The number of irregular migrants arriving by boat in the Canary Islands has dropped considerably during the first half of 2026, with official figures showing a 67.2% decrease compared with the same period last year.
According to data released by Spain's Ministry of the Interior, 3,708 migrants reached the Canary Islands by sea between 1st January and 30th June 2026, compared with 11,321 during the same six-month period in 2025.
The figures also show that migrants arrived aboard 49 boats, down from 186 recorded by the end of June last year, a reduction of 137 boats.
Arrivals Across Spain Also Down
Across Spain as a whole, which includes the Canary and Balearic Islands, 12,138 people entered the country irregularly during the first six months of the year by land and sea, representing a 32.5% decrease compared with the 17,990 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025.
Overall, 9,440 migrants reached Spain by sea, a 44.2% fall from last year's total of 16,931. The number of boats involved also dropped significantly, with 371 vessels arriving this year compared with 542 during the same period in 2025.
Arrivals to the Mainland by Sea Increase
Despite the overall decline, irregular sea arrivals to the mainland of Spain have risen.
The Ministry of the Interior recorded 3,086 migrants arriving by sea on the Spanish mainland between January and June, an increase of 19.4% compared with the same period last year.
When combined with the 2,631 arrivals to the Balearic Islands, a total of 5,717 migrants reached mainland Spain and the Balearics by sea, representing a modest increase of 2.1% year-on-year.
