The oldest of the tourist estates of the Canary Islands
The weather in Tenerife
I never quite understood how it took so long for us to find out about the wonderful weather and all year climate of Tenerife. Tenerife features the lowest temperature 'difference' between summer and winter for virtually anywhere in the world. Our weather occasionally includes rain, but there is no specific 'rainy season'. Air conditioning is quite rare, with overhead fans usually providing sufficient air movement to stay cool, even during the height of summer. The minimum and maximum annual average air temperatures in Tenerife are about 15C in winter and 24C in summer. We thus enjoy wonderful weather in one of the world's best and most delightful climates The Island offers a surprising variety of micro-climatic weather zones, enabling people to almost 'choose' their climate, depending on where you live. The Trade winds, together with the refreshing Gulf air currents, are the major weather factors that contribute to Tenerife's climate. The great altitude of Mount Teide gets up to three months of snow - yet it is still possible to enjoy a swim on the beach within an hour's ride. The coastal areas enjoy the most sunshine, the best weather, the least clouds and higher temperatures.
Tenerife Geography
Tenerife, largest of the Canary Islands, is situated 200 miles off the west coast of North West Africa at about 28 degrees latitude and 16.5 degrees longitude. Triangular in shape, the island would fit into a rectangle about 90 km wide by 80 km high and has a road measured perimeter of about 358 km. Mount Teide, the extinct volcano which dominates the centre of the island stands at 12,200 feet high - and is the highest point in Spain. Its peak can be seen from all of the other Canary Islands. The island is full of natural contrasts, the south being totally different, both visually and climatically, to the North. There are vast areas of stunning natural scenery and a tour of Mount Teide quickly reveals why this particular area was chosen as the backdrop to scenes in famous films such as Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and the Ten Commandments. Volcanic cones are distributed randomly over the whole island's surface and contribute to the amazing landscape. Two busy International Airports and a seaport link, ferry about 1 million hot weather seeking tourists from Europe, USA and the rest of the world.
Time Zone:
Tenerife is due south of London, UK, so Tenerife has the same as UTC (GMT).
Tenerife and the Canary Islands are well linked to the rest of the world, with regular connection flights from Madrid international airport, and direct flights from most other European Airports. Ferry services (including vehicle ferries) are mainly from Cadiz (Spanish mainland) and Santa Cruz, Tenerife. Many other smaller operators provide other, less regular but reliable services, e.g. Cardiff (UK) - Tenerife every 3 months. Apart from that, Tenerife is often a ' fine weather stopover' for various cruise ships.
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North Airport (Los Rodeos)
Tenerife North airport is used primarily for domestic flights between Spain and the other Canary islands. Most Spanish National Airline (Iberia) flights use the North airport - so if you are visiting and staying in the South Tenerife, it would generally be advisable to try and arrange a flight that arrives at the Tenerife South airport (Reina Sofia).
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South Airport (Reina Sofia, TFS)
By far the busiest Tenerife airport - Reina Sofia takes most of the incoming international tourist traffic. It has a very long main runway and plans for a second runway, running parallel with the existing runway, has been agreed.
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Port and Marinas
Almost all sea traffic, mainland and inter-island ferries, cruise ships and cargo vessels use the island's northern port at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Most imports to Tenerife must arrive at these docks and be cleared by handling agents before distribution. There are several other smaller ports distributed round the island - Los Cristianos for example is used by the Jet Foil and conventional ferry services between Tenerife and the nearby island of LaGomera. There are a large number of Marinas all round the coast, from which most of the privately owned boats and yachts operate.
Tenerife Culture
I never quite understood how it took so long for us to find out about the wonderful weather and all year climate of Tenerife. Tenerife features the lowest temperature 'difference' between summer and winter for virtually anywhere in the world. Our weather occasionally includes rain, but there is no specific 'rainy season'. Air conditioning is quite rare, with overhead fans usually providing sufficient air movement to stay cool, even during the height of summer. The minimum and maximum annual average air temperatures in Tenerife are about 15C in winter and 24C in summer. We thus enjoy wonderful weather in one of the world's best and most delightful climates The Island offers a surprising variety of micro-climatic weather zones, enabling people to almost 'choose' their climate, depending on where you live. The Trade winds, together with the refreshing Gulf air currents, are the major weather factors that contribute to Tenerife's climate. The great altitude of Mount Teide gets up to three months of snow - yet it is still possible to enjoy a swim on the beach within an hour's ride. The coastal areas enjoy the most sunshine, the best weather, the least clouds and higher temperatures.
Tenerife Leisure
The multinational environment results in a fantastic choice of food. Eating out is cheap and few places can offer the equivalent life-style at such an affordable price. Golf Courses, Night Clubs and a host of other amenities give you that 'mainland' feel. Touring, particularly with the fine weather, is most enjoyable - the island is sufficiently large to ensure it will take you a few years of touring to know the place intimately. A number of high quality beaches are now operational. If your children are keen on In-Line skating, Roller Blading, Skate Boarding, Surfing, Wind surfing, Body Boarding, Tennis, Golf - then they will find the local Spanish, English and kids of other nationalities, around at the local sites and facilities, so tell them they can bring their boards etc. Contact us to find out where the local places for these activities are. Most bars and often restaurants provide entertainment from Quiz nights and karaoke to local singers and comedians, you will find all tastes are covered. Cabaret shows, Casinos, Spectaculars are common and can easily be found. For quieter nights, most hotels and complex's have satellite TV. You can also hire TV's video players and hire videos. There are several English speaking radio stations, Radio FM 95.3 MHz - Power FM 91.2 MHz- Waves FM 96.8 MHz. One of the places we recommend to visit is the public BBQ areas of the National Park of Teide. Many visitors miss this type of day out because it is only normally well known and used by local people. These areas are set in the pine forests, the logs are cut by the forestry dept. and all you have to do is take your food and drinks with you for a great day out. You will often find local Canarian's singing and playing instruments and more often that not if you are brave enough to make the first move they may well adopt you for the day. The fires are shared and if one is alight just ask if you can use it when they have finished. If the weather happens to be poor at sea level, it is often above the clouds and perfect at this altitude. There are several national Lotteries and these tickets are sold almost everywhere.
'mainland' feel. Touring, particularly with the fine weather, is most enjoyable - the island is sufficiently large to ensure it will take you a few years of touring to know the place intimately. A number of high quality beaches are now operational. If your children are keen on In-Line skating, Roller Blading, Skate Boarding, Surfing, Wind surfing, Body Boarding, Tennis, Golf - then they will find the local Spanish, English and kids of other nationalities, around at the local sites and facilities, so tell them they can bring their boards etc. Contact us to find out where the local places for these activities are. Most bars and often restaurants provide entertainment from Quiz nights and karaoke to local singers and comedians, you will find all tastes are covered. Cabaret shows, 
Casinos, Spectaculars are common and can easily be found. For quieter nights, most hotels and complex's have satellite TV. You can also hire TV's video players and hire videos. There are several English speaking radio stations, Radio FM 95.3 MHz - Power FM 91.2 MHz- Waves FM 96.8 MHz. One of the places we recommend to visit is the public BBQ areas of the National Park of Teide. Many visitors miss this type of day out because it is only normally well known and used by local people. These areas are set in the pine forests, the logs are cut by the forestry dept. and all you have to do is take your food and drinks with you for a great day out. You will often find local Canarian's singing and playing instruments and more often that not if you are brave enough to make the first move they may well adopt you for the day. The fires are shared and if one is alight just ask if you can use it when they have finished. If the weather happens to be poor at sea level, it is often above the clouds and perfect at this altitude. There are several national Lotteries and these tickets are sold almost everywhere.