HEAD-TO-HEAD CLIMATOLOGY & COASTAL AUDIT
Tenerife vs Gran Canaria: Canary Islands Beach Guide
Tenerife offers black volcanic sand coves under Mount Teide and golden Sahara sand at Las Teresitas. Gran Canaria provides the sweeping golden dunes of Maspalomas and sheltered south-coast family coves.
The Verdict at a Glance: Tenerife for dramatic volcanic contrasts; Gran Canaria for endless Sahara-style dunes and year-round winter warmth.
Direct Coastal Comparison
Spain
Tenerife
Peak Sea Temp (NOAA)23.2°C
Average Water Clarity4.7 / 5.0
Sand vs Pebble100% Sand
Average Daily Budget~€57/day
Beach Profiles3 beaches
Spain
Gran Canaria
Peak Sea Temp (NOAA)22.9°C
Average Water Clarity4.5 / 5.0
Sand vs Pebble100% Sand
Average Daily Budget~€55/day
Beach Profiles4 beaches
12-Month Sea Temperature Comparison (30-Year NOAA Baseline)
Comparing average coastal ocean temperatures month by month to help you choose the best time for swimming.
Jan
19.7°
19.6°
Feb
19°
18.9°
Mar
19°
18.9°
Apr
19.3°
19.3°
May
20.2°
20.1°
Jun
21.5°
21.3°
Jul
22.2°
21.9°
Aug
23.2°
22.8°
Sep
23.8°
23.3°
Oct
23.6°
23.2°
Nov
22.3°
22.1°
Dec
20.9°
20.7°
Tenerife Gran Canaria
Top Beaches: Tenerife vs Gran Canaria
Featured Tenerife Coves
4.5
San Andres, Tenerife, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
2nd Longest swim season in Atlantic Ocean · 191 days
23.2°C sea
61/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Cars from €26/d
4.5
Taganana, Tenerife, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
3rd Longest swim season in Atlantic Ocean · 191 days
23.2°C sea
46/day
Black Sand
37°C• Scenic
Cars from €32/d
4.4
Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
Longest swim season in Atlantic Ocean · 193 days
23.1°C sea
64/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Cars from €32/dFeatured Gran Canaria Coves
4.5
La Aldea, Gran Canaria, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
2nd Highest scenery score in Atlantic Ocean
22.9°C sea
41/day
Black Sand
37°C• Scenic
Cars from €26/d
4.5
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
22.7°C sea
49/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Cars from €32/d
4.4
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
22.7°C sea
65/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Cars from €32/d
4.3
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain•Atlantic Ocean
22.7°C sea
65/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Cars from €29/d