Canary Islands in late Nov - early Dec

[Peaklander]

Hi, I hope that it's OK to start a new topic here. I normally lurk daily, on the Model Discussion threads. However after a year of being on my back for considerable periods, I am fully mobile again and my better half and I are ready for a break in the sun and warmth.

We plan to go to the Canaries in late Nov or early Dec. I doubt there's anywhere more convenient to get to from the UK that has a very good chance of getting warmth and sun. However I have no idea where to go. Are there islands to avoid or certain coasts that might suffer mist, fog, cool winds, etc.?

We would like quiet rather than busy resort, sea in which to swim, scenic routes to drive.

I don't know the islands' weather, so any advice from those who know on here, will build a picture and assist in selecting an island and possibly a destination on that island.

Thank you

[Metwatch]

 Peaklander

Frequent visiter to Fuerteventura here for the last 7 ish years. Went there in November for the first time last year and it was lovely, low - mid 20s for the first few days, then approaching 30C last 2 days. There is a higher chance of rain / thunderstorms by November compared to summer, but at the same time still a high chance you'll get warm dry conditions.

Impossible to know at the moment though. Also went for a week in mid December and 6 days were mostly sunny, 1 day of some thunderstorms then the next day back to cloudless skies. Late December 2022 was similar but less rain, more in the way of dust storms for 2-3 days, the rest fine.

For the quieter islands Lanzarote / Fuerteventura I would recommend a lot more compared to Tenerife / Gran Canaria. For Fuerteventura, El Cotillo on the west coast or Costa Calma in the south coast are great.

I often post here when something interesting is happening in Iberia / Canarias:

 

Edited October 8 by Metwatch

[Scorcher]

On the two larger islands- Tenerife and Gran Canaria- you have a higher chance of dry, sunny weather on their southern/western coasts due to the prevailing winds. This applies at any time of year.

Using Tenerife as an example, there is a big difference between Puerto de la Cruz (much cloudier) in the north and Playa de las Americas or Adeje in the south (much sunnier).

There is always a high chance of plenty of sunny days in the south of Tenerife at any time of year.

I stayed there in early January once and it was warm even then- came back with a great tan and there were plenty of clear, sunny days.

If you wanted somewhere quiet, Los Cristianos, Adeje or Los Gigantes are quieter than Playa de las Americas and on the right side of the island for weather.

[reef]

We went to Lanzarote in 2012 at the end of the November and managed to land just as they were about to have around over 50mm of rain in one day! 

Apart from that though, most days were actually quite similar to a typical summer day here: clear in the morning and evening, with cloud bubbling up during the day with the chance of an occasional very light shower. Temps mostly in the 20-23C range. UV levels were typically 4-6 aswell, again quite similar to the UK in summer. Nights were warm though, generally in the mid-high teens at the lowest. Sometimes above 20C if cloudy.

The coldest time there is generally when SSTs are at their lowest in February. In November/December there's still a lot of remnant heat and it can get very warm if the wind blows off of Africa (though it never has the three times we've been to the Canaries).

Perhaps the worst part was landing at the airport back in the UK and going to the car at 2am when it was -3C. 

Edited October 9 by reef

[Peaklander]

Thanks for the contributions (so far  ). This is very useful detail. I must say that they are a very appealing region and this thread is giving me a warm feeling about going. As soon as the consultant signs me off, we will be looking out for a last minute deal. That won't be for a few more weeks but that gives time to continue the research.

[Scorcher]

 reef Good point about the wind blowing from Africa occasionally. Some friends were asking what sort of weather they should expect in November when they go to Tenerife.

I looked at the records for last November and there was a heatwave in the middle of the month when it briefly went up to 34C! In fact there were 5 days there last November that exceeded 30C.

Unusual but not impossible at any time of year with the sun remaining strong enough even in winter.

[Metwatch]

The thing with winds blowing in from Africa especially when strong (known as "calima") is they can bring so much dust that it starts to block out the sun so isn't that warm feeling, but very low humidity. One of the worst calima events of this century so far was late February 2020:

The heatwave in November last year involved a very gentle easterly so not as much dust was brought in, I remember there being a very gentle but hot breeze, hotter than almost any days in July - August.

The strongest calima event I experienced was around Christmas 2022; a pretty thick haze though not as bad as Feb 2020.

Edited October 11 by Metwatch

[karyo]

As already mentioned, it is best if you are to the south or west part of the island (regardless of which island you choose). Tenerife and La Palma  have the advantage of very tall mountains so the west coast gets only light winds (as the easterlies are blocked). In fact La Palma is by far the most varied and beautiful of the islands. It is surprisingly green compared to the other islands and the mountains are covered in Canarian pine. 

If you prefer something more arid then you can choose Fuerteventura or Lanzarote. I stayed in Tarajalejo last January for a month and it was sunny and warm every day. Some days were in the high 20s and even the locals were in shorts and t-shirts. It is also very quiet with only a few tourists around. 

Puerto Mogan in southwest Gran Canaria is also nicely blocked from the prevailing wind and it has a very safe beach for swimming.

[Metwatch]

2 hours ago, karyo said:

I stayed in Tarajalejo last January for a month and it was sunny and warm every day. Some days were in the high 20s and even the locals were in shorts and t-shirts. It is also very quiet with only a few tourists around. 

Wow, that's the same town I stayed in back in December 2022! Found the place quite interesting as it was quite well developed with a beachside promenade, showers next to the beach, beach gym. Yet very quiet with only that one large hotel that brings in vast majority of people into the town (R2 Bahía Playa hotel). Stayed in a detached home further up in the edge of Tarajalejo.

 

I remember there being some quite big waves for 2 days just after Christmas day as a cut off low dropped down and brought very strong south easterly winds. The best direction to bring a swell onto the beach there which ended up eroding a lot of the sand and even a restaurant next to the beach had to close down during those 2 days. A lot of dust brought in, very similar pattern to the calima event of February 2020. Otherwise the majority of days were sunny and warm.

Day after arriving there 22nd:

 

Calima; dusty / very windy 5 days later:

 

Edited October 14 by Metwatch

[karyo]

 Metwatch It is a small world! haha

I stayed in the urbanisation Puerto Azul which is 10 minutes walk from the promenade and next to a dry river.

I used the gym at the all inclusive hotel (Bahia Playa) which had a nice view of the beach. However it was a bit sad that the tourists who were staying in the hotel didn't seem to have an interest to venture outside the pool area and spend some euros in the local businesses. But I guess that's what tends to happen with those hotels.

Interesting what you said about the big waves eroding the beach. Much of the beach didn't have sand when I was there (January 2024) but the sea was perfect for swimming. 

The weather was very uneventful when I was there, sunny every day and rather warm. Even the famous Fuerteventura wind was mostly absent. 

[shunthebartlett92]

 Peaklander funny you mention this! Thinking the same and Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) im hoping for a comfortable 24-25c early november for a few days with mostly clear skies, fair at worst. Far more affordable too, this time of year

Edited October 14 by shunthebartlett92

[Peaklander]

I have a date to see my consultant in mid-Nov. After that I won't have any reason not to be able to travel. Onwards towards blue skies and sun.

[*Stormforce~beka*]

 Peaklander Let's hope it's not cancelled for you! x

[Peaklander]

Committed now; it isn't too long to wait. Have gone for Los Gigantes on Tenerife. Got a base there for a couple of weeks but intend to hire some wheels and have a mooch about too!

I can send weather reports if anyone needs them. 

[Peaklander]

Weather report from the northern end of the west coast: so far  

It’s been very warm since our arrival with several days approaching 30C. Initially had fresh to strong southerly winds on the coast and some big waves.

There’s high cloud so not fierce sunlight but I believe it will be stronger from tomorrow, with slightly lower temperatures.

We are going up the mountain on Tuesday to 3,500m or so. Expect we will take all our layers that day.

 

Edited December 1 by Peaklander

[Norrance]

 Peaklander  We used to go to Los Gigantos regularly on holiday and generally had great weather even in late Autumn though there sometimes was a breeze and high cloud spreading out from the mountains. The cliffs are magnificent. Is the beach open there now?  Some years ago the week before we arrived there had been a rockfall that killed at least one tourist and it had been closed at the time.
The beach at Puerta de Santiago just to the south had giant waves if there was a westerly wind or swell and was good fun but care was needed for rip tides and it was sometimes closed.

[Peaklander]

Nearing the end of an amazing trip. The weather really could not have been better. Almost every day has been mid to high twenties with mainly blue skies. It soon cools in the evening and long sleeves are needed.

Thanks to posters for the location recommendations. This end of the west coast has been a good choice. We have driven to Masca once and once on the local bus. Also drove on the north side to Puerto de la Cruz where there was on-shore NE wind and the car was covered in salt. The hire car guy offered me a job as I had washed it before returning.

It was interesting turning the corner around the NW corner on to the north coast. The road is at high level and within a km or so there was grass and ferns, fed by the moisture in the air on that side. 

Candelaria on the east side was also very nice and again the weather was good.

On the mountain it was cool during our walks at around 2,000m but insanely dry of course. Up top at 3,500m in mid afternoon it was 0C with quite a wind chill. There was plenty of snow in all the rock crevices but the rocks themselves were warm with the radiation.

The lava and rock formations with embedded dykes are something else. Looking at the most recent flows, you would think they had cooled yesterday but are from around 1709 I think. There’s just no erosion, little weathering and no organic matter.

Yes @Norrance that beach is still closed. The life guards at Playa de la Arena where we are staying, were very worried about the waves last weekend and no one was allowed in past ankle depth. At the end of the afternoons they ran a tape across and everyone was moved beach-side and stayed there.

 

Edited Sunday at 15:43 by Peaklander