerife in January differ very much from the usual weather we are used to in the UK. The average temperature is 16°c, with highs of 19° and lows not going under 14°, which is impressive. You will expect to experience 6 hours of sunshine per day and 5 days of rain over the month (which really isn’t a lot) and if you do find yourselves holidaying during the wetter days there are places to keep you occupied such as museums and historical visits. 

If you’re lucky enough to go during the drier days then you’d be able to experience the January sea, which to be honest isn’t much different throughout the year and you’d find the beach is ideal to spend some time on if you do not enjoy the hotter weather.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during January

Weather during February

With similar temperatures to January, but seeing up to 8 hours of sunshine, February is another quieter month to travel. The island's North is usually a little cooler than the South (which is the same all year round) and because of cloud formation patterns, the chance of rainfall is higher in the North. Although wherever you go during February, it will definitely be an upgrade to the British weather you’re used to in February.

Winds are light around the island and the sea is warm enough to go swimming. If you want the warmer area of Tenerife, then we’d recommend the south western parts to get the most out of the sun. 

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during February

Weather during March

Spring begins in March and with that comes temperatures rising ever so slightly. Average temperatures now around 17.5°c, highs of 21°, lows of 14° and being able to enjoy the sunshine for 8 hours of the day, March is a lovely month to visit Tenerife and because peak season has not started yet it means you can enjoy a lot more of the island without it being too busy.

Fresh breezes sweep over but are not too much to make it feel cold. The Southwest is normally warmer than any other area and you can expect to enjoy their beaches without them being overcrowded. You can relax a lot more if that is your preferred kind of holiday. Alternatively, you can opt for a more fun-packed holiday as booking water sports will be a lot easier after the winter months. There will also be plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants open too. For the more adventurous holidaymakers, there are assault courses, zip wires, and waterparks to experience. 

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during March

Weather during April

From April onwards the weather in Tenerife begins to improve (slightly - winter is not bad, at all). Rainfall decreases, with just 3 days of rain over the month, so if you pick your time away right, you’ll enjoy all the benefit of a peak season holiday in the quieter month of April. If you do get caught in the rain, it will only be a light drizzle which we’re sure won’t be a bother and you’ll dry off in not time.

Daily temperatures of 18°c mean you can wander around the island without feeling too uncomfortable and even with highs of 21° you’ll still be able to enjoy all of the outdoor activities.

With the wind giving off a fresh breeze and the sun shining for 8 hours of the day, this month would be ideal for beach days and garden walks. The sea temperature will also be creeping up to 20°c which means swimming is perfect for those who love the water.

The Easter period is one of the busiest for April due to number of religious processions that take place, as well as families enjoying their first holiday of the year when schools are off, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you prefer a quieter getaway.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during April

Weather during May

The sea is now at a stable 20°c – this will please those of you that love swimming since most beaches remain open during the quieter months and in May there are more surfers enjoying the waves. Others may opt to relax on the golden, sandy beaches and soak up the sun that you can expect for 8 hours of the day.

Rain is sparse and will only be seen for around 2 days of the month, while winds are light at this time of year. With daily temperatures of 21.5° and nights only marginally dropping to 20°, May is a wonderful month to visit. 

Water parks aren’t too busy so there won’t be much queuing and you can always discover some of the caves around the island if the sun does get a little too much. You will also be able to take a dip in the sea because it will be a refreshing 20°, giving you the chance to cool off if it does reach the mid 20’s and you find yourself feeling quite warm.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during May

Weather during June

Summer has kicked off in Tenerife and you’ll only see one day of rain (if you’re unlucky!) – this means that droughts are more likely now the weather gets sunnier and hotter, and the island becomes very dry.

Blue skies and long periods of sunshine are thanks to less clouds in the sky and with only calm winds you will really start to feel the heat. 

Beaches in the south are glorious at this time of year and along with being a sunbather’s delight, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the array of amenities to keep a family occupied for a day out. On the other hand, if you prefer exploring then head northwest to find nature walks, geological sites, mountain and hiking trails.

The sea is the perfect temperature (around 22°c) for spending a day swimming, as well as participating in water sports which are readily available at numerous beaches.

With overall temperatures of 21°c and highs of 25°, the weather is ideal for those that love the sunshine and with the night time temperatures sitting at around 21° you will be able to enjoy a stroll along the promenade, watch the sunset, and indulge in a relaxing holiday if you so choose.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during June

Weather during July

Tenerife is in full swing in July and that means the island becomes busy as tourists visit all throughout the month.

There’s not much to say in terms of the rain, only that you may see it for one day of the month. Other than that, the sun will be shining for 9 to 10 hours per day. This makes the beaches perfect for spending your days, whether you’re a couple who love to sunbathe or a family who enjoy the buzz of trying new water sports, there really is something for tourists from all walks of life.

With the dry weather it is a great chance to explore the island with walking trails, gardens, and parks open daily. If you can’t stand too much heat, you could always try the water parks to attempt to cool down.

The sea is inviting at 22°c and you can expect high temperatures of 27° with very little cloud.

Partygoers flock to the island more during the summer months – spending their time at bars, nightclubs, festivals, and beach parties. Remember this when booking your holiday, as you may want to do your research to find the parts of the island that are a little less busy if you prefer quieter nights.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during July

Weather during August

August is one of the hottest months and with temperatures reaching the late 20’s you can understand why. It’s pretty much guaranteed that Tenerife will reach temperatures of 28°c throughout August, and even with night time temperatures only dropping to 20° you can see why sun worshippers descend here for their annual break.

Like most of the year, if you’d prefer it a little cooler then head north, where you may find there’s a bit more cloud. On the other hand, keep south if you enjoy the high temperatures and uninterrupted sunshine.

Rain isn’t something you need to worry about and if you do happen to experience the rare shower, it will be light drizzle at most.

With the sea being nearly as warm as the average daily temperature (around 23°), it will hardly be a case of having a dip in the sea to cool off, but it will make for a great day spent swimming.

August poses an increased risk of sand/dust storms, also known as Calimas. They aren’t too common but if the wind does pick up, just bear in mind that it could bring the sand filled air with it. This shouldn’t impact your destination choice though because Tenerife is simply beautiful at this time of year.

Golden sands are perfect for tourists visiting in August – the beaches can get busy though, but with promenades to walk along and amenities such as restaurants, gift shops, and bars, as well as water sports on offer, we’re sure you’ll manage to find something to enjoy the long summer days!

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during August

Weather during September

The hours of sunshine decrease a little in September, to 7 hours, but this is still plenty to fit everything in, and with the nights remaining warm and ranging between 20 and 23°c you can enjoy time with family and friends well into the night.

The temperature will drop a few degrees the further into September you go, with cloud increasing in a similar way – don’t let this detract from the fact that it is still a perfect time to visit.

Rain is still only likely to fall over 1 day, and winds are present but only as a gentle breeze. Calimas can also be present if the wind is blown from the east. They shouldn’t cause too much concern but always bears thinking about during the drier summer months.

Family friendly beaches can be found in the south, which are still lively and busy during September. You will also find beaches that are quieter and more exclusive in terms of dining – something to keep note of when doing your research before booking.

This time of year is ideal for taking a hiking holiday – if you’re hoping for a trip full of adventure then you’d fit right in on the north eastern side of Tenerife. Mountain views, beautiful scenery, and walking trails will be on the agenda – just be prepared for a cooler climate and cloudier atmosphere.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during September

Weather during October

The main difference in October is the amount of rainfall you’ll see – 4 days to be exact – which increases from now.

Apart from that, the weather remains ideal with average temperatures of 22°c which is great if you prefer it a little cooler but still warm enough for a beach destination holiday, with 7 hours of sun throughout the day. For those of you that don’t really like lazing around for too long, October is a great month for adventure – while the weather is lovely, you won’t feel too hot and bothered when doing activities such as paintballing, hiking, and even helicopter rides.

In case you do get some cloudy and rainy days there are opportunities to visit museums and take tours of the island’s history and culture.

The sea is also warm, at 24°, meaning for those who enjoy trips based around all things involving water activities, October is the month for you. Beaches are a little quieter after the peak season, although bear in mind that you may need to book early during the October half term when more families book a week’s getaway.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during October

Weather during November

Tenerife heads into winter during November, although you wouldn’t think this was the case. It’s not extremely hot, but with around 7 hours of sun at temperatures of 20°c, it’s still warm enough to spend some time at the beach, along with surfing on some pretty decent waves, the island is tempting all year round.

You may see some snow (yes, snow!) in the north from October, but only on the mountains, so if you’d love nothing more than to experience the snowy mountain views, November is perfect. You’ll find it a bit cooler than the south though, so make sure to pack varied and appropriate clothing and footwear.

Rainy days are more present, getting between 5 and 10 days over the month – take this into consideration when planning what you pack in your case, as well as the type of holiday you want.

The beaches are open all year round thanks to the consistently good weather, and you’ll also benefit from all the local amenities that remain available.

Night time temperatures can sit in the low 20’s which is still good enough to enjoy evening walks or entertainment at bars and restaurants. Day activities could consist of horse riding, golf, whale watching tours, and walking trails which you could participate in quite comfortably thanks to the weather.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during November

Weather during December

The temperatures drop further during the month of December with an average of 17°c. If you’re lucky, you’ll feel the highs of 20° and taking a winter sun holiday will get you out of the cold you’re used to at this time of year in the UK.

6 hours of sun throughout the day will allow you to take a trip to the beach and with sea temperatures of around 18-21° you could still brave a swim.

Christmas in Tenerife is a festive treat, with decorations dotted around the island, as well as Christmas markets taking place. If you want to see a bit of snow during your visit, then you can explore the more mountainous regions where the views will take your breath away.

Rain can be seen over 6 days of the month, which still isn’t a lot compared to other parts of the world, and there are plenty of things to experience if you do wake up to showers. Activities such as architectural tours, historical visits, zoos, gardens are all possibilities in December.

Choosing a December holiday in Tenerife is something everyone should do at least once, not only for a break from the British weather, but for the culture, stunning views, and lovely memories.

See our full analysis of the Tenerife weather during December

Thanks to the year-round weather being so consistently good, you can take a holiday to Tenerife pretty much any month and get a good experience. 

As long as you bear in mind that the summer months will become extremely busy and tourists will flock to all areas of the island, you really can book the most prefect getaway for you and your family.