IslaBuHow 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.
Temperature through the year
The Atlantic warms up and cools down slowly. The lowest temperatures, around 18–19 °C, come at the end of winter. Over the summer the water gradually warms and only reaches its peak of around 23–24 °C in September and October. That is why autumn is more pleasant for swimming than June.
Why it is not warmer
The cool Canary Current flows around the islands, and off the African coast cold water rises to the surface from the deep. Thanks to this, the archipelago has a mild climate without great heat, but also a sea that is cooler than its latitude would suggest.
Differences between the islands
The differences are small, usually around one degree. The eastern islands closer to Africa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, tend to have slightly cooler water than La Palma and El Hierro in the west. In shallow, sheltered bays and lagoons the water is usually warmer than on the open coast.
Current temperature
IslaBu shows the current sea temperature at every beach. For longer snorkelling sessions or for children, a thin wetsuit comes in handy in winter.
Sources: Puertos del Estado · AEMET – Agencia Estatal de Meteorología · Updated October 4, 2026