Costa del Sol Weather: Month by Month, Live & Honest
Planning a trip to the western Costa del Sol? Here is the real picture of the weather in Sabinillas and Manilva — month-by-month air and sea temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours and when the water is actually warm enough to swim. Unlike the big weather sites, we live here: the live readings below come from our own beachfront sensor and the sea temperature is measured on this stretch of the Alboran coast, not modelled from a wide offshore grid.
Sabinillas weather right now
It is around 25°C on the beach right now. The sea off Sabinillas is about 21°C right now.
Live Netatmo Weather Station
Climate averages last verified July 2026. Live readings above update through the day.
Costa del Sol weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Sea | Rainfall | Sun/day | Rainy days | The feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C | 8°C | 15°C | 105 mm | 5 h | 12 | Quiet, cool, hiking season |
| February | 15°C | 8°C | 15°C | 92 mm | 6 h | 12 | Still winter, almond blossom |
| March | 17°C | 9°C | 15°C | 75 mm | 7 h | 10 | Warming up, wildflowers |
| April | 19°C | 10°C | 16°C | 60 mm | 8 h | 10 | Ideal spring weather |
| May | 22°C | 13°C | 17°C | 38 mm | 9 h | 7 | Peak spring, beach season opens |
| June | 25°C | 16°C | 19°C | 17 mm | 11 h | 4 | Hot, dry, near-perfect beach |
| July | 28°C | 18°C | 21°C | 3 mm | 11 h | 2 | Peak summer, very hot |
| August | 29°C | 19°C | 22°C | 5 mm | 10 h | 2 | Hottest, busiest, fiesta season |
| September | 26°C | 18°C | 21°C | 23 mm | 8 h | 4 | Warm, calmer, still swimmable |
| October | 22°C | 14°C | 19°C | 65 mm | 7 h | 8 | Still lovely, rain returns |
| November | 18°C | 11°C | 17°C | 125 mm | 5 h | 11 | Wettest spell, beaches empty |
| December | 15°C | 8°C | 16°C | 123 mm | 5 h | 12 | Mild winter, festive towns |
A couple of things to read into the table. The sea always lags the air by a month or two, so the water is warmest in late summer, not midsummer. And a high number of “rainy days” rarely means a washout — most rain here arrives as a short, dramatic downpour that has cleared by lunch.
The Costa del Sol month by month
How each month actually feels on the western Costa del Sol — the temperature, the sea, the rain and who each month suits best.
January
January is the Costa del Sol at its most peaceful. Daytime highs sit around 15°C with plenty of bright, still days, but the sea is a bracing 15°C — this is a month for coastal walks, hiking the hills behind the coast and lunch on a sunny terrace rather than swimming. Pack layers for cool evenings and a light rain jacket.
February
February feels much like January — mild 15°C afternoons, cool nights and a 15°C sea. The almond trees blossom pink and white across the hills, and it is one of the driest of the winter months. Ideal for winter-sun stays and long-stay “overwintering”, with the beaches almost to yourself.
March
Spring stirs in March. Highs climb to about 17°C, the wildflowers start and the rain eases off, though the sea is still a cool 15°C. Great walking and sightseeing weather; bring a swimsuit only if you are hardy. Easter can fall in late March, bringing the first busier week.
April
April is one of the loveliest months to visit — around 19°C, long sunny days and only the occasional shower. The sea edges up to 16°C, still fresh for most, but the terraces and beaches come alive. Pack for warm days and cooler evenings, plus something for a rare April shower.
May
By May the dial turns. Highs reach around 22°C, the sea hits a swimmable-for-most 17°C and the rain all but stops. The beach season opens and the chiringuitos fire up their grills, but prices stay well short of summer. For the best weather-to-crowds ratio of the year, May is hard to beat.
June
June brings full early-summer warmth — highs around 25°C, long 11-hour sunny days and a warm 19°C sea. It is dry, bright and not yet at peak-August intensity or crowd levels. One of the best all-round beach months on the coast.
July
July is proper Mediterranean summer: highs of 28°C, spikes past 33°C, effectively zero rain and a warm 21°C sea. The beaches and paseo buzz until late. Bring serious sun protection, book air-conditioned accommodation and plan the beach for mornings and late afternoons.
August
August is the hottest and busiest month — highs of 29°C, the warmest sea of the year at 22°C and the coast’s biggest fiestas. It is glorious if you love heat and a lively beach, but it is also the priciest and most crowded time to come. Book well ahead.
September
September is the unsung hero of the Costa del Sol calendar. Highs stay around 26°C, the sea is at its warmest-feeling 21°C and the crowds thin out as the Spanish holidays end. Beach days are reliable, evenings are balmy and value improves week by week. The best single month for many visitors.
October
October cools to about 22°C and the rain starts creeping back, but the first half of the month often still delivers proper beach days, the sea holds at a swimmable 19°C and value is excellent. Pack summer clothes plus a light layer and a packable rain jacket for the odd shower.
November
November is the wettest month, with the year’s heaviest rainfall arriving in short bursts between mild, bright spells around 18°C. The sea holds a fresh 17°C. The beaches empty out and it becomes a quiet, affordable time for walks, culture and winter-sun escapes rather than swimming.
December
December is mild by northern-European standards — around 15°C by day, cool at night, with a 16°C sea. It can be wet, but bright, still days are common and the towns light up for Christmas. A gentle month for a warm winter break away from the frost back home.
Sea temperature on the Costa del Sol
The single most common planning mistake is assuming that hot air means a warm sea. The Mediterranean here takes its time to warm up and is slow to cool down, so the water peaks in late summer and stays swimmable well into autumn — the sea is at its warmest around August and September, not midsummer.
One honest local detail the big weather sites miss: the western Costa del Sol sits on the Alboran Sea, near the Strait of Gibraltar, so the water off Sabinillas and Manilva runs a touch cooler than the figures quoted for Málaga city further east. That is exactly why our live reading above is worth more than a modelled number — it is measured on this beach.
In practice, June to early October is the swimming window, and September is the sweet spot: the sea is at its absolute warmest just as the beaches empty out. A levante (easterly wind) can briefly push cooler water and a little seaweed onto the shore for a day, most often between May and October, but it usually clears within a day.
How warm is the sea, month by month?
| Sea temperature | Months | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 21–22°C (lovely) | July, August, September | Everyone, all ages |
| 19–20°C (warm) | June, early October | Most swimmers, happy splashing |
| 17–18°C (fresh) | May, late October, November | Confident swimmers, short dips |
| 15–16°C (bracing) | December–April | The hardy, wetsuit-keen, quick plungers |
Costa del Sol weather — frequently asked questions
Stay right on this beach
Whatever the season, our sea-view apartment is 30 seconds from the sand in Sabinillas — the same beach these readings are measured on. Check your dates and book direct.