Crete Water Temperature

Crete is the biggest of the Greek islands, and is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Sheltered rocky coves, unspoiled sandy beaches, the shimmering blue Mediterranean and picture postcard traditional villages attract visitors from all over the globe. The island’s main city, Heraklion is easy to reach from anywhere in the world by air, and numerous cruise ships and ferries also call at Crete.

You’ll adore the blue domed, white washed churches that are a feature of many villages, while the old Venetian lighthouse at Chania is the perfect place to watch the sun set over the sea. Visit Samaria national park to hike through the spectacular gorge or just make the most of the perfect beaches and enjoy swimming, sunbathing and water sports in a superb setting.

Crete is a close to Mediterranean sea. August is the month with the highest water temperature at 78.8°F / 26°C.
The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 59.4°F / 15.2°C.
April is the driest at 0in / 0mm and December the wettest month with 4.9in / 125.2mm.
With an average air temperature of 77.9°F / 25.5°C, August is the warmest month in a year. January is the coldest with 53.2°F / 11.8°C average air temperature.
The Climate is described as . Best time to Visit would be in May, June, August, September, October, July.

Crete Summary

Description Value
Current water temperature /
Warmest Month Water Temperature: August with 78.8°F / 26°C
Coldest Month Water Temperature: February with 59.4°F / 15.2°C
Warmest Month Air Temperature: August with 77.9°F / 25.5°C
Coldest Month Air Temperature: January with 53.2°F / 11.8°C
Wettest Month: December with 4.9in / 125.2mm
Driest Month: April with 0in / 0mm
Highest Humidity November with 74.5%
Lowest Humidity July with 63.3%
Best Time to Visit: May, June, August, September, October, July
Climate Classification

Crete water temperature by month

Mediterranean sea water temperature by month

Max. Water

Temperature (°C)

ø. Water

Temperature (°C)

Min. Water

Temperature (°C)

January

16.6 16 15.4

February

15.4 15.2 15.1

March

15.6 15.3 15.1

April

17.3 16.2 15.7

May

20.4 18.8 17.5

June

24 22.3 20.5

July

25.9 25 23.9

August

26.1 25.9 25.7

September

25.7 24.8 23.9

October

23.9 22.8 21.5

November

21.5 20.4 19.2

December

19.2 18 16.7

Mediterranean sea water temperature by month

Max. Water

Temperature (°F)

ø. Water

Temperature (°F)

Min. Water

Temperature (°F)

January

61.9 60.8 59.7

February

59.7 59.4 59.2

March

60.1 59.5 59.2

April

63.1 61.2 60.3

May

68.7 65.8 63.5

June

75.2 72.1 68.9

July

78.6 77 75

August

79 78.6 78.3

September

78.3 76.6 75

October

75 73 70.7

November

70.7 68.7 66.6

December

66.6 64.4 62.1

August is the month with the warmest water temperature at 78.8°F / 26°C. The month with the coldest is February with an average water temperature of 59.4°F / 15.2°C.

Water temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea around Crete are at their lowest in the month of February when 59F or 15C is average.  The temperature rises steadily over spring and summer to reach the annual high of approximately 79.7F or 26.5C in early September.  The crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkelling and diving and in summer it feels like swimming in a nice warm bath.

Best time to visit Crete

Crete lies in two distinct climate zones, with the northern part of the island enjoying a temperate Mediterranean climate, while the south basks in a sunny, North African climate zone.  The overall temperatures throughout the year range from 62F or 16.7C in February to 88F or 31C in August and early September.

If you’re visiting in the cooler winter months you might like to pack a warmer jacket for evenings, while light beach wear and cotton clothing is perfect for the hot, dry summer months.

Crete weather by month / climate table

Max.

Temperature

°C

ø.

Temperature

°C

Min.

Temperature

(°C)

Precip.

(mm)

Rainy Days

(d)

Rel. Humidity

(%)

January

14.5 11.8 9.1 98.6 9 74%

February

14.3 11.9 9.1 90.7 7 73.5%

March

16.7 13.3 10.2 12.6 0 71.9%

April

18.8 15.6 11.3 0 0 70.3%

May

22.6 19.1 14.8 0 0 68.3%

June

26.3 22.9 18.3 0 0 65.1%

July

28.1 25.3 21.3 0 0 63.3%

August

27.9 25.5 21.4 0 0 65.1%

September

26.7 23.2 19.5 0 0 68.6%

October

23.6 19.9 15.6 1.8 0 72.7%

November

20 16.8 13.4 25.3 0 74.5%

December

17.1 13.5 10.5 125.2 9 74.3%

Max.

Temperature

°F

ø.

Temperature

°F

Min.

Temperature

(°F)

Precip.

(in)

Rainy Days

(d)

Rel. Humidity

(%)

January

58.1 53.2 48.4 3.9 9 74%

February

57.7 53.4 48.4 3.6 7 73.5%

March

62.1 55.9 50.4 0.5 0 71.9%

April

65.8 60.1 52.3 0 0 70.3%

May

72.7 66.4 58.6 0 0 68.3%

June

79.3 73.2 64.9 0 0 65.1%

July

82.6 77.5 70.3 0 0 63.3%

August

82.2 77.9 70.5 0 0 65.1%

September

80.1 73.8 67.1 0 0 68.6%

October

74.5 67.8 60.1 0.1 0 72.7%

November

68 62.2 56.1 1 0 74.5%

December

62.8 56.3 50.9 4.9 9 74.3%

April is the most draught at 0in / 0mm and December the month with the most rain around 4.9in / 125.2mm. The avg. temperature is around 77.9°F / 25.5°C, August is the hottest month in a year. January is the coolest with 53.2°F / 11.8°C avg. temperature.

You should see this when you visiting Crete

Crete is beautiful, and from the snow capped mountains of the interior to the sandy beaches of the south coast, the countryside is as diverse as it is spectacular.  Take a trip to Ha Gorge in Lerapetra.  The magnificent gorge is just feet apart at some places and also features the highest waterfalls in Crete, and close to Ha Gorge, the remains of a Minoan settlement at Vassiliki are of interest to history fans.

The Samaria Gorge National park is in south west Crete close to the village of Agia Roumeli, and visitors can climb up through the gorge from the beach or enter from the other side near Chania, where you can also see the old Venetian lighthouse.  There is excellent shopping in Heraklion and Chania, while nightlife and entertainment is vibrant and varied and a predominant attraction in beach resorts and the major cities.  The exquisite beaches are some of the cleanest and most unspoiled in the Greek Islands, and the clear waters are perfect for swimming, water skiing, kayaking, sailing, snorkelling and diving.

Activities & POI in Crete

Type of Activity List
Beach Kalathas Beach, Kalyves, Kera, Kalami Beach, Seitan Limani, Kiani Beach, Blue Coast, Loutraki Beach
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