April is a very good month for the Canary Islands (✅): 23 °C (73 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon by the sea, very little rain (4 mm (0.2 in) to 10 mm (0.4 in) in the eastern islands and southern Tenerife) and more moderate crowds than in winter, especially as in 2027 Easter falls as early as 28 March. The only caveat: the sea is still cool, around 17 °C (63 °F) to 19 °C (66 °F).
April marks the end of the (already modest) rainy season and the start of the dry spring. What sets the islands apart this month is no longer temperature, which is almost identical everywhere at sea level, but sunshine and wind. Here is the weather in the Canary Islands in April island by island, based on the official normals, with our advice on choosing. For the overview of the whole year, see our page on the best time to visit the Canary Islands.
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The Canary Islands in April: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ dry, mild spring, good value for weather outside the holidays
- Temperatures: 22.9 °C (73 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon on the coasts, 16.8 °C (62 °F) at night in Santa Cruz (AEMET normals)
- Rain: 4 mm (0.2 in) to 8 mm (0.3 in) in the south and the eastern islands, 10 mm (0.4 in) in Santa Cruz, 19 mm (0.7 in) in La Palma
- Sea: about 17 °C (63 °F) to 19 °C (66 °F) depending on the island (DWD), cool for many swimmers
- Sunshine: 6.8 to 7.9 hours a day depending on the station (DWD)
- 2027 calendar: Easter on 28 March, so Holy Week falls in March; spring school holidays push up demand in April
- Time difference: in April, the Canary Islands (UTC+1) are on the same time as London (BST) and 5 hours ahead of New York (EDT)
Weather in the Canary Islands in April: island by island
| Station | Max | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine (h/day) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife (north-east) | 23.3 °C (74 °F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2.2 | 8.4 | 18 °C (64 °F) |
| Tenerife South (airport) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 1.0 | 8.3 | 19 °C (66 °F) |
| Gran Canaria (airport) | 22.9 °C (73 °F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 1.1 | 7.5 | — |
| Lanzarote (airport) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | — | — | — |
| Fuerteventura (airport) | 23.2 °C (74 °F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 1 | 7.9 | 17 °C (63 °F) |
| La Palma (airport) | 21.6 °C (71 °F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | — | — | — |
At sea level, the gap between the warmest island (Tenerife South, 24 °C (75 °F)) and the coolest (La Palma, 21.6 °C (71 °F)) is only 2.4 °C (4 °F). In April, Santa Cruz and Tenerife South receive more than 8 hours of sunshine a day according to the WMO normals, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria 7.9 and 7.5 hours according to the DWD, and in the south of the islands it rains on average only one day in the month. At altitude it is clearly cooler: bring a jacket for Teide, where snow remains possible in spring.
April compared with March and May
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Max | Min | Rain | Sunshine (h/day) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 7.6 | 18 °C (64 °F) |
| April | 23.3 °C (74 °F) | 16.8 °C (62 °F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8.4 | 18 °C (64 °F) |
| May | 24.8 °C (77 °F) | 18.2 °C (65 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 9.3 | 19 °C (66 °F) |
Destination de Voyage calculation from these normals: in Santa Cruz, April receives about 63% less rain than March (10 mm (0.4 in) against 28 mm (1.1 in)), for only 0.9 °C (2 °F) more in the afternoon. This is the real change of the month: the north of Tenerife, more exposed to cloud, becomes much more reliable. May gains another 1.5 °C (3 °F) and nearly an hour of sunshine a day, but the water gains only one degree.
Which island to choose in April
- Beach and sun: the south of Tenerife (Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje), the south of Gran Canaria (Maspalomas), Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, the driest areas.
- Hiking: April opens the best period on La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, according to our calendar by region. In Tenerife, the Anaga and Teno massifs are green after the winter.
- Teide: possible in good weather, but our calendar still rates it ⚠️ in April: warm clothes, and check whether roads and the cable car are open.
- Volcanic landscapes: Lanzarote and the César Manrique creations are pleasant to visit without the summer heat.
For island-by-island detail, see the best time to visit Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. To choose between two islands, our comparisons Tenerife or Gran Canaria and Lanzarote or Fuerteventura may help.
Things to do in the Canary Islands in April
- Hike: mild temperatures, dry trails, vegetation still green in the north of the islands. Set off early and bring a warm layer for the highlands.
- Enjoy the beaches in the south: sunbathing is easy; swimming for those who accept water at around 18 °C (64 °F).
- Sightsee: La Laguna and La Orotava in Tenerife, Teguise in Lanzarote, Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
- Stargaze: nights are cool but often clear at altitude, notably at Teide and on La Palma.
What to avoid in April
- Counting on a warm sea: for the warmest water, aim for September-October
- Going up Teide in summer clothes: it is cold there, even when it is 24 °C (75 °F) on the coast
- Booking late during the spring school holidays
Crowds, prices and the 2027 calendar
April is rated « moderate crowds, heavy at Easter » on our best time to visit page. In 2027, Easter falls on 28 March: Holy Week, with its processions and strong demand for hotels (notably in La Laguna), will therefore take place at the end of March rather than in April. Demand will remain firm during the spring school holidays, which fall at different times in different countries: check the dates that apply to you. Outside those weeks, April offers good value for weather and price, ahead of May, the least crowded month of the year according to our table.
Book 3 to 6 months ahead for school holidays, 1 to 2 months otherwise.
What to pack for the Canary Islands in April
- Summer clothes for the day and a sweater for the evening (about 17 °C (63 °F) at night in Santa Cruz)
- A warm jacket, a hat and closed shoes for Teide
- A windbreaker: the trade winds cool exposed coasts
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat: the sun is strong even when the air is mild
- Hiking shoes if you are heading for La Gomera, La Palma or Anaga
Before you go
For passport and entry rules, see our entry requirements for the Canary Islands. Time difference: the Canary Islands keep Western European Time (UTC+0) in winter and UTC+1 in summer (from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October), so they are on the same time as London all year. In April, with both US and UK/Canary clocks on summer time, they are 5 hours ahead of New York (UTC−4, EDT). Health: UK travellers need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to get medically necessary state healthcare in Spain, and it is not an alternative to travel insurance (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026); the U.S. State Department encourages U.S. citizens to buy medical evacuation insurance (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
If April does not suit you
Neighbouring months: March is a little cooler and clearly wetter in the north of the islands; the Canary Islands in February offer the carnival but winter prices. May is even drier and less crowded. At the end of the year, see the Canary Islands in November.
Other destinations in April: Madeira in April for hiking and flowers, Crete in April for ancient sites, or Cape Verde in April for more heat. All our ideas are gathered in our guide where to go in April.
To plan your stay, read our Canary Islands travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hot in the Canary Islands in April?
Mild and pleasant: 22.9 °C (73 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon by the sea depending on the station, and about 17 °C (63 °F) at night in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (AEMET normals).
Which is the warmest Canary Island in April?
The gaps are small. Among the stations compared, Tenerife South airport is the warmest (24 °C (75 °F) average maximum), ahead of Lanzarote (23.8 °C (75 °F)).
Can you swim in the Canary Islands in April?
Yes, but the water is cool: about 17 °C (63 °F) in Fuerteventura and 18 °C (64 °F) to 19 °C (66 °F) in Tenerife according to the Deutscher Wetterdienst. Many travellers prefer the pools.
Does it rain in the Canary Islands in April?
Very little: 4 mm (0.2 in) to 8 mm (0.3 in) in the south and the eastern islands, 10 mm (0.4 in) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and about one rainy day in the month in the south (AEMET, DWD). La Palma remains the wettest (19 mm (0.7 in)).
Does Easter fall in April in 2027?
No: in 2027, Easter is on 28 March. Holy Week and its peak in demand are therefore at the end of March; in April, it is mainly the spring school holidays that push prices up.
April or May for the Canary Islands?
May is a little warmer (+1.5 °C (3 °F) in Santa Cruz), sunnier and less crowded. April suits you well if your dates depend on the spring school holidays.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization: 1991-2020 normals for the AEMET stations of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Tenerife South (NOAA archive); Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET): 1991-2020 normals for the airports of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; 1981-2010 normals for La Palma airport (from our page on the best time to visit the Canary Islands)
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Klimatafeln for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Sur, Las Palmas-Gando and Fuerteventura: sea temperature; rainy days and sunshine for Las Palmas-Gando and Fuerteventura, read on 23 October 2026; differences between months: Destination de Voyage calculation
- Liturgical calendar: date of Easter 2027 (28 March)
- Health and insurance information: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Spain (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Spain country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), both read on 26 October 2026
- Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change; NIST, Daylight Saving Time; EU Directive 2000/84/EC on summer-time arrangements
- Calendar by region, crowds and booking lead times: our page on the best time to visit the Canary Islands
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
