IslaBuCanary Islands guide
Short answers to the most common questions about the Canary Islands: calima, tides, sea temperature, beach flags, weather warnings and which island to choose.
Which Canary Island should you choose?
The Canaries have eight inhabited islands and each one is different. For beaches and wind, Fuerteventura; for a bit of everything, Tenerife or Gran Canaria; for volcanic landscapes, Lanzarote; for hiking, La Palma and La Gomera; for peace and quiet, El Hierro and La Graciosa.
Why is the north of the Canary Islands cloudy and the south sunny?
The trade winds are the reason. Moist wind from the north-east runs into the mountains, forms cloud on the windward northern side, and the south, in the lee, stays dry and sunny.
What is calima and how long does it last?
Calima is Saharan dust carried to the Canary Islands by wind from Africa. The sky turns yellow or grey, visibility drops and it often gets warmer. It usually lasts a few days.
How warm is the sea in the Canary Islands?
The sea in the Canary Islands is roughly 18 to 24 °C over the year. It is usually coldest in February and March and warmest in September and October. You can swim all year round, but the water is cooler than the Mediterranean in summer.
How do the tides work in the Canary Islands?
In the Canary Islands there are two high tides and two low tides a day, roughly six hours apart. The difference in water level ranges from about one metre to more than two metres, and it is clearly noticeable on beaches and in natural pools.
What do the beach flags mean in the Canary Islands?
A green flag means swimming is allowed, yellow means swim with caution and red means no swimming. The lifeguards on the spot decide which flag flies, and their instructions always take priority.
What do the weather warnings mean in the Canary Islands?
Warnings are issued by AEMET, the state meteorological agency, at three levels: yellow, orange and red. In addition, the Government of the Canary Islands declares its own alert levels. During a warning for coastal events, keep away from the sea.
How strong is the sun in the Canary Islands?
UV radiation in the Canary Islands is strong all year round. In summer the UV index commonly reaches 11 or more, which is the extreme level, and you can get sunburnt even in winter or under cloud.