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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Anyone currently in the Canary Islands?

18 replies

Lavendersquare · 12/02/2023 10:54

We are due to fly out next week for a week in Gran Canaria. When we booked in early December the weather was consistently around 24° and looked sunny and settled. However every day I check and it's now around 19-21° and mainly cloudy.

I'm now worried about what to pack, being cold especially in the evenings, and whether we've made an expensive mistake booking this half term 'treat' for the family.

So please give me your advice on what to pack? will I need a coat? Will it be warm enough for the beach? Anything else I haven't thought of??

Tia

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Notimeforaname · 12/02/2023 13:17

Even in December with day temperatures of 22+ you still usually need a jacket in the evenings.

I went to GC end of april/beginning of may a few years ago and needed at least a denim jacket every evening. You could be lucky and get a exceptionally hot spell that week but dont bank on it.

Went to tenerife in November once and even with the wind in the day time, sometimes I needed somthing light over my arms.
So yes bring a few cardigans, little jackets or wraps. Unless the outdoor pool is heated it will feel chilly getting in and out.

I'm going to tenerife for Easter and bringing more jackets and less bikinis than I do in my August/September holidays.

Notimeforaname · 12/02/2023 13:19

South of gran canaria is always a little warmer than the rest. So make sure youre checking the temperature locally and not just GC as an Island..
like just now I have Googled "temperature gran canaria" and 17 degrees came up. Then I googled Puerto rico gran canaria it comes up 22 degrees.

Notimeforaname · 12/02/2023 13:22

I just picked Puerto Rico as its known to be the warmest part of the island.

Anyone currently in the Canary Islands?
Anyone currently in the Canary Islands?
Fairysilver · 12/02/2023 13:26

Just back on Friday.
I have been at this time of year many times. People are often unrealistic in expectations, it is winter there.
February you can expect warm sunshine most days and cool evenings. Think September in UK.
Pack shorts and t shirts for day and trousers withe a t shirt and warm fleece fir evenings if you leave the hotel.
I didn't take any sandals otpr strappy summer dresses, it's not like the med in summer.
Except the weather can change during the day dramatically.
Normally I recommend a fortnight in winter so a few bad days don't spoil it.
Last week we had
5 days solid sunshine low 20s.
Half a day heavy rain (rare)
Half a day of cloud
1 day hazy sun and cool breeze.
It was perfect for me, feel set up now until spring.
Enjoy your holiday.

Fairysilver · 12/02/2023 13:31

Just to add I swam in the sea, it's never warm in the sea in Canaries as it's the Atlantic but at this time of year it can still be warm enough to swim.
You definitely need a heated pool. I once took teenagers in April and they were disappointed not to be able to spend all day in the pool as it was freezing.
All the weather apps were completely wrong. These are tiny islands mid ocean and have their own micro climates. The forecast said cloud every day and there wasn't a single day without several hours of sun. The temperature is measured in the shade.
I was never hot, but comfortable in a bikini every day except one.

BirdyBoop · 12/02/2023 13:50

We often go to Tenerife in November or February. We've had it 25 degrees at hottest and about 15 at coolest.

I'd take shorts and T-shirts but also jumpers and trousers, and a jacket for the evenings.

It probably won't be beach sunbathing weather, but it'll still be much warmer than here!

hellswelshy · 13/02/2023 15:49

Hi op just got back from Gran Canaria last week, it was lovely weather! Temperatures definitely higher than it was showing on the forecast. That said, I'd pack for spring weather generally. Dresses and shorts fine for the day, but trousers and layers for the evening.

user1471447665 · 13/02/2023 17:48

We go every February half term - to Puerto Rico/Amadores area. Last year rain was forecast and I was feeling fed up about it but when we arrived we actually had one of our sunniest weeks and not a drop of rain. I feel the cold and was fine in summer dresses and sandals at night.

YesitsBess · 13/02/2023 17:52

I'm sitting by the pool in Tenerife right at this moment! The weather says 20 but it's felt a lot warmer (except during a sudden monsoon last Friday). I'd say bring a wrap, light overlayer and whatever coats you're wearing to the airport. The only time we needed more layers this week was for an impromptu trip up a volcano at night!

My son has been in shorts resolutely all week.

KnottyKnitting · 15/02/2023 00:23

I just got back from Lanzarote- the weather has been just awful! Have been stuck in a dust cloud for the past 4 days- couldn't see a damn thing!

KangarooKenny · 15/02/2023 07:40

I always take a jacket with hood, scarf, jeans and boots at this time of year.

Blueberrycreampie · 15/02/2023 18:14

Gran Canaria on Monday was smoggy - like a thick layer of dust in the air which was unpleasant, but Tenerife yesterday was brighter and warmer so maybe Gran Canaria will be the same. We were in Las Palmas - around the port area so it could be different where you're going?

Lavendersquare · 15/02/2023 18:25

Thanks for all the updates, I'm going to take a bit of everything and so should have all the bases covered. Just hope that the sandstorms have passed, they sound awful x

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Lavendersquare · 26/02/2023 00:26

Well, we're back and the weather was bloody wonderful, officially around 20° but actually felt much warmer. Apart from one cloudy afternoon it was perfect weather for the pool/beach. I'm definitely going back next year for some winter sun again.

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Fairysilver · 26/02/2023 13:42

Glad you enjoyed it!
We used to go every year before DC so 80s and early 90s. Even went on honeymoon in January.
I love that feeling of a taste of summer in the midst of our winter.
Possible to have awful weather though. We were there early this month and had a glorious week but others since then not so lucky.
The first time I went (about 1985) I naively packed the same as I would take to Greece and we had a week of cold and rain.

Lavendersquare · 27/02/2023 14:33

Fairysilver · 26/02/2023 13:42

Glad you enjoyed it!
We used to go every year before DC so 80s and early 90s. Even went on honeymoon in January.
I love that feeling of a taste of summer in the midst of our winter.
Possible to have awful weather though. We were there early this month and had a glorious week but others since then not so lucky.
The first time I went (about 1985) I naively packed the same as I would take to Greece and we had a week of cold and rain.

We thought the weather was lovely but a fair few people were grumbling that it wasn't as good as usual. I packed for every eventuality but definitely packed too many jumpers/jeans so next time won't be so pessimistic when packing.

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RedCarsGoFaster · 27/02/2023 14:40

We're going in 2wks, so it's reassuring to know it's been warm already! It's a non heated pool at our hotel though, which is a shame but I'll probably still get in 😂

Lavendersquare · 27/02/2023 15:45

RedCarsGoFaster · 27/02/2023 14:40

We're going in 2wks, so it's reassuring to know it's been warm already! It's a non heated pool at our hotel though, which is a shame but I'll probably still get in 😂

@RedCarsGoFaster good luck with an unheated pool, I hope you're brave 🥶

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