Canary Islands in November and March/April

[bluecoconut]

We are considering a week in the Canary Islands as a late getaway for this year or for early next year. We would be travelling with a toddler.

Has anybody been to any of the islands during these months?
What was the weather like? Was it too cold for the beach and sea? Was it warm enough to use the outdoor pool? Are a lot of the resorts restaurants/facilities closed due it being low season?
Would you go out of high season again?

Details of your experiences will be very much appreciated.

I would only ever go at Easter as its far too hot otherwise.

I've been to Tenerife twice & Lanzarote once, both in April. The weather was gorgeous. The kids lived in the pool, we went to the beach & paddling in the sea but tried to stay in the shade in the hottest part of the day.

Thanks pictures. Can I ask which was your favourite island and the resort that you stayed in?

November can be lovely but it may still rain and only go to somewhere that has a heated pool.

I have been many times both autumn and winter. To Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuertaventura and Lanzarote.
You can expect warm but not scorching, sunshine. I totally disagree with pictures though about the swimming. The sea is like the seaside in the UK brrrrrr and pools, unless heated are also far too cold. Last time in April my two who normally live in the pool couldn't stay in more than 10 minutes.
They are all year round resorts though.

Our hotel had heated pools.

We preferred Tenerife. We stayed at Costa Adeje but enjoyed a day trip out to Las Americas.

Went to Tenerife one February half term . Weather was lovely. ..probably low twenties.

Thanks all for your replies. Sorry for thanking sooner but I have been unwell.

We went to gran canaria on 3rd march. We stayed at the Taurito Princess. One pool was heated and the other was way too cold for dd and for us!

Weather was lovely. A little cloudy at times but it was welcome. I am very fair. When it was cloudy and the breeze get up it was a little chilly.

We sat most evenings watching the sunset. Dd had a blanket over her and a hat on and I needed a cardigan.

Would def go back!

Ive been to Tenerife in March and Lanzarote in April. I'm returning to Lanzarote in October as I liked it there better. Tenerife reminded me of that film Cocoon :)

there is no real off-season in the Canaries, and as long as you avoid the very centre of Las Americas in August you'll miss the kiddy-drunks. The senior citizens don't shriek, vomit or destroy things.

I've been in November and January and everything is open.

the sea is the Atlantic, tidal and so not heated. Climate is lovely as it is cool enough to sleep at night, hot in the day but no aircon needed.

loads to see and do on Tenerife, La Gomera and Lanzarote; haven't been to the others.

I've been to Tenerife in January, April and May. Half the week in the April holiday (this year) was quite stormy with cloud/some rain. We did get in the sea on 2/3 days .

Both the January and May holidays were nicely hot and we were in the sea every day - I'm quite a wimp but it was warm enough for me. everything was open all three times (Los Cristianos).

On all occasions only the heated hotel pools were usable, but the hotel we stayed in had several pools, all but one heated.

Thanks all.
I will make sure that wherever we book has a heated pool.

I have been at various times of year.

February most often (half term) the weather can be really nice, or a bit 'bracing'.

last year end of March. Absolutely gorgeous weather - and we were staying in the north side of Tenerife, which is renowned for being cooler than the south.

December - nice sunbathing weather- one or two rainy sessions.

September - very, very warm.

I have been to Tenerife about 6 times. My favourite resorts are the quieter places. Puerto de La Cruz is totally different scenery wise than the southern resorts- but may not be as lively for the DC. Los Christianos and Playa de Las Americas are the most popular- with a lot of activities for everyone.

Lanzarote - a few times there too. Costa Teguise is popular - quite a lot to do. Puerto del Carmen is the busiest resort but I haven't been so can't comment. Playa Blanca is a quietish family resort. My favourite.

Fuerteventura. I have stayed in Costa Caleta(used to be known as Caleta de Fuste) three times. Enough to do for families, but not 'buzzing'. Corralejo is livelier -but I have only been there for day trips. It's generally a quiter island overall- very nice though.

Gran Canaria - i only went once. We stayed in Puerto Rico - and tbh I didn't like it. Seemed to be a lot of touts, and it was just v noisy. But there are quite a few resorts to choose from- and i am sure that it's okay really.

The sea is quite cold even in summer. I do go in, but don't stay long. Some of the waves get quite high, and I don't feel very safe (chicken!). Hotel pools even if heated aren't always that warm - but I could be basing that on my February trips. :)

Thanks Iwantgin. You have given a lot of useful info.

We are thinking of doing two one week holidays. I am now edging more towards France in June and the Canaries in Oct/Nov.

We thought we may as well take advantage and do this before DC is of school age and we have to pay school holiday prices.