Is Gran Canaria sunnier than Dakhla?

Dakhla is the sunnier: about 3,691 hours of sunshine a year versus 3,298 — a difference of 393 hours.

Which is warmer, Gran Canaria or Dakhla?

Dakhla is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 28°C (82°F) versus 22°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Gran Canaria or Dakhla?

Dakhla scores better across November–February: 100/100 average versus 93, with daytime highs around 25°C.

Which has the warmer sea, Gran Canaria or Dakhla?

Gran Canaria — its sea peaks at about 23°C (73°F) versus 22°C.

Gran Canaria vs Dakhla: which is sunnier?

🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇪🇭 Western Sahara · 472 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Dakhla is the sunnier overall: about 3,691 hours of sunshine a year to Gran Canaria's 3,298. Dakhla has the higher Sunshine Score in 6 of 12 months, Gran Canaria in 2 (4 within 2 points).

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Gran Canaria	Dakhla
Sunshine hours / year	3,298	3,691
Sunniest month	May (98/100)	January (100/100)
Nov–Feb average score	93/100	100/100
Jun–Aug average score	98/100	96/100
Rain / year	157 mm	58 mm
Warmest sea	23°C / 73°F	22°C / 72°F
Peak midday UV	10 (very high)	11 (extreme)

Gran Canaria vs Dakhla month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Gran Canaria	Dakhla	Gran Canaria	Dakhla	Gran Canaria	Dakhla	Gran Canaria	Dakhla
January	95	100	20°	24°	18	2	21°	18°
February	87	99	19°	25°	22	3	20°	19°
March	96	99	20°	27°	15	5	20°	18°
April	97	100	20°	27°	10	1	21°	19°
May	98	100	21°	28°	6	2	21°	19°
June	98	100	23°	30°	2	1	22°	20°
July	98	100	24°	32°	2	0	22°	20°
August	98	89	24°	33°	5	5	23°	22°
September	97	88	25°	33°	8	14	23°	21°
October	96	96	24°	30°	17	20	23°	21°
November	94	99	22°	27°	24	3	22°	21°
December	94	100	21°	25°	28	2	22°	20°

The sunnier month by month: Jan Dakhla · Feb Dakhla · Mar Dakhla · Apr Dakhla · May even · Jun even · Jul even · Aug Gran Canaria · Sep Gran Canaria · Oct even · Nov Dakhla · Dec Dakhla.

When to pick which

November–February: Dakhla (average score 100/100 vs 93). Dakhla is the warmer, around 25°C daytime highs vs 21°C. See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: Dakhla (average score 100/100 vs 97). Dakhla is the warmer, around 27°C daytime highs vs 20°C.
June–August: too close to call — Gran Canaria averages 98/100, Dakhla 96/100. Dakhla is the warmer, around 32°C daytime highs vs 24°C.
September–October: Gran Canaria (average score 97/100 vs 92). Dakhla is the warmer, around 32°C daytime highs vs 25°C.

Sea temperature

Gran Canaria's sea gets warmer: 23°C / 73°F at its peak vs 22°C. Swimmable water (21°C+): Gran Canaria about 10 months a year, Dakhla about 4 months a year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Gran Canaria weather by month · Dakhla weather by month · Best time to visit Spain.

More comparisons: Gran Canaria vs Agadir (Temsia) · Gran Canaria vs Tenerife · Gran Canaria vs Lanzarote · Dakhla vs Nouakchott · Dakhla vs Tenerife · Dakhla vs Fuerteventura · all head-to-heads