January is peak cold and wet time in Tenerife, if you want to avoid the wettest month but equally not suffer high temperatures or high prices the best time for you to go is between March and June.
There are mosquitoes on Tenerife but not a lot.You will find them more in some areas than others, and importantly, they only appear at cer-tain times of the year. Tenerife fans often visit the island at the same time each year. If that happens to be at time when there aren't mossies, then they will never see one.
January to June in TenerifeJanuary and February can get a little colder as it can drop to 12 degrees. But it shouldn't be a big deal because the sea temperature is still at a very warm 19 degrees. During these months, you should pack both swimwear for the daytime and a light jacket for the nighttime.
Temperatures in Tenerife are around 20°C in winter with lows of 14°C at night. Tenerife weather warms up again from March until May. You can expect a daily average of 22°C with eight hours of warm sunshine each day.
Despite some cloudy spells there is usually 6 hours of sunshine per day - and with sea temperatures averaging 20 °C there is no reason you can't enjoy some time on the beach, even in winter.
Cheaper timesThe cheapest months include March, April, May (excluding the Easter period), October and November. The temperature in Tenerife rarely dips below 18°C in these months, so sightseeing, hiking and other activities are all still possible – and there will be fewer people on the beaches.
Areas to AvoidBecause of its volcanic background, most beaches in Tenerife are volcanic with black sand which can be hot under the feet. If you're after a traditional sandy beach head to Los Cristianos and leave the southern resorts alone. Playa la Arena is also notorious for pickpockets.
Wear sunscreenUsing a high factor sun cream is essential for protecting your skin from the sun, with SPF30 the recommended factor. Don't forget to wear sunscreen when you are outside even on overcast days as the sun's UV rays can penetrate through clouds.
Tenerife weather in JanuaryDespite January being the coldest and wettest month of the year in Tenerife, it is still a good month to visit the island if you are looking for winter sun.
Tenerife is one of the warmest Canary Islands, especially during winter. South Tenerife usually has the best weather and north Tenerife can be cloudy and rainy. The south side of Gran Canaria is also considered to have the best weather among the Canary Islands group.
Most of Tenerife drinking tap water comes from desalinated sea water and doesn't have a good taste, it's fine for bathing or washing clothes, etc. For drinking, tea, coffee or ice always use bottled water. Some people experience upset tummies and other digestive problems that possibly are caused by the tap water.
The water on the coast of Tenerife is not particularly warm, but you can still swim, even during the winter months. On the other hand, the lower water temperature (due to cold currents) provides excellent natural protection from dangerous sea creatures.
We recommend you bring clothes made of breathable fabrics. Humidity is quite considerable on the island and we must combat it with suitable fabrics, especially during the summer. Caps or hats can be a good complement for sunny days, which are most of the time on the island.
The weather is cooler than North Africa due to the northeasterly trade winds and the temperate Canary Current. This is cool water that swells up from deep in the Atlantic Ocean and affects the sea temperature and weather in Tenerife.
Tenerife is not expensive and the Canary Islands, in general, are not an expensive destination. Of course, this depends on where you are coming from and what other places you've visited before, but compared to most other destinations in Europe, Tenerife is an affordable place to visit.