Arrecife
28.963°, -13.548° · 20 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 73% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 7.30° at peak.
65/100Good
73%
Partial eclipse · 73% obscuration
See the eclipse from Arrecife minute by minute
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Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Arrecife
Arrecife is the capital of the island of Lanzarote and of the province of Las Palmas, in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. With just over 61,000 inhabitants and situated practically at sea level, at about 20 metres altitude, it occupies the eastern coastal strip of the island, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Its geographical position, close to the tropics and far from the European continent, gives it a dry, warm climate year-round.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Arrecife will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 19:52 local time, with the Sun at 8.7° above the horizon—a comfortable margin for unobstructed viewing. The Sun will be in the west-northwest direction, at an azimuth of 282°, placing maximum phase at late afternoon with grazing light over the Atlantic.
The weather in August
August is one of the most stable months of the year in Arrecife. Average temperature is around 25.6 °C, with highs of 29.5 °C and lows no lower than 21.5 °C. Rainfall is virtually absent—barely 0.5 mm on average—and the month accumulates around 304 hours of sunlight. The probability of clear skies reaches 73%, with very low risk of storms. Data: AEMET (1991–2020).
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Arrecife occurred on 27 October 1780, 246 years ago, lasting 49 seconds of totality. Before that, on 1 April 1764, the city witnessed an annular eclipse lasting almost four minutes. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next total eclipse will not be visible until 11 May 2078, and the next annular not until 2136.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, the Sun will be 8.7° high above the horizon and at an azimuth of 282°, oriented west-northwest. This means the gaze must be directed almost seaward, slightly north of due west. The low solar altitude is characteristic of late August afternoon in Lanzarote and requires an unobstructed horizon in that direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Arrecife
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:56 UTC | 18:56 | +20.6° | 276.0° |
| Maximum | 18:51 UTC | 19:51 | +8.7° | 282.2° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:43 UTC | 20:43 | -1.5° | 288.2° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (288.2°)
Azimuth at C4
288.2° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-1.55°
Terrain horizon
1.44°
Sun−terrain margin
+7.30°
What the contact points (C1-C4) mean
A solar eclipse is described by four key moments, the contact points between the discs of the Sun and the Moon:
- C1First contact: the Moon touches the edge of the Sun and the partial eclipse begins.
- C2Second contact: the Moon fully covers the Sun and totality begins.
- C3Third contact: the Sun reappears and totality ends.
- C4Fourth contact: the Moon leaves the Sun's disc and the eclipse ends.
Where the eclipse is only partial, the Moon never fully covers the Sun: only C1 and C4 occur, with no totality in between.
Peaks near Arrecife
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peñas del Chache | 674 m | 17.6 km | 9° N |
| Peñas del Chache | 673.55 m | 17.6 km | 9° N |
| El Castillejo | 625 m | 17.5 km | 6° N |
| Montaña Ganada | 597 m | 19.2 km | 7° N |
| Montaña BlancaIn the Sun's direction | 596 m | 9.2 km | 281° W |
| Peña de Juan Estévez | 577 m | 16.0 km | 9° N |
| Hacha Grande | 562.38 m | 24.3 km | 250° WSW |
| Hacha Grande | 562 m | 24.3 km | 250° WSW |
Weather in Arrecife in August
Avg. temp.
25.6°C
Max / min
29.5° / 21.5°
Precipitation
0.5 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station LANZAROTE AEROPUERTO, 5 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
1%
P75 — cloudier days
24%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Arrecife
- Last total eclipseOctober 27, 1780246 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next total eclipseMay 11, 2078
- Next annular eclipseApril 1, 2136
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Arrecife
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Arrecife?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 73% covered at maximum from Arrecife.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Arrecife?
Maximum occurs at 19:51 local time (18:51 UTC) in Arrecife.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Arrecife?
Look WNW (azimuth 282°); the Sun will be 9° above the horizon at maximum from Arrecife.
Is Arrecife a good place to watch the eclipse?
Arrecife is a good option (score 65/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse?
Yes, you need ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during every partial phase. Regular sunglasses do NOT protect. Glasses can only be removed during the totality phase (when the Sun is fully covered); never during annular or partial eclipses. Pages flagged "visible" assume a clear horizon, not a viewing recommendation.
Nearby cities
All cities in Canary Islands →Where to stay in Arrecife
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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