Best time to visit the Canary Islands
November is wine time, with vines being harvested and festivals to celebrate. A great time to go on a walking break with plenty of wine tasting thrown in![]()
Hot all year round, only daring to dip below 20°C in January or February, although usually only in elevated areas. In July and August, temperatures hover around 30°C with a cooling coastal breeze in most places. They dip to delightful in September and October, possibly the best time to visit the Canary Islands, when the sea is still lovely and warm for swimming too. For hikers, almond trees are in bloom in January and February on Gran Canaria, and the wild flowers, from corn poppies to cirsium come out to dance in March and April. As do whales and dolphins.
Our Canary islands Vacations
Canary Islands walking vacation
Visit Teide volcano and walk through the Garajonay Forest
From
US $1510 to US $1640
8 days
ex flights
Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
This unique volcanic island reveals unexpected variety
From
US $1190 to US $1470
8 days
ex flights
Lanzarote villa vacation, Fisherman's Cottage, Canary Islands
Off-grid seafront cottage in traditional village with coastal walks
From
€120 to €130
per couple per night
La Palma walking vacation in the Canaries
Walk a biosphere reserve that is home to over 900 endemic species
From
US $1949 to US $2079
8 days
ex flights
Lanzarote self catering cottage in the Canary Islands
Cozy Cottage, friendly tropical eco village, swimming pool,
From
€910 to €4000
per week (sleeps 4)
Family eco yurt in Lanzarote
Family-friendly luxe eco yurts, sea view, next to beach,
From
€185 to €500
per accommodation per night
Canary Islands Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
13
18
64
FEB
12
19
55
MAR
13
20
42
APR
13
20
33
MAY
15
21
13
JUN
16
23
7
JUL
18
26
1
AUG
19
27
3
SEP
19
26
12
OCT
17
24
41
NOV
16
21
65
DEC
14
19
74
Our top Canary islands Vacation
Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
This unique volcanic island reveals unexpected variety
From
US $1190 to US $1470
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 25 Feb, 18 Mar, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov, 25 Nov, 20 Dec, 27 Dec
2023: 25 Feb, 18 Mar, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov, 25 Nov, 20 Dec, 27 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Canary islands or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Things to do on the Canary Islands
Things to do on the Canary Islands...
Things not to do on the Canary Islands...
Canary Island travel advice
Lanzarote tips
Michelle Braddock, co-founder of Lanzarote Retreats, our leading supplier in Lanzarote, shares her Canary Islands travel advice:
“Get out and about, many people don’t leave their vacation home/resort, they don’t even know there are 300 volcanoes here, plus many things to visit such as Manrique’s caves, beaches, markets and so on.”
Trekking tips
Trekking tips
Melanie McAnaw, walking vacation expert from our supplier, Headwater:
“Don’t overlook the Canary Islands for walking vacations. They are much more unspoilt that you would think.”
Canary Island travel advice
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Canary Island travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation.
We have selected some of the most useful Canary Island travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation.
If the time is okay, it would be better to take the Naviera Armas ferry as it goes slower, with less impact on dolphins and whales. And what's more, you can have a better chance to spot some dolphins or whales on the way![]()
- Patty Tse, whale and dolphin watching in La Gomera
“La Gomera is a very relaxing location. If you can, come for more than 7 days, especially if you enjoy walking, cycling swimming etc. There is a surprising amount to do.. The most memorable or exciting part? Seeing whales so close to our boat. We had very good sightings of about 20 pilot whales on one trip and on another saw two Blainville’s dense beaked whales for about 20 minutes by the boat.” – Clare Galton on a whale and dolphin watching vacation in La Gomera
“Get up early if you want to go the National Park. It is well worth the effort but the traffic queues were enormous by mid-morning.” – Kate McNab in Lanzarote
“Get up early if you want to go the National Park. It is well worth the effort but the traffic queues were enormous by mid-morning.” – Kate McNab in Lanzarote
Probably good not to go there in December if you want to enjoy warmth and sea-swimming, weather was rather unsettled, a bit of wind and rain, although of course it was 10,000 better than where we flew from!! (England)![]()
- Astrid Bergerot
“Hire a car to explore the island, there is lots to see, from beaches to the national park, it's well worth it!” – Lila Caballero in Lanzarote
“The stars by night tour was exceptional. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy. We particularly liked his storytelling style of his talk as he guided us through the night sky. This was perfectly balanced with the scientific input.” – Helen Kemp, stargazing in Fuerteventura
“The stars by night tour was exceptional. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy. We particularly liked his storytelling style of his talk as he guided us through the night sky. This was perfectly balanced with the scientific input.” – Helen Kemp, stargazing in Fuerteventura
More about Canary islands
Our Canary Islands travel guide uncovers the secret spots well off the tourist radar where yurts and windmills are far more prevalent than huge hotels...
Sometimes it is hard to convince people that the Canary Islands have anything more to offer than charter flights, cheap beer and chips.
There’s one easy thing you can do to help preserve this archipelago: avoid resort accommodation in the Canary Islands.
Walking in the Canary Islands reveals a side of the archipelago that the lion’s share of visitors doesn’t realise exists.
Lanzarote is for rebellious spirits. Read about how the island is home to pioneers of ecotourism still inspired by the legacy of the great architect and activist Cesar Manrique.
We’ve spoken to whale watching experts, pioneers in renewable energy-powered accommodation, and pro hikers to source the very best Canary Islands travel tips.
Responsible vacations in the Canary Islands start and end with responsible tourism and if you prefer to conserve cultural heritage and preserve wildlife then right here is where you start to travel in the right direction.
