Tenerife in March is when the island really begins to blossom. Although the water is still a little chilly, daytime air temperatures are much higher than in most of Europe. You may witness Easter and St Patrick’s Day celebrations or head off hiking, and it’s also warm enough to sunbathe in the southern resorts.
Even though March is technically the first month of spring, it’s still often cold and gloomy in most of Europe. So why not escape all that by planning a holiday to a place where you can find lots of sunshine, fresh fruit and revitalising ocean air in March? The good news is that this place is not far away at all. It’s the largest of the Canary Islands – Tenerife.
The Canaries’ proximity to Africa and subtropical climate guarantee good weather in Tenerife pretty much all year round. The temperature in Tenerife in March is rising (not that it was cold even in December, January or February). There are fewer visitors than during peak season, meaning you’re more likely to get a good deal on your flights and accommodation.
The weather in March causes visible differences on the island. As spring begins, Tenerife really starts to blossom. Wildflowers are in bloom, and the fact that March sees some of the largest waves of the year is a bonus for surfing fans.
If you want to really see Teide National Park at its very best, then at the start of spring you may be lucky enough to see both a snow-capped peak and the lower slopes clad in colourful spring flowers.
So what is Tenerife like in March? Here’s everything you need to know about the weather, events and the pros and cons of visiting the island during the first month of spring.
Air Temperature
With the onset of spring, the air temperature is beginning to warm up more quickly. The climate in March is mild rather than hot.
In the south of the island, night-time temperatures range from 16 to 18°C, and during the day between 20 and 23°C. During a sunny, calm afternoon, it can sometimes feel as if it’s 30°C, but by evening, the temperature may have dropped sharply. Expect cool evenings in Tenerife during March.
The warmest part of Tenerife in March is the south, and in the north it can be a different story. Places like Santa Cruz de Tenerife have more average rainfall and cooler temperatures than southern resorts like Playa de Las Americas.
In Puerto de la Cruz, average highs are around 15 to 17°C during the day and 11 to 13°C at night. We recommend choosing a southern resort such as Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje for your holiday in March.
Teide volcano and the mountains nearby protect this side of the island from trade winds. These blow in from the Atlantic on the northern side of Tenerife. If you do plan to take day trips to the north, make sure you pack some warmer clothes.
The western side – where you’ll find the resorts of Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje and Los Gigantes – is also a great choice. In fact Los Gigantes is said to be the warmest place on the whole island. The temperature tends to be a few degrees higher here than in southern resorts, with more sunny days.
To find out the average high temperature in the north or the average low in the south – and vice versa – check out this temperature comparison table.
P.S. The heatwave in the second part of the month you can see in the chart below was brought by calima. It’s a phenomenon when the dust comes from the Sahara desert to the Canary Islands making the air quality bad and rising temperatures on the island. Calima can happen any time of the year.
North vs South March Temperature Comparison Chart
Sunshine
Tenerife gets around seven hours of sunshine and a dozen daylight hours per day in March. The sun rises at about 7am and sets at around 7.30pm. This changes at the end of March, though, when the clocks go forward by one hour.
If you watch local forecasts, you’ll notice that the UV index starts rising in March. Though lower than in July and August, the average reading is 8. This is much higher than during the winter months. So don’t be shy with the sun cream!
Rainfall
In southern resorts, most days in March are clear or partly cloudy. You will rarely experience any rain in the south.
In the north, showers can be more frequent in March. But even there, rain is fairly rare. During 2022, for example, there were seven rainy days in the north – but only during a couple of these was it raining all day long. Mostly, you’ll experience short-lived showers. If you are planning to travel to the northern part of Tenerife, though, taking an umbrella with you is a wise move.
Due to the higher probability of rain on the northern side of the island, we recommend choosing one of the sunnier southern resorts as your base for a Tenerife holiday in March.
Normally by March, the snow that fell during winter onto the slopes of Mount Teide has melted away without a trace. Sometimes, though, Teide may still get some snow. So do come prepared if you plan to visit the volcano.
Water Temperature
Following the winter, the sea temperature in Tenerife during March remains at around 19°C. It’s great sunbathing weather, but the Atlantic Ocean doesn’t really start to warm up until the end of March and into April.
Can You Swim in Tenerife in March?
Swimming isn’t exactly number one on the list of things to do on the island at the beginning of Spring.
The water is not particularly comfortable for many, as this low temperature is as cold as the ocean gets. Whether or not to take a dip depends on the individual, and how they tolerate cooler temperatures. For some, the average sea temperature of 19°C is warm enough to go for a swim.
If you do want to enter the water, southern areas are slightly warmer. In shallower water and in small coves, the water temperature can also be a couple of degrees higher.
Your best bet, though, is to choose a hotel with a heated pool in March.
Siam Park
The largest water park on the island is open all year long so it’s one of the best activities you can do in March.
Siam Park’s water is heated to a comfortable 24°C. Still, we would recommend checking the weather forecast and choosing a warmer, sunnier day. The air can be chilly outside of the daily highs of later spring, summer, and early autumn. For more tips, don’t miss our ultimate guide to Siam Park.
What to Pack for Tenerife in March
For resorts in southern Tenerife, we recommend packing your favourite summer clothes for daytime. Plus something a little warmer for chilly evenings, or day trips to northern parts and the Teide area.
For daytime wear, pack T-shirts and shorts or light dresses, and sandals or flip flops. Also don’t forget a swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat or cap.
During the evening you’ll need a sweater, fleece, cardigan or light jacket. Jeans or long trousers are also a good idea, as it can be only 18 to 20°C after 6pm.
If you plan to visit the northern part of Tenerife, take a rain jacket and an umbrella with you. For exploring on foot, pack some comfortable trainers, or for more serious hiking, take proper walking boots with you.
If you plan to reach the top of Teide via cable car, you’ll need to take something even warmer. The temperature can actually be zero degrees at the summit in March. A down jacket plus a warm hat and gloves are recommended. It could be warmer and you won’t need them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Events in March
Semana Santa
If Easter falls during March, then you can expect to see seasonal celebrations taking place in Tenerife. Especially in spots like Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava. Semana Santa translates as Easter or Holy Week.
Rather than chocolate and egg hunts, Easter celebrations in Tenerife centre on more spiritual matters and the concept of rebirth. Starting on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos), processions, the waving of palm branches and blessings become the norm in some areas.
On Good Friday, La Laguna marks the occasion with parades of masked, hooded characters, with manacled monks following in their footsteps. On Calle Grande in Adeje, a reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ also takes place from midday.
If the kids hanker after their usual chocolate treats, you may find Easter eggs in some of the island’s larger supermarkets.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations take place in the Irish pubs of southern Tenerife on 17th March. Expect live music until late at night, comical fancy dress (with lots of green) and a party atmosphere in places like Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.
Pros and Cons
In summary, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of taking a break in Tenerife during March.
Pros of Visiting in March
- The Canaries are really the only warm location in Europe during March. So if you want to swap a chilly March for a coppery tan, you won’t find a cheaper and closer destination than Tenerife.
- There are fewer visitors in March than during peak season. This means you’re more likely to get a good deal on flights and accommodation. During European schools’ Easter holidays, though, people do flock to Tenerife once more.
- March is great for hiking. Nature really wakes up here in spring. The landscape is much more lush and beautiful, with blooming flowers and other plants to be seen all over the north. Plus it’s not as hot as later in the year, during spring and summer.
- In early spring, you can see Teide National Park at the very pinnacle of its beauty. This is when the flowers on the lower slopes start to bloom. If you’re lucky, the summit may also still be wearing a snowy cap.
- Surfing and water sports in Tenerife are at their best in March. There’s great wave action in El Medano, as well as in northern coastal regions.
- When Easter falls in March, you can witness the island’s dazzling displays of religious fervour. Holy Week or Semana Santa is celebrated during the week leading up to Easter in most locations, but especially in La Laguna.
- If you are wondering what to do in Tenerife in March, the good news is that you can do pretty much what you might like to at any other time of the year. No activities really depend on the season here.
Cons of Visiting in March
- At 19°C on average, the ocean is still a little too chilly for swimming. It’s good sunbathing weather though. A later month would be better if you really want to swim in the sea. If you’re determined, try seeking out small coves with shallow water in the south, where the temperature can be a couple of degrees warmer.
- If you want to stay in the north of the island, March is not the best time to come to Tenerife. It can still be wet or chilly in this part of the island, which is why we recommend staying in the south.
