Tenerife or Madeira in February?
On climate data, Tenerife comes out ahead overall in February. See the per-criterion details below.
TenerifePhoto: Mark · CC BY 2.0
MadeiraPhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in February
| Criterion | Tenerife | Madeira |
|---|---|---|
| Day | 19 °C ★ | 17 °C |
| Night | 16 °C ★ | 15 °C |
| Sea | 19 °C ★ | 18 °C |
| Rainy days | 5 rainy days ★ | 9 rainy days |
| Sun | 5 h/day ★ | 5 h/day |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Tenerife is drier, with about 4 fewer rainy days.
- The sea at Tenerife is about 1 °C warmer.
Tenerife or Madeira in February: the short answer
In February, Tenerife comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Tenerife 73/100 vs Madeira 60/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
Across the whole year Tenerife averages a climate score of 83/100, Madeira 75/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in February, side by side
By day, Tenerife sits near 19 °C and Madeira near 17 °C — warmer in Tenerife. At night it is roughly 16 °C versus 15 °C.
On rain, Tenerife sees about 5 rainy days in February and Madeira about 9 — drier in Tenerife. Tenerife gets more sunshine (5 vs 5 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In February the water is about 19 °C at Tenerife and 18 °C at Madeira — warmer for swimming at Tenerife. Over the year, Tenerife is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Madeira in June, July, August, September, October and November. Peak sea warmth is September for Tenerife and September for Madeira.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Tenerife records roughly 38 rainy days and Madeira about 87 — the drier of the two overall is Tenerife. At their sunniest, Tenerife reaches about 9 hours of sun a day (June) and Madeira about 9 (June). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Tenerife is at its best in July, August, September and October, while Madeira peaks in June, July, August and September. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the February scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Tenerife scores higher in February.
City breaks: Tenerife scores higher in February.
Active & hiking: Tenerife scores higher in February.
Family: Tenerife scores higher in February.
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For February specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Tenerife carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Tenerife if its strong months and profile match your plan, Madeira if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.