In the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria and on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, January brings afternoons of 21–22 °C, nights of 14–15 °C and two or three days of rain in the whole month; the sea is between 19 and 20 °C. Along with February it is the coolest month of the year, and even so the Canary Islands in January are in the thick of high season.
- High °C
- 21–22 °C
- Low °C
- 14–17 °C
- Sea °C
- 19–21 °C
- Rainy days
- 2–5
- Hours of sun a day
- 5–7 h
- Daylight hours
- 10 h 32 min
- Tenerife22 °C
- El Hierro21 °C
- Gran Canaria21 °C
- Lanzarote21 °C
- Fuerteventura21 °C
- La Palma21 °C
| High °C | Low °C | Sea °C | Rainy days | Hours of sun a day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife, south coast | 22 °C | 15 °C | 20 °C | 2 | 6 h |
| Tenerife, north (La Laguna, 632 m) | 16 °C | 10 °C | 20 °C | 8 | 5 h |
| Gran Canaria, east coast | 21 °C | 15 °C | 20 °C | 3 | 6 h |
| Lanzarote | 21 °C | 14 °C | 19 °C | 3 | 7 h |
| Fuerteventura | 21 °C | 15 °C | 19 °C | 3 | 6 h |
| La Palma, east coast | 21 °C | 16 °C | 20 °C | 5 | 5 h |
| La Gomera | — | — | 20 °C | — | — |
| El Hierro | 21 °C | 17 °C | 21 °C | 3 | 5 h |
| Teide, high zone (Izaña, 2,369 m) | 8 °C | 1 °C | — | 5 | 7 h |
Sunrise and sunset in mid-month: 07:57 – 18:29 · Source: AEMET, climate normals (1981–2010) · sea temperature: seatemperature.info, ten-year average
Canary Islands weather in January: south, north, east and peaks
South Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Tenerife South airport, the reference for Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, records a high of 21.7 °C and a low of 15.2 °C, with 17 mm over fewer than 2 days: the warmest coast in the archipelago and the one with the fewest rainy days. On Gran Canaria the reference station is at Gando, on the east coast rather than in Maspalomas: 20.8 °C and 3 days of rain.
North Tenerife and La Palma. Santa Cruz de Tenerife holds at 21 °C, but with 32 mm over 4 days. La Palma airport gets 49 mm over 5 days and only 4.5 hours of sunshine. On the La Laguna plateau, at 632 m, Tenerife North stays at 16 °C by day and 10 °C at night, with almost 8 days of rain.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The driest and sunniest: 14–16 mm in the month and 6.1–6.5 hours of sunshine a day. The catch is the coolest nights on the coast: 14 °C at Lanzarote airport.
El Hierro and La Gomera. El Hierro has the mildest nights (16.6 °C) and the warmest sea (20.5 °C), with more cloud. AEMET does not publish climate normals for La Gomera; its sea is around 20.2 °C.
Teide and the peaks. At Izaña, at 2,369 m: 7.5 °C by day, 1.1 °C at night, 12 days of frost and 2.4 of snow.
Sea temperature in January: can you swim?
Yes, for a dip: 19.1 °C around Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, 19.7 °C at Maspalomas, 20.1 °C at Los Cristianos and 20.5 °C off El Hierro. For an hour of snorkelling it feels cold, and unheated pools really are cold.
What to pack: summer clothes for the day, a jumper for the evening, a waterproof for north Tenerife or La Palma, and a coat, hat and gloves for Teide or the Roque de los Muchachos.
Where to go in the Canary Islands in January
More ways to decide in which Canary Island to choose.
The best bets in January
South Tenerife
The warmest afternoons (21.7 °C) and fewer than 2 days of rain.
Fuerteventura
The driest island (14 mm), with surfing in full season.
Lanzarote
The sunniest in winter (6.5 h a day), with cooler nights.
South Gran Canaria
Beaches in the south and, inland, peaks with the first almond blossom.
El Hierro
The warmest sea but more cloud: for diving, not for sunbathing.
Fuerteventura in January. The northerly swell makes January a great month for surfing at El Cotillo and along the north coast, and the same swell can cancel the boat to Lobos. The water park in Corralejo is closed until late March; Aqualava, in Playa Blanca (Lanzarote), opens all year and sells a trip from Corralejo with ferry, bus and entry for €55.
Things to do in the Canary Islands in January: festivals and events
- Three Kings parade (Cabalgata de Reyes), on the afternoon of 5 January, in every town. The 6th is a public holiday.
- Las Canteras sand nativity: the nativity scene sculpted each Christmas on the beach in Las Palmas usually stays up for the first days of January.
- Canary Islands International Music Festival: classical concerts on several islands, from mid-January to early February.
- Almond blossom: it starts on the peaks of Gran Canaria (Tejeda, Valsequillo, Ayacata) and in Santiago del Teide. See Roque Nublo and Tejeda.
- Carnival: in the two capitals the competitions and galas often get going in January; the street parties come later.
What's in season: whales, surfing, hiking and stars
Whales and dolphins. The resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins of south-west Tenerife are joined by common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Boats go out on about 8 days in 10 (whale and dolphin watching).
Diving. According to dive centres, December and January are the mating season for the angelshark, which is critically endangered.
Hiking. The best month for coastal and mid-mountain routes. On La Palma, check the state of the Barranco de las Angustias first: it closes at any rain pre-alert (national park).
Stars. Long, cold nights; daytime visits to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory are suspended from December to March.
Water parks. Siam Park, both Aqualands and Aqualava are open; Acua and Aquapark Costa Teguise are not (water parks).
Trips that suit January
Our pick
1
Whale watching in south Tenerife
1.5 hours; residents all year and, in winter, common dolphins too.
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Tenerife: Eco No-Chase Respectful Whale & Dolphin Encounter
4.6 (15,400 reviews)
from €28Check availability
2
Teide with the cable car
To get above the clouds; book it with a few days to spare.
GetYourGuide7 hours
Tenerife: Mount Teide Tour with Cable Car Ticket & Transfer
4.3 (6,095 reviews)
from €92Check availability
3
Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves
The peaks of Gran Canaria in almond-blossom season, from Las Palmas.
GetYourGuide7.5 hours
From Las Palmas: Pico de las Nieves & Roque Nublo Full-Day Trip
4.7 (1,266 reviews)
from €48Check availability
4
Surfing in Fuerteventura
A lesson in the south of the island, in peak season.
GetYourGuide3.5 - 13.5 hours
Fuerteventura: Surfing Lesson in the south of Fuerteventura
4.8 (452 reviews)
from €51.30Check availability
The Teide tour with the cable car costs €92 on the Volcano Teide website and on the booking platforms: choose on flexibility, not price.
| Where | Ticket | Rating | Price | Where to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | Tenerife: Mount Teide Tour with Cable Car Ticket & Transfer | 4.3 (6,095) | €92 | View on GetYourGuide |
| Tiqets | Mount Teide: Tour with Cable Car | 4.2 (48) | €92 | View on Tiqets |
| Official website | Volcano Teide, tour with cable car and transfer | — | €92 | Official site ↗ |
Adult prices checked on 2 October 2026. They may vary by date; each site confirms the final price.
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Travelin' Lady: Eco Yacht Whale & Dolphin Safari + Swim
4.7 (19,421 reviews)
from €29.90Check availability
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Tenerife: Eco No-Chase Respectful Whale & Dolphin Encounter
4.6 (15,400 reviews)
from €28Check availability
GetYourGuide7 hours
Tenerife: Mount Teide Tour with Cable Car Ticket & Transfer
4.3 (6,095 reviews)
from €92Check availability
GetYourGuide8 hours
Gran Canaria: Full-Day Guided Hike With Snacks
4.9 (97 reviews)
from €70Check availability
GetYourGuide3 hours
Tejeda: Sunset & Night Sky Guided Astronomy Hiking Tour
4.9 (38 reviews)
from €59.95Check availability
GetYourGuide3 - 5 hours
Tenerife: Sunset and Stargazing at Teide National Park
4.7 (3,665 reviews)
from €35Check availability
See all options on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on 2 October 2026
January compared with December and February
December is wetter (30 mm at Tenerife South) and has a sea one degree warmer. February is a little warmer and sunnier, with even colder water and more people because of carnival. The full picture is in Canary Islands weather by month.
Canary Islands in January: FAQs
Is it hot in the Canary Islands in January?
Not hot, but pleasant: highs of 20.6–21.7 °C on the coast and 14–16.6 °C at night; the warmest area is south Tenerife.
Can you swim in the Canary Islands in January?
Yes, with the sea at 19–20.5 °C depending on the island; the west is a degree warmer than Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Does it rain a lot in the Canary Islands in January?
In the south and east, 2–3 days in the month. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 4; on La Palma, 5; and on the Tenerife North plateau, almost 8.
Is it windy or busy in the Canary Islands in January?
The trade wind blows less than in summer (45 % of days, against 70 % in July), but the swell can stop the boats to La Graciosa and Lobos. It is high season, quieter after Three Kings' Day.
