Canary Islands
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Best conditions around August 24
Year-round trade winds; Atlantic conditions, swell.
Best time to sail
Best time to sail in Spain
The best time to sail in Spain is May to October, with peak conditions in May and June.
That verdict comes from 1991–2020 climate normals — wind, rain, sunshine, and air temperature — scored week by week for charter conditions across 4 sailing areas.
Spain offers sailors an almost unfair choice: sun-drenched Balearic calas in summer, volcanic Canary Island trade winds in winter, and rugged Catalan coastline in between. Here is everything you need to plan a charter, wherever in Spain the wind takes you.
Sailing conditions in Spain, month by month
Mean weekly values across our sailing areas in Spain. The sail score weighs wind, rain, sun, and temperature — and discounts tropical-storm season where one applies.
Temperature (°C)
- Air
- Water
Wind (kn)
Rain (mm/day)
Sun (h/day)
| Month | Sail score | Wind (kn) | Rain (mm/day) | Sun (h/day) | Temp (°C) | Water (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Fair | 7 | 1.3 | 12 | 10 | 17 |
| February | Fair | 7 | 1.1 | 12 | 10 | 16 |
| March | Fair | 8 | 1.2 | 12 | 11 | 17 |
| April | Fair | 8 | 1.2 | 12 | 13 | 18 |
| May | Excellent | 7 | 1.3 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| June * | Excellent | 7 | 0.7 | 12 | 20 | 23 |
| July * | Good | 6 | 0.5 | 12 | 23 | 25 |
| August * | Good | 6 | 0.7 | 12 | 23 | 26 |
| September * | Good | 6 | 1 | 12 | 20 | 25 |
| October * | Good | 7 | 1.8 | 12 | 17 | 23 |
| November * | Fair | 7 | 2.2 | 12 | 13 | 20 |
| December | Fair | 8 | 1.4 | 12 | 11 | 18 |
Months marked * fall inside the tropical-storm season.
Tropical storm season: June to November
Parts of Spain sit inside a tropical-cyclone basin. Monthly climate averages smooth over rare but severe storms, so the sail score discounts the weeks from June to November. Check cancellation terms, insurance, and your operator's storm policy before booking inside this window.
Sailing areas in Spain
Every area below is scored individually in the interactive calendar; where we have an in-depth guide, it's linked.
Costa Brava
Beginner-friendly
Best conditions around July 27
Catalan rocky cliffs and Cap de Creus — short distances, easy bases.
Ibiza & Formentera
Beginner-friendly
Best conditions around July 27
Short hops, beach clubs, summer party vibe.
Mallorca & Menorca
Intermediate
Best conditions around July 27
Mallorca-Menorca-Cabrera; reliable winds and turquoise calas.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sail in Spain?
May to October offers the most reliable conditions, with May and June scoring best for wind, rain, sunshine, and temperature in the 1991–2020 climate normals.
When is the cheapest time to charter in Spain?
The shoulder months — May and October — usually combine good sailing conditions with fewer crowds and lower charter prices than the peak in May and June.
When is tropical storm season in Spain?
From June to November. Climate averages hide rare but severe storms, so treat this window with care: check cancellation terms and weather routing before booking.
How warm is it in Spain in May?
Around 16 °C air temperature on average in May, with about 12 hours of sun a day.
How warm is the water in Spain in May?
Around 20 °C sea-surface temperature on average in May, based on 2023–2025 marine averages.