WHY THE SUN IN GRAN CANARIA IS MORE SERIOUS THAN MANY VISITORS REALISE ☀️

# UV INDEX 11 IN GRAN CANARIA - WHY THE SUN IN GRAN CANARIA IS MORE SERIOUS THAN MANY VISITORS REALISE ☀️

Today parts of Gran Canaria, including Puerto de Mogán, are once again reaching around UV Index 11 according to AEMET’s ultraviolet forecast for the Canary Islands.

In Spain and the Canary Islands, UV 11 is classified as:

“Extremadamente alto” - extremely high.

This is a level where unprotected skin and eyes can be damaged surprisingly quickly, especially for visitors from:

• the UK

• Ireland

• Scandinavia

• Northern Europe

where the skin is generally not adapted to this intensity of sun.

Many visitors say:

“But it doesn’t feel that hot.”

That is exactly why Gran Canaria can sometimes be deceptive.

The trade winds, sea breeze and lower humidity along the coast often make the temperature feel comfortable and pleasant, while the UV radiation itself remains extremely strong.

You can burn badly here without ever feeling overheated.

WHAT THE CANARY ISLANDS HEALTH AUTHORITIES ADVISE

The Canary Islands Health Service recommends extra caution when UV levels become extreme.

Current advice includes:

• Stay in shade during the strongest hours

• Avoid prolonged direct sun exposure roughly between 11:00 and 17:00

• Use SPF 50+ sunscreen

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection

• Use hats and light protective clothing

• Never expose babies directly to strong sun

• Remember UV radiation can still be very high on cloudy or hazy days

WHY UV LEVELS ARE SO HIGH IN GRAN CANARIA

The Canary Islands regularly record some of the highest UV levels in Spain.

There are several reasons for this:

☀️ Southern latitude

Gran Canaria is far closer to the equator than the UK or Scandinavia.

☀️ Very clean atmosphere

The air is often clear with little pollution.

☀️ Reflection from sea and sand

Water and pale sand reflect UV radiation back upwards.

☀️ High sun position

At this time of year the sun is already extremely high in the sky.

☀️ Longer daylight hours

As summer approaches, exposure time increases significantly.

☀️ Mountain altitude inland

UV levels become even stronger in higher areas of the island.

Around 21-22 June the sun reaches its highest annual position, which is why the summer sun here can feel dramatically more intense than many visitors expect.

CLOUDS DO NOT FULLY PROTECT YOU

One of the most common misunderstandings is:

“If it’s cloudy, I won’t burn.”

Unfortunately that is not true.

Both Spanish and UK health authorities warn that UV radiation still passes through clouds. Many people actually burn more easily on partly cloudy days because they stay outside longer without realising how strong the UV still is.

VISITORS MOST AT RISK

This is particularly important for many British, Irish and Scandinavian visitors.

People with:

• fair skin

• freckles

• blonde or red hair

• blue or green eyes

• skin that burns easily

are much more vulnerable to UV damage here.

The first days of a holiday are often the highest risk because the skin has not yet adapted at all to the stronger sunlight.

A TAN IS NOT PROTECTION

A tan is often seen as healthy or protective, but medically it is actually a sign that the skin has already reacted to UV exposure.

Repeated overexposure increases the risk of:

• premature skin ageing

• pigmentation damage

• eye damage and cataracts

• skin cancers including melanoma

SIMPLE ADVICE WHEN UV IS EXTREME (10 and above)

If you are visiting Gran Canaria during periods of UV 10-11+, health professionals generally recommend:

1️⃣ Check the UV forecast before going out

2️⃣ Use SPF 50+

3️⃣ Apply sunscreen before leaving your accommodation

4️⃣ Reapply every two hours

5️⃣ Wear sunglasses and a hat

6️⃣ Seek shade during midday hours

7️⃣ Drink more water than usual

8️⃣ Be especially careful with children and older people

THE SHADOW RULE

A very simple rule often used by health authorities:

If your shadow is shorter than you are, the UV is extremely strong and it is time to seek shade.

GRAN CANARIA’S SUN DESERVES RESPECT

Gran Canaria is beautiful all year and one of the reasons people love the island is exactly because of the sunshine.

But from now until roughly mid-August, the UV levels deserve real respect, especially for visitors arriving from northern climates.

Even when the weather feels pleasant, the sun can still damage skin very quickly.

Enjoy the sunshine, but respect it ☀️

WHY THE SUN IN GRAN CANARIA IS MORE SERIOUS THAN MANY VISITORS REALISE : ☀️