The last official month of summer doesn't tend to disappoint, especially in these parts of Playa de la Arena. The average temperature is a beautiful 24°C (75°F), with the low end at 21°C during the night. The slightly increasing humidity of 71% on average makes it a very pleasant and comfortable time to be in Tenerife, as the hotter days are expected to reach 27°C as a high average. Obviously it can be hotter than that, so don't forget to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water in order not to feel the downside of tropical heat waves typical to the island during this time of the year.
The days are shorter, with up to 9 hours of glorious sunshine and a whopping 80% chance of sunny days throughout the month, so expect not much else besides clear blue skies and plenty of heat to accompany you on your holiday in Tenerife. There's barely a 3% chance of rain and 2% chance of clouds on average, with rainfall expected to hit 2mm. This roughly translates to the occasional 5-minute shower over the course of 4 days in September, and a much welcome refreshing break from the heat.
The winds continue to blow at an average speed of 12mph, most of them eastern and dry from the African continent. The mountains do a good job of mellowing down their occasionally scorching effect, making Playa de la Arena an excellent spot to enjoy comfortable heat and soothing ocean breezes even in September. There's a 60% average chance of windy days to occur, which allows for the waters to chime in with high tides and perfect conditions for sailing and parasailing, as well as paddle and wind surfing.
The water maintains a splendid average temperature of 22°C (72°F), making it perfect for swimming, snorkelling and deep diving. Just don't forget the SPF lotion, as the sun may be harmful to the unprotected skin.
Hotel Jardines de Nivaria is a luxurious hotel complex which offers splendid twin rooms from £124 per night for couples. It can be found right next to the exclusive Fanabe Beach, a few miles from Arena's main beach. Its exotic gardens outline two beautiful outdoor swimming pools, and the resort also features a spa centre, squash and tennis court, fitness centre and on-site restaurants and bars. The stylish rooms are fitted with air conditioning, flat screen TV and en suite bathroom, and they all feature balconies which open up to stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Another excellent option for this time of the year is the delightful Dream Hotel Villa Tagoro, which offers lovely double rooms for £73 per night for couples. It sits in the residential part of the Adeje Coast, a short drive from Playa de la Arena and Los Gigantes. The resort features lush tropical gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and fine dining restaurants and bars. The Canarian style cluster of buildings offer modern suites which include air conditioning, flat screen TV and plush sofa lounge spaces, as well as private terraces which open out to the deep blue ocean and resort. For all your shopping needs, the Gran Sur Shopping Centre can be found right next to the property, so if you want to spoil yourself, this is a good place to start.
Isabel Hotel is one of the best choices for the month of September, but you want to book your accommodation in advance, as the superb bungalows tend to go fast at just £70 per night. The resort is beautiful and offers breath-taking views of its swimming pools, the ocean or the neighbouring mountains. Its villas and bungalows come fitted with patios, air conditioning, flat screen TV in the lounge area and fully equipped kitchens for the maximum comfort of guests who choose Hotel Isabel. There's a mini market available on-site, as well as a buffet restaurant, a poolside bar and a posh cocktail lounge all part of what is one of the best accommodation options on the western coast of Tenerife, in terms of value for money.
Since you're most likely to take that Royal Delfin tour (we definitely would!), you can also reserve a few days to spend on the marvellous beaches of Los Gigantes, the sister-resort of Playa de la Arena, a 5-minute walk away from our favourite black sand beach. The sand of Los Gigantes is also a natural occurrence of volcanic effects. This beach is tucked away on the northern shore of the marina, under the watchful "gaze" of the giant cliffs. The waters are shallow and clear, perfect for swimming, and even better for snorkelling around the rocky clusters of the coastline.
The black sand tends to soak up heat from the sun, and manages to keep itself warm even during the night, so if you fancy a midnight swim and dry-off afterwards, this is definitely one of the best places for this. The beach is also lined by a promenade with rows of cafes, shops and terraces to enjoy at any time of the day, and it holds the Blue Flag for water safety, cleanliness and excellent amenities.
There is a 7-course taster menu available for just £40 at the delightful Lupulo Restaurant, one of the most particular and impressive restaurants on the west coast of Tenerife. This little gem can be found in the old town square of Alcala, and features an impressive gourmet menu of both Canarian and Spanish cuisine, as well as a variety of international speciality dishes that are bound to keep you seated and sated throughout the evening.
Tipsy Terrace Bar and Bistro is not known as just one of the best restaurants near Playa de la Arena. It also maintains a solid reputation as one of the best tennis centres and all-rounders for families across these parts of the island. The menu is an excellent fusion of local and Asian cuisine, of which we're happy to mention the Thai fish cakes, lamb dishes and the fish pie. The desserts are dangerously addictive and the overall atmosphere and service quality have turned Tipsy into THE place to be in the evening.
Las Goteras started out as a simple and humble eatery that just served really good grub for affordable prices, but it's high quality quickly helped it develop into one of the most popular restaurants of Playa de la Arena. Some of its current specialities include flaming sausages and fried goat's cheese topped with a coriander sauce, and the wine pairings are close to flawless. If you want great value for money, this is where you start.
Take the Royal Delfin Tour and go aboard a luxurious catamaran cruise to explore and admire the rugged splendour of the Los Gigantes cliffs and Masca. There's a spacious open-air deck and an inside art deco lounge bar area for you to enjoy while the Royal Delfin cuts across the deep blue waves. The air conditioned underwater cabins features large windows with a full view of marine life, giving you the unique opportunity to watch dolphins and whales swim underwater. Ideally you should definitely spend some time on the deck, as the bottlenose dolphins are quite the show-offs and engage in some out of water acrobatic jumps. You'll also get to go for a swim and relax over an abundant lunch complete with sangria and beers.
Don't forget to take the Twin Ticket Entrance to Siam Park and Loro Parque, the crown jewels of entertainment on the western coast of Tenerife. Siam Park alone offers over 30 amazing attractions to enjoy, from water slides to funky rides, restaurants and fun activities for the whole family, and it never ceases to amaze when it comes to its Thai beaches and amenities. On the other side, Loro Parque is a haven for rare and protected species of tigers, monkeys, gorillas and giant sea tortoises, set in naturally lush habitats for the purpose of conservation. Visitors can also interact with the smaller monkeys that "patrol" this nature reserve, so don't forget that camera!
