The Canary Islands in December stay mild on the coast: an average high of 22.8 °C at Tenerife South, 22.2 °C on Gran Canaria, 22.0 °C on Fuerteventura and 21.8 °C on Lanzarote, with nights of 15–18 °C. It's the wettest month at every coastal airport, but in the south and on the eastern islands that means 26–31 mm over three to four and a half days. The sea drops to 20–22 °C. With 1.65 million arrivals, only March gets more visitors.
- High °C
- 22–23 °C
- Low °C
- 15–18 °C
- Sea °C
- 20–22 °C
- Rainy days
- 3–8
- Hours of sun a day
- 5–6 h
- Daylight hours
- 10 h 22 min
- Tenerife23 °C
- Gran Canaria22 °C
- El Hierro22 °C
- Fuerteventura22 °C
- Lanzarote22 °C
- La Palma22 °C
| High °C | Low °C | Sea °C | Rainy days | Hours of sun a day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife, south coast | 23 °C | 17 °C | 21 °C | 4 | 6 h |
| Tenerife, north (La Laguna, 632 m) | 17 °C | 12 °C | 21 °C | 9 | 4 h |
| Gran Canaria, east coast | 22 °C | 16 °C | 21 °C | 5 | 6 h |
| Lanzarote | 22 °C | 15 °C | 20 °C | 4 | 6 h |
| Fuerteventura | 22 °C | 16 °C | 20 °C | 3 | 6 h |
| La Palma, east coast | 22 °C | 17 °C | 21 °C | 8 | 5 h |
| La Gomera | — | — | 21 °C | — | — |
| El Hierro | 22 °C | 18 °C | 22 °C | 5 | 5 h |
| Teide, high zone (Izaña, 2,369 m) | 9 °C | 2 °C | — | 6 | 7 h |
Sunrise and sunset in mid-month: 07:48 – 18:09 · Source: AEMET, climate normals (1981–2010) · sea temperature: seatemperature.info, ten-year average
What's the weather like in the Canary Islands in December: south, north, east and summits
Temperature island by island
The warmest afternoons are in the south of Tenerife (22.8 °C), followed by Gran Canaria and El Hierro (22.2 °C), Fuerteventura (22.0 °C), and Lanzarote and La Palma (21.8 °C). At night El Hierro comes out on top (17.8 °C) and Lanzarote drops to 15.4 °C. December warmth, not tropical heat: the beach in the sun and a jacket at dusk, around 18:10.
Away from the south coast, the thermometer falls fast. Tenerife North, at 632 m, stops at a high of 17.1 °C and a low of 11.5 °C; Izaña, at 2,369 m, at 8.8 °C by day and 2.4 °C at night, with 8 days of frost and 1.6 of snow. Full climate normals from AEMET, Spain's state weather agency.
The wettest month, within reason
In winter the Azores high moves further south and Atlantic lows get through more easily: December and January are the wettest months in the archipelago. What matters is where:
- South and east, the driest: Fuerteventura 26 mm over 3.2 days; Lanzarote 29 mm over 3.8; Tenerife South 30 mm over 3.5; Gran Canaria 31 mm over 4.5.
- North and west, the wettest: the north of Tenerife 82 mm over nearly 9 days, with 4.4 hours of sun; La Palma 80 mm over 8 days; El Hierro 44 mm; Santa Cruz de Tenerife 43 mm.
A single storm can drop almost the whole month's rain in one day, so keep an indoor plan, or one in another part of the island, up your sleeve. Storms also bring snow to Teide and rough seas for the ferries: after Storm Emilia, one recent December, the park's roads took days to reopen and stayed closed to quads, buggies and motorhomes. With snow or ice the cable car and the summit trail can close; the trail then requires crampons, an ice axe and a signed declaration (Teide).
Sea temperature in December: can you swim?
Yes, on a sunny day. The water is 20.1 °C off Lanzarote, 20.2 °C off Fuerteventura, 20.8 °C off Gran Canaria, 21.2 °C off Tenerife, 21.3 °C off La Palma and La Gomera and 21.6 °C off El Hierro. Fine for a dip; chilly for an hour of snorkelling.
What to pack: swimwear, a jumper, a light waterproof and, if you're going up Teide or Roque de los Muchachos, a proper coat, because it freezes up there.
Where to go in the Canary Islands in December
For the least rain, Fuerteventura; for the warmest afternoons, the south of Tenerife; for warm nights and water, El Hierro, with more cloud. La Palma is the least suitable for a beach week. More in which island to choose.
December, island by island
South at 22.8 °C
The warmest afternoons; up top, Teide may wake up under snow.
22.0 °C and 26 mm of rain
The driest, with surf; no water park open.
21.8 °C and 6.3 h of sun
Level with Tenerife South for sunshine; marathon early in the month.
22.2 °C and the sea at 20.8 °C
The sand nativity scene at Las Canteras.
22.2 °C and 17.8 °C at night
The warmest nights and sea; only 4.5 h of sun.
21.8 °C and 80 mm of rain
The wettest of the month.
Things to do in the Canary Islands in December: Christmas and festivals
- December bank holidays. 6 and 8 December are public holidays across Spain.
- Lanzarote International Marathon, in Costa Teguise, in early December.
- Las Canteras sand nativity scene (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria): every Christmas since 2006, the work of eight international sculptors (Las Palmas).
- Geminids, in mid-December, one of the great meteor showers of the year: check the moon phase before heading up (stargazing).
- Christmas and New Year's Eve. Markets and lights in every resort area, and New Year on the beach; it's the busiest fortnight.
What's in season: with kids, surf, diving and stars
With kids. Still open: Siam Park (water at 24 °C) and Aqualand Costa Adeje on Tenerife, Aqualand Maspalomas and Los Lagos de Taurito on Gran Canaria, and Aqualava (geothermally heated pools) on Lanzarote. Fuerteventura has no park open (water parks).
Whales and dolphins. On Tenerife, the year-round residents plus common dolphins, a winter species.
Surf. The biggest swells of the year reach Famara, La Santa and El Cotillo. That same sea is what cancels the small ferries to La Graciosa and Lobos first: don't leave them until your last day.
Under water. According to the dive centres, December and January are the mating season of the angel shark, a critically endangered shark (diving).
Stars. The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory suspends visits from December to March because of the weather; in winter you're better off looking up from the roadside viewpoints, well wrapped up (stargazing on La Palma).
Tours that suit December
Our pick
1
Whale watching from Los Gigantes
Two hours for €28 on the sheltered coast, with pilot whales all year round.
GetYourGuide2 hours
Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop
4.7 (5,807 reviews)
from €28Check availability
2
Teide with pick-up
A full day; if it has snowed, check first that the road is open.
GetYourGuide8 hours
Tenerife: Teide National Park Full-Day Tour with Pick-up
4.5 (1,922 reviews)
from €59Check availability
3
Peaks of Gran Canaria
Eight hours across the island's interior, for a cloudy day on the coast.
GetYourGuide8 hours
Gran Canaria: "Peaks of Gran Canaria" Hiking Tour
4.9 (388 reviews)
from €70Check availability
4
Timanfaya and El Golfo
A morning designed for cruise passengers, on one of the sunniest islands of the month.
GetYourGuide4.5 hours
Timanfaya And El Golfo For Cruise Passengers (Mornings)
4.6 (1,076 reviews)
from €61Check availability
GetYourGuide2 hours
Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop
4.7 (5,807 reviews)
from €28Check availability
GetYourGuide3 - 5 hours
Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks
4.6 (5,829 reviews)
from €47Check availability
GetYourGuide8 hours
Tenerife: Teide National Park Full-Day Tour with Pick-up
4.5 (1,922 reviews)
from €59Check availability
GetYourGuide3.5 hours
La Palma: Tajogaite Volcano Guided Hike
4.8 (309 reviews)
from €55Check availability
GetYourGuide4 hours
La Palma: Guided Trekking Tour to El Roque de los Muchachos
4.8 (141 reviews)
from €32Check availability
GetYourGuide3.5 - 8 hours
Teide National Park – Dinner, Sunset & Stargazing Experience
4.5 (2,518 reviews)
from €55Check availability
See all options on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on 2 October 2026
December compared with November and January
November is two degrees warmer, with the sea at 22 °C and a little less rain. January is very similar: a degree cooler, the sea a degree colder, more calima and Carnival on the horizon. For the whole year, see Canary Islands weather by month.
Canary Islands in December: frequently asked questions
What's the temperature in the Canary Islands in December?
On the coast, 22–23 °C in the afternoon and 15–18 °C at night: 22.8 °C at Tenerife South, 22.2 °C on Gran Canaria and 21.8 °C on Lanzarote (AEMET averages). On Teide, below 9 °C, with frost.
Can you swim in the Canary Islands in December?
Yes, on a sunny day: the water is between 20.1 °C off Lanzarote and 21.6 °C off El Hierro, cooler than in autumn.
Does it rain a lot in the Canary Islands in December?
It's the wettest month, but in the south and on the eastern islands that's 26–31 mm over three to four and a half days. La Palma and the north of Tenerife get about 80 mm over 8–9 days.
Which Canary Island is best in December?
Fuerteventura for the least rain (26 mm over 3 days), the south of Tenerife for the warmest afternoons (22.8 °C) and El Hierro for warm nights and sea, though with only 4.5 hours of sun.
Is it busy or windy in the Canary Islands in December?
It's the second-busiest month for arrivals, about 1.65 million, peaking between Christmas and New Year. Storms bring windy days and swells that can cancel the small ferries.
Does it snow on Teide in December?
It can: Izaña, at 2,369 m, records an average of 1.6 days of snow in December. With snow or ice the summit trail and the cable car may close, and the roads are restricted.
