Your internet guide to Arguineguin!

Arguineguín sits on the sun-drenched south-west coast of Gran Canaria, a spot sailors once chose for its calm seas and fishermen for its predictable skies. Thanks to a ring of low mountains behind the village and the warm Canary Current in front of it, the town enjoys some of the steadiest weather in the entire archipelago. Days feel spring-like even in mid-winter, and the word “off-season” means little to locals who eat outdoors almost every evening.

Sheltered from Atlantic extremes

The surrounding terrain acts like a natural windbreak. Trade winds that batter the north coast slow to a gentle breeze by the time they reach Arguineguín, and passing clouds tend to scrape the mountain tops before they can cast much shade over the harbour. The result is a micro-climate a couple of degrees warmer—and noticeably drier—than Las Palmas in the north or even Maspalomas just around the headland. Residents can trace the difference on days when incoming flights divert to the capital in drizzle while local beaches stay bone-dry.

Monthly averages at a glance

The pattern is clear even at a glance: daytime highs hover in the high teens or low twenties all year, nudging toward 26 °C in August, while nights rarely slip below 12 °C. Sea temperatures shadow the air, hitting 23 °C in late summer and never sinking far below 19 °C, so morning swims are feasible in every season.

Mild winters you can dine outside

From December to February the mercury seldom falls enough to warrant more than a light jacket after sunset. Outdoor terraces stay open, and cafés keep their heaters in storage. With only three or four showery days each winter month, most visitors squeeze in a daily walk along the promenade without consulting the forecast. Many regulars favour January for its soft light and quieter beaches, a combination that lets them soak up six hours of sun without summer crowds.

Summer warmth without the scorch

July and August arrive warm but not punishing. While mainland Spain broils past 35 °C, Arguineguín’s afternoon highs sit comfortably around 25 – 26 °C. A dry marine breeze and low humidity keep the sweat factor down, and evenings cool just enough for a good night’s sleep. Locals know to watch for brief calima events—dust-laden winds from the Sahara—that can spike temperatures for a day or two, yet those episodes end as quickly as they start.

Rainfall: sparse and short-lived

The town averages fewer than 200 mm of rain a year, with the bulk squeezed into late autumn. Showers usually blow through in under an hour, making umbrellas an uncommon sight. The past winter was even drier than usual, part of a Canarian trend noted by the state meteorological agency, so water-tankers became a more familiar sight in hillside barrios. Locals respond by collecting rainwater on flat roofs and switching gardens to drought-tolerant succulents.

Sea temperature for year-round swims

Ask any resident why they settled here and many will point to the water. Surfers suit up in shorties during January’s 19 °C lows, while snorkellers go without neoprene from May onward. September treats swimmers to bath-warm 23 °C seas that linger into October, long after Atlantic beaches further north turn chilly. The gentle slope of Las Marañuelas beach means knee-deep shallows warm quickly, ideal for children and cautious paddlers.

Choosing the best month for your plans

If hiking tops your agenda, aim for March or April when the hills bloom with pink tajinaste flowers and daytime highs stay around 20 °C. Photographers love November for dramatic sunsets filtered through thin cloud, while dedicated sun-seekers chase the highest UV index in June and July. Families often pick early May: waterparks have reopened, prices remain off-peak, and rainfall is almost nil. Anglers, meanwhile, mark September for the start of the wahoo run just offshore.

Packing tips from locals

Pack layers rather than heavy coats—think linen shirts, a fleece for late nights, and a light rain shell if you visit in November. The breeze can turn cool on a boat excursion, so a windbreaker earns its luggage space. Bring reef-safe sunscreen year-round; the UV index peaks at an “Extreme” 11 in high summer but still hits a respectable 5 even in mid-winter. Sturdy trainers will serve you better than flip-flops on coastal paths paved with volcanic rock, and a reusable water bottle is a must in the dry air.

Whether you come to escape northern frost or mainland heat, the horizon here greets you with a familiar sight: the Atlantic shimmering under reliable sunshine, framed by fishing boats that have learned to trust the sky above Arguineguín.