Tenerife has a pleasant climate all year round, with daytime highs of around 20-28°C and sea temperatures ranging from 19-22°C. It should be noted, however, that it depends mainly on which part of the island you are in. The Teide mountains divide the climate into two distinct regions, so while the north is cooler, rainy and cloudy, the south is drier, sunnier and generally warmer.
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The north and east coasts (the resorts of Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Bajamar, Las Galletas and El Médano) are also quite windy with big waves. On the west coast (with the most famous resorts of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes), on the other hand, the winds are significantly less and the ocean is calmer.
The north of Tenerife is therefore greener, with many forests and lush vegetation, while the eastern and southern parts are much drier, with palm trees and artificially irrigated fields dominating the vegetation.
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Air temperatures and when it rains the most
Below is a more detailed description of Tenerife's weather by month.
Weather in January
The first month of the year is ideal for hiking and exploring the island. Temperatures are pleasant at around 21°C, the north of the island is drenched by frequent but very light rainfall, while the southern half enjoys sunny weather. There is zero chance of prolonged cloud and rain.
Weather in February
February's weather is very similar to January's. Pleasant temperatures of around 22°C tempt you to explore the island and the certainty of sunshine, especially on the west coast, invites you to sunbathe on the beaches. The rain is mainly in the northern half of Tenerife, but total rainfall is about half of what it is at the same time in the Czech Republic.
Weather in March
March is one of the heaviest rainfall months of spring, but it still rains less frequently than in the Czech Republic and is almost exclusively short showers. Winds are picking up in the north-eastern part of the island, but the south and west are calm and the likelihood of sunshine is very high. Average temperatures are around 22°C in the northern half of Tenerife and around 24°C in the south.
Weather in April
April is probably the most beautiful spring month in Tenerife. The northern coast in particular is lush green and blooming, but rainfall is sporadic even in this part of the island. Temperatures regularly rise above 23°C and often climb above the summer high of 25°C. The north-easterly winds are still not extremely strong, so you can sunbathe and swim all around the island.
Weather in May
May in Tenerife is a quiet month with minimal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. Average temperatures range between 24 and 26°C, with rain only rarely and almost exclusively on the north side of the island.
Weather in June
The first month of summer marks the start of the holiday season, with normal temperatures ranging between 26 and 28 °C, with rain being very rare, even in the north of Tenerife. Winds pick up on the east and north coasts, creating bigger waves, but the weather is mostly calm in the main beach area in the west of the island.
Weather in July
July is the driest month with the least rainfall. There is usually not a drop of rain this month, the skies are cloudless and temperatures fluctuate between 29 and 31°C. The north-east coast feels cooler with strong winds.
Weather in August
August is the hottest month on the island and, together with July, the ideal month for a beach holiday. The sky is cloudless and rain is rare. Average daily temperatures rise to around 30 °C.
Weather in September
September weather in Tenerife is virtually the same as the holiday months. Minimal rainfall, blue skies without a cloud and temperatures between 27 and 29 °C will delight you throughout the month. September is the peak of strong north-easterly winds, which cause big waves on the eastern and parts of the northern coast.
Weather in October
For the first month of autumn, expect average temperatures of around 27°C, cloudless skies and rain in the south and west of the island, while the north may get the occasional shower. However, this will certainly not disrupt the programme as there is still very little rain.
Weather in November
Normal November temperatures hover around 24°C and in the southern half of Tenerife, overcast skies and rain are still a rare occurrence. The northern part gets brief showers, but overall it only rains on average 5 days a month.
Weather in December
December welcomes visitors with pleasant temperatures of around 22°C, ideal for sunbathing on the beach and hiking in the mountains. Although statistics show that December is the rainiest month on Tenerife, the rain is mainly in the northern part of the island and it is more likely to be short showers. Overall, the rain is similar to the same period in the Czech Republic.
Sea temperature in Tenerife
Bear in mind that the Atlantic Ocean washing the shores of Tenerife is not the warmest and cannot be compared to the warmer Mediterranean. On the other hand, the temperature of the ocean is similar throughout the year and varies by only a few degrees.
The water is almost the same temperature all along the coast, both in the rainy north and the sunny south, with temperatures varying by only tenths of a degree in favour of the warmer southern half of Tenerife.
Expect the warmest water between July and November, when temperatures average between 22 and 23°C.
The coldest water is between January and April, averaging around 19°C.
Table of temperatures during the year
Tenerife - Temperatures during the year
When to go to Tenerife
In Tenerife you can enjoy pleasant weather in any season. That's one of the reasons why it's known as the island of eternal spring, because even in winter the climate is pleasant. It is fair to say that, with few exceptions, Tenerife's weather is unbeatable, which is why many tourists flee the cold and freezing winters.
There are no threats here in the form of regular gales, floods or extreme scorching heat.
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When to go swimming?
Summertime in Tenerife is perfect for swimming and beach holidays, with temperatures rarely reaching the dizzying heights of other coastal destinations. The best time to swim in the sea in Tenerife is between July and November, when the sea is at its warmest and the air temperature doesn't drop below 24°C.
When to go hiking?
In the winter, the weather encourages walking, trekking and other outdoor activities. Air temperatures of around 21 to 22 °C are ideal for walking and exploring, but hardier individuals will also enjoy a dip in the sea in winter. Hiking in Tenerife is best done between December and June.