Tenerife Weather in December - Is it hot enough to sunbathe?

We get this question quite often here at Guide to Canary Islands: what's the weather like in December in Tenerife? How warm will it be and can you sunbathe in Tenerife in December?

Let's also not forget: which is the warmest Canary Island in winter? Where should I go to get my winter tan?

Understandably, people from the UK and mainland Europe are desperate to escape the cold back home and the Canaries are the best choice for winter sun.

Is Tenerife still hot in December?

If hot and sunny is what you're after, then Tenerife is your best bet in December in Europe.

With its privileged position (only 4 hours away from the UK and mainland Spain), Tenerife is also known as the island of the eternal spring.

With Mount Teide situated centrally on the island, Tenerife has many microclimates and the weather can be very different from one coast to the other, depending on which side of Mount Teide you are on.

What's Tenerife like in December

Which resort or town is the best for a winter holiday in Tenerife?

Weather in Tenerife South in December

The south of the island is always warmer and sunnier than the North, with fewer rainy days, especially during the winter months. Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje are the most popular resorts in the south if you're still wondering where to stay in Tenerife.

In Tenerife South, the weather is just warm enough to spend the day on the beach and even go in for a swim, although the ocean water is considerably cooler in winter compared to the summer months.

Temperatures in Tenerife in December

In December in Tenerife, the temperature can go up to mid 20°C, but most days will have temperatures ranging between 20 - 23°C.

• Average high temperature: 22.7°C  (80.2°F)
• Average low temperature: 16.5°C  (68°F)
• Daily mean temperature: 19.6°C  (71°F)

In Tenerife South, the daily mean temperature is 19.6°C in October, which is calculated as a mean between the average high temperature of 22.7°C and the average low of 19.6°C. 

Record low & record high temperatures

The highest temperature ever recorded in Tenerife in October (at Tenerife South Airport station) was 30°C and the lowest temperature was 10.4°C.

Can you sunbathe in Tenerife in December?

Yes, you can definitely sunbathe in Tenerife in December. Tenerife, particularly in the southern parts like Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, and Los Cristianos, enjoys warm and sunny weather throughout the year, including the winter months. 

Sea temperature in December in Tenerife South

This is the average temperature for the sea temperature in December in Playa de las Americas:

• Average water temperature: 20.9°C / 69.6°F

Can you swim in Tenerife in December?

Yes, you can definitely swim in December, although some people will complain the sea is too cold to truly enjoy the experience.

If you feel the ocean water is too cold to go in, then take into consideration booking a hotel or apartment that has access to a heated swimming pool. Siam Park also has heated water to 24 °C in all their installations, so it's still great for a visit even in December.

Rainfall

• Average rainfall: 31 mm
• Average rainy days: 4

In theory, December is the wettest month in Tenerife.

But, as we've said previously, the weather in the north can be very different from the south, so you should expect more rainy days in winter if you go to Puerto de la Cruz for example, compared to Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje and the rest of the south.

From an average of 2 rainy days in November in Tenerife, this number rises to 4 even in the south of the island, and in the north, there will be even more wet days. Even so, we think the weather is still better than in most other places in Europe and you have high chances of spending a warm Christmas on the beach.

Sunshine hours

• Monthly sunshine hours in December: 197
• Daily average sunshine hours: 6.5
• UV Index: 4

Tenerife gets an average of 7 hours/day of sunshine in October. The days are getting shorter, but there's still enough sunshine left for you to get your daily portion of vitamin D.

The UV index is situated at a 4 on a scale that goes up to 11 as max.

Calima in December

Calima is a phenomenon where a hot wave of wind and sand arrives in the Canary Islands from the Sahara, and the temperatures rise above their normal rate and the air is filled with sand.

Calima can appear during the summer months, as well as during the winter months, but it's hard to predict when it will happen so you just have no way of guessing.

What to pack for a winter break in Tenerife

First of all... your bathing suit, of course!

In the evenings it can get chilly, even in the south, so a cardigan or a light jacket is a must. Or even both.

It would be better if you can bring a raincoat that protects you also from the wind, that can feel cooler in the evening.

On most days though, when it's nice and sunny, a T-shirt and shorts will be all you need.

For kids, you could also buy a wetsuit, that will protect them from the sun, as well as reduce the shock if the water is cold. You can get a wetsuit for yourself also, it's very useful even if you don't practice surfing and nowadays you can find many options in many price ranges, it doesn't have to be top of the top.

For more info on the subject, you can read our article about what to wear in Tenerife.

Is it worth going to Tenerife in December?

Main square in Candelaria, situated right next to the church Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria

La Laguna had it's first Christmas market in 2016. So this may become a tradition in Tenerife, with more municipalities trying to organize events during the Christmas period.

A sunny day on Playa de las Teresitas is all you need - with its golden imported sand, this beach is lovely and has a great atmosphere. So, who says you can't get your tan even in the north of Tenerife?

Gorgeous sunset in Tenerife - This is a view towards the island of La Gomera.

New Year's Fireworks in Los Cristianos

View of snowy Teide

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See a full guide of things to do in Tenerife 

Here are just a few ideas and photos of Tenerife in December:

1. Spend a day on Playa de las Teresitas 

With its golden imported sand, this beach is lovely and has a great atmosphere. So, who says you can't get your tan even in the north of Tenerife?

2. Visit Los Gigantes

This is a photo of the beach in Los Gigantes in December: quiet and less crowded than during the summer months, although the sun is shining brightly over the giant cliffs.

3. Climb to the top of Mount Teide

Teide's peak is often white during winter - it is after all the tallest peak in all of Spain. It's a nice thing to lay on the beach in the south and admire the snowy peak of the Teide Volcano from a distance, but it's even nicer to go up there and admire the view from up top.

• Includes transport from the North and South of the island
• Official guide
• Includes Teide cable car ticket
• Discover the most visited National Park in Spain

4. Go somewhere special to watch a spectacular sunset

The sunset on the island is gorgeous no matter the season and you see many recommendations of romantic spots for sunset in our dedicated article about the best sunsets in Tenerife.

5. Visit Jungle Park 

Visiting Jungle Park can be a great day out with the kids when you want to take a break from the beach, or you're looking for something to do on an overcast day.

6. New Year's Eve in Tenerife

People are celebrating New Year's all over the island, with fiestas organized in most towns. In the gallery, you can see a photo from the beach in Los Cristianos at midnight. A cardigan or a light jacket will suffice on most nights.

 7. Go to San Cristobal de La Laguna

La Laguna had it's first Christmas market in 2016. So this may become a tradition in Tenerife, with more municipalities trying to organize events during the Christmas period.

8. Visit Candelaria to see the best Belen de Navidad in Tenerife

A lovely town on the east coast, close to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, great to explore if you want to see more of the local life. In the photo gallery, you can see the main square, situated right next to the Church and it offers great views over the Atlantic Ocean.