When is the best time to cruise the Canary Islands?

At a glance

• November to March is peak season, offering winter sun with pleasant temperatures and lively port towns
• April to May is ideal for wildflowers, hiking and quieter trails
• July and August bring heat and holiday crowds, but great beach weather - but you'll find fewer sailings
• September and October offer warm seas, fewer tourists and post-summer calm
• December features festive cruises with traditional Spanish celebrations

Why trust us?

World of Cruising, along with our sister publication Cruise Trade News, has one of the UK's most experienced teams of cruise journalists and contributors. Our experts have racked up hundreds of nights at sea with most cruise lines. Most weeks, one of our writers will be at sea or on a river. Here, that expertise informs our advice on the best time to cruise the Canary Islands.

Where are the Canary Islands?

Located off the northwest coast of Africa but politically part of Spain, the Canary Islands are a volcanic archipelago known for their unique geography and subtropical climate. The seven main islands – Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro – each offer something different, from black-sand beaches and lunar landscapes to lush forests and sleepy fishing villages.

Larger vessels usually only cover the four bigger islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). To visit the smaller islands, you'll typically need to book sailings aboard smaller ships.

Cruise itineraries typically start in Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with some sailings also visiting Madeira, mainland Spain or North Africa. Whether you're hiking Teide, tasting volcanic wines or wandering colonial towns, the Canaries combine convenience with exotic appeal. No-fly options from the UK are also widely available.

Top cruise ports: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Arrecife (Lanzarote), Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), Santa Cruz de La Palma, San Sebastián de La Gomera.

Best months for sun and sea

When to go: November to March

If you're craving sunshine while the UK shivers, winter is the best time to cruise the Canary Islands. Average daytime temperatures stay comfortably between 19–23°C, with clear skies and minimal rainfall – especially on the eastern islands like Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, which are typically warmer and drier than their western counterparts.

Calm seas make this a great season for beach stops and boat trips. You can swim, snorkel or enjoy the sunshine without the intense heat of summer. Cruise lines ramp up operations during these months, drawing a mix of sun-seekers, active travellers and European retirees escaping the cold.

Tenerife's southern coast sees some of the best weather, with golden beaches like Playa de las Vistas and dramatic cliffs at Los Gigantes. Meanwhile, Lanzarote's otherworldly Timanfaya National Park is far more enjoyable in cooler months.

Carnival season kicks off in January and culminates in February, with the biggest events held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas – one of the largest carnivals in the world, second in scale only to Rio by many accounts.

Top tip: Evenings can be cooler, so bring a light jacket for dinners on deck or sunset excursions.

Who to sail with:Marella Cruises and P&O Cruises offer classic winter sun itineraries, while Azamara include overnight stays for deeper exploration.

Best months for sightseeing and hiking

When to go: April to May

Spring is ideal if you're visiting the Canary Islands for natural beauty, hiking and uncrowded attractions. Trails are dry, wildflowers are blooming and temperatures sit comfortably in the low-to-mid 20s°C – perfect for walking without overheating.

On Tenerife, you can ascend Mount Teide by cable car or hike one of the many trails across its volcanic flanks. La Gomera's Garajonay National Park – a misty laurel forest and UNESCO World Heritage Site – is magical in May, while La Palma offers spectacular ridge walks and volcanic craters with jaw-dropping views.

It's also a great time to explore the Canaries' historic towns – from the colonial streets of San Cristóbal de La Laguna to Lanzarote's César Manrique-designed landmarks – without the heavy foot traffic of summer or winter.

Top tip: Book guided hikes early – especially for Teide, where numbers are limited to protect the delicate volcanic terrain.

Who to sail with: Noble Caledonia and Hapag-Lloyd offer hiking-themed or expedition-style cruises during this season, while Windstar include guided walking excursions and nature-focused stops.

Best months for foodies and culture lovers

When to go: February, April and October

The Canaries offer more than just beaches – and for culinary travellers and culture fans, spring and autumn are bursting with flavour. In February, Carnival season sweeps across the islands with parades, costumes and Canarian street food galore (try papas arrugadas and gofio-based sweets).

April brings Easter processions and quieter towns, ideal for exploring local markets and family-run guachinches (informal rural restaurants). October often brings wine festivals and tastings in volcanic vineyards, following harvests in August and September.

Many islands also host music, food and arts festivals in spring and autumn, with traditional Canarian folk music, Latin influences and community celebrations that give a deeper sense of island life.

Top tip: Try a guided food tour in Santa Cruz or Las Palmas to taste authentic Canarian dishes – or join a wine-tasting shore excursion in La Geria, Lanzarote's surreal vine-covered lava fields.

Who to sail with:Scenic and Silversea offer food- and wine-themed excursions, while Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Oceania Cruises include in-depth cultural tours across the islands.

Best months for festivities

When to go: December and February

The Canary Islands know how to celebrate. December is warm enough to swap snow for sunshine, with festive lights, markets and Spanish Christmas traditions like Día de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day) on 6 January. Expect open-air nativity scenes, midnight masses and local pastries like roscones.

In February, the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the main event. Think samba-style parades, giant floats, sequins and tens of thousands of spectators. It's one of the world's largest carnivals and a real bucket-list experience.

The weather during both months is mild, hovering around 20°C – ideal for daytime exploring and evening festivities without winter bulk.

Top tip: Book early if you want to coincide with Carnival – the best cabins and excursions fill quickly.

Who to sail with: MSC Cruises times its itineraries around Carnival season, while Saga and P&O Cruises offer festive December sailings with onboard Christmas programming.

Best months for cruising on a budget

When to go: May, June and October

For lower fares without sacrificing sunshine, the shoulder months of May, June and October offer great value. These are transitional periods between the busy winter and summer seasons, with warm temperatures (22–27°C), smaller crowds and competitive cruise pricing.

May and June offer reliably sunny days and calm seas, just before the peak summer influx. October, meanwhile, has warm sea temperatures – great for late-season swims – and fewer families travelling, which brings prices down.

Shore excursions also tend to be less crowded, so it's a great time to enjoy popular attractions like Cueva de los Verdes in Lanzarote or dolphin-watching trips off the coast of La Gomera.

Note: While hurricanes are rare, the Atlantic cyclone season peaks in September and may occasionally bring brief unsettled weather to the western islands.

Top tip: Look out for fly-cruise packages departing from UK regional airports – many include direct charter flights to Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

Who to sail with:MSC Cruises and Marella Cruises often run value itineraries during these months, while Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers shorter, good-value cruises with UK departures.