If you can choose when to visit La Palma, here is what any local guide will tell you: September and October are the island's best-kept secret. The August crowds go home, the sea reaches its warmest temperature of the year, and flights and accommodation get cheaper. Here is what to expect, month by month.
Quick answer: yes, it is absolutely worth it. In September and October La Palma has 22-27°C on the coast, the warmest sea of the year (23-24°C), fewer crowds and better prices. And September also brings the last kayak departures of the season.
The weather: summer without the crowds
On the coast, September and October feel like a gentle summer: highs of 25-27°C in September and 24-26°C in October, mild evenings and less haze than in high summer. The trade winds that blow hard in July and August ease off, and the west coast — home to Tijarafe, Porís de Candelaria and Puerto Naos — stays especially sheltered and sunny. Up at altitude (Roque de los Muchachos sits at 2,426 m) it gets genuinely chilly, so bring warm layers if you go stargazing.
The sea: the warmest of the year
The Atlantic runs behind the calendar: the water that feels brisk in June reaches 23-24°C in September and October, its warmest of the year. Combined with the calm seas of the west coast, September is our guides' favourite month to paddle: warm water, golden light and empty coves.
⏳ Important if you visit in September: these are the last kayak departures of the 2026 season — we paddle until the end of the month. The Cueva Bonita kayak tour costs from €45 and the sunset kayak (the only one in La Palma) from €60.
Book my spotFewer crowds, better prices
Once August is over, the island returns to its own rhythm: the Caldera de Taburiente trails are queue-free, you will always find a spot at the saltwater pools, and there is no fighting over tables at the local guachinches. Flights and accommodation usually drop noticeably compared with summer.
What to do in September and October
- 🛶 Kayak to Cueva Bonita (September only): warm sea, calm water and the last spots of the year. The most special way to see the west coast. All the practical info here.
- 🥾 Hiking: with milder heat, it is the perfect season for the Route of the Volcanoes, the laurel forests of the north or the Tajogaite volcano.
- 🌌 Stargazing: La Palma's skies are among the best in the world, and autumn nights are long and stable. Find out why in La Palma, the Island of the Stars.
- 💦 Natural pools and beaches: Charco Azul and Nogales beach, with the water at its very best and none of the August crowds.
- 🍇 Food and the grape harvest: new wines, almond pastries and farmers' markets. More in our food guide.
September vs October at a glance
| September | October | |
|---|---|---|
| Coast temperature | 25-27°C | 24-26°C |
| Sea | 23-24°C, calm | 23°C, a little more variable |
| Kayaking | ✅ Last departures of the season | Ask us on WhatsApp |
| Crowds | Quiet | Very quiet |
Planning the full route? Pair this guide with our 3-day and 7-day itineraries, or the general guide to what to do in La Palma.