Island Overview
Crete closes July 2026 in full meltemi mode. No rain is forecast anywhere on the island. Temperatures range from 27°C in Rethymno to 31°C in Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and UV indices sit between 8.2 and 8.5 across all regions. The north coast carries morning cloud while the east and south bask under clear skies. The northerly meltemi, stiff since overnight, is the main variable shaping the day.
North Coast vs South Coast
Chania is the most sheltered city today. A peak gust of only 14 km/h and a high of 28°C make it the calmest option on the island. Rethymno and Heraklion are partly cloudy with winds of 25 to 30 km/h and highs in the upper 20s. Hersonissos and Malia follow the same pattern, with waves building to 1.7 to 1.8 metres on open north-facing beaches.
Ierapetra on the south coast records the hottest conditions: a high of 30°C and a night low that never dropped below 27°C. Winds gust to 45 km/h there, the strongest reading on the island today, channeled through the Libyan Sea corridor. Despite the wind, wave heights stay below 1 metre on the south coast, making it calmer for bathers than the exposed northern shoreline.
East Crete
Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Makrigialos record the island peak at 31°C under cloudless skies. Gusts reach 37 km/h at all three, with waves between 1.2 and 1.7 metres in the Gulf of Mirabello. Sitia stays cooler at 27°C with similar wind speeds.
Mountain Conditions
The Lefka Ori above Chania and Mount Ida above Rethymno are dry and clear today. Hikers on the Samaria Gorge trail or the E4 should expect strong gusts at exposed ridges and significantly higher temperatures in the gorge floor by midday. Carry at least two litres of water per person and start before 07:00.
Sea, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures range from 25.4°C at Makrigialos to 27°C at Heraklion and Rethymno, comfortable for swimming across the island. The UV index is high at 8.2 to 8.5 everywhere. SPF 50, a hat and shade between noon and 15:00 are not optional today. North-coast exposed beaches see waves of 1.6 to 2.0 metres. South-coast beaches are 0.8 to 1.2 metres.
Swim Verdict
Best swimming today is on the south coast and in sheltered east-coast bays. Ierapetra and Makrigialos offer warm water above 25°C with waves below 1.2 metres. The Gulf of Mirabello around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos is manageable at around 1.5 metres. Open north-coast beaches from Heraklion to Hersonissos carry waves near 2 metres: fine for confident adult swimmers, but not recommended for children or inexperienced bathers.
Practical Tip for Today
If you are based on the north coast and want calmer water, the drive from Heraklion to Ierapetra takes about 90 minutes via the Lassithi plateau. You gain warmer air, lose the swell, and avoid the busiest north-coast beaches at peak season. Leave before 08:00 to cross the plateau pass before the afternoon heat builds.
