How would you compare whether land or water heats faster

Land surfaces absorb much more solar radiation than water. This is due to the fact that most land surfaces are darker than water which of course means more absorption of solar radiation and heat. Water reflects most solar radiation that reaches its surface back to the atmosphere.

Use the example of the Sun and how it heats the pavement and ground way faster than it does for water ... the land absorbed the heat rays while the water mostly uses it to create condensation