Partial solar eclipse of 12 August 2026 in the Canary Islands: times and how to watch it
Updated: July 2026. Times in local Canary time (WEST, UTC+1 in summer). Data verified with timeanddate and the IAC.
On Wednesday 12 August 2026, the Canary sky treats us to one of the astronomical events of the year. While the north of mainland Spain will experience a total solar eclipse that day, from the Canaries we will see it as a partial eclipse: the Moon will pass in front of the Sun and cover it by around 70%. And there is one detail that makes it special: it happens almost at sunset, with the Sun very low over the western horizon.
Times by island
The times are almost identical across all the islands. In the two capitals:
Tenerife (Santa Cruz): begins at 18:57, maximum at 19:53, ends around 20:45–20:46.
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas): begins at 18:58, maximum at 19:53, ends at 20:45.
At maximum, the Sun will be covered by around 70% (magnitude ~0.75). The percentage varies a little depending on where you are: above 66% across all the islands, close to 70% in the capitals and somewhat less (~68%) in the south of Tenerife. The whole event lasts almost two hours.
An eclipse at sunset: look west
This is the key to not missing it. The maximum happens with the Sun already very low, at just about 10 degrees above the horizon, and the final phase coincides almost exactly with sunset. The Sun will be towards the west / west-northwest.
What does this mean for you? That you need a clear horizon towards the west-northwest. A building, a mountain or a hillside can block precisely the part of the sky where the eclipse will be. In Tenerife, moreover, the Teide massif and the terrain block the western horizon from many points in the east and the south, so choose your spot carefully.
Where to watch it
Look for a high or open spot with a clear view to the west:
Coastlines and viewpoints facing west / northwest, without mountains or buildings cutting off the horizon.
Elevated points overlooking the sea to the west.
If you want to fine-tune it, apps like Stellarium or ShadeMap help you check that the terrain will not block the Sun at that hour.
Since the Sun will be low and over the sea, on top of the eclipse you will also get a sunset as a backdrop: a perfect plan if you pick your spot well.
Safety: never look directly at the Sun
This is non-negotiable. Because it is a partial eclipse, in the Canaries the Sun never stops being dangerous: there is no moment of total darkness when you could look with the naked eye.
⚠️ Always protect your eyes.
Do not look directly at the Sun, not even when it is 70% covered.
Use only certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 standard). Ordinary sunglasses, even several pairs at once, do not work.
Do not look at the Sun through binoculars, a telescope, a camera or a phone, not even while wearing eclipse glasses: these devices concentrate the light (like a magnifying glass) and can melt the glasses' filter and injure your eyes instantly. To use one of them, the certified solar filter must be fitted on the front, over the lens (the objective), never over your eyes.
A low Sun, near the horizon, can look softer and fool you: keep your protection on while it is above the horizon.
Where to get certified eclipse glasses
Buy only glasses certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard (look for it printed on the glasses themselves), from an identifiable seller and with a genuine CE mark. Where to look for them in the Canaries:
Opticians: many sell certified eclipse glasses in the run-up to the event (chains such as Opticalia, among others). Ask at your trusted optician and check for the ISO 12312-2 mark.
Astronomy shops: in Tenerife, specialist shops such as Alpha Cygni (Los Realejos) sell approved solar filters and glasses.
Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos (La Laguna): it usually organises activities around eclipses; it is worth getting in touch close to the date to ask about observations and materials.
Certified online shops: there are specialist retailers that ship to the Canaries. Buy in advance, because they sell out as the eclipse approaches.
⚠️ Beware of counterfeits. Ahead of an eclipse, fake glasses with fraudulent markings that do not protect you start to appear. Warning signs: blurry labels, a seller with no physical address, absurdly low prices, or no certification they can show you. Reject any glasses that are scratched, bent or have lighter patches: a single hole lets dangerous light through. The official safety reference in Spain is the Comité Nacional de Eclipses (eclipses.ign.es).
In summary
On 12 August 2026, from 18:57 until sunset, the Canaries will see a partial eclipse that covers close to 70% of the Sun, low, towards the west. Choose a spot with a clear horizon to the west-northwest, get yourself a pair of approved eclipse glasses, and enjoy a sunset with a difference.
Are you going to watch it from a viewpoint or a beach with a good view to the west? Tell us your favourite spot and we will share it with other readers. And remember: safety, always first.
Data verified with timeanddate and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), July 2026. Times may vary by seconds depending on your exact location.