Climate of Fuerteventura – what weather to expect on the second largest of the Canary Islands

Only about a hundred kilometres (or 62 miles) separate the island of Fuerteventura, in the Spanish archipelago of the Canaries from the coast of Africa.

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The proximity of the desert of Sahara is responsible for the warm weather experienced on the island across all seasons; the north east trade winds and the Canary current prevent the temperatures  in Tenerife from getting too high – a combination which results in mild and stable weather and a status of a year-round holiday destination.

The arid, lunar-like landscapes of the island’s interior are surrounded by over 150 beaches along the coast, which, together with the great climate, make Fuerteventura one of the best beach destinations within an easy reach from mainland Europe.

Fuerteventura – the island of sun
Much like the other Canary Islands, Fuerteventura registers over 300 sunny days per year. The sunniest month are June to August, with an average of 10 hours of sunshine. In the Canary ‘winter’, the weather is still generous and even in December and January the tourists are likely to enjoy up to 6 hours of sun per day.  

See detailed Fuerteventura weather information.

Temperatures in Fuerteventura
As mentioned before, oppressive heat is not a problem in Tenerife, where the daytime temperatures vary between 17°C in the winter and 27°C at the peak of summer.

Thanks to the constant breeze from the sea, or from the Atlantic Ocean to be correct, even during the warmest months in Tenerife the temperatures are comfortable.

The same cannot be said, however, about the water temperature, which because of the cold Canary Current are always a bit more chilly than you might expect when looking at the air temperature.  With the max. water temperature of 22°C registered between August and October,  Fuerteventura cannot compare to destinations in, for example, Mediterranean.

Always windy in Fuerteventura
Despite the fairly cool waters, Fuerteventura is a popular destination amongst surfers, due to excellent offshore wind conditions. Dubbed as ‘The Hawaii’ of Europe, the island offers year-round conditions for surf on all levels.

The summer months are recommended for beginners as the waves are, in general, smaller. From October to May, the strong swell creates perfect conditions for advanced surfers looking to get barrelled.

On land, strong gusts of wind are rare, however moderate breeze is experienced on the islands throughout the year.

Occasionally, Fuerteventura is exposed to a hot and dry wind blowing from the Sahara, which brings a lot of dust/sand. Some travellers, especially the ones suffering from asthma, may find the dust cloud uncomfortable. Staying indoors, in air conditioned  spaces is recommended during the dust cloud periods.

Is there a rainy season of Fuerteventura?
With an average of only 105 mm of rainfall per year, Fuerteventura is one of the driest Canary Islands.

December and January are the ‘wettest’ months, although even during that time you should not expect more than 4 to 5 days of rain per month. Even then the rainfall is usually limited to short showers.

From June to August, rain is practically inexistent and in the remaining months, also very rare. 

Read also: Fuerteventura attractions: what to do in Caleta de Fuste?