Canary Islands weather in October keeps summer going in the water and softens it in the air: an average high of 26.8 °C at Tenerife South, 26.7 °C on Lanzarote and 26.2 °C on Gran Canaria, nights of 19–20 °C and a sea still at its warmest, between 22.8 °C off Lanzarote and 24.0 °C off El Hierro. In the south and east it rains on about two days; on La Palma and in the north of Tenerife the rain is already back. With 1.59 million arrivals, October opens the high season, which runs until March.
- High °C
- 26–27 °C
- Low °C
- 19–21 °C
- Sea °C
- 23–24 °C
- Rainy days
- 2–5
- Hours of sun a day
- 6–8 h
- Daylight hours
- 11 h 31 min
- Tenerife27 °C
- Lanzarote27 °C
- Gran Canaria26 °C
- Fuerteventura26 °C
- El Hierro26 °C
- La Palma26 °C
| High °C | Low °C | Sea °C | Rainy days | Hours of sun a day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife, south coast | 27 °C | 20 °C | 24 °C | 2 | 7 h |
| Tenerife, north (La Laguna, 632 m) | 23 °C | 15 °C | 24 °C | 7 | 6 h |
| Gran Canaria, east coast | 26 °C | 20 °C | 23 °C | 2 | 7 h |
| Lanzarote | 27 °C | 19 °C | 23 °C | 2 | 8 h |
| Fuerteventura | 26 °C | 20 °C | 23 °C | 2 | 7 h |
| La Palma, east coast | 26 °C | 20 °C | 24 °C | 5 | 6 h |
| La Gomera | — | — | 24 °C | — | — |
| El Hierro | 26 °C | 21 °C | 24 °C | 3 | 6 h |
| Teide, high zone (Izaña, 2,369 m) | 14 °C | 7 °C | — | 4 | 8 h |
Sunrise and sunset in mid-month: 08:04 – 19:35 · Source: AEMET, climate normals (1981–2010) · sea temperature: seatemperature.info, ten-year average
What's the weather like in the Canary Islands in October: south, north, east and summits
In autumn the Azores high starts to drift south, the temperature inversion loosens its grip and Atlantic weather starts slipping in again. The west and the north-facing slopes feel it first: La Palma airport goes from 12 mm in September to 41 mm over 5 days, and Tenerife North gets 47 mm over 6 or 7 days, with a high of 22.5 °C.
The south and east barely notice: 12 mm on fewer than 2 days at Tenerife South, 10 mm on Lanzarote and 8 mm on Fuerteventura, the lowest figure of the month. Higher up it does cool down: Izaña, at 2,369 m, stops at 14.3 °C by day and 6.9 °C at night, and the first snowfall is possible, though rare. If you're going up Teide for sunset, take a winter coat.
The sun still bites: under clear skies, AEMET, Spain's state weather agency, can forecast a UV index of 8, ‘very high’, in almost every island capital at the start of the month, against 5 in Madrid. And on the last Sunday of the month the clocks go back: sunset moves from around 19:30 to around 18:20.
Sea temperature in October: can you swim?
Yes, and it's one of the two best months for it. The sea barely changes from September: 22.8 °C off Lanzarote, 22.9 °C off Fuerteventura, 23.3 °C off Gran Canaria, 23.7 °C off Tenerife, 23.8 °C off La Palma and La Gomera and 24.0 °C off El Hierro. With the air at 26–27 °C, it's the year's best combination of warm water and beach days without frying, and until the British half-term at the end of the month, arrivals stay below the levels of November to March.
Pack summer clothes, something warm for the evening and a waterproof if you're going to La Palma, La Gomera or the north of Tenerife.
Where to go in the Canary Islands in October
For a beach without rain, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. For warmer water, El Hierro and La Palma, though La Palma already gets five days of rain a month. More in which island to choose.
October, island by island
South at 26.8 °C, the warmest afternoons
Beach days in Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos; Anaga and Teide for walking.
26.7 °C and 7.6 h of sun
The sunniest island of the month; the surf season starts at Famara.
26.1 °C and only 8 mm of rain
The driest of the month.
26.2 °C and the sea at 23.3 °C
Hiking festival in mid-October; the leeward south stays dry.
25.6 °C and the sea at 24.0 °C
The warmest water; 14 mm of rain at the airport.
25.5 °C and 41 mm of rain
The rain is back; check the forecast for the volcano and the summits.
Things to do in Fuerteventura in October
The driest island of the month is also the one that holds up best for a beach holiday (Fuerteventura). The autumn swell wakes up El Cotillo and the north coast, which move into surf season (surfing in Fuerteventura). Morro Jable has about 14 of the island's 20 licensed whale-watching boats. Acua Water Park, in Corralejo, closes on Wednesdays and Thursdays until mid-month, opens daily after that and shuts for the season in early November.
Things to do in the Canary Islands in October: festivals and events
- 12 October. National holiday across Spain.
- Gran Canaria hiking festival, in mid-October: four days, a different route each day.
- Orionids, in the second half of the month. How many you see depends on the Moon: check the moon phase before heading up to the summits (stargazing).
- Bajada de la Virgen de Guadalupe (La Gomera). It takes place in October, but only every five years: it isn't an annual fiesta.
What's in season: sea, whales, hiking and Teide
Sea, whales and dolphins. It's the month for swimming: September's water with less heat. From autumn, Atlantic spotted dolphins join the resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins of Tenerife and La Gomera (whale and dolphin watching).
Hiking. The heat is over and the walking season returns, from Anaga to the summits of Gran Canaria: it's the first comfortable month after the summer (hiking).
Teide. Without the summer heat, it's a good month for the cable car. The tour with cable car and transfer costs the same from the official operator as on the platforms (Teide).
| 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.
Water parks and stars. Acua and the Aquapark in Costa Teguise close in early November (water parks); the core of the Milky Way bows out this month.
Tours that suit October
Our pick
1
Whale watching with a swim
An hour and a half by yacht off Tenerife, with the water at almost 24 °C.
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Travelin' Lady: Eco Yacht Whale & Dolphin Safari + Swim
4.7 (19,421 reviews)
from €29.90Check availability
2
Anaga on foot
Seven hours through the mountains and forest of Anaga, now without the heat.
GetYourGuide7 hours
Anaga Mountains & Enchanted Forest, Tenerife Hiking Tour
5.0 (443 reviews)
from €139Check availability
3
Tajogaite volcano
The route through the volcano area can only be done with an authorised guide; bring a waterproof.
GetYourGuide4 hours
La Palma: Tajogaite Volcano Guided Trek
4.8 (2,198 reviews)
from €38Check availability
4
Dolphins from Morro Jable
Fuerteventura's port with the most licensed boats, with drinks and a swim.
GetYourGuide2 hours
Morro Jable: Dolphin & Whale-Watching Cruise, Drinks & Swim
4.2 (5,394 reviews)
from €49Check availability
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
GetYourGuide1 - 3 hours
Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive
4.8 (2,600 reviews)
from €61Check availability
GetYourGuide7 hours
Anaga Mountains & Enchanted Forest, Tenerife Hiking Tour
5.0 (443 reviews)
from €139Check availability
GetYourGuide7 hours
Tenerife: Mount Teide Tour with Cable Car Ticket & Transfer
4.3 (6,095 reviews)
from €92Check availability
GetYourGuide9 hours
Lanzarote: Timanfaya Park, Jameos del Agua, & Cueva de los Verdes Tour
4.5 (2,866 reviews)
from €89Check availability
See all options on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on 2 October 2026
October compared with September and November
September has the same sea, one or two degrees more warmth and fewer people. In November the water is still 22 °C, it rains more in the south and the seasonal water parks close. For the whole year, see Canary Islands weather by month.
Canary Islands in October: frequently asked questions
What's the temperature in the Canary Islands in October?
On the coast, 25.5–27 °C in the afternoon and 19–21 °C at night: 26.8 °C at Tenerife South, 26.7 °C on Lanzarote and 25.5 °C on La Palma, according to AEMET averages.
How warm is the sea in the Canary Islands in October?
Between 22.8 °C off Lanzarote and 24.0 °C off El Hierro; off Tenerife, 23.7 °C. Together with September, it's the warmest sea of the year.
Does it rain in the Canary Islands in October?
Not much in the south and on the eastern islands: 8–16 mm on about 2 days. La Palma gets 41 mm over 5 days and the north of Tenerife 47 mm over 6 or 7.
Which Canary Island is best in October?
For a beach without rain, Fuerteventura (8 mm in the whole month), Lanzarote or the south of Tenerife, which has the warmest afternoons (26.8 °C). For the warmest water, El Hierro (24.0 °C), though with more cloud.
Is it busy or windy in the Canary Islands in October?
High season begins: 1.59 million arrivals, with the British half-term at the end of the month. The trade wind blows on fewer days than in summer, and the northerly swells arrive.
