Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, enjoys a subtropical desert climate with mild winters and hot, sunny summers. Rain is scarce and mostly falls between October and March. The city is renowned for its abundant sunshine, gentle trade winds, and stable temperatures, making it a year-round destination for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife features a subtropical desert climate, characterised by mild, dry winters and hot, sunny summers. Average daytime temperatures range from 18–21°C in winter (December–February) to 26–30°C in summer (June–September). Nighttime lows rarely fall below 13°C in winter or 20°C in summer. Rainfall is minimal, with most precipitation occurring from October to March – November and December are the wettest months, but even then, rain is brief and infrequent. The driest months are June to September, often with no measurable rain. Humidity averages 67–72%, and the air is typically freshened by the northeast trade winds, which blow year-round and are especially noticeable in summer.
Santa Cruz enjoys abundant sunshine, with 6–10 hours of sun per day depending on the season and annual totals around 2,900 hours. Daylight varies from about 10 hours in winter to 14 hours in summer. The sea is swimmable year-round, with temperatures ranging from 19°C in winter to 24°C in late summer and early autumn. Occasionally, the city experiences the 'calima,' a hot, dusty wind from the Sahara that can bring higher temperatures and reduced visibility for a few days. Inland and higher-altitude areas near Santa Cruz can be cooler and wetter, but the coast remains warm and pleasant. The region is free from hurricanes and extreme weather, and temperature swings between day and night are minimal, contributing to its reputation as the 'Island of Eternal Spring.'
| Average climate data for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 25 | 18 | 143 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 91 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 71 | 74 | 75 | 77 | 76 | 79 | 82 | 83 | 80 | 75 | 74 | 72 | 76 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 28 | 24 | 23 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
The best time to visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife is from May to October, when the weather is reliably sunny, dry, and warm, and sea temperatures are ideal for swimming. This period is perfect for beach holidays and outdoor activities. However, the city’s mild climate makes it a great destination year-round, including for winter sun.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when rainfall is slightly higher and the occasional 'calima' or strong winds can affect comfort. However, even in these months, temperatures remain mild, and sunshine is plentiful compared to most of Europe, so there is no true 'bad' season.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has a subtropical desert climate with mild winters, hot summers, and minimal rainfall. Temperatures are stable, ranging from 18°C in winter to 30°C in summer, and the city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round.
The best beach weather is from June to October, when daytime highs reach 26–30°C, sea temperatures are 22–24°C, and rainfall is almost nonexistent. These months offer perfect conditions for swimming and sunbathing.
No, rain is scarce in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with most precipitation falling between October and March. Even in the wettest months, rain is brief and infrequent, and summers are typically dry.
Yes, the city experiences northeast trade winds year-round, especially in summer. These winds keep temperatures comfortable and skies clear. Occasionally, the 'calima' brings hot, dusty air from the Sahara for a few days.
Yes, the sea is swimmable all year, with temperatures from 19°C in winter to 24°C in late summer and autumn. The warmest water is from July to October.
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a jumper for cooler evenings. Rain gear is rarely needed, but sunglasses and a hat are essential. For Carnival in February, book accommodation early.
Extreme weather is rare. Occasionally, the 'calima' brings hot, dusty winds from Africa, causing higher temperatures and reduced visibility for a few days. Otherwise, the climate is stable and pleasant.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is October (23.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is February (17.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is September (21.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (16.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 19.1 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is October (23.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (19.2 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 21.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (24.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is May (5 mm). Over the whole year there are 142.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (12.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (5.1 days). Over the whole year there are 90.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (82.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is January (70.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is July (22 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is October (15.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 19.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (28.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (17.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 23.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 8.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, April, May, November and December (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.4.
