The Canary Islands in March are spring on land and winter in the water: the air rises to 22–23 °C in south Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, with about two days of rain in the whole month and more than 7 hours of sunshine, while the sea stays at 18.3–19.6 °C, the coldest of the year.
It is also the month with the most arrivals: 1.73 million visitors in each of the last three years. It is the end of the European winter and, when Easter falls in March, visitors from mainland Spain add to the numbers. If you are going to the Canary Islands in March, book flights and accommodation early.
- High °C
- 21–23 °C
- Low °C
- 15–17 °C
- Sea °C
- 18–20 °C
- Rainy days
- 2–4
- Hours of sun a day
- 6–8 h
- Daylight hours
- 11 h 58 min
- Tenerife23 °C
- Lanzarote23 °C
- Gran Canaria22 °C
- Fuerteventura22 °C
- El Hierro21 °C
- La Palma21 °C
| High °C | Low °C | Sea °C | Rainy days | Hours of sun a day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife, south coast | 23 °C | 16 °C | 19 °C | 2 | 7 h |
| Tenerife, north (La Laguna, 632 m) | 18 °C | 11 °C | 19 °C | 7 | 6 h |
| Gran Canaria, east coast | 22 °C | 16 °C | 19 °C | 2 | 7 h |
| Lanzarote | 23 °C | 15 °C | 18 °C | 2 | 8 h |
| Fuerteventura | 22 °C | 16 °C | 18 °C | 2 | 8 h |
| La Palma, east coast | 21 °C | 16 °C | 19 °C | 4 | 6 h |
| La Gomera | — | — | 19 °C | — | — |
| El Hierro | 21 °C | 17 °C | 20 °C | 3 | 6 h |
| Teide, high zone (Izaña, 2,369 m) | 10 °C | 3 °C | — | 4 | 8 h |
Sunrise and sunset in mid-month: 07:14 – 19:12 · Source: AEMET, climate normals (1981–2010) · sea temperature: seatemperature.info, ten-year average
Canary Islands weather in March: south, north, east and peaks
South. Tenerife South reaches a high of 23.1 °C and a low of 15.6 °C, with 15 mm over 2 days. Gran Canaria airport, 22.3 °C and 12 mm.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. 22–23 °C, 12 mm in the whole month and the best share of sunshine: 7.8 hours a day on Lanzarote. Along with south Tenerife, Fuerteventura has the fewest rainy days (1.9).
North. Here winter still lingers. Santa Cruz de Tenerife gets 38 mm, more than in January, and Tenerife North, at 632 m, stays at 18.2 °C with almost 7 days of rain. La Palma airport gets 33 mm over 4 days. The reward is ravines and forests at their greenest.
El Hierro and La Gomera. El Hierro, 21.4 °C by day and the mildest nights (16.7 °C). AEMET does not publish climate normals for La Gomera.
Teide. Izaña climbs to 10.2 °C by day and 2.7 °C at night, but still averages 2.1 days of snow and 58 mm of rain. Before hiking up, check the state of the trails: in icy conditions winter gear is required (Teide).
Sea temperature in March: can you swim?
You can, but the water is colder than the air suggests: 18.3 °C around Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, 18.8 °C at Maspalomas, 19.2 °C at Los Cristianos and 19.6 °C off El Hierro. With 23 °C on land, a quick dip is welcome; for a long snorkel, a shorty wetsuit makes sense.
What to pack: summer clothes you can layer, a jumper for the evening, high-factor sun cream and a winter coat if you are heading up to the peaks.
Where to go in the Canary Islands in March
The best bets in March
South Tenerife
The warmest afternoons (23.1 °C), whales and Teide with the last of the snow.
Lanzarote
The sunniest (7.8 h a day) and almost no rain; a good month to explore Timanfaya.
Fuerteventura
Few rainy days and the last reliable stretch of the surf season.
La Palma
Forests and ravines at their greenest, with more cloud.
Gran Canaria
Mountain walks after the rains, and processions in Las Palmas if Easter falls in March.
If March finds everything booked up, consider a less crowded island: see the comparison in which Canary Island to choose.
Things to do in the Canary Islands in March: festivals and events
- Holy Week (Semana Santa): when Easter falls in March, processions in La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- Transgrancanaria: some years Gran Canaria's mountain race is held in early March, others in late February (dates).
- The last almond blossom on the peaks of Gran Canaria and in Santiago del Teide.
- Seasonal water parks reopen: Acua, in Corralejo, and Aquapark Costa Teguise come back at the end of the month. Siam Park, both Aqualands and Aqualava open all year (water parks).
- Clocks go forward: on the last Sunday in March the clocks go forward and the sun starts setting after 20:00.
What's in season: whales, hiking, surfing and stars
Whales and dolphins. As well as the resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, spring is when sperm whales are seen most often off Tenerife and La Gomera (whale and dolphin watching).
Hiking. One of the best months for walking: green countryside after the rains and mild temperatures, a good time for Anaga and the heights above Masca. On La Palma, keep asking about the Barranco de las Angustias before heading down, and the 2021 lava field can only be visited with an authorised guide (Tajogaite volcano).
Surfing. The last reliable month of northerly swell at Famara, La Santa and El Cotillo. The same swell can cancel the small boats to La Graciosa and Lobos.
Stars. Daytime visits to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory are suspended from December to March; the night skies, however, are still there.
Trips that suit March
Our pick
1
Whales and dolphins from Los Gigantes
2 hours for €28, in the season when sperm whales are seen most.
GetYourGuide2 hours
Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop
4.7 (5,807 reviews)
from €28Check availability
2
Hike above Masca and the forest
A guided route with pick-up, in the greenest month.
GetYourGuide5 hours
Tenerife: Hike Above Masca in Enchanted Forest with Pick-up
4.9 (464 reviews)
from €89Check availability
3
Tajogaite volcano with a certified guide
The official route across the lava, which can only be done with a guide.
GetYourGuide4 hours
Tajogaite Volcano: the official route with a certified local guide
4.9 (545 reviews)
from €37Check availability
4
Timanfaya and El Golfo
Half a day on Lanzarote, the sunniest island of the month.
GetYourGuide4.5 hours
Timanfaya And El Golfo For Cruise Passengers (Mornings)
4.6 (1,076 reviews)
from €61Check availability
GetYourGuide5 hours
Tenerife: Hike Above Masca in Enchanted Forest with Pick-up
4.9 (464 reviews)
from €89Check availability
GetYourGuide8 hours
Gran Canaria: Full-Day Guided Hike With Snacks
4.9 (97 reviews)
from €70Check availability
GetYourGuide2 hours
Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop
4.7 (5,807 reviews)
from €28Check availability
GetYourGuide4.5 hours
Timanfaya And El Golfo For Cruise Passengers (Mornings)
4.6 (1,076 reviews)
from €61Check availability
GetYourGuide8 hours
Tenerife: Teide National Park Full-Day Tour with Pick-up
4.5 (1,922 reviews)
from €59Check availability
GetYourGuide6 hours
From Lanzarote: Sailing Day Trip Around La Graciosa
4.4 (1,186 reviews)
from €72Check availability
See all options on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on 2 October 2026
March compared with February and April
February has the same cold sea, a little less sunshine and carnival. April barely raises the high, but the rain almost disappears from the south and east, the sea starts to warm up and there are far fewer people. To see the whole year, go to Canary Islands weather by month.
Canary Islands in March: FAQs
Is it hot in the Canary Islands in March?
Pleasant rather than hot: highs of 22–23 °C in the south and east and 15–16 °C at night. In north Tenerife, at 632 m, it tops out at 18 °C.
Can you swim in the Canary Islands in March?
Yes, but the water is at its coldest: 18.3 °C around Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and 19.2 °C in south Tenerife. Keep swims short or wear a thin wetsuit.
Does it rain in the Canary Islands in March?
Not much in the south and east, about 2 days and 12–15 mm. In north Tenerife and on La Palma, 4 to 7 days.
Is it busy in the Canary Islands in March?
It is the month with the most arrivals of the year, 1.73 million. Book ahead, especially if Easter falls in March.
Is there snow on Teide in March?
There can be: Izaña records an average of 2.1 days of snow in March.
